Chapter 21: Exclusive to Jinjiang 1/2

For the sake of calm reflection, Song Fuzhi and Shi Zhang looked at a few more houses they had planned to visit. After comparing, it seemed that the previous one was still the most satisfactory.

So, the two highly proactive adults quickly paid the down payment, signed the contract, and completed various procedures.

When they were getting the property certificate, the staff specially confirmed with them whether they had decided to put both names on the certificate.

The staff matter-of-factly said, “If both names are written on the property certificate, both of you will need to be present for any future transactions or procedures related to the house. If you divorce later, property division will be more complicated.”

Shi Zhang didn’t hesitate and said, “Write both names.”

Soon, they received a property certificate with both their names on it and a brand-new set of keys.

Standing in the empty central space of the house, Song Fuzhi felt a surreal sensation.

“Can we start looking at renovations?” he asked.

Shi Zhang nodded. “Yes.”

Renovation became a new stage of struggle, involving more tasks and complications than when they were house-hunting.

Shi Zhang directly asked Ouyang Xi in the group to share some studios and brands that he found good during his own renovation.

Ouyang Xi hadn’t replied yet, but Zhong Ziyan popped up first.

Zhong Ziyan: Mr. Shi, a person with the surname Shi, do you still have the face to appear in front of me?

Shi Zhang, aware of his guilt, sent an apologetic emoji.

Zhong Ziyan: Our company’s cash cow! What are we going to do without Professor Octopus?

Shi Zhang wryly smiled: Please don’t scold me, Boss Zhong.

In fact, the decision to retire was a difficult one for Shi Zhang. When he expressed his thoughts of retiring to Zhong Ziyan, there was silence for a full two minutes, making Shi Zhang think that Zhong Boss was too busy with a meeting to reply.

After quite some time, Zhong Ziyan finally responded: If you’re joking with me, I swear I’ll break your legs.

Shi Zhang clarified that he was serious and considering it.

That night, he had a long chat with Zhong Ziyan.

Actually, when Shi Zhang told them about his engagement, Zhong Ziyan had already considered that there would be a day when Shi Zhang would retire. However, she didn’t expect it to come so soon.

Zhong Ziyan asked Shi Zhang, “Are you willing? Are you willing to let go of this hobby that you’ve had since childhood, willing to let go of this world with infinite possibilities?”

Shi Zhang was, of course, unwilling. Cosplay brought him so much joy, and the cute fans as well.

But they were both getting older, having experienced many compromises and regrets in real life. They knew this day would come sooner or later, even though they didn’t explicitly mention it.

Zhong Ziyan asked him, “Can’t you be honest with your husband? Say that you’re a well-known cosplayer who loves anime and dressing up as characters from anime. Maybe he can accept it.”

Shi Zhang almost immediately shook his head. He already married with impure motives; how dare he test his husband’s acceptance of this?

More importantly, Shi Zhang knew that Professor Song, being such a serious and upright person, was attracted to his “professor” demeanor and the self-discipline they shared.

Posting often online with photos of himself wearing wigs, colored contacts, and even half-naked was clearly beyond the range that an ordinary teacher could accept.

Zhong Ziyan asked him, “Have you thought it through?”

Shi Zhang remained silent for a moment and then said, “Probably.”

Zhong Ziyan sighed and said, “When you announce it, I don’t know how many hearts will be broken.”

Shi Zhang smiled and said it wouldn’t be that exaggerated. There were often people commenting on his works online, saying things like, “An old man still doing these non-serious things” or “Uncle, don’t play cosplay anymore.” Not everyone supported or understood him.

The result was indeed what Zhong Boss had expected. Shi Zhang’s Weibo post received comments for several days, with people writing long essays recounting the time they spent with Professor Octopus.

Shi Zhang read each one, feeling moved and a bit regretful. But he had no regrets.

In life, imperfections are what make it life, and it’s the losses that make it life.

