Chapter 191: Chapter 190 Buying a House and Getting Married (Part 2)
Shi Yang raised his hand and punched him: "Get lost! Are you being your wife’s dad now!"
Qu Chaozong countered, cursing: "Hey! You’re at it again! You shameless old thing, daring to covet our Meimei. I’m going to beat the hell out of you on behalf of Meimei’s parents right now, you little bastard!"
The two laughed and playfully fought for a while. Shi Yang gestured to call a truce and patted Qu Chaozong: "Hey, speaking of serious matters, make sure you arrange your work properly these days and free up a day to come with me to check out apartments. I’ve selected the complex, and you can help me decide on the layout."
Qu Chaozong complained a bit, but when Shi Yang actually bought the apartment, he ended up taking care of all the renovation details. By winter break, the apartment had finished airing out and was ready to move into.
The mall closed for Lunar New Year from New Year’s Eve until the eighth day of the first month.
Shi Yang’s family was busy bustling around for several days. Finally, on the third day of the New Year, they found time to invite Zhao Meimei’s family over, and the two families celebrated a reunion New Year together.
Liu Xiue was helping Shi Yang’s mother in the kitchen, preparing dishes like shrimp and fish stew, and even made two pots of dumplings.
Shi Yang and Zhao Meimei squeezed onto the sofa with their dads to watch TV and eat sweets and nuts.
At dinner, Shi Yang’s dad took out two bottles of good wine, gifted by a friend, to share with Zhao Dazhuang.
The meal was filled with joy and laughter, and Shi Yang picked the most harmonious moment to say: "I bought an apartment in the new complex across from One High School."
Everyone was stunned, surprised by Shi Yang’s casual tone as if he were just saying he bought a scallion.
Shi Yang didn’t even alert his family to his apartment purchase, handling everything from buying to renovations by himself, and only now announcing it to everyone.
Shi Yang’s dad paused before asking: "Is it renovated?"
Shi Yang smiled and nodded: "All done. Ready to move in anytime."
Shi Yang’s mother was half-open-mouthed, struggling to process: "A school district apartment, that must be quite expensive!"
Shi Yang replied lightly: "Not too bad."
Shi Yang’s parents never inquired about his company’s profits, only knowing it was doing well, but they were unaware of just how well.
Shi Yang then pulled out a bank card and handed it to his dad, the same card his dad had given him years ago.
Shi Yang smiled slightly: "Returning the original, with interest included."
Shi Yang’s dad’s eyes lit up, surprised at how much Shi Yang had earned this year, not only recovering the principal but also buying an apartment.
Shi Yang’s dad laughed heartily, speaking with pride: "Well done, son! Better than me, having to earn a fixed salary every month."
Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue weren’t too surprised. Liu Xiue managed Shi Yang’s accounts and was well aware of his earnings but genuinely didn’t expect him to spend all the year’s profits on an apartment.
Before the shock of this news faded, Shi Yang dropped another bombshell: "I’m planning to move into the new apartment at the end of the month."
Shi Yang’s mother panicked upon hearing: "Why? Isn’t it good living at home?"
Shi Yang said seriously: "On one hand, the new apartment is renovated and ready to move in. On the other, I’m considering Meimei’s education. "
Everyone was taken aback hearing about Zhao Meimei.
Shi Yang spoke sincerely: "When Meimei returns for the second semester of her junior year, it’s when studies get intense. After evening self-study, she still has to attend extra classes, which will delay her time. She currently rides the bus to and from school, wasting over an hour each day. With that time, she could get more sleep at night and wake up later in the morning, recharging her energy for better studying."
Zhao Meimei felt a tremor in her heart, turned her head wide-eyed towards Shi Yang, wondering if he intended to live together with her.
This thought, once formed, grew uncontrollably. Zhao Meimei couldn’t resist stealing a glance at Shi Yang underneath the table. As soon as her gaze wandered, Shi Yang pressed her hand under the table, squeezing her palm with his fingers, reminding her to refrain from looking around.
Shi Yang controlled Zhao Meimei under the table, maintaining a serious expression above, ingeniously putting a respectable cap on their plan to live together before marriage, touching Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue to the point their eyes reddened.
Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue were always busy with work and genuinely couldn’t care for Zhao Meimei. Earlier, they worried about what to do when Zhao Meimei reached her senior year, only to realize Shi Yang had already planned everything without needing them to think of a solution.
Shi Yang, after stating his main reasons, began to detail his plans to the elders.
"My company’s operations have stabilized now, so I have spare time to care for Meimei. Meanwhile, when her school dismisses too late, I’d be worried for her going back alone. I’ll be picking her up every day, and the apartment is close enough. I can go home at noon to cook for her, letting her have a hot meal. It’s vital to take care of health during this critical study period."
Zhao Meimei didn’t expect Shi Yang had considered so much for her. Trembling with emotion, she spread her fingers under the table and entwined them with Shi Yang’s, holding hands to express her excitement.
Shi Yang tightened his fingers in reassurance and continued: "When her school holiday comes, she won’t have to commute, and she can go back home to stay. After dinner, I’ll take you all to see the apartment; Meimei can look around and see if she likes it. If everything’s fine, she’ll move in before the semester begins. Oh, I even prepared a study just for her to use."
With everything meticulously prepared by Shi Yang, neither family could say anything against it, solidifying the plan smoothly.
At that moment, no one gave much thought to whether Shi Yang and Zhao Meimei, as a single man and woman, living together might be improper. Mainly because they were accustomed to the two being close since childhood, always being sticky and inseparable, having grown up under the elders’ watch, making it seem natural even if Zhao Meimei suddenly hugged Shi Yang and kissed his cheek, or Shi Yang gave Zhao Meimei a bear hug, no one found it inappropriate.
After things were settled, Shi Yang finally felt at ease, secretly tugging at his clothes stuck to his body from sweat caused by earlier tension.
Shi Yang used his chopsticks to give Zhao Meimei a piece of tender fish from the belly, watching her eat with puffed cheeks, rejoicing inwardly. An apartment in exchange for a bride was simply a great deal.