Chapter 276: Pull Up Your Pants and You Don

Morning.

Jiang Lai sat in the car, and from far away she saw Ke Zhongying's custom cherry‑pink car parked at the entrance of Number Ten Courtyard, while the car's owner should be inside.

The black Hongqi Car Car Car Car stopped, Jiang Lai immediately got out and went over, and Ke Zhongyu followed closely.

Jiang Lai raised her hand and knocked on the car window glass; only on the second try did the person inside lower the window, looking half‑asleep, yawning and saying, "Jiang Lai sis, you've come."

Jiang Lai looked at her eyes, which glistened with tears from yawning, her brows slightly furrowed, and she said somewhat angrily, "Ke Zhongying, you're driving while fatigued."

Ke Zhongyu's face wasn't looking good either: "What, did you let the family driver go?"

Ke Zhongying immediately widened her eyes, shook her head, and said, "I didn't, I didn't! It's just that the car's heater is too warm, making me drowsy."

Jiang Lai watched her make excuses, sighed helplessly, and said, "Didn't I say we're too early? You didn't need to come over?"

Ke Zhongying got out of the car, and a cold wind instantly rushed into her neck; this time she was completely awake.

"You're moving house, but I still want to come help—you and we are good friends!" She linked arms with Jiang Lai and gave a coquettish shake.

Ke Zhongyu: "Am I not a person?"

Ke Zhongying: "Who cares whether you are or not? You're you, I'm me. I and Jiang Lai sis are good friends; as for you…"

You're just thinking about hitting on Jiang Lai sis.

How could it be the same?

Jiang Lai saw that it was fine for her car to stay here, and had Ke Zhongying get into the black Hongqi Car Car Car Car.

Ke Zhongying got in the car while muttering, "Guard against thieves day and night, yet they're hard to prevent."

Ke Zhongyu: "……"

The black Hongqi Car Car Car Car passed without obstruction; the panel truck underwent inspection, and after confirming nothing differed from the pre‑reported items, it was released.

Jiang Lai's only big item was the dishwasher Ke Zhongyu bought for Nanshan Shu Jiuhao; Mo Yi brought it along packed together, and everything else was either books or clothes and shoes.

Actually, seeing box after box of clothes, Jiang Lai felt a bit dazed—she realized she could also buy herself many nice outfits.

With the five movers, everything was moved upstairs in less than an hour; what remained was to unpack, sort, and put away.

Mo Yi saw the movers off.

Jiang Lai glanced at Ke Zhongyu beside her and said, "I remember you have to work overtime today, right? It's about that time."

Ke Zhongyu lowered his gaze at her, somewhat amused and annoyed: "Pull up your pants and then deny knowing people?"

Jiang Lai's eyes widened slightly, she shook her head to explain: "No…"

"Don't listen to him, Jiang Lai sis." Ke Zhongying flopped onto the sofa, head back looking at the ceiling, "My mom always says my brother is this type—quiet but mischievous."

The next second, a huge shadow came through.

Ke Zhongying was frightened and slid off the sofa; luckily the floor was carpeted, so she didn't get a cold butt.

"What are you doing?" she tilted her head, "Jiang Lai sis, my brother is threatening me!"

Ke Zhongyu: "？""

Ke Zhongyu: "……"

Jiang Lai had already walked over, bent down to help Ke Zhongying back onto the sofa, and while doing so told Ke Zhongyu, "Don't scare her."

Ke Zhongyu silently stepped back, stood behind Jiang Lai, his deep gaze falling on his younger sister, and he said coolly, "You just look for a backer."

Ke Zhongying was pleased with herself.

Ke Zhongyu glanced at the time; indeed he had to go to the Ke Clan today, and before the New Year holiday there was plenty of work that needed to be expedited.

He really couldn't just skip work whenever he felt like it—so many people downstairs rely on their meals.

He looked at Jiang Lai: "I guess you'll need a day to tidy up; at noon let Mo Yi have the restaurant send lunch over, and in the evening should we invite Professor Wang and Professor Cheng?"

