Chapter 22: Exclusive to Jinjiang 1/2

As the end of the term approached, the renovation was also reaching its final stages.

During the last few weeks leading up to the end of the school year, Song Fuzhi had to work overtime on weekends to grade papers, prepare summer assignments, and attend meetings.

Song Fuzhi was busy to the point of exhaustion, so almost every week, Professor Shi took care of the renovation matters.

On the day when the first year officially ended, a group of restless young souls filled the classroom, ready to rush into a joyful summer vacation.

Teacher Song stood on the platform, expressionless, distributing piles of papers like scattering talismans, causing the excited little monsters below to howl in anticipation.

When the bell for the end of the school day rang, all eyes in the class stared at Song Fuzhi as if watching a precious piece of meat.

Song Fuzhi packed up the things on the platform calmly, giving the students advice about safety during the summer vacation and warning them not to swim in the wild or go to crowded places.

When the bell rang, as if granting amnesty, the entire class’s desks and chairs vibrated with excitement. A few impatient students had already rushed out of the door with their school bags.

In the midst of this lively farewell atmosphere, Song Fuzhi received a WeChat message from Professor Shi.

Shi Zhang said, “The house is complete. Would Professor Song like to come for an inspection tonight?”

Song Fuzhi replied, “Sure. Thanks for your hard work, Professor Shi.”

Shi Zhang: “Are you driving?”

Song Fuzhi: “Yes.”

Shi Zhang: “Then let’s meet directly at the new house.”

Finally done with his work and ready to leave the school, Song Fuzhi grabbed a few rags and a bottle of disinfectant from the utility room and put them in a bag. The newly renovated house probably still had some traces left by the construction, and he planned to do some cleaning today.

In a bit of a rush, he arrived at the new house, and half an hour ago, Shi Zhang had informed him that he was already upstairs, asking Song Fuzhi to take his time.

As Song Fuzhi picked up the bag of cleaning supplies and got out of the car, he walked towards the elevator in three quick steps.

Actually, it was a bit of a misstep. Song Fuzhi should have taken the opportunity to grab some takeout on the way. It was getting late, and he was hungry. Professor Shi probably hadn’t eaten yet either.

Song Fuzhi hurriedly got on the elevator and went upstairs. Just after getting out of the elevator, he smelled a steaming aroma of food.

He wondered which neighbor had moved in so early, cooking dinner even before moving.

Standing at his own door, Song Fuzhi paused for a moment, then rang the doorbell.

After a few seconds, the door opened from the inside. The first thing Song Fuzhi saw was Professor Shi in a beige shirt, followed by the rich aroma of dinner.

Song Fuzhi stood at the door for a moment, staring blankly, and blurted out, “It smells so good.”

“Really?” Shi Zhang smiled, his eyes narrowing, and he opened the door a bit wider.

“Enter the house.”

Song Fuzhi placed the cleaning supplies on the ground, exchanged the home slippers arranged by Shi Zhang, and instinctively went to the dining room.

A table full of dishes, each plate not large in quantity but with a wide variety, clearly the work of someone with excellent culinary skills.

Song Fuzhi was a bit shocked; even if this table were placed in an expensive Jiangnan restaurant, it wouldn’t look out of place.

Shi Zhang called to him from the living room, “Take a tour around the house before eating.”

Song Fuzhi replied with an “Oh” and followed Shi Zhang from the living room to the bedroom and then to the study, becoming more and more silent.

It was too clean, too tidy.

The windows were spotless, free of dust; the lighting was just right, casting a warm and comfortable glow on the furniture.

The bathtub that Shi Zhang had spent a lot of money on was immaculately white, reflecting a curve of light and shadow.

The expensive mattress was topped with a high-quality silk quilt, and two ergonomic pillows were placed side by side.

The room was filled with a fresh and elegant fragrance, and a delicate aromatherapy machine gently released a mist of floral fragrance in the corner.

Song Fuzhi only then realized how unnecessary and foolish his act of bringing cleaning supplies was.

Professor Shi had arranged everything perfectly, making it move-in-ready.

Song Fuzhi was a bit at a loss for words and finally said softly after a while, “Professor Shi, you did all this by yourself. How long did it take? Why didn’t you wait for me to come together?”

“I didn’t spend time on it,” Shi Zhang smiled. “I called a cleaning service to help tidy up. I don’t like the mess in the house.”

Oh.

Song Fuzhi’s heart returned to normal in an instant.

So, it was the financial ability.

So, it was because Professor Shi had a cleanliness obsession.

But Song Fuzhi was still moved. Professor Shi was really considerate, arranging everything perfectly.

After being moved, a faint worry arose in Song Fuzhi’s heart.

This was an initial glimpse into Professor Shi’s living habits: cleanliness, tidiness, and meticulousness.

Well, it seems he will need to restrain his free-spirited living habits at home in the future.

After the tour, Song Fuzhi was so satisfied that he didn’t know what to say. In the end, he said with some reserve, “Thank you, Professor.”

“Don’t mention it,” Shi Zhang said as he walked back to the dining room. “Let’s eat.”

The dishes were similar to the Jiangnan cuisine from last time, leaning towards a light taste.

After trying a few bites, Song Fuzhi commented, “Delicious.”

He paused with his chopsticks, looked at Shi Zhang, and asked, “Did you make all of this?”

If that were the case, Song Fuzhi would suspect that Shi Zhang was actually a professor at a cooking school.

“No,” Shi Zhang smiled and shook his head. “I had a chef come to cook. I randomly ordered a set dinner for two. I don’t know if it suits your taste.”

Well, it was financial ability again.

Song Fuzhi rarely made a joke: “I might as well not call you Professor Shi in the future; just call you Big Spender Shi.”

Unexpectedly, Shi Zhang said, “This meal isn’t expensive—less than two hundred.”

“Really,” Song Fuzhi blinked slightly, “then it’s indeed worth it.”

Big Spender Shi served Song Fuzhi a shrimp ball, saying, “Try it and let me know. I’ll have the chef improve next time.”

Since it was a chef from outside and not expensive, he could boldly give suggestions.

After eating the shrimp, Song Fuzhi thought for a while and said, “The taste is a bit light.”

He ate the grilled eggplant and commented, “The garlic flavor is a bit strong.”

Song Fuzhi gave some scattered opinions and summarized, saying that overall, it was still delicious and they could continue to invite this chef next time.

Shi Zhang nodded in agreement.

After dinner, the two sat on the sofa to rest. The house still felt empty and lacked a lived-in atmosphere.

Song Fuzhi asked, “When should we move our things in?”

Actually, in her heart, Song Fuzhi hoped to move in about half a month later because the anime convention happened to be in half a month. If they were already living together by then, he would need to explain to Professor Shi why she needed to go to another city.

But if they moved in after the convention, they would still be separate, making Song Fuzhi’s actions much more convenient.

If Shi Zhang wanted to move in quickly, Song Fuzhi wouldn’t refuse either.

However, Shi Zhang looked at Song Fuzhi and asked in a consultative tone, “I think we can open the windows and doors for ventilation for a while to prevent residual chemicals from the decoration. What do you think?”

This hit the nail on the head for Song Fuzhi. He nodded. “Makes sense. How long for ventilation?”

Their house wasn’t renovated from scratch; they mainly added new furniture, so the smell was okay.

Shi Zhang thought for a moment and said, “About half a month.”

Song Fuzhi raised an eyebrow, thinking it was quite a coincidence; the timing was just right.