This humble Taoist priest wants to take the college entrance exam.

Chapter 237 Should Little Cicada Move In? (One update today)
As winter approaches, it gets dark by six o'clock in the evening.

At 6:15, Chen Shi'an rode his bicycle to the front of the steamed bun shop, where Wen Zhixia was already waiting.

The girl was engrossed in scrolling through her phone, seemingly absorbed in something, occasionally using two fingers to zoom in on photos on the screen...

What else is there to watch?

Of course, I looked at Wanyin's WeChat Moments post from this afternoon!
I've been friends with Sister Wanyin for a long time. Like many adults, she rarely posts on WeChat Moments.

Today, however, she posted a series of nine photos!
Caption: [The breeze along the Qingtong River, the sunshine in Quetou Ancient Town [Happy][Happy]]
The accompanying photos include pictures of pastoral scenery taken along the way, a solo photo of her and her cat on a bridge railing, a group of fat ducks crossing the road, red persimmons hanging on a tree, a quiet ancient town, a photo of her leaning against a door and looking back... and a photo of a sugar painting, in which the little figure is clearly Wanyin herself.

Although Chen Shi'an was not in the photos, Wen Zhixia knew perfectly well that the individual photos in the nine-photo set, where the photography skills had suddenly improved by several levels, were all taken by the Taoist priest. Even the sugar painting might have been painted by the Taoist priest for Sister Wanyin.

┗|｀O′|┛Awoooo ...
Wen Zhixia was both envious and annoyed that the stinky Taoist priest had gone to so many places and had so much fun with Sister Wanyin...

Wanyin's post on WeChat Moments should be visible to everyone, because when it was first refreshed, Wen Zhixia saw that Chen Shi'an had liked it, and Jiayun and Feifei, who she had added before, had also liked it.

Wen Zhixia also liked Wanyin's post and commented: "[Wanyin's sugar painting is so beautiful! Did the Taoist priest give it to you?]"
Seeing the notification pop up at the top of her Moments, Wen Zhixia refreshed the page and found it was a notification that Lin Mengqiu had liked her post…

This ice cube spirit...!
I've never seen Ice Cube like her posts on WeChat Moments before, but she likes Wanyin's posts, right?
"What is Little Cicada looking at?"

Chen Shi'an's voice rang out beside her, and Wen Zhixia snapped out of her daze, putting her phone back in her pocket.

"Taoist priest--"

Why are you so late today!

"I'm looking at Wanyin's posts on WeChat Moments. You guys went to so many places! Are you only just getting back now?"

As she spoke, Wen Zhixia climbed into the back seat of Chen Shi'an's car.

Chen Shi'an probably hadn't showered yet; when she pressed her face against his back, she could clearly smell the fragrance of a woman's hair.

"No, they were back at five o'clock. Did Uncle Wen and the others go home?"

"Yeah, I just got back a short while ago. So why are you so late today, and haven't even showered yet..."

"Oh, I just went to look at the house, and I'm planning to move in a couple of days."

"……what?"

As they talked, the bicycle started moving. Wen Zhixia was stunned for a moment and said, "Moving? Taoist priest, you're moving? Where are you moving to? Aren't you living with Sister Wanyin anymore? I still have a room on the fourth floor. Do you want to come and live with me?"

The girl habitually bombarded him with a series of questions, which Chen Shi'an answered methodically:
"I haven't moved anywhere. I'm still sharing an apartment with Sister Wanyin in Jiahe Community, in Building 1. But we'll be moving from the top floor to the first floor."

"Oh, I see. I thought you were going to move very far away."

"That's not the case. I live close to the school now, and it wouldn't be convenient to move further away."

"Then why did you move to a different place to live...?"

"It's more convenient to get in and out on the first floor, and there's also a small courtyard. I like the small courtyard."

"I would also like!"

Wen Zhixia agreed, "It must have been so inconvenient for you to live on the top floor before. There was no elevator, and climbing up and down was exhausting. It's still the same building number one where you live, right?"

"Ah."

"So you've already moved?"

"No, just cleaning up. We'll move in a couple of days."

"Then I'm going to visit your new house after evening self-study!"

"Okay, come over and help me clean."

"Hmph. Let's do it then!"

When Wen Zhixia first heard that Chen Shi'an was moving, she was a little nervous, fearing that he was moving to a place far away.

Of course, even if the stinky Taoist priest moved to a faraway place, she still insisted that he continue to pick her up from school and home, since he had a car.

Having grown accustomed to the blissful days of being driven to and from school in the back of his car, Wen Zhixia could no longer imagine the hardships she endured before meeting Chen Shi'an, walking to and from school alone...

