From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

And so, we acquired this riverside courtyard house for the low price of 500 per month.

Before leaving, Old Wang repeatedly reminded everyone: "I will come back to inspect when I have time. You can't live separately, or I will take the house back."

Su Qing quickly replied, "Don't worry, couples will definitely live together."

I was really curious about the landlord's strange rules, so I couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, if I may ask one more question, why do you insist on renting to couples or married couples?"

Old Wang looked serious and said slowly, "Only a couple will cherish their house. I built this courtyard brick by brick with my own hands. My wife and I have lived here for most of our lives, and we agreed long ago that we would only rent it to people with families. I really can't bear to let outsiders rent it alone."

I paused for a moment, then casually asked, "What if...we break up later?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Old Wang said, "Then I have to take the house back."

Su Qing leaned closer to me and said in a low voice, "Don't worry about that now, let's rent it first. Hurry up, I'm starving."

I didn't ask any more questions and nodded to finalize the lease.

Old Wang gave a few instructions and then turned to leave.

After everyone had gone, Su Qing looked around the courtyard, her face full of pride: "How about it? Was this house a good deal? You couldn't find this kind of value for money even with a lantern."

I'm still dizzy and haven't recovered yet.

After a long silence, he finally spoke: "Didn't you hear the landlord say he'd be coming to inspect? If we live separately, he'll take the house back. This old man's rules are so strange."

Su Qing sighed softly, feigning generosity: "Well, there's nothing I can do. I guess I'll just have to make do and move in with you."

I was both amused and exasperated: "What do you mean by 'feeling wronged'?"

"What else? Moving in with you is practically cohabitation, shouldn't you be secretly thrilled?"

"No, are you serious?"

Do I look like I'm joking with you?

I was stunned for a while before saying, "If Fang Heng knew I was living with you, do you think he'd go crazy?"

Su Qing glared at me again and said, "Why do you care about him? Are you afraid of him?"

"I'm not afraid, it's just that you haven't seen how he's been targeting me lately. Getting involved with him will never end well."

Su Qing gave me a disdainful middle finger: "You're such a coward."

I chuckled softly: "I didn't say no."

"That's perfect, it's settled then, I'll go move it over this afternoon."

I took a deep breath and stared intently at her: "I'll ask you one last time, are you really planning to move in?"

She looked at me very seriously and said in a solemn tone, "I'm not joking with you. I really want to live here, and I especially like this courtyard."

No wonder she agreed without even thinking about it.

It's clear that she likes this courtyard quite a bit.

I nodded and said no more.

The small courtyard has two floors and many empty rooms. Strictly speaking, it's not really cohabitation, but more like shared rental. Everyone lives in their own room and doesn't disturb each other.

We strolled around the yard, and I climbed up the wooden ladder to the rooftop platform and sat down by the low cement railing.

Looking out, the vast Yangtze River stretches out before you, the river breeze dispels the heat, and the scenery is clean and soothing.

I sat alone on the rooftop, took out a cigarette, lit it, and the smoke slowly drifted away.

The thought of spending every day with Su Qing in the same courtyard filled him with both amusement and curiosity.

I don't know how many interesting things will happen during our time living together, but I'm sure it won't be boring or depressing anymore.

I hastily decided on a place to stay, but this little courtyard house really touched my heart's longing.

I've always longed for a quiet place to live by the water. There's no sea here, but it faces the Yangtze River, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, which would be a perfect escape from the recent troubles I've been having.

As she was thinking about these things, Su Qing appeared on the rooftop without her noticing.

She stood beside me, smoothed her wind-blown hair, and struck up a conversation: "You can cook, right?"

I looked at her expressionlessly: "Don't expect me to be your free babysitter in the future."

"I can cook too. You can teach me, and we can divide the cooking duties from now on."

As she spoke, she chuckled, as if she had already planned out the future.

I didn't reply. Cooking is not difficult for someone like me who works away from home all year round.

After Su Qing came downstairs, I looked up at the sky alone. It was a clear blue sky at noon, and a gentle breeze carried the refreshing scent of the river.

I can't remember the last time I could calmly look at the blue sky. At this moment, all my worries seem to have faded a bit, and I've finally escaped the hustle and bustle of the city.

My heart gradually calmed down, and to be honest, I really want to thank Su Qing.

If she hadn't taken the initiative to inquire about accommodations, I would never have been able to find such a quiet place to stay.

I desperately need a quiet place to release the pent-up frustration, anger, and resentment that have been building up over the past few days.

Just as I was immersed in the rare tranquility, I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye that the wooden ladder against the wall had been moved.

When I realized this with alarm, I rushed to the edge of the roof and looked down. Su Qing had already pulled the ladder away and was leaning it against the other side of the courtyard wall.

Without the ladder, my way downstairs was completely cut off.

Without a doubt, I've been tricked by this girl again.

We haven't even officially started living together yet, and she's already causing me trouble.

I pointed at Su Qing downstairs, both angry and helpless: "Bring the ladder over right now!"

She stood in the courtyard, her face beaming with pride: "Don't you like staying on the rooftop, enjoying the breeze and the river view? Go up there and soak up the sun, see if the river breeze can dry you out."

After saying that, she completely ignored my calls and went into the room on the first floor by herself, changed into an elegant white chiffon jumpsuit, and prepared to go out.

Before leaving, she locked the courtyard gate behind her, waved the key in front of me, and walked away with a triumphant smile.

Watching her graceful figure walk away, I angrily slapped my forehead, cursing myself for being so forgetful and for being tricked by her time and time again, which was entirely my own fault.

Standing on high ground, I scanned the rooms downstairs one by one, and then I realized that what Lao Wang called "fully equipped" only had beds; there were no tables, chairs, or appliances.

The worst thing right now is that I've been starving all morning and can't even get a bite to eat at lunchtime.

No matter how vast and beautiful the river view was, I had no interest in appreciating it at all. My cell phone signal was intermittent, and the anxiety of being trapped on the rooftop kept rising. I was going crazy.

After a morning of running around looking at apartments, I was completely exhausted. Hunger and the frustration of being trapped were intertwined, like countless ants scratching at my heart, making me restless and unable to sit still.

About half an hour later, Su Qing returned on my electric scooter.

She was holding two takeout boxes in her hand, and she waved them at me from downstairs.

"Want some food? Say something nice and I'll put you down."

I looked at her helplessly and said, "Su Qing, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

She stuck her tongue out at me and said, "Yeah, yeah, there's a long road ahead, are you scared?"

"Stop messing around, bring me the ladder right now."

"Say something nice, or you can just sit up there and watch me eat."

As she spoke, she actually started eating at the stone table in the courtyard downstairs, seemingly not intending to bother me anymore.

I was completely bewildered; I had no idea what I had done to offend this brat.