Chu Xia glanced and shook her head. “Not as good-looking as my husband.”

Feng Xiaoyuan put her hands down and nodded in agreement, saying frankly, “Compared to him, your husband is indeed better-looking.”

By the time Chu Xia got home, An An was already back, playing with the three dogs.

Hei Zi and Huang Zi, now older, were not as lively and active as before; their temperaments had become steadier.

So, at this moment, the most energetic was Little Spot.

Cen Huai’an was in the backyard, throwing a ball.

The ball flew quickly, and Spot would run to fetch it and bring it back.

Huang Zi and Hei Zi lay beside Cen Huai’an, leaning on their long-lost owner.

“An An.”

“Mom.”

Chu Xia changed her shoes and asked him, “When did you get back?”

“I came back early today. I finished my last exam early this afternoon.”

Cen Huai’an’s school had a monthly test that day, and he had finished his last paper early.

At this point, the teachers at the Fourth Middle School basically knew Cen Huai’an, Zhang Lu, and Tang Song.

Besides the previous public apology, it was also due to their academic performance.

Initially, Zhang Lu wasn’t the top student in Class 1, but she had been improving with each test.

It didn’t seem like she was studying particularly hard outside of class; she often ran to the wall right after class.

The director of education had come to regard her and Tang Song as his right-hand assistants.

Although they hadn’t caught anyone violating the rules, the school discipline had improved significantly.

Zhang Lu and Tang Song’s patrolling would remind students who were about to break the rules but hadn’t yet.

Sometimes, when patrolling with the director, Zhang Lu couldn’t shout loudly, so she would cough, stomp her feet, or speak loudly to ensure that rule violations were nipped in the bud.

Bullying in the school had disappeared.

Zhang Lu liked to stand up for others and would immediately step in to stop any student who was bullying others, then have a good talk with the bullies.

Of course, given her high level of strength, those bullies couldn’t even try to resist.

With so many people talking about it, Zhang Lu had somehow become a big sister figure in the eyes of those little bullies.

Zhang Lu had always rejected this title, insisting she was a good student with outstanding character, not fitting the big sister image.

Cen Huai’an pointed out her insincerity, “Sis, I think you’d be more convincing if you kept your mouth corners down.”

“Is that so?” Zhang Lu pulled down the corners of her mouth. “An An, how about this?”

“Forget it.” Cen Huai’an looked at her strange expression and, after a moment of silence, said, “Just keep it as it is.”

The benefit of being well-known was that when Cen Huai’an and his friends finished their exams, no teacher would stop them.

If the exam subjects matched those taught by the proctoring teachers, they would secretly review Cen Huai’an’s answers to see if he had gotten everything right.

Chu Xia hung up her bag, went to the bathroom to wash and disinfect her hands, and, when she came out again, Cen Huai’an was sitting on the threshold leading to the backyard, still throwing the ball with Huang Zi and Hei Zi.

“An An, I’m going to Yunmengze tomorrow. Do you want to come?”

“Mom, are you going to Yunmengze to skate?” Cen Huai’an turned his head to ask.

“No,” Chu Xia laughed and said, “I’m planning to use the prize money you gave me from the competition last time.”

Cen Huai’an rubbed Dan Dian’s head, took the ball and set it aside, then stood up and walked towards Chu Xia with joy in his eyes. “Mom, are you planning to buy a courtyard house?”

“I’m considering it.” Chu Xia sat on the sofa, picked up an apple, and said, “But I haven’t found the right place yet.”

Hearing this, Cen Huai’an was also very happy for Chu Xia and without any hesitation said, “Then I’ll go with you to Yunmengze tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Chu Xia had already peeled the apple and shared half with Cen Huai’an.

They both ate the apple, looking forward to the next day.

“Cousin, An An, what do you want to do?”

Jiang Zhida had his own room at Yunmengze, with a living room, kitchen, and bedroom fully equipped.

He would stay here after finishing work at Yunmengze if he didn’t want to go home, and Xia Hei stayed with him.

Jiang Zhida poured two glasses of almond tofu, which had just been delivered by the waiter.

“I want to buy a courtyard house.” Chu Xia didn’t beat around the bush and said directly, “But I don’t have a reliable source right now, so I’d like to ask if you know anyone who’s selling one.”

Jiang Zhida wasn’t surprised; he knew Chu Xia had been wanting to buy a courtyard house for a while.

After thinking for a moment, he said, “I’ve kept an eye out for news about selling courtyard houses. Recently, it seems that someone Hongxiao knows might be selling one. But I haven’t asked him about the exact location or condition of the house, so I’m not very clear.”

Courtyard houses vary in price depending on location, size, and condition.

“Since Hongxiao isn’t here today, let me give him a call and check.”

Jiang Zhida dialed Hongxiao’s phone.

When Hongxiao answered, his voice still carried sleepiness. “Who’s this?”

“It’s me.”

“Brother Zhida?” Hongxiao’s sleepiness vanished, and his voice became steady. “What’s up?”

“You mentioned before that someone you know was selling a courtyard house and was waiting for a buyer. Has it sold yet?”

Hongxiao replied, “No. The asking price was a bit high, and the potential buyers didn’t reach an agreement. Are you interested in buying it?”

“Not me, it’s my cousin-in-law.”

“Okay, I’ll head to Yunmengze right away.”

Tu Hongxiao hung up the phone, and Jiang Zhida put down the receiver, looking at Chu Xia. “The seller is asking for a high price. Do you still want to see this courtyard house, sis?”

