They disappeared into the night, exchanging a few words here and there.
The next day.
Early in the morning, Su Qing had just finished washing up when she heard a knocking on the door. Her nerves tightened instinctively as she approached the door cautiously, tiptoeing to peek through the peephole. She saw several men in blue-gray work uniforms standing outside, holding ropes.
The moving company's men had arrived? The words from last night with Lu Xiu flashed through her mind. Why were they here so early?
She put on a coat and opened the door. The people outside introduced themselves, and Su Qing let them in. In fact, she had already tidied up almost everything, and since she didn't have many belongings, they finished moving in one trip.
Before long, the landlord arrived, holding a bag of freshly bought buns. She wore a gold necklace around her neck that matched her quite well. She stood there panting and glanced into the room, then said to Su Qing, "All packed up?" Su Qing nodded, feeling a bit nauseous from the smell of the buns in her hand.
"Then I'll transfer the money to your WeChat later. Although this house looks a bit old, someone still paid a hefty price for it. Don't worry, I won't deduct a penny from your breach of contract fee."
The landlord said as she walked into the house, still looking quite clean.
Su Qing took a final look inside, remembering how hard it was to find this house back then. Houses in Ancheng were already expensive, let alone renting one.
She handed the keys to the landlord, which was actually a good thing. She didn't have to live in fear every day, nor walk down this dark road anymore. She used to think she was used to it, but now she realized it was a relief.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed upstairs. She turned and saw Lu Xiu, dressed in black, coming up the stairs.
It was early in the morning, around eight o'clock. Lu Xiu could get up so early? He wouldn't come to class if it wasn't after twelve when he was still in school.
"Is everything sorted out?" His voice sounded particularly bright in the spacious stairwell.
"Yes." The landlord saw Lu Xiu in an instant, and a smile wrinkled her face: "Are you two moving in together? Girls should learn to compromise appropriately. Living at your boyfriend's place is much better than this."
She could tell that Lu Xiu was not an ordinary person just by looking at him. Every move he made exuded an aura of a gentleman.
Lu Xiu took her by the arm and brought her in front of him without saying a word.
Downstairs.
Lu Xiu parked his car in front of his house. Su Qing looked at the villa in front of her, with its detached garden. There was a cobblestone path leading into the house, with lush grass on both sides and daisies planted beside them. It was obviously well-maintained.
Compared to them, Su Qing immediately noticed the white-bordered swing, which looked particularly conspicuous in the green grass.
"Lu Xiu." She suddenly stopped him.
"Hmm?"
"What if I can't afford the rent?" She remembered yesterday's oath to pay the rent, but now she was afraid she couldn't afford even a month's rent after working for a year.
Lu Xiu chuckled lightly and asked in a low voice, "What can we do? Should I marry you and live together forever?"
Su Qing's eyes flickered, knowing better than to ask further.
"..."
Aunt Zhao, wearing a deep red apron, walked over from inside. When she saw Su Qing, she paused for a moment, then smiled, "Bringing a friend over? You're quite pretty." Su Qing licked her lips and replied softly, "Thank you."
"You can call me Aunt Zhao. If you have any dietary restrictions, just let me know. Oh, by the way, what's your name?"
"Su Qing."
She smiled.
"Let's go, I'll show you the room," Lu Xiu said, looking down at the girl.
She nodded.
The room was on the second floor, and the door had been meticulously designed, with a light pink sign hanging on it that read "Qing Qing's Room." She bit her lip as Lu Xiu pushed open the white door, revealing a room with milky white furnishings. It was spacious with a floor-to-ceiling window, allowing the sunlight to illuminate the bed directly, bringing warmth that enveloped her cold body.
The closet beside it was open, displaying clothes neatly arranged inside, while the bookshelf was filled with books.
Su Qing suddenly felt a rush of heat to her head. How long had he been preparing all this?
She turned her head abruptly, her nose tingling, and looked up at his sharply defined face. For a moment, she couldn't find the words. She had thought she would never see Lu Xiu again in this lifetime, and even if she did, she thought she would be calm. But in the end, she realized she couldn't.
Even though she had hurt him, everything Lu Xiu did seemed to describe it as his fault.
"Lu Xiu," she said softly, her eyes glowing.
Lu Xiu nodded, his arm around hers, lazily looking at the girl in front of him, and said softly, "Thank me again? Are you afraid I'll kiss you?"
The thank you she was about to blurt out was swallowed down, and her expression became somewhat stubborn. "Not at all."
His eyes softened, and he suddenly smiled lazily, lingering on the end of his sentence, "You're finally starting to look like your old self."
Su Qing was stunned for a moment, and images from the past flashed through her mind immediately. She used to be reluctant to talk to others at school, both in junior high and high school. She was used to being alone.
Even her mother wondered if there was something wrong with her and took her for a check-up. Later, when she got together with Lu Xiu, the decision was made in just one second. In that moment, she suddenly wanted to be with him.
Most girls couldn't escape the laws of love, and she was no exception. She would get jealous and angry, but she didn't show it. Sometimes Lu Xiu would suddenly ask if she didn't like him, if he wasn't good enough.
Slowly, she no longer behaved like before. She started to become a bit spoiled, a bit clingy. In fact, this was the real her. You would be different in front of someone you loved.
Su Qing lowered her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, unable to speak. But she had to be careful in his house, under his roof.
"Alright, it's a deal. If you get a girlfriend, let me know so I can move out in advance," she said.
"Su Qing, are you doing this on purpose?" Lu Xiu looked at her helplessly.
Su Qing looked serious, blinked, and said again, "I'm serious."
"Then I'll make a deal too. You're not allowed to have a boyfriend, at least not while living here," he replied without hesitation.
"I won't." At least, she wouldn't have anyone else besides him. Maybe this was how it would be for the rest of her life, sinking into the abyss.
It was so difficult to meet someone you liked. She was very clear about herself now. She had no parents, no savings, her personality was bad, and she often doubted herself. She probably wouldn't meet someone who liked her so much again.
Lu Xiu heard her answer and felt secretly pleased, curling his lips. "Hmm, if you don't, then neither will I."