After riding out of the alley and out of his aunt's sight, Wen Zhixia, who was sitting demurely behind him, pressed her petite body close to Chen Shi'an as usual, and put her small hands into his pockets.

"Taoist priest."

"Ok?"

"What did you and Sister Wanyin do together today?"

"We just strolled around the ancient town in the north of the city, and Sister Wanyin bought a lot of snacks and local specialties. I'll give them to you to eat in a bit. There are persimmon cakes and millet cakes, which are very delicious."

"Okay! You can't be busy next week, we've made plans to go out."

"Alright, alright, Little Zhi will be a reward next week."

"This is my reward for you—"

……

In the morning, the classroom was filled with parents, but by evening self-study time, it was filled with familiar youthful faces again.

Chen Shi'an arrived a little late today, entering the classroom just before evening self-study began.

Lin Mengqiu was already seated.

The girl seemed to be focused on doing her homework, but when Chen Shi'an appeared, she couldn't help but tilt her head and glance at him.

"The class monitor is here so early?"

"...You're too late."

Chen Shi'an pulled out a chair, sat down, and opened his backpack to take things out.

Lin Mengqiu blinked, looking on curiously.

He took out several small bags and placed them on her table.

"What's this……"

"When we went to the ancient town in the north of the city this afternoon, Sister Wanyin bought some snacks for you, including millet cakes, persimmon cakes, peanut brittle, sweet potato brittle... They were all delicious."

"Thanks……"

Lin Mengqiu didn't stand on ceremony. Since the self-study class had already started, she didn't look at it for long and put it all into her desk.

"Persimmon cakes are quite cooling, and since the squad leader has a sensitive stomach, remember not to eat them on an empty stomach, and don't eat too many. Just eat one occasionally."

"Ah."

Lin Mengqiu nodded and made a mental note of it.

Class had just started, and many students were still talking quietly. The class monitor, unable to contain himself any longer, broke the rules and whispered a question to Chen Shi'an:
"Did you go to so many places with Sister Wanyin this afternoon?"

"No, we just cycled there, sightseeing and having fun along the way. The class monitor is studying at home this afternoon?"

"I went shopping for clothes with my dad..."

"What clothes did you buy?"

"New clothes."

"...What kind of new clothes?"

"New clothes for winter."

What kind of new clothes should I wear for winter?

"coat."

What kind of coat?

"..."

Lin Mengqiu was annoyed with him again. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, so she just rolled her eyes at him, wrote a sentence on a piece of scrap paper, and pushed it in front of him:
[I'll wear it for you next time]
"it is good."

Chen Shi'an smiled, finally satisfied, and stopped asking questions.

Realizing what she had said, Lin Mengqiu suddenly blushed. She tore off the page of draft paper, but didn't throw it away. Instead, she hid it in the corner of the table along with the pile of snacks.

I'm becoming more and more strange. Not only do I want to talk during class, but I even want to wear my new clothes to show him...

Lin Mengqiu felt that it must be because she lost first place in this exam that she was acting strangely.

She tried to focus on her studies, but before she could finish what she wanted to say, she couldn't concentrate. So she wrote a sentence on a blank piece of paper and pushed it toward Chen Shi'an:

My dad said you're not living in my house anymore?
"Yeah, that's right. I'm planning to change rentals and move to a place on the first floor," Chen Shi'an replied.

Do not talk in class.
[oh]
Why aren't you living in my house anymore?
[No, it's more convenient to move to the first floor, and there's a small yard where I can plant some flowers. Class monitor can come and visit when you have time.]
What flower?
[Beautiful flowers]
What are some pretty flowers?
[Wait until it grows and show it to the class monitor]
Are you still living with Sister Wanyin?
[yes]
Are you still in Jiahe Residential Area?
[Yeah, I'm still in Building 1, on the first floor. Next time the class monitor comes to find me, I won't have to climb the stairs.]
When will you move?
[In a couple of days]
I can help you move and clean.
[Thank you, class monitor, but no need. It's inconvenient for you to go out since you live on campus.]
[I'm very good at it]
How long?
[Very good at it]
[Then the class monitor can clean my room again next time.]
I won't mess with your room.
Chen Shi'an didn't return the draft paper for a while, so Lin Mengqiu couldn't help but look up.

The draft paper was returned, and below the previous sentence was a cartoon rabbit he had drawn, clearly imitating the style of the rabbit in her previous textbook, but with a different expression:

[【Funny Little Rabbit】]
Lin Mengqiu: "×!"

The class monitor ignored him.

He tore off the draft paper containing their 'chat history' and hid it in the corner of the table.

Finally, I can focus on doing practice problems and studying.

……

Evening self-study session ended.

Chen Shi'an drove Wen Zhixia back to the neighborhood to check out their new place.

