Chapter 15 – She Wants to Transfer Her Household Registration

To avoid any awkwardness, Song Kexia glanced at the man standing beside him. He looked to be around thirty, with a sharp and spirited demeanor.

“This is the locksmith, right?”

“Yes, his surname is Zhou.”

“Hello, Master Zhou. I’ll trouble you in a bit.”

Old Zhou smiled at her. “No problem. If Old Liu asks for something, I’ll make sure it’s done properly.”

Qin Muye gave a light cough. “Let’s go.”

Song Kexia led them into the residential compound. Most people had already gone to work, so the place was quiet and almost empty. She brought them smoothly to her home.

“I’ll pour you some water—”

“No need,” Qin Muye interrupted. “Better to get this done quickly.”

Song Kexia didn’t insist, leading them to the door of Song Jianshe’s room.

“This is the one.”

Old Zhou examined the padlock. “This one’s easy.”

He picked up his tools, fiddled with it for just a moment, and the lock clicked open.

Song Kexia was overjoyed. “Master Zhou, thank you so much.”

“No need to be polite. You’re looking for something, right? Go on inside.”

She pushed open the door. The room was cluttered, making it hard to search. She lifted the pillow, the mat—nothing. Then she checked the wardrobe and cabinets—still nothing. She only found a bag containing the household registration booklet and some documents, but not the university admission notice she was looking for.

Her heart tightened. “How could it not be here?”

“Don’t worry,” Qin Muye reassured her, “just keep looking carefully.”

He spoke while helping her search. In the pocket of a padded coat, he finally found it—the admission notice.

“Found it.”

Song Kexia rushed over, and sure enough, it was hers. She grabbed it, unable to hide her excitement. In a moment of joy, she forgot herself and hugged him, her arms wrapped around his waist.

“This is wonderful!”

Her slender arms pressed lightly against his waist, a faint fragrance drifting toward him. She was soft and warm in his embrace.

Qin Muye froze for a moment, suddenly recalling that night when they had been entangled together. A restless heat rose in his chest. She, however, seemed completely unaware, her chest pressed against him, that soft touch making his heart waver.

He swallowed lightly, lips tightening. “Are you really that happy?”

“Of course! Without this admission notice, my life would be ruined.”

“Have you hugged enough? Can you let go now?”

Song Kexia blinked, then quickly released him. She had hugged him partly out of sheer happiness, and partly to test his reaction. But with such a cold response, he clearly had no interest in her.

She glanced at him, but his expression was unreadable. Old Zhou, however, looked at her with obvious amusement, making her blush instantly.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it—I was just too excited.”

Her pale skin flushed easily, making her look even more alluring.

Qin Muye’s heart gave a small stir, but he looked away and said flatly, “Now that you’ve found the notice, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to take the household registration booklet to the police station to transfer my registration.”

Once she moved it out, all ties with the Song family would be severed. From then on, she would have nothing more to do with them.

“In that case, we’ll be going.”

Seeing his indifferent look, she didn’t try to keep them. “Thank you for today. Master Zhou, how much for the locksmith work?” She took out money to pay.

“I called him, so it’s not your place to pay,” Qin Muye said without even looking.

“Master Zhou was helping me—how could I let you pay for that?”

But Qin Muye didn’t bother to argue, only saying to Old Zhou, “Let’s go.” Then he turned and walked away.

Old Zhou smiled at her. “That’s just how he is. If you want to lock the door again, just snap the lock shut.”

“Thank you, Master Zhou.”

She walked them to the compound gate, repeatedly thanking him. “Master Zhou, I’ll treat you to a meal another day.”

Old Zhou just waved it off as polite talk and left with a smile.

Catching up with Qin Muye, he asked, “So what’s the deal between you and that girl?”

“What deal? There’s nothing between us.”

“Then why did you drag me over there early in the morning to help her, and yet act like you don’t even like her?”

“I just don’t know her well.”

“If you don’t know her, why help her at all?”

“I’m just a warmhearted citizen, is that a crime?”

Old Zhou snorted. “So warmhearted, yet you don’t help old grannies cross the street?”

“I stayed up half the night yesterday—I’m exhausted. Today’s favor will cost me a meal from you.”

With that, Qin Muye walked off, leaving Old Zhou scratching his head. Maybe he was overthinking it and they really didn’t know each other. But if that was true, why was Qin Muye so eager to help?

—

Song Kexia went to the neighborhood committee office, where three or four women were chatting. She walked up to one of them.

“Director Yang, I’ve been admitted to Haishi University and need to transfer my household registration to the school. I’m here for a proof letter.”

The women stopped chatting. Director Yang asked, “How come your mother never mentioned you getting into university?”

Of course she wouldn’t. She had wanted Song Leyi to take her place in college. Her parents had hidden the truth as much as possible.

With a smile, Song Kexia said, “My parents always told me to be modest and low-key. They probably didn’t want me to get arrogant.”

Director Yang still looked doubtful. “But aren’t you working at the clothing factory? What about your job?”

“That’s just a summer job. I’ll be leaving for school once term starts.”

She spread out her admission notice and handed it over. “Here’s my letter, Director Yang.”

Director Yang glanced over it. The name “Song Kexia” stood out clearly—accepted into Haishi University.

“That’s a good school, isn’t it?”

Before the college entrance exam, Song Leyi had approached the Song family with the truth about the baby switch. Learning the truth had affected her performance, and she hadn’t done her best. Even so, Haishi University was still a good school, with a textile major among its programs.

“It’s not bad.”

“Why didn’t your parents come with you? You’re just a young girl.”

“They both have work, and I’m already eighteen. I can handle this myself.”

“What a sensible child. Once you graduate, you’ll have a secure job. Make sure you study hard.”

“Thank you, Director Yang. About that proof letter…”

“I’ll write it for you now.”

She quickly wrote it up and stamped it with the neighborhood committee’s red seal.

Holding the thin piece of paper, Song Kexia felt its weight like a thousand catties. This was the first step to escaping the prison that was the Song family—success at last.