Wu Qingsong shook his head. “How would I know?”
Xu Shengwu frowned. Ever since he returned from his long trip, he had this odd feeling—like something had shifted in his absence. Something at home wasn’t quite the same.
Especially his little sister. She looked the same, spoke the same, but there was something different about her. He just couldn’t put his finger on it.
Meanwhile, Huo Chen had taken Xu Ying to the neighborhood where he had rented a house. When they arrived, he walked up to the door next to his and knocked.
“Is anyone home?”
The door creaked open, revealing an elderly man with silver-white hair and a gentle expression. His wrinkled face held a smile that made him look like the kind of grandpa who handed out candies to children in secret.
“Ah, Xiao Huo, it’s you,” the old man greeted warmly. Then, his eyes landed on Xu Ying, and his smile widened. “So this is the young lady looking to rent the house?”
Huo Chen gave a silent nod.
Old Man Sun immediately pulled out a key, unlocked the house next door, and waved them in enthusiastically. “Little girl, you’ve chosen the right place,” he said as he led them into the yard. “The landlord’s in a hurry to rent it out, and the price is ridiculously cheap. Come in, have a look.”
The moment Xu Ying stepped into the yard, her eyes lit up.
The place was spotless. A towering old tree stood proudly in the center, with flowers blooming around its roots and neat rows of vegetables thriving on one side. Whoever had lived here before clearly took pride in their home.
The house was spacious—seven rooms in total—with a kitchen, a proper bathroom, and a toilet. Each room was simple but clean, furnished with beds and cabinets. The furniture was old, maybe even a little shabby, but everything was still usable.
What caught Xu Ying’s attention the most, though, was the bathroom.
Unlike the typical rural setup with a smelly pit and two squatting stones, this toilet was tiled and modern. It even had a flush—pull the cord, and whoosh, it was clean again. Just that one detail had her sold.
“Uncle, how much is the rent?” she asked, anticipation dancing in her voice.
Old Man Sun glanced at Huo Chen. Seeing him nod in approval, he turned back to Xu Ying with a chuckle. “Very cheap,” he said, “The landlord’s got money and doesn’t care much about the rent. As long as you take good care of the place, it’s only eight yuan a month.”
Xu Ying nearly gaped. The house was at least 200 square meters. Eight yuan? That was a bargain.
Right now, housing was in short supply—money alone couldn’t guarantee you a roof over your head. Yet not only had she found a place, it was big, clean, in a great location, and dirt cheap.
She glanced at Huo Chen, eyes shining like stars. “Huo Chen, thank you so much!”
She turned to Old Man Sun. “Can we sign the contract now? What’s the minimum lease?”
Old Man Sun beamed. “As long as you like. Stay as long as you want.”
Xu Ying’s heart swelled with joy. Perfect.
She didn’t plan on staying in the state-owned restaurant forever. Her next goal was to become a chef in a state-owned factory—more people meant more chances to gain favor.
So she decided to rent the place for a year.
Old Man Sun, still grinning, added, “You can even pay monthly, if that’s easier.”
But Xu Ying shook her head. Too much hassle. Instead, she paid the entire year’s rent upfront—one hundred yuan gone in an instant.
As she touched the last hundred yuan left in her pocket, a sigh escaped her lips.
So poor.
Before accepting the money, Old Man Sun again looked toward Huo Chen for a silent confirmation. Clearly, he was used to Huo Chen bringing in trustworthy people.
But Huo Chen didn’t seem concerned. After all, hadn’t he sold her wild game before, making her hundreds of yuan? No matter how much she spent, she wouldn’t run out anytime soon.
With the house matter settled, Old Man Sun slowly made his way back, slightly hunched with age.
Only Xu Ying and Huo Chen remained.
Xu Ying watched him closely. This man didn’t have a job, yet he was flush with cash. And the wild animals he sold last time—she hadn’t forgotten that. It was obvious he had some connection to the black market.
“I’ve got some food and daily goods,” she said cautiously. “Can you help me sell them? I can give you a commission.”
Afraid he might reject her, she quickly added more, but Huo Chen cut her off.
“Sure,” he said plainly. “Just bring them whenever you’re ready, and I’ll handle the rest.”
Xu Ying blinked, surprised by his easy agreement. “Then… next Wednesday? I have a day off then. Come find me.”
He nodded, and the two headed back.
At home, Xu Shengwu was already waiting—arms crossed, frowning with impatience.
“Where were you?” he asked as soon as he saw them. “You were gone forever. So annoying.”
“Third Brother…” Xu Ying said, eyes wide with innocent grievance.
And just like that, the storm on his face vanished, replaced by a sheepish smile. “So? Did you rent a house?”
Xu Ying beamed. “The one Huo Chen found is perfect! It’s close to work, clean, and best of all—it’s dirt cheap!”
“When’s the contract signing?”
“Already signed. I paid and rented it for a whole year.”
That made Xu Shengwu pause. He turned to Huo Chen. “How much did it cost? I’ll pay you back.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Xu Ying, but she’d just started working. There’s no way she had that kind of money. It had to be Huo Chen who covered it.
“She paid it herself,” came Huo Chen’s cold reply.
Xu Shengwu’s eyes widened. “Little sister, where did you get that kind of money?”
“From my savings,” Xu Ying replied with a sly grin as she climbed into the truck.
A truck from Xu Shengwu’s transport unit had passed by, and he’d hitched a ride back with them.
The truck was large, with high seats in the front—enough space for all four of them.
Back when they used to do business, Huo Chen would sit in the front. But this time, Wu Qingsong had claimed the passenger seat.
Huo Chen said nothing, though a faint twitch of his brow gave him away.
Normally, Wu Qingsong didn’t care much for the view. But now, seated in the front, he seemed more interested in everything around him—possibly to Huo Chen’s annoyance.
“I’ll bring your bedding and clothes tomorrow,” Xu Shengwu said as he drove. “Mother and I will help clean up the place too. It’s not safe for you to live there alone. Why don’t you let Mom stay with you?”
Xu Ying quickly refused. One reason she wanted to live in the county town was for convenience—especially for all the things she could secretly do in her space.
“It’s fine, Third Brother. I’ll come straight home after work. I won’t be out late. And someone lives next door too, so if anything happens, I can just call for help.”
Of course, she didn’t mention that the neighbor was an old man who looked like he was already halfway into his grave.
The truck rumbled its way back to Xujia Village.
As soon as the big vehicle rolled in, villagers came out of their homes, curious eyes watching.
“Shengwu’s back!”
Word spread quickly. After all, Xu Shengwu was quite the catch in the village. A permanent worker in a state-owned transport unit—with good benefits and a handsome salary—and not to mention his tall, good-looking appearance.
He was popular. Very popular.
Girls shyly peeked at him from behind their mothers. Older women beamed with pride, hoping he might take a liking to their daughters.
“Shengwu, how long are you back for? My Yanzi just cooked—come eat at our place!”
“Don’t go to her place, come to mine! I just made chicken. Killed it this morning just for you. Such a coincidence you came back today!”
“Move aside, all of you!” Xu’s mother finally shouted as she pushed her way through the crowd. “My son finally came home, and you’re all dragging him everywhere! Let him come home and eat first, then talk!”
The villagers laughed, good-naturedly backing off as Xu’s mother reclaimed her son.