As I walked through the residential complex, I saw the light on in apartment 101 on the first floor.

"Hey! Taoist priest, you didn't turn off the lights after you finished looking at the house this afternoon. The lights are still on." "Sister Wanyin must be cleaning inside."

"Sister Wanyin didn't set up her stall tonight."

"Yes, she just rented a place and there are still a lot of things to buy and cleaning to do. She said she won't be setting up her stall tonight."

"Wow, Sister Wanyin is so kind! She does everything herself, while you, Taoist priest, just sit back and do nothing."

"I brought you along to help out, so if you work hard, I'll treat you to a late-night snack."

"That's pretty much it~"

Sure enough, when the two opened the door and went inside, they saw Li Wanyin cleaning the house.

My sister had changed out of the dress she wore during the day and was now wearing a set of ordinary old clothes, with cleaning rubber gloves on her hands, a mask on her face, and an old apron tied around her waist. She was standing on tiptoe in the kitchen, disassembling the oil box of the range hood, preparing to clean the years of accumulated grease inside.

Li Wanyin was surprised to see the two people who walked into the house.

"Shi'an's back, and Zhizhi's here too?"

"Mmm, Sister Wanyin~! The Taoist priest said you moved to a new house, so I came to check it out and help you clean. He said he'd treat us to a late-night snack later~"

"Really!"

Li Wanyin smiled, and seeing that Wen Zhixia had actually rolled up her sleeves, revealing a pair of fair and delicate arms, as if she wanted to help, she quickly said:
"Shi'an, Zhizhi, you can go upstairs to rest, or you can go buy some late-night snacks. I can take care of things here. It's almost done, it's very dirty."

"No, I need to help!"

Even Wen Zhixia needed help, so Chen Shi'an was even more eager to assist.

Although the landlord had the house cleaned by a cleaning service when the house was handed over, it was mostly just a superficial job. Especially in places like the kitchen and bathroom where dirt and grime tend to accumulate, you still have to clean them yourself in the end.

Even if the house isn't yours, you still have to live there. You'll be living there for at least a year or two, so you definitely need to keep it clean to feel comfortable.

The oil tray from the range hood, which had just been removed, was so full of grease that it gave Wen Zhixia goosebumps. She truly admired the woman in front of her; how could she remain unfazed by such filth? If it were her, she probably would have thrown the entire range hood away...

"Sister Wanyin, let me help you!"

Wen Zhixia gritted her teeth and resolutely decided to come and help.

He thought to himself that if it were that slightly germaphobic ice cube spirit, it would have jumped five meters away by now. This is a victory for him!
Li Wanyin had no right to let the fair-skinned young girl do such rough and dirty work, so she quickly said:
"No, no, this is too dirty. If it gets on your school uniform, it won't be clean after washing... How about this, Zhizhi, could you help me wipe the dust off the table and wardrobe?"

"Sister Wanyin underestimates me? I can do it!"

While the two girls were talking, Chen Shi'an had already taken the oil box from Li Wanyin's hand.

"Sister Wanyin and Xiaozhi go and do other things. Leave the kitchen and bathroom to me. I'll make sure they're clean."

"……All right."

Chen Shi'an had already taken over, and Li Wanyin had no choice but to let him have his way. "Then be careful not to get it on your clothes. These oil stains are hard to wash off. I bought a special cleaner. Shi'an, you should wear gloves so that the cleaner doesn't get on your hands and will cause your skin to peel."

"it is good."

“There are a few more pairs of gloves here… Zhizhi, you should put on your gloves too.”

"Hmm, is there anything else around the house that needs to be done?"

"There's basically nothing left, just the kitchen and bathroom. Then I'll wipe down some furniture and appliances, and wash a lot of things in the bathroom, so I'll finish the bathroom last."

"Row."

The two girls then put on gloves and each took a rag and left.

Chen Shi'an examined the range hood and disassembled all the washable parts.

The old grease had stuck to the surface and turned into a sticky substance, which couldn't be dissolved by cleaning agents for a while.

But this didn't stump him.

Chen Shi'an emptied the oil from the oil box, then used his magic to scrape it clean, removing about 90% of the stubborn oil. He then sprayed on some cleaning agent, scraped it clean again, and the entire oil box was spotless.

There were also baffles, inner and outer covers of the range hood, etc. Chen Shi'an worked quickly and efficiently, cleaning the entire range hood in no time.

He didn't leave the remaining kitchen stove and corners untouched by the grease, and he even cleaned the kitchen window glass and frames, which had accumulated grease over the years.

After finishing these steps, clean the sink, and the whole kitchen will look brand new.

The two girls outside were chatting while doing housework. When they saw Chen Shi'an come out of the kitchen so quickly, they thought he was going to get something, but they saw him starting to clean the bathroom.

