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

Shen Jingwan's narration came to an end, and the living room fell silent. The teacup had gone cold, and the tea reflected Ye Shu's furrowed brows.

Shen Jingwan looked at Ye Shu, her eyes filled with complex emotions:

"Later, Xiaoxue... or rather, their situation stabilized. Children have to grow up eventually, and they can't always be under our watchful eyes. Lao An and I spent a long time choosing a place and finally bought an apartment in Yunduanyuan. The security and environment there are quite good. Let her... let them try to live independently. We can't be with them forever, and some paths, no matter how difficult, we have to let them walk on their own."

Ye Shu nodded, agreeing that it made sense and that was indeed the case.

"After moving out, there weren't any major disruptions in our lives. But we haven't been able to relax for a single day. She lives alone, and if something happens to her one day—she falls, gets sick, or... suddenly has a bad mood—there won't be anyone to lend a hand or talk to. So we discussed with them whether we should find a reliable roommate."

"The rent doesn't matter. The main thing is that I have company, and the house feels more lively, so I won't be too lonely. Secondly, if anything happens, I can rely on someone."

As Shen Jingwan said this, her gaze towards Ye Shu held a hint of apology:

"Old An and I were worried, so before posting the rental information, Old An asked someone to screen the people who could see the information in the backend. At first, Old An was determined to only find a girl, thinking that girls would be safer and more careful. But then he thought that girls are not strong, and if there is any emergency, having a boy around will always provide more strength and be able to handle things."

This is a bit blunt, but it is indeed the most practical consideration for parents.

An Jianxing then raised his head and said to Ye Shu:

"Your aunt and I have been keeping an eye on things outside Yunduanyuan for several days. Whenever someone comes to advertise for a rental, we immediately check their identity information. If they're not suitable, we find a reason to turn them away. We've already turned away four people before you; you're the fifth."

Thinking of this, Ye Shu did recall that when he first arrived at Yunduanyuan, the security guard at the entrance did make a phone call, and he waited for quite a while. It turned out that he had already had his information leaked back then.

Seeing the expression on Ye Shu's face, Shen Jingwan's voice softened, tinged with apology:

"So Xiaoshu, don't blame us. What Lao An and I did might seem a bit excessive to you, but we really... can't accept anything happening to Xiaoxue."

An Jianxing, standing nearby, also spoke up:

"Xiao Ye, it's not that we want to investigate your ancestors for eighteen generations, nor that we want to interfere in your life, we're just... just scared."

After listening to what An Jianxing and his wife said, Ye Shu subconsciously bit her lower lip and remained silent for a while.

After a long silence, he raised his head and spoke calmly:

"Uncle and Aunt, to be honest, I don't have any particular feelings about your investigation into my background."

An Jianxing and Shen Jingwan were not surprised by his reaction, and just watched Ye Shu continue speaking:

"Because if you hadn't told me, I would never have known about this. Since you were willing to tell me, it at least shows that you two don't treat me like an outsider, nor do you have any intention of harming me. So, you really don't need to feel sorry for this, or owe me anything."

This child...

An Jianxing and Shen Jingwan exchanged a glance, unable to find the right words to describe Ye Shu.

"Xiao Shu, Auntie understands what you mean, but we haven't done enough... there should be compensation."

"There's really no need for compensation, Auntie."

Ye Shu shook his head, interrupting her, his attitude very sincere:

"During my most difficult time, finding a place that cost only 800 yuan a month and was fully furnished was like a windfall. I was incredibly grateful, let alone now..."

He paused, his ears turning slightly red:

"Right now... I quite enjoy living with them."

He didn't finish what he was going to say, but his shy feelings were unmistakable.

An Jianxing looked at him, his expression even more solemn than before. He sat up straight, and that imposing aura of authority returned.

"Xiao Ye, you heard what your aunt just said. Xiao Xue's condition... isn't something that can be resolved overnight. Whether it's good or bad, it could affect her for the rest of her life. You need to be aware of that."

His eyes were fixed intently on Ye Shu's eyes:

"I'm telling you this now, if you regret it, it's not too late. Your aunt and I will never blame you. On the contrary, we'll think you're a sensible person who has thought things through and is responsible for yourself and others."

As he spoke, he took out a bank card from his chest pocket and pushed it in front of Ye Shu.

"There's 200,000 in this card. It's not for buying out anything, just to thank you for taking care of my daughter during this time, and also... as a small token of our appreciation. Take this, and you can find a new place to start over. Let's part ways amicably."

Shen Jingwan did not speak up to stop him, but simply observed Ye Shu quietly.

This is the final and most realistic hurdle. Love can be impulsive, but life requires clarity. They must know whether this young man truly has the courage and responsibility to embrace such a complex future.

Ye Shu looked at the bank card for a few seconds, then slowly reached out her hand.