Chu Xia replied, “Since we’re here, let’s take a look.”

Even if it was a bit expensive, she was willing to buy if it felt right.

Right now, the prices were high, but they would only rise in the future—not just by a factor of ten or a hundred, but by a thousand or ten thousand.

Tu Hongxiao arrived quickly; most of the partners at Yunmengze had cars.

“Da Zi, sis, An An.”

Tu Hongxiao sat across from them and detailed everything he knew about the courtyard house.

“I’ve been to the courtyard; the location is good, and it’s quite well-preserved, not damaged at all. But he’s asking a bit high.”

“Then let’s take a look.” Chu Xia stood up. “It’s a bit early to talk about price without seeing the house first.”

“Okay.”

The house was not far from Xidan, in a prime location where properties would skyrocket in value in the future.

Just seeing the exterior and location of the house had already made Chu Xia’s heart race.

The seller was a colleague of Tu Hongxiao’s parents, and he opened the gate to the courtyard. “Come in.”

The colleague was not young, appearing to be in his fifties or sixties, hunched over.

He looked at the potential buyers without a trace of a smile, his demeanor quite cold.

“Take a look; I won’t sell for less than a hundred thousand.”

This price was indeed high, but not excessively so.

The courtyard was in great condition, with two courtyards larger than the one Jiang Shengnan had offered to Chu Xia and Cen Huai’an.

According to the current market prices, a price around 70,000 to 80,000 would be reasonable. For a less favorable location or poorer quality, prices around 50,000 to 60,000 could also buy a courtyard.

This was the price Jiang Zhida had informed Chu Xia about; he was in the market for property himself and had many connections.

It was important to note that at this time, even a ten-thousand-yuan household was a rarity—few had that kind of money to buy a courtyard.

The colleague was firm on his price, unwilling to budge even a little.

“If you want to buy, then buy. I won’t negotiate.”

His attitude made it seem as though he was trying to drive the buyers away instead of selling the courtyard.

However, Chu Xia had set her sights on this courtyard.

After looking around, she asked Cen Huai’an, “Do you like this courtyard?”

Cen Huai’an, gazing at a few persimmon trees in one corner, nodded. “Mom, it’s beautiful here.”

Chu Xia looked at the hunched colleague. “If I buy it, when can I get the title deed?”

The colleague raised his eyelids to look at her, his tone still lacking warmth. “If you pay today, you can get it today.”

“Okay! Let’s go to the bank. I’ll give you half the deposit now, and the rest after the title transfer.”

“No way.” The colleague was very rigid. “I need the full amount before I transfer it.”

His eyes were fixed on Chu Xia, resolute.

If she was unwilling, he wouldn’t sell.

Chu Xia thought for a moment and replied, “Alright.”

Jiang Zhida grabbed Chu Xia’s arm, looking anxious. “Cousin-in-law, you’re making this decision without reconsidering?”

“No need. Both An An and I like this house.”

Tu Hongxiao added earnestly, “Aside from the price being a bit high, everything else about this courtyard is great.”

The colleague scoffed, “If I weren’t in a hurry for cash, I wouldn’t sell this house for any amount.”

The group went to the bank, and Chu Xia watched her bankbook balance decrease while the colleague’s balance swelled with the large deposit.

They had intended to handle the title transfer that day, but since it was Sunday, the office was closed, so they would have to wait until the following Monday.

The colleague glanced at the bankbook, handing it to Tu Hongxiao, who had just deposited the 100,000 yuan from Chu Xia.

“Keep the bankbook with you. When the property is transferred to you, you can give it back to me, so you don’t worry I’ll run off with your money.”

After locking up, the colleague left, seeming completely unconcerned about the 100,000 yuan.

But Chu Xia knew he cared about the money; his claim of needing it urgently was genuine.

The next day, Chu Xia had a shift but specially took leave to handle the title transfer in Xidan.

After the transfer, she held the old title deed the colleague had given her, her heart swelling with joy as her eyes sparkled: she finally had her own courtyard!

Jiang Zhida was also happy for her. “Cousin-in-law, your wish has finally come true! What does it feel like?”

“I feel like I want to buy another one!”

Jiang Zhida laughed heartily.

Seeing Chu Xia’s house made him want one too, and he wondered if there was a suitable one available.

Using the remaining dividends in her bankbook, Chu Xia purchased a few gold bars.

She truly returned home today with a bounty and was delighted to spend her money.

When Cen Zhengnian returned home, he found Chu Xia sitting in the living room, the title deed and gold bars displayed on the table.

She gazed at them dreamily, her smile radiant.

“Zhengnian, look! I bought a new courtyard and some gold! If we ever find ourselves living in ancient times, we won’t have to worry about starving!”

Cen Zhengnian paid no mind to the gold bars, picking up the title deed to glance at it before putting it down.

He smiled at Chu Xia, gently ruffling her hair. “Congratulations on getting what you wanted.”

“Look at this gold! Why is the color so beautiful?”

Cen Zhengnian couldn’t help but chuckle. He placed his fist to his mouth and coughed lightly. “Maybe because it’s gold?”

“Exactly!”

In winter, Cen Zhengnian’s birthday was approaching.

He celebrated his lunar birthday, and the days leading up to it in late December were particularly cold.

With Cen Huai’an away at school and having the day off on Tuesday, Chu Xia planned to celebrate Cen Huai’an’s birthday properly, even preparing a candlelight dinner.

Beautiful love always needs a touch of romance. After living as a couple for a long time, a bit of spontaneity can lead to a different effect.