Chapter 90: Moving In

Jing Xi knew that as an ordinary student’s parent, gaining the right to speak up was not easy.

Moreover, in this case, Liu Chun had hit someone first. Regardless of whether Kong Yu had taken the meat bun first, it was still Liu Chun who started the fight, which made their position a little weak.

Since she had no children of her own, she couldn’t fully understand Zhang Rui’s emotions.

Otherwise, based on her usual way of handling things, she would have definitely found a way to vent her frustration.

The next day, Liu Jianchang and Zhang Rui went back to the school to pack up Liu Yan and Liu Chun’s belongings.

No matter what, the school agreed to Liu Chun’s transfer without much hassle, and the necessary paperwork was quickly signed.

Neither of them faced any real disciplinary action.

Liu Chun only needed to return at the end of the semester to take her exams.

As for Liu Yan, she officially began studying at home.

To provide Liu Yan with a good learning environment, Jing Xi gave up her own room so Liu Yan could stay there. In the meantime, she shared a room with Liu Chun, taking the opportunity to look after her.

Aside from eating and using the restroom, Liu Yan spent almost all her time studying in the small room.

Being able to eat home-cooked meals while studying, she even gained two pounds.

After fully recovering, Liu Chun went to the hospital for a final check-up. Once it was confirmed that she was fine, she also started studying at home.

Since she had already decided to transfer schools, whether or not she took this exam didn’t really matter. However, Liu Chun still wanted to do her best just in case the new school required her grades.

And so, both sisters embarked on their journey of home study.

Meanwhile, Jing Xi’s house was finally completed ten days before Liu Yan’s exam.

A brand-new home, a new courtyard, and a solid black gate—all freshly built.

On the day construction was finished, she even bought a string of firecrackers to set off, symbolizing the expulsion of all bad luck.

She hoped for a prosperous life ahead.

That evening, she prepared a grand feast to treat all the uncles and elders who had helped build her house, using the opportunity to settle their wages as well.

The entire construction took two months, involving a total of eleven workers. The labor costs came to 660 yuan.

Jing Xi paid them readily and, in addition, stewed chicken, pork knuckles, and made some refreshing cold dishes. They all gathered in Liu Jianchang’s large courtyard to enjoy a communal meal.

Each person was given a large bowl and could take as much food as they wanted, just like a buffet.

Liu Yan and Liu Chun also ate heartily—the communal meal was incredibly delicious.

As the exam approached, Liu Yan spoke less and less. The family didn’t put too much pressure on her, allowing her to focus entirely on her studies.

However, during dinner today, Liu Yan was more talkative than usual and asked Jing Xi about the furniture she had purchased.

Jing Xi had already bought everything, just waiting for the delivery truck to arrive the next day.

Xiao Jie had helped her a lot with the furniture shopping, so she planned to treat him and Liang Chen to a nice meal once everything was settled.

Hearing about the dinner invitation, Zhang Rui joined in eagerly. “Xiao Jing, I also wanted to treat them to a meal! Why don’t we do it together?”

Jing Xi nodded. “Sure! Should we eat at home or go to a restaurant?”

Zhang Rui thought for a moment. “Let’s go to a restaurant. It’ll be more formal. Eating at home doesn’t seem special enough.”

Unexpectedly, Liu Chun, who was listening nearby, chimed in, “No need to go through so much trouble. Liang Chen said he loves Mom’s braised pork ribs—he thinks they taste a thousand times better than restaurant food!”

Zhang Rui nodded. “That works too! We have plenty of time. Let’s wait until Yan’er finishes her exam, and then we’ll all eat together!”

Jing Xi agreed, but when Zhang Rui wasn’t looking, she gave Liu Chun a teasing glance.

Liu Chun instantly understood.

Her face turned red in an instant.

She quickly buried her face in her rice bowl, focusing all her attention on gnawing at a chicken wing.

After dinner, Jing Xi stood in the middle of the courtyard, holding up a glass of white liquor.