An Jianxing's eyelids twitched, but he didn't make a move.

But Ye Shu didn't reach for the card; instead, he took the stone from his pocket and placed it on top of the bank card. Then, he pushed both items back to An Jianxing.

"Uncle, I'll say it again, I don't need any compensation."

He was still the same as before, but this time there was a new kind of determination in his eyes:

"Even if I have no relationship with them now, I feel incredibly lucky to have roommates like them for a rent of 800 yuan a month. I can only feel grateful."

He took a slight breath and continued:

"If you, Uncle and Aunt, feel there's anything I can't do well, please point it out, and I'll try my best to improve. If..."

He paused for a moment, then glanced at the bank card on the coffee table:

"If they think I'm poor, have no connections, and no family wealth, then there's nothing I can do; it's not my choice. As for empty words like 'I'll work hard in the future and definitely make something of myself,' I don't want to say them now; it's pointless anyway."

His gaze slowly moved across An Jianxing and Shen Jingwan's faces, and finally he said with a serious expression:

"But I can assure you both that my feelings for Xiaoxue, Zhiqiu, Xiaqing, and Xiaonuan are genuine. It's not because they are someone's daughter or what they possess; it's simply because they... are who they are."

"I dare not make any grand promises about being able to provide them with a rich and carefree life in the future, because they don't lack anything now. But I can guarantee that as long as I am by their side, I will do my best to protect them and safeguard them, and I will never let them suffer any harm again. Perhaps my abilities are limited now, but my heart is full, my strength is sufficient, and I have plenty of patience."

He looked at An Jianxing and Shen Jingwan one last time, and said clearly, word by word:

"Uncle An, Aunt Shen, please believe me this once, and please... give me a chance."

After Ye Shu finished speaking, only the sound of their breathing remained in the living room.

An Jianxing's gaze lingered on the bank card and the stone that had been pushed back. He looked at them, and then suddenly his shoulders slumped, and he completely relaxed. He leaned back into the sofa, took a deep breath, and exhaled with a slight tremor.

Shen Jingwan's smile returned. She stood up, walked to Ye Shu, and extended her hand. This time, instead of shaking hands, she gently took Ye Shu's hand and wrapped it in her own.

She looked at Ye Shu, her eyes full of approval for her future son-in-law:

"Good, good child... I'm also pleased that you say and think this way..."

She paused, then looked at the young man in front of her, and couldn't help but fall in love with him.

"Then...then you are now considered the son-in-law of the An family."

"no."

Ye Shu shook her head almost instinctively, rejecting the suggestion.

Shen Jingwan's smile froze, and the hand holding his trembled slightly.

An Jianxing, who was leaning back on the sofa trying to calm himself down, suddenly jumped up, sat up straight, squinted at Ye Shu, and instructed her in a low voice, with disappointment and anger rising in his eyes:

"What do you mean, 'no'? You... changed your mind?"

No, not at all.

Ye Shu answered honestly, a little embarrassed:

"Uncle and Aunt, Xia Qing told me before that their situation is... special. If we want to... to confirm something as important as our relationship, we need everyone's agreement. Right now, apart from Xia Qing clearly expressing... support, I haven't heard the opinions of the others yet."

He looked at Shen Jingwan and said earnestly:

"Since this is a serious relationship that concerns each of them, I feel that we must respect each of their thoughts and choices. I cannot and should not make decisions for them, and I certainly cannot skip this step just because their parents approve."

After hearing this, An Jianxing felt a lump in his throat escape, then felt a mix of speechlessness, amusement, and a strange bitterness. He finally let out a cold snort.

"You little rascal, I don't know if you're really stupid or just pretending to be."

Shen Jingwan was stunned for a moment, then her smile returned, this time with appreciation. She patted Ye Shu's hand:

"Yes, yes, Auntie understands what you mean. Auntie was just being anxious. You're right, we should respect each and every one of them. There's no rush, Auntie trusts you."

Just then, a slightly choked voice came from the stairwell:

"I agree."

Ye Shu looked over upon hearing the sound and saw that Zhi Qiu had appeared at the corner of the stairs at some point, and seemed to have been standing there for a while.

Her face still held its usual gentle smile, but her eyes, which always narrowed with a smile, were now slightly red, and her eyelashes were a little damp.

Ye Shu was a little taken aback:

"Sister Zhi Qiu? You... what are you doing here?"

Zhi Qiu didn't answer, but quickly walked down the stairs to Ye Shu. In front of An Jianxing and Shen Jingwan, she stretched out her arms, wrapped them around Ye Shu's waist, and gently leaned against his chest.

She tilted her head slightly, looking at the boy who was more than half a head taller than her. Her eyes were still red, but the tenderness and emotion within them were almost overflowing. She spoke slowly, her voice soft yet incredibly clear:

"Little Shu, I agree."