Chapter 123: The Only Thing One Can Rely On Is Oneself

Young Dao, scholar, after finishing the ritual, Bai Xinya also completely put her mind at ease; Zhou Feng the next day arranged people to help Su Ruo with house repairs.

Zhou Feng introduced to Su Ruo, saying: 'These are all experienced craftsmen; they even participated in the repairs of the Forbidden City, so you don't need to worry about their skill, but the price is relatively higher.'

For Su Ruo, as long as the house can be repaired well, the cost is not a problem.

Several craftsmen looked at Su Ruo's design drawings and the extent of the house's damage, saying: 'To repair such a large courtyard to a satisfactory state for Su Ruo, at least half a year to a year is needed.'

Su Ruo thought that it would take that long to move in, feeling the time was rather long; after discussing with the craftsmen, she decided to repair the back courtyard first.

Because the back courtyard is not as severely damaged as the front courtyard, repairs are relatively easier; moreover, once the back courtyard is repaired, Su Ruo and they can move in first, while the front courtyard can be done gradually, bit by bit.

But even if only repairing the back courtyard, hiring more workers should allow completion within a month; Su Ruo should be able to move in before the start of school.

After arranging matters for Su Ruo, Zhou Feng began arranging the purchase of a house; coincidentally, the residents on either side of Su Ruo's courtyard, upon learning that her courtyard had sold for so much money, all developed the idea of selling their own homes.

Over the years, the neighbors on both sides have been somewhat affected and have not been living well; both families think the feng shui here is bad, so they want to sell their courtyards and buy apartment buildings to live in.

The courtyards on both sides: one is a two-section courtyard, the other a three-section courtyard; although neither is as large as Su Ruo's, they are just right for Zhou Feng.

Given his status, if he really tried to buy such a large courtyard as Su Ruo's, it would inevitably attract the attention of those with ulterior motives.

Most importantly, these two courtyards are right next to Su Ruo's courtyard; once purchased, a door could be opened directly to connect the two homes, making it convenient for his wife to visit An'an; Zhou Feng thinks his wife will surely like that.

These past few days, Bai Xinya had been worrying about this matter; although Su Ruo had bought a courtyard and she was happy for Su Ruo, the thought of being separated from An'an made her feel inexorably sad.

So, when Zhou Feng said he wanted to buy a house, her heart instantly filled with joy.

Bai Xinya carefully examined both courtyards; the two-section courtyard, although a bit smaller, is an antiquated Chinese Siheyuan architecture.

The original owner was clearly well-off; whether the roof tiles or the timber, everything was the best, with carved beams and painted pillars in the corridors, and the murals were lifelike, although because the current owner does not cherish it, the house is somewhat aged.

But if properly repaired, it will surely regain its former splendor.

Most importantly, in this day and age, to find a courtyard that has not been damaged and is so perfectly preserved in its antique and fragrant style is truly not easy.

This is also because the current owner's family keeps a low profile, and their ancestors were poor for three generations; they only inherited this courtyard from their paternal uncle by a fortunate coincidence, which is why no one has taken notice of it.

As for the three-section courtyard, although it is somewhat larger, the buildings are relatively dilapidated—several earthen huts, with a few chickens and ducks raised in the courtyard and some vegetables planted, making it look quite desolate.

After purchasing it, basically one would have to rebuild the houses before they could be inhabited.

So after looking, Bai Xinya decisively chose that two-section Siheyuan.

These past few days, influenced by Su Ruo, she has developed a major interest in house renovation; after buying this courtyard, she can, like Su Ruo, remodel it according to her own tastes, and just thinking about it makes Bai Xinya feel excited.

Most importantly, if they break open a door in the west courtyard wall, the distance from her home to Su Ruo's home would be just over ten meters, allowing her to visit An'an anytime.

After Bai Xinya approved, Zhou Feng bought the courtyard that same day for a price of ten thousand yuan.

When they invited Su Ruo and Li Zhaodi to view the house, it genuinely shocked Su Ruo and Li Zhaodi; after coming to their senses, they felt that having money was truly great—such a large courtyard, they could just say they'd buy it and buy it.

This incident also stimulated Su Ruo and Li Zhaodi's determination to make money; only with money could they freely buy whatever they wanted.

Li Zhaodi, upon hearing Bai Xinya say that the neighboring courtyard was also for sale, was immediately moved; she constantly remembered Su Ruo's words, knowing that housing prices would surely rise in the future.

More importantly, if she bought this courtyard, she could thereafter be neighbors with her master.

Although she currently lives together with her master, and the master's courtyard is large enough that she is not lacking a room, but if someday the master marries and has his own family, at that point she would not want to keep relying on the master's household; but if she had her own courtyard, she could continue to be neighbors with her master.

As for Li Zhaodi herself, she has never thought about marriage; her life experiences from childhood onward have given her no longing for marriage.

From childhood onward, she had become accustomed to seeing her mother beaten by her father, bullied by her grandmother, and squeezed out by her aunt.

Because she gave birth to no sons, the mother endured too much pain and suffering, so she did not love herself and wholeheartedly doted on her younger brother; Li Zhaodi can understand that.

For the mother, the younger brother is her reliance and her salvation, but as a daughter, Li Zhaodi cannot agree with that, nor will she forgive.

Now, Li Zhaodi, by Su Ruo's side, has learned many things; she has money, also possesses the ability to earn money, and is about to have her own house imminently.

She is stronger than her mother, for she does not need to rely on anyone to live, nor does she need to be bullied by anyone; she can live the life she wants by relying on herself, so Li Zhaodi has never thought about marrying.

Perhaps expressing this idea would be seen as too unorthodox and incomprehensible, but Li Zhaodi thinks that being single is quite fine.

She has money, leisure, relatives, friends, and can live as she wishes according to her own ideas; there is absolutely no need to find a man to torment herself.

Li Zhaodi, with great difficulty, has escaped her natal family; she does not want to again look for a father to serve daily, attending to his food and lodging, bearing children for him, and taking care of his parents-in-law, and even spending her own money while having to watch others' faces— to her, that is entirely self-inflicted suffering.

She has not the slightest desire to marry; as for love, Li Zhaodi wonders what it is—something edible or drinkable? Making money is far more important.

Su Ruo does not know Li Zhaodi's thoughts, but even if she did, she would not advise her.

Because everyone has their own life, she respects Li Zhaodi's choice; life is fleeting, a few decades, and since however we live it is this one life, why not live according to our own ideas?

Bai Xinya invited Su Ruo and them over, originally to celebrate her own house purchase, but when Li Zhaodi heard that the neighboring courtyard was also for sale, she immediately could not sit still, she pulled Bai Xinya and wanted her to accompany her to view the property.

After the initial surprise, Bai Xinya followed Li Zhaodi out with a smile in her eyes, thinking that it is quite good for a woman to have her own house.

That way, even if future marriage turns unfortunate, it would still be a fallback, so one would not have to depend entirely on a man; if one day abandoned, one would not end up homeless.

Although Bai Xinya loves Zhou Feng deeply and knows he loves her deeply, the education she received since childhood taught her that a person must never lose the ability to walk independently.

Love will eventually wither, parents will also depart, and the only thing one can always rely on is oneself!