Chapter 125: Moving to a New Home

The first chapter is finally done, though it was quite a struggle due to my health. Hopefully, I’ll feel a bit better this afternoon.

I heard Qiu Fengyu was planning to buy furniture, and surprisingly, Elizabeth showed great interest. She went to Qiu Fengyu’s noodle shop specifically to offer some suggestions. Also intrigued was Ryoko Mikura.

Ryoko normally wouldn’t bother with such things, but suddenly, as if possessed, she insisted on choosing furniture for her room herself and was determined to follow Qiu Fengyu.

“When did I ever agree to give you a room?” Qiu Fengyu complained, displeased. “You have your own home and apartment here, yet you want to squeeze in with me?”

Ryoko didn’t say a word, just glared at him with sharp eyes. Qiu Fengyu remained unmoved, while Elizabeth stood by, ready to watch the drama unfold. After a brief standoff, Ryoko raised a finger: “One hundred thousand dollars. I’ll pay one hundred thousand dollars for a room.”

Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open in astonishment. Qiu Fengyu didn’t understand why Ryoko was so fond of causing a scene, but considering they were practically allies now and she was willing to put up that much money, and since the house itself cost around three hundred thousand dollars, he reluctantly nodded in agreement.

What kind of house can you build in America for three hundred thousand dollars? Qiu Fengyu’s house is a good example. Over four hundred square meters spread over two floors, six rooms, a large living room, kitchen, bathrooms, and so on. That’s just the construction cost, not counting the front and back lawns or the swimming pool.

So they set off together, driving Qiu Fengyu’s Mustang. Following Elizabeth’s lead, they first visited a large furniture store on the outskirts of town. The staff were polite but had no samples to show—only pictures in brochures. The furniture looked decent in the photos.

But Elizabeth shook her head and said as she left, “Let’s look at some samples first, then decide. There aren’t enough displays here. We should check out other places.”

They moved on. Elizabeth was experienced, inspecting samples, comparing pictures and prices. They visited several stores. At first, the Japanese girl browsed for what she liked but soon fell silent and even grew impatient. Fortunately, she eventually settled on a set of solid cherry wood furniture.

Only three sets had samples. Elizabeth suggested they could explore other options, but Ryoko declared her room would be furnished with one of these sets. So they decided to buy from that store.

Including the six rooms, the living room, and balcony, Qiu Fengyu ended up paying over forty thousand dollars. Then they looked at kitchen appliances. Once everything was settled, they went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. Ryoko had lost interest and wanted to go home, so they all returned together.

Back home, Qiu Fengyu accompanied Elizabeth to her place, expressing his thanks repeatedly. Then he drove Ryoko to her home. After dropping her off, he looked at her and asked, “Are you serious?”

Ryoko winked mischievously. “Which part do you mean?”

“Really want a room? Aren’t you afraid living together might make us develop feelings over time?” Qiu Fengyu voiced his concern. It wasn’t that he wasn’t interested in Ryoko, but it felt strange—living under the same roof with a woman he had been with twice, without feelings developing. That was odd.

“Are you scared?” Ryoko smiled. “I’m moving in. See you!” Without waiting for an answer, she walked into her home.

Qiu Fengyu thought about it but couldn’t come up with anything else. He then drove to the noodle shop, only to find the door closed with a “Temporarily Closed” sign facing outward, but inside it was clearly open.

It was definitely some noodle-loving prankster causing trouble again. Qiu Fengyu opened the door and went in. According to the arrangement, the furniture would be delivered in three days.

Two days later, the house was handed over. Qiu Fengyu inspected it and finished the transaction with the manager. The manager glanced coolly at the house and said, “You’ll be satisfied. Come to me when you build your next one.” Then he left in a hurry.

Without furniture, the house felt somewhat empty, but Qiu Fengyu wandered through it alone, finally reaching the rooftop. There was a platform up there designed for sitting and drinking—a special request he had made to the manager.

Though it was an unusual request, a client’s wishes are not to be denied. So instead of a pointed peak, the roof featured a distinctive platform beside the sharp top.

