The temperature in Hangzhou is the most comfortable in late October, when the sweet-scented osmanthus is in full bloom, and the streets are filled with the refreshing fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus.
In the afternoon, Xu Zhiyi and Octavia held hands and strolled down the street.
This is the first time they go shopping together.
After going to several brand furniture stores, Xu Zhiyi's eyes were opened after looking at the furniture there and then asking about the prices.
The furniture here, apart from being expensive, seemed to her to be quite good.
Mainly she doesn't have any good reference.
For as long as she can remember, the furnishings and furniture at home have been the same and out of date.
The cabin she slept in when she returned home was shared with Xu Zhian.
It took her a little longer, but the things inside couldn't be arranged to her liking.
Growing up, except for bed sheets, quilt covers, pillowcases, which she could change to her favorite color and style, Li Zijuan had to consider the common needs of her siblings when purchasing other items.
The item she finally selected was not something she liked, nor was it what Xu Zhian was interested in. Li Zijuan bought it after comparing and contrasting factors such as durability, wear resistance, and dirt resistance.
Even if she wanted to change to pink curtains.
Now, she and Mingrui want to start their own family. Mingrui said that she can decorate their home according to her own preferences without worrying about him.
When Xu Zhiyi heard this, her eyes lit up, "Really? If I decorate my home into a pink princess room, would you have no objection?"
Since she was a child, she has liked bright colors such as pink, aqua blue, and grass green. She still likes them until she becomes an adult and works. She is almost 26 years old.
In the past, some female colleagues who were similar to or older than her would laugh at her for being childish, which she didn't understand.
It is said that a man will remain a boy until he dies, so why can’t a woman remain a girl until she dies?
What's more, she's not even 30 years old and hasn't gotten married yet, so why can't she be a girl?
So what if she is 26 years old? Who stipulates that girls can only be 18 years old?
Octavia heard her words and smiled: "No objection, you can decorate it however you want. I believe in your aesthetics."
Xu Zhiyi raised his chin and said playfully:
"You have a good eye for it, but I studied art. I am good at color matching and spatial structure. Brother Octavia, just take a look."
Octavia added, "But, I only have one request?"
"any request?"
"Before I decide on something, I'm not allowed to look at the price. After I decide on something, as long as I can afford it, I can't not buy it if it's too expensive."
Xu Zhiyi wrinkled his nose, drooped his eyelids, thought for a while, quickly raised his head, stretched out his hand, and said with a curl of the corner of his mouth, "Deal!"
Octavia smiled and high-fived her, "It's a deal."
Afterwards, Xu Zhiyi excitedly picked out the furniture. He spent the whole afternoon picking out the furniture, but he was so spoiled for choice that he didn't decide on any furniture and was ready to fight again tomorrow.
She planned to draw a design sketch first so that she could have a clear idea tomorrow.
On the way home, she received a call from Li Zijuan.
"Girl, Mingrui's mother called me again, urging us to get the bride price back. Her tone sounded like she was very unhappy. Your father and I discussed whether we should just take it back. At worst, we will change it at home in the future. Keep someone, oh, I’m the only one left at home, who should I replace..."
Xu Zhiyi glanced at Octavia who was driving, held her cell phone in her hand, whispered "my mom" to him, then let go and said to Li Zijuan:
"Mom, you should still try to persuade my dad to let you three live in the apartment under my name. If you don't go, after I got married, I went home with Octavia and wanted to spend the night at my parents' house, but there was no place to sleep. You can’t let him and I squeeze into that small bed, right?”
"The apartment under my name is idle. If you don't live in it, I can't rent it to others. I heard from Octavia that I have paid for the heating this year. If you don't live in it, it will be wasted. Mom, you are the most Knowing my dad, just think of a way to get rid of him, okay, oh, mom!"
Li Zijuan is a person who is used to living frugally and not wasting money. When she heard what Xu Zhiyi said, she felt sorry for money. After thinking about it again and again, she promised her that she would try to persuade Xu Cheng.
After hanging up the phone, Xu Zhiyi sighed, turned to look at Octavia, and said with a headache:
"Brother Mingrui, what should I do if my dad always disagrees? I think we should just put the bride price in the new house. Even if the new house is safe and there is no one to live in, my parents will definitely be worried. Do you go there every day to watch? Just watch, as soon as my mother stays, won’t my father follow? "
Octavia nodded, "Well, this is a good method. I think it's feasible. Just wait a minute and let me think about it. I'll do this thoroughly so that your dad can't refuse."
"Then think quickly, think quickly."
When they got home, Aunt Zhang had already prepared dinner. After they finished eating, she cleaned up the kitchen and left.
As soon as Aunt Zhang left, Xu Zhiyi lay on the table and started sketching the layout of the wedding room with great interest.
Octavia sat next to her, listening to her talk about her ideas. From time to time, she would praise her for her good ideas, good paintings, and good color matching. Occasionally, she would give her own suggestions, and it would be up to her to decide.
From beginning to end, there was a smile on his lips.
Early the next Sunday morning, Xu Cheng received a call from Ming Huaiyuan.
Ming Huaiyuan sent someone to deliver Xu Zhiyi's betrothal gift directly to the apartment under her name, and asked Xu Cheng and Li Zijuan to come over and hand it over between the two families.
When Li Zijuan heard this, she felt happy and pretended to be as surprised as Xu Cheng.
Last night, Xu Zhiyi and her had discussed it, and all she had to do was follow the plan.
After urging Xu Cheng and himself to the new house, the two families counted the betrothal gifts in person, Ming Huaiyuan smiled and said:
"My dear, I feel relieved now. If this betrothal gift is placed in the Ming family again, people will really say that the Ming family has ulterior motives. Even if the Ming family won't be drowned in saliva, they will be disgusted by the saliva. Everything is all over the place. I leave it to you, I can rest assured that I can work for my old man and my old lady."
After that, Li Zijuan would come here to sleep at night because she was afraid that no one would be in the new house and the betrothal gift would not be safe. When she came, Xu Zhi'an would live in the new house with her.
After Xu Cheng became the vice-principal, he had more things to do and was in charge of teaching. Even if he didn't study late, he would go to the school at night to inspect.
The weather was getting colder, and it was already ten o'clock after the students finished their evening self-study. I felt worried when I thought about Li Zijuan and Xu Zhian staying in a house near the school at night, and going back alone, deserted.
At this time, Li Zijuan would call and say, seemingly unintentionally, that she needed his help and come over first.
Come here, okay, live right away.
This suite is close to Acropolis Middle School, just a 10-minute walk away.
At the end of October, the morning temperature in Acropolis was very low. Li Zijuan would not let him ride an electric bicycle, so he could only walk to work.
Everything in the new house has been purchased, and there are ready-made kitchen utensils. Li Zijuan will just start the stove here. When it is almost noon, she will tell him that she did not go back to cook and let him come to the new house for dinner.
He had no food to eat when he got home and no electric car, so he had no choice but to walk back to his new house.
He is a smart man, how could he not see Li Zijuan's little tricks? Who doesn't want to enjoy good things? But if he takes advantage of his son-in-law, he will be criticized by his colleagues.
Living in this state of confusion until early November, when it was time to pay the heating bill at home, he and Li Zijuan had a dispute.
Li Zijuan has made up her mind to live here and does not agree to pay the heating bill for the old house this year as she thinks it is a waste of money.
Xu Cheng still wanted to go back to live and pay the heating bill.
Xu Cheng was particularly stubborn on this matter, which made Li Zijuan cry.
Xu Zhian told Xu Zhiyi about this. After knowing this, she became anxious.
After Octavia found out, he called Xu Cheng.