"Shi'an, finish the bathroom last. Have you finished the kitchen?"

"Yes, everything is done. Sister Wanyin, go and check the work."

"So fast!"

Li Wanyin and Wen Zhixia were stunned. They knew how dirty it had been just now, and they quickly went into the kitchen to take a look—

"Wow--!"

"So clean!!"

"Taoist priest! So you're a genius at cleaning!"

"...What the hell?"

Chen Shi'an chuckled and said, "I told you, Sister Wanyin, you didn't need to worry about it, I could take care of it. How is it? It should be pretty clean, right? Is there anything else that needs fixing?"

"That's it! The kitchen, the most difficult part, is now perfectly finished!"

"Okay, by the way, can the air conditioner also be disassembled and cleaned?"

"Yes, but I'm not tall enough. Shi'an, could you search online for how to clean an air conditioner?"

"it is good."

While watching the tutorial, Chen Shi'an removed the air filters from several air conditioners in his home and took them to the bathroom to clean them.

These filters haven't been washed in who knows how long; they're covered in a thick layer of dust.

Wen Zhixia and Li Wanyin watched from the side as Chen Shi'an rinsed the surface with the water sprayer, washing away the accumulated dust from top to bottom.

"Hahaha...Taoist, have you ever seen those videos on Douyin about fixing horse hooves and cleaning carpets? Watching you use this filter is so stress-relieving!"

"Then you've wasted your time. I felt much more relaxed cleaning the range hood."

"Oh! Why didn't you say so sooner!"

With Chen Shi'an and Wen Zhixia helping her with housework, Li Wanyin no longer felt bored or tedious.

Wen Zhixia found housework quite interesting for the first time ever. Looking at the table and wardrobe that she had wiped clean, the girl felt very relieved.

The black cat was lounging lazily on the sofa, occasionally making way for the two girls to wipe it down.

"Shimo, aren't you going to help with the work?" Wen Zhixia squatted down and asked it.

"Meow?"

Is that even human language?

What kind of capitalist would say something like making a kitten work?!

Besides, it has already driven away all the cockroaches and other insects in the house, so who dares to say that I, the cat, haven't done any work!

Soon, with the combined efforts of the three, the cleaning of the new house was finally completed.

The layout of the old and new houses is basically the same except for the courtyard. Wen Zhixia curiously walked to the room near the balcony to take a look.

"Taoist priest, will you be staying in this room after you move in?"

"Yes, that's right. Sister Wanyin should still be staying in the room on the east side, right?"

"Okay, I'll stay in my old room. Shi'an, you can change rooms if you want."

"That's not necessary."

Wen Zhixia then pointed to the room on the west side: "Taoist priest, how do you plan to use this room on the west side?"

"With three rooms, we can use the extra one to store miscellaneous items."

Chen Shi'an thought for a moment and then invited, "Xiao Zhile, would you like to move in? We can leave the room on the west side for you."

"...!!!"

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhixia was so excited she almost flew away.

But after a short while, she sighed again and said, "It won't work... I'm already staying at my aunt's place, and my parents will absolutely not agree to me moving..."

It's all that stinky Taoist's fault for not riding faster this morning, which led to Mom catching her red-handed. Now Mom's on guard, and after instructing Auntie, she's been even stricter with her. It's like she's been completely outmatched...

Fortunately, the ice spirit didn't gain any advantage. If the Taoist priest had continued living in her house, the ice spirit might have been too shameless to move in one day.

"Sister Wanyin, when you make money in the future, will you also buy a house here?" Wen Zhixia asked curiously.

"Haha, of course I want to buy one, but I'm still a long way off. When I really make money in the future, I'll buy a big house!"

"I also like big houses! This little courtyard is really nice. Taoist priest, are you going to plant flowers there?"

"Yes, we'll plant some flowers here and some vegetables there, and we'll also get a big vat to raise fish using traditional methods. I'll also make some small tables and chairs and put them here. If Xiaozhi has time, he can come over and sit around the stove to make tea, and we can roast sugarcane and oranges together."

"Gather around a fire to brew tea! Roasted sugarcane, roasted oranges?! Can sugarcane and oranges be roasted...?"

"Yes, it's very sweet after baking, and it can also soothe the lungs and relieve coughs."

As they talked, the two girls got hungry and remembered that they wanted to have a late-night snack.

Wen Zhixia, Li Wanyin, and Fei Mao'er went out to buy late-night snacks at the entrance of the community, while Chen Shi'an stayed in the yard to figure out how to decorate.

When I have some free time tomorrow morning, I'll set up a soundproof and barrier formation first!
(I'm not feeling well, so there will only be one long chapter today.)
(End of this chapter)