Qiu Fengyu sat on the platform, gazing out, thinking it would be incredibly refreshing to drink here. On impulse, he went back to the noodle shop and brought up a dozen beers, then sat back on the platform to drink. It was indeed a wonderful feeling.

His enjoyment didn’t last long before Tim arrived, followed by Davis. The three sat drinking beer on the platform. Tim pointed at a river visible in the distance—the one Qiu Fengyu often fished in. “If only we could sit here, drink, and fish at the same time. That would be perfect.”

“If it were in a fancy hotel penthouse, with waterfall-like streams nearby and a sparkling blue pool below, and you could fish right in the pool, that would be even better,” Davis added with a sly grin, clearly teasing Tim.

“That’s just wishful thinking,” Tim scoffed and flipped him off.

“Can’t you two idiots think about something realistic?” Qiu Fengyu sighed, then grabbed another beer each. The three of them drank together in the breeze. Qiu Fengyu eventually got up and headed downstairs. Tim followed, but Davis stayed behind, continuing to drink.

After finishing his beer, Qiu Fengyu walked toward the backyard lawn, stripping off his clothes as he went. Tim followed suit, peeling down to his shorts. Qiu Fengyu was left only in his underwear, then leapt forward with a splash into the pool.

Though the weather had cooled, Qiu Fengyu wasn’t deterred—this chill was nothing to someone who had lived in Ukraine. Tim, now only in his shorts, bit his lip and dived in, letting out a startled scream.

“Don’t be a wimp, swim!” Qiu Fengyu shouted.

Tim hurriedly swam around until his skin turned bright red and he warmed up, then yelled, “Hey—Davis, get down here! Quit sitting there like a sissy. This is what real men do!”

From the pool, they could see Davis on the platform, but he ignored their calls.

The next day, the furniture arrived and they began arranging it. Qiu Fengyu had no idea how to set things up—perhaps women were more gifted in this area—but he didn’t intend to invite Ryoko to help since she showed no interest.

In the end, Elizabeth came over and helped arrange the furniture more suitably. After a busy afternoon, all the furniture was in place, and they even hired a cleaning service.

“We can officially move in tomorrow,” Elizabeth said with a smile, clearly pleased with her handiwork. “I envy you.”

Qiu Fengyu waved it off. “I’ll call Britt and bring the kids over—I’ll treat you all to dinner.” With that, he turned and headed back to the noodle shop.

Dinner was a typical Western meal, but the family was happy. Qiu Fengyu’s pan-fried steaks tasted good enough that Elizabeth nodded approvingly throughout, saying, “You should be a chef in Los Angeles—that talent is wasted.”

“If I can’t make ramen for you, that would be a real waste,” Qiu Fengyu joked.

“I love ramen!” Nicole winked at him gleefully. The little girl was very pleased with his answer and was about to say more.

Britt recalled how she first met Qiu Fengyu with a chuckle: “It was fate. I met Qiu, he saved me, then settled here, bringing us delicious ramen.”

The dinner was joyful, and Qiu Fengyu felt the same. The kindness of Britt’s family and the friendly townsfolk gave him a sense of rooting himself here.

The next day, Qiu Fengyu moved into his new home. He initially wanted to invite many people for a party, but Elizabeth advised against it. So he moved in quietly, alone.

Not long after, Tim arrived carrying a large bag. Upon seeing Qiu Fengyu in the living room, he laughed loudly. “My room! I want to personally choose the best one.” He looked around from upstairs to downstairs and finally picked a room upstairs, excitedly carrying his bag there.

“Dude, that’s my room!” Qiu Fengyu said bluntly, kicking him out. “The best room is always mine. You’ll have to find another.”

Davis had to look elsewhere too. After a long search, he chose a room near Qiu Fengyu’s house. Then Ryoko arrived. Although her face showed no expression, her eyes shone brightly. After some consideration, she settled on the room originally chosen by April.

“That was April’s choice,” Qiu Fengyu reminded her.

“Even if it was God’s choice, it’s none of my business,” Ryoko said, lying on the bed and flipping him off. “If I say it’s mine, then it’s mine.”

(To be continued.)