Chapter 1874 — House-Buying Tales

Besides, before they left, Gu Pengzhan and Uncle Qing had already shared a farewell dinner with Gu Mengyao, Shen Yushu, and Wei Zhao. There was therefore no need to put on another formal send-off before their departure.

Before leaving, however, Wei Zhao made some discreet inquiries through Fatty Lai about Yu Xiaoke's orphanage. He learned that things were going well there. Only the dormitory building had been completed so far, with the other facilities still to come, but at least the orphans now had somewhere to live.

Wei Zhao hinted to Fatty Lai that he could provide the orphanage with some financial support. Fatty Lai readily agreed. Given Doctor Guan Pharmaceuticals' current momentum, it was not realistic for the company to fund and complete the entire project in one go, but building the facilities one by one over time would pose no problem.

Early on October 8, Wei Zhao drove a Grand Cherokee, taking Gu Mengyao and Shen Yushu with him to Granny Sun's home.

They had already arranged with Granny Sun a few days earlier that she would accompany them to Donghai City. She had taken care of everything on her end as well, and by the time Wei Zhao arrived, she was already standing in the courtyard waiting for them.

"Granny Sun, you don't have any luggage?" Wei Zhao asked, looking with some surprise at Granny Sun's empty hands.

"Hehe, this old woman lives all by herself and doesn't have much to her name. And these old things here wouldn't look right in your new home. I'll just buy a few new things once we get there!" Granny Sun said with a smile.

"Once we get there, how could we possibly let you buy them yourself?" Wei Zhao laughed. "In that case, we'll travel light."

Gu Mengyao had already told Gu Pengzhan about Granny Sun. Although Gu Pengzhan had not yet found the time to meet her in person, he had heard from Gu Mengyao what a kind woman she was, and how she had taken them in when they were in trouble. Naturally, he had no objection to Granny Sun accompanying them to Donghai City, where she could also look after the two girls in their daily lives.

October 10 was the day new students began the academic year at Donghai Engineering University. The custom of having freshmen start in October had been in place for many years, and students applying to the university were delighted by it: after the grueling final year of high school, they were granted a longer vacation.

Naturally, this rule applied only to freshmen. Returning students still began classes on September 1.

The four of them drove to Donghai City on October 8, arriving two days early so they could first settle the matter of where they would stay.

Master had acquaintances in the city, but Wei Zhao did not want to trouble them. Unless something truly important arose, there was no reason to bother anyone over something as minor as buying a house.

Donghai Engineering University was located in Donghai City's university town, where more than a dozen universities stood close together.

Wei Zhao first drove everyone around the area near Donghai Engineering University so they could get a feel for the atmosphere on campus.

Several years earlier, the city had carried out a unified plan and relocated all of Donghai's universities to the same area. As a result, the campuses had all been newly built, and they radiated a distinctly modern air. Even Granny Sun seemed to take on a youthful, invigorated spirit.

In truth, if Granny Sun took a little care with her appearance and changed into a new set of clothes, she did not look particularly old. She was not yet fifty, in fact. It was simply that she spent every day scavenging outdoors, exposed to wind and sun, which had left her looking far more weathered than her years.

Of course, the university's buildings were still somewhat less impressive than those of First High School, a school for the wealthy. Being a private elite institution, First High School enjoyed decorations and appointments that ordinary schools could hardly hope to match.

In scale, however, the university far surpassed First High School. Towering, imposing buildings stood everywhere, and the campus occupied vastly more land. Even one ordinary little sports field was as large as First High School's entire athletic grounds.

"The surroundings aren't bad. Let's buy a house somewhere nearby," Wei Zhao said. "It'll be close to school, so you won't be late."

"Mm. You decide," the young mistress said indifferently.

Without anyone noticing, Wei Zhao had already become the backbone of the household. And the young mistress no longer insisted on putting forward her own opinions at every turn.

Wei Zhao parked outside a real-estate agency and got out with Gu Mengyao and Shen Yushu. Granny Sun remained in the car. In her view, she could not offer much useful advice, so she might as well wait there.

Once inside the agency, Wei Zhao discovered that business was surprisingly brisk. Although it was still morning, four students were already there looking for rental housing: two young men and two young women who appeared to be two couples. One pair looked slightly older and were probably graduate students. After signing an agreement and paying the money, they left happily.

The other pair clearly looked to be around the same age as Wei Zhao and the others. Judging by the way they spoke and carried themselves, they were probably freshmen in this year's intake.

An employee of the agency was helping them choose a place.

The girl had long hair falling over her shoulders and wore delicate, understated makeup. With arched brows and large eyes, she was fresh-faced and full of spirit.

The boy beside her, by contrast, seemed rather bashful. His features were still somewhat boyish, making him appear younger than the girl. He also seemed to let her make every decision. Standing to one side, he pressed his lips together and offered no opinion, looking almost timid.

"For freshmen like you, renting a small one-bedroom apartment like this is actually the best value. The price is low, and it has all the necessary amenities. Don't let the twenty-odd square meters fool you: it has a kitchen, a bathroom, everything you need. This is the layout freshmen prefer most, and the rent is very affordable too—only seven or eight hundred a month!" the agency employee said.

"How are we supposed to live in a single room? We want a two-bedroom place," the girl said, shaking her head and cutting him off.

"Aren't you two a couple? What's wrong with living together... or have you still not..." The agency employee looked at the young couple in puzzlement, then stopped halfway through his question.

"Who said we're a couple..." The girl looked both amused and exasperated. "He's my cousin. We may be related, but we're old enough now that we can't exactly share a room. It would be too inconvenient."

"Uh... I see!" After a moment of surprise, the agency employee shook his head apologetically. He had simply made an assumption. Most men and women who came there to rent a place were student couples; a pair of cousins like these two was quite unusual.

Wei Zhao understood at once. No wonder he had sensed something odd earlier. So they really were cousins—and with the older girl taking charge, there was naturally nothing improper about it.

Just then, another employee from the agency came over to join them...

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