Jiang Lai nodded: "Mm, yes."

Jiang Lai was entertaining the elders alone; he didn't want to bother them further, and asked, "Dean Tang and Ping'an are coming for New Year's, right?"

Jiang Lai nodded again: "Yes."

Ke Zhongyu: "Secretary Chen will take care of it."

His tone left no room for doubt; he said it and walked away, giving Jiang Lai no chance to object.

Ke Zhongying drove out with her older brother, feeling a bit regretful: "We're missing a laborer."

Jiang Lai laughed helplessly.

She also sat on the sofa to rest a moment, and together with Ke Zhongying she tilted her head up to look at the white ceiling, letting her mind go blank.

"Jiang Lai sis, when should we go get our nails done?"

"How about tomorrow?"

Jiang Lai turned her head to look at her: "I also have to go to the lab tomorrow."

Ke Zhongying pursed her lips: "So diligent."

Jiang Lai: "I plan to conduct product testing when spring opens this year. We can go in the evening."

Ke Zhongying sat up: "Then let's do it tomorrow night; I'll make an appointment at the shop."

Just as she finished speaking, Mo Yi returned.

Jiang Lai had Mo Yi also sit down to rest a while; we'll tidy up later.

Mo Yi said she wasn't tired, had already started organizing the kitchen area; Jiang Lai and Ke Zhongying had rested about the same amount, so they got up and together began sorting things.

First they organized clothes in the bedroom, then the bookshelf, and finally placed the small items.

Jiang Lai hung the pine‑cone wind chime the kids made on the balcony; when the wind blew, it gave out a clear sound.

The mid‑century style design kept the whole house from having too many colors, using walnut wood as the main tone, paired with off‑white walls; it was steady yet gentle, giving a sense of tranquil timelessness and upscale feel.

The spanning arched doorway divided the living and dining areas; the large glass windows let natural light pour in, making it very spacious and bright—even in winter, the view outside still had greenery.

Solid wood furniture, vintage wall lamps, ceramic floor lamps… Jiang Lai felt the place lacked some greenery; she planned to have someone bring in some plants when she had time, and with those touches it would be better.

After everything was organized, it was already three in the afternoon, and Ke Zhongying and Jiang Lai once again lay on the sofa in a daze.

The wind outside blew, and in the kitchen Mo Yi was brewing flower tea, the water gurgling.

Nobody said a word, and Jiang Lai's face showed a tranquil smile.

This is the home she wanted.

Who says a person's home isn't a home?

She used to be overly obstinate, her perception skewed, and only by going down a rabbit hole would she think Shen Xun had given her a home.

Jiang Lai took out her phone, took a tidied-up photo and sent it to Ke Zhongyu; as she was typing, she suddenly froze.

The first person she wanted to share it with turned out to be Ke Zhongyu.

As soon as the photo was sent, Ke Zhongyu's message popped up.

【Done tidying?】

【I forgot to say earlier, your home decor is very tasteful.】

Was praised.

Jiang Lai's lips curved into a lovely arc.

She replied with a thanks.

Mo Yi came over with the flower tea, set it on the tea table, poured three cups of hot tea, worried they'd drink it right away, she specially reminded them to wait a moment, then went to the kitchen to cut fruit.

Mo Yi also sat down to rest for half an hour; the deliveryman arrived at the gate of Number Ten Courtyard, help was needed downstairs, and as Mo Yi got up, Jiang Lai and Ke Zhongying also rose.

Mo Yi smiled, didn't refuse everyone's help, but when carrying things she feared the two young ladies would carry too much, constantly calling out: "Miss, Miss Jiang! You can't break my livelihood!"

The three of them lifted the things upstairs.

Jiang Lai also tied on an apron, and before Mo Yi could speak, she said: "I want to entertain the elders with a meal, so I should also make some dishes I'm good at."

She doesn't dislike cooking; if she has time, she even enjoys going into the kitchen, and psychologically, cooking improves one's focus.

But now she only cooks for herself and for those who give her positive feedback, not like the Shen family, who eat her food and still nitpick.