Moreover, Shi Zhang felt that he had no regrets at all.

“But your final performance in your career will be at my convention; consider it your conscience,” Zhong Boss said fiercely. “Little Fish, give your sister one last big profit.”

Shi Zhang almost burst into laughter. Compared to Zhong Boss’s other industries, he couldn’t earn much. Zhong Ziyan was just criticizing him.

The two chatted for quite a while, and Ouyang Xi finally appeared in the group chat, dragging a tired tone and asking, “Why are you looking for me? I just finished tutoring the girl’s homework.”

Understandingly, Shi Zhang asked, “Are you tired?”

Ouyang Xi yawned, “The daily life of a married and parenting man. So, what’s up? Anything?”

Shi Zhang didn’t stand at the ceremony. “Asking about renovation matters.”

“You bought a house?” Ouyang Xi asked.

“Bought it.”

Ouyang Xi was shocked. “So fast.”

Ouyang Xi poured himself half a glass of red wine, leaned back on the single sofa, and lazily said, “Renovations, renovations can wear you down to the bone.”

Shi Zhang asked, “How so?”

“Designs need to be frugal, materials need to be tested, prices need to be negotiated, and during the construction, someone needs to sit on the side as a supervisor, or else a mistake might slip through when you’re not paying attention.”

As Ouyang Xi spoke, his voice gradually lowered. “And, to be honest, it’s not just the tiredness of the tasks themselves… I argued with Chang An every day during that time, from choosing colors to the final product; we argued at every step, arguing all the time.”

Chang An was Ouyang Xi’s wife and also a very opinionated person. When they disagreed, neither of them would give in.

“Just a reminder, be more understanding with each other when the time comes, and discuss things properly. Renovation is a test field for marriage,” Ouyang Xi spoke with the tone of an experienced person. “Got it?” Shi Zhang urged him. “Recommend me some reliable shops.”

“Okay.” Ouyang Xi smiled.

It wasn’t just Ouyang Xi who felt that renovation was a test for marriage; on Song Fuzhi’s end, Luo Luli was also chatting with him about similar things.

“Are you going to renovate?” Luo Luli said with a meaningful tone, elongating her words.

“Yes, it feels like another tough battle,” Song Fuzhi replied, rubbing his temples, overwhelmed by the multitude of custom furniture stores.

Luo Luli chuckled. “I remember when I was still in school, my parents bought a new house and moved. I thought it would be a happy occasion, but they ended up arguing, blaming each other for not coordinating with the construction team or not discussing dimensions properly, basically shifting blame whenever there was a mistake.”

Song Fuzhi furrowed his brows. He didn’t think he and Professor Shi would reach the point of blaming each other.

“But I think it’s great,” Luo Luli continued, his eyes squinting in a carefree manner. “You can see each other’s personalities and preferences through the renovation. It’s a good way to test Professor Shi. In case you two find out you’re not compatible, it’s still not too late for a divorce.”

Song Fuzhi chuckled. It indeed seemed like a high-cost method of testing compatibility.

They both described renovation as if it were a ferocious beast, a test of marriage.

Song Fuzhi mentally prepared himself to discuss differences rationally and calmly with Professor Shi when they arose.

However, when they actually started the renovation, everything went surprisingly smoothly.

The professor and the teacher still only had weekends to go out and look for furniture and decor. They planned it out, with one person responsible for finding hardware stores and the other for soft furnishings, with a clear division of labor.

In the dazzling array of styles, they both independently chose a simple and modern style—low-key yet rich in texture.

They were also very consistent in their requirements for layout and furniture. Functionality and practicality took precedence over aesthetics, and comfort was paramount. As for appearance, a unified style sufficed.

The few disagreements occurred in the bathroom and bedroom.

Song Fuzhi thought a shower enclosure in the bathroom would be sufficient, but Shi Zhang wanted to install a bathtub, a large and luxurious one at that. a tub so spacious that a child could swim in it.