“Uncles and elders, I want to sincerely thank all of you for the time and effort you’ve spent helping me build this wonderful house and courtyard. I’m truly, truly grateful! I raise this glass to all of you, and I hope our lives continue to improve!”

With that, she downed the small cup of liquor in one go.

The elders applauded her.

Xia Lidong gave her an approving nod.

Everyone drank freely that evening. Jing Xi even stir-fried three plates of peanuts to go with the alcohol, and by the time the gathering ended, it was nearly nine o’clock.

Jing Xi refused any help, no matter how much Zhang Rui insisted. She was determined to clean up everything on her own.

And so, she single-handedly tidied up Liu’s courtyard until it was spotless.

Inside the house, Zhang Rui and Liu Jianchang lay on the heated brick bed, watching Jing Xi work.

“Lao Liu, tell me, how did such a good girl like Xiao Jing grow up on her own so well? How is she so capable and sensible?”

Liu Jianchang looked at her and smiled. “A child without parental love learns to be independent early. She’s both remarkable and pitiful. Remember when you wanted to take her in as a goddaughter? She just laughed it off. I think it’s because she’s never known her parents—deep down, that wound has never healed.”

Zhang Rui nodded. “I really want to make her our goddaughter, but since the child isn’t willing, we shouldn’t force her. Tomorrow, you stay home and cook for the kids, and I’ll go help Xiao Jing tidy up her new home.”

Liu Jianchang asked, “Do we need to move furniture? Can you manage that? Maybe I should go instead.”

Zhang Rui thought for a while and said, “Forget it. Let’s cook the food and leave it in the pot for the kids to eat by themselves. We’ll both go together.”

“Alright.”

The next morning, the furniture delivery truck arrived early.

Jing Xi’s custom-made wardrobe, sofa, table, kitchenware, and household bedding were all delivered at once.

Two workers even helped carry everything inside and set it up before leaving.

Jing Xi prepared some water for them, but they didn’t drink it. She then tried to give them each a yuan, but neither of them accepted it.

They just drove away in their empty truck before she could even chase after them. All she saw was a trail of exhaust fumes.

Zhang Rui and Liu Jianchang didn’t end up helping much either. Eventually, Jing Xi sent them back to cook for Liu Yan and Liu Chun.

She finished tidying up on her own.

Besides, she wanted to enjoy this long-awaited private space.

There were two small heated brick beds, one in each of the east and west bedrooms, both with brand-new bedding.

The solid wood wardrobe and desk had a simple yet elegant design.

In the separate kitchen outside, all the kitchenware was new, and the stove was built with two burners.

The storage room contained farming tools and food supplies.

The courtyard walls were well-secured. To ensure safety, Xia Lidong and Liu Jianchang even embedded broken glass shards on top as a simple security measure.

With a two-meter-high wall, her privacy was well protected.

This house was a hundred times better than the old mud house she had lived in before.

At this moment, Jing Xi’s heart was overflowing with happiness.

Finally, finally, finally!

She had a proper home!

She could even fence off a little area in the yard to raise chickens, ducks, and geese.

Endless fresh eggs!

Just thinking about it made her feel like she was in heaven.

That evening, she used her brand-new stove to cook herself a hotpot meal, sitting right by the stove to eat. All the vegetables were ones she had grown herself. The self-sufficient lifestyle was pure bliss!

After dinner, she took a bath in her private space and then lay down on her new heated bed, getting ready to sleep.

Then, she suddenly remembered that she hadn’t locked the courtyard gate. She quickly got up, went outside to lock it, and returned to bed.

But even after lying there for a long time, she couldn’t fall asleep.

Her mind started drifting to thoughts of making money.

After calculating the money she had left, she realized she had only a little over 200 yuan remaining.

She couldn’t just sit around and spend without earning. The village accountant situation was also becoming clearer—once a replacement was found, she would step down, which meant she’d lose that income as well.

She needed to come up with a new way to make money as soon as possible.

After thinking it over, she finally decided—she would open a steamed bun and dumpling shop.