The landlord has multiple personalities and wants everyone to pay him.

After Zhi Qiu finished speaking, her slightly narrowed eyes stared intently at Ye Shu, not missing a single subtle change in his face.

She had anticipated many possibilities: surprise, fear, sympathy, even curiosity, but she had never expected this scene before her.

Ye Shu simply picked up the bowl of warm sweet soy milk next to her, slurped up a big mouthful, and then nodded:

"Hmm, DID, dissociative identity disorder. I've heard of it."

After saying that, he casually picked up a small steamed bun and put it in his mouth, as if the appeal of the steamed bun was more tangible than his split personality.

Zhi Qiu paused slightly, then continued to explain:

"There are four of us in total. Xiaoxue, Xiaoqing, me, and someone named Xiaonuan that you haven't met yet. You've already met Xiaoxue and Xiaoqing.

"Um."

Ye Shu's response was still a simple nasal tone, her attention more focused on savoring the deliciousness of the bun.

Looking back on the kind of life he lived before, what could you call it? He ate instant noodles and bread all day long, which was barely enough to maintain his vital signs.

Now this is what eating is all about! Ye Shu, you've forgotten your roots! You've forgotten your roots!

Zhi Qiu's fingertips traced the rim of the teacup, her tone softening, with a hint of probing:

"Many people might find this...strange, interesting. But it's actually a mental illness, a product of trauma...can you understand?"

"I see."

Ye Shu finally put down his chopsticks, picked up a tissue to wipe his mouth, and met Zhi Qiu's gaze calmly. His composure made Zhi Qiu feel a sense of unreality.

The air was still for a few seconds.

Zhi Qiu finally asked the question that had been lingering in her mind for so long:

"So... Ye Shu, what are you thinking now? If you find it unacceptable and want to terminate the lease, I completely understand. I will refund your rent in full immediately."

Canceling the lease? Are you kidding me!

Where can you find another luxury house with a monthly rent of 800? Although this sounds a bit beyond common sense, he didn't feel much fear or rejection.

He quickly swallowed the food in his mouth, took a sip of soy milk to smooth it out, and waved his hand:

"No, no, there's really no need to cancel the lease."

He paused, organized his thoughts, and tried to sound more sincere:

"To be honest, I don't really know much about this disease, and I don't really have a concept of it. But for me, understanding it as four different people just happen to share the same body is enough, right? It doesn't affect the basic rules of cohabitation, right?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhi Qiu's eyes. She had anticipated various reactions, but this was the one she hadn't expected to be so... pragmatic. She couldn't help but probe further:

"That's how it is. So... don't you feel scared, or have any other... uncomfortable feelings?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Shu seriously considered the question. Instead of answering directly, he posed two very direct questions:

"Would you kill someone?"

Zhi Qiu was taken aback by the question, then burst into laughter:

"Of course not."

"Would you self-harm or hurt others?"

"No, not either."

"oh."

Ye Shu nodded:

"Then there's nothing to worry about."

His logic was simple, direct, and even somewhat crude, yet it possessed a strange persuasiveness. If core security was not an issue, everything else was minor.

However, despite his calm exterior, he was secretly celebrating inside:

"Scared? Are you kidding me! Eight hundred dollars! Cloud Garden! Four beautiful landlady girls with different styles! Room and board included! What more could you ask for?! What more could you ask for!!!"

Ye Shu's words, "Then there's nothing to worry about," were like a pebble thrown into the center of a lake, creating a subtle ripple in Zhi Qiu's eyes.

The momentary scrutiny on her face vanished quickly, like a thin mist blown away by the wind.

Those eyes that had been gleaming with a mysterious light returned to their usual narrow shape, and a genuine smile returned to her face, making her look even more relaxed than before.

"Little Shu, my younger brother."

The tension in her voice completely disappeared, returning to its previous gentleness, and even seemed a little more intimate:

"You are a really... special person."

As she spoke, she picked up a shrimp dumpling and placed it on the plate in front of Ye Shu.

Ye Shu chuckled dryly twice, muttering to himself, "Indeed exceptionally poor!"

Zhi Qiu seemed to see through his unease, but didn't point it out, instead smiling and saying:

"Well then, we'll be living under the same roof from now on, so please take good care of me, little brother Shu."

She put down her chopsticks, stretched out her right hand and held it in mid-air, waiting for Ye Shu's move.

Ye Shu looked at the fair and slender hand extended in front of her, paused for a moment, and then reached out her own hand and gently grasped it.

The girl's hands were cool and soft, while the boy's hands were slightly rough.

"Yes, let's look after each other, let's look after each other."

This simple handshake completely dispelled Ye Shu's last remaining concern that "this place is not safe to stay for long." His accommodation problem, and even his short-term food problem, seemed to have been solved as if in a dream.

With the crisis over, the sunlight streaming through the glass windows seemed even brighter, falling on the exquisite dishes and on Zhi Qiu's relaxed smile across the table.

Ye Shu picked up his chopsticks and took the shrimp dumpling that Zhi Qiu had just put on his plate. This time, he was finally able to taste the natural sweetness of the food.

After breakfast, the morning sun had already bathed the streets. Zhi Qiu paid the bill, and the two walked out of the restaurant side by side.

On a sunny early summer morning in the southern part of the city, a gentle breeze rustled through the plane trees lining the street, filtering out dappled sunlight.

"Little Shu, is there any particular type of job you'd like to find next?"

Ye Shu scratched his head, looking somewhat helpless:

"In this day and age, who dares to be picky? High pay, easy work, and close to home is a dream, as long as it's not too outrageous. It shouldn't be one of those flexible work schedules that keep you up until midnight, or one of those flat companies where the boss sits right next to you and keeps an eye on you."

Zhi Qiu was amused by his little complaint, and her eyes crinkled into a smile:

"No rush, good opportunities require fate. Take your time, and you'll eventually find the right one."

As she spoke, she slowed her pace and naturally reached out to take Ye Shu's arm again.

"Come on, since we have some free time now, I'll show you around so you won't be clueless when you go out on your own later."

The warm, soft touch and slight weight returned to the crook of his arm, and Ye Shu stiffened for a moment before forcing himself to relax.

He felt a pang of self-reproach for his own weakness. "It's just crossing my arms, is it really that big of a deal? Can you stop acting like a complete idiot?"

Zhi Qiu linked arms with him, and they walked slowly along the tree-lined street, just like a dutiful guide, patiently pointing him in the right direction.

After this tour, Ye Shu wouldn't say he was an expert, but at least he had a basic understanding of the essential facilities for survival in the area centered around Yunduanyuan, so he wouldn't get lost as soon as he stepped out.

"That's pretty much all the main places."

Zhi Qiu stopped and looked up at the sky:

"Shall we go back? I don't know how late Xiaoqing played last night, and I'm a little sleepy. You can start sending out your resume now."

"Okay, thank you, Sister Zhi Qiu."

The two turned and walked toward the apartment building that gleamed in the sunlight.

Thus began a cohabitation life that was destined to be anything but boring.