023 Did You Pack Bricks in There?
What did he mean by that?
Zeng Keqin gripped her phone tightly. Was it out of pity? Because they were friends? Or… did he have ulterior motives?
She didn't dare to think further, but her heartbeat quickened a few beats anyway. Her voice dry and raspy, she asked, "Why?"
There was a second of silence on the other end, then his usual flippant tone returned. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just think it's unsafe for a girl like you to live outside. And you're my junior from the same school, aren't you? Besides, we're friends, right? I can't just leave you hanging."
She was still hesitant. "But fifteen hundred…"
"Just tell me—are you renting or not?"
Jiang Shiyu interrupted impatiently. "This place is just sitting empty anyway. Renting to you saves me the trouble of finding an agent. And it's not like you're staying for free—you'll pay rent."
Zeng Keqin bit her lip. The words of refusal wouldn't come out.
For the past month, she'd had enough of waking up at six every day, enough of squeezing onto buses and subways, enough of staying in cheap hotels, and even more of being late and messing up her work.
"Fifteen hundred is too low. Let's make it two thousand."
"Fine. When are you moving?"
Zeng Keqin glanced at her nearly packed luggage. "Tomorrow."
"Then I'll wait for you at the school gate at nine?"
If her roommates found out, they'd make a big deal out of it. She'd never be able to explain herself.
Zeng Keqin politely refused. "No need. I have a lot of luggage, so I called a car. I'll be at the neighborhood entrance at ten tomorrow morning. Just let the security guard know for me."
"Okay."
She clutched her phone as she stood on the balcony, the evening breeze bringing a chill.
"Jiang Shiyu."
"Mm?"
"Thank you."
She quickly hung up after saying it. The clothes hanging above swayed gently in the wind, making faint rustling sounds.
Turning back inside, Wang Chunyue, who was lying on the bed, poked her head out and asked, "Whose call was that? You talked for so long."
Zeng Keqin curved her lips and announced softly, "I found an apartment."
"Really?!" Wang Chunyue sat up immediately, looking even happier than her. "Where?"
"Lvyuan Community."
Liu Ying put down her tablet from binge-watching. "Isn't that place really expensive?"
Zeng Keqin had already thought of an excuse. "I'm splitting rent with a friend, so it's manageable."
"What friend? Do we know them? Are they reliable?"
Fang Yu's triple questions were full of worry that she'd get scammed again.
Zeng Keqin answered vaguely, "Pretty reliable. I know what I'm doing."
"Alright then. Remember our agreement—we'll hang out every week."
"Mm."
The next morning, Zeng Keqin turned down her roommates' offer to see her off. She didn't bring too much—just clothes, sheets, and bedding. The heaviest things were actually her books, which filled two entire suitcases and were barely liftable. The driver had to help her load them into the trunk.
The car stopped at the entrance of Lvyuan Community.
"Miss, we've arrived."
"Thank you."
The driver thought a delicate girl like her probably couldn't lift the suitcases and was about to get out to help, when he saw a tall young man walking over from the rearview mirror.
Zeng Keqin was struggling to move her suitcases when a voice came from behind.
"Let me."
Jiang Shiyu had appeared beside her. His dark blue bangs fell across his forehead. He wore a simple black T-shirt. He tried lifting with one arm first, couldn't, then switched to both hands. He heaved, veins bulging on his arms.
He turned to her in surprise. "Did you pack bricks in there?"
Zeng Keqin lowered her head sheepishly. "They're all books."
Jiang Shiyu said no more. He picked up a suitcase in each hand, arm muscles straining, but his face remained composed, as if it were easy.
Zeng Keqin slung her backpack on and followed obediently behind.
The elevator arrived at the 26th floor.
Jiang Shiyu unlocked the door with his fingerprint, pushed it open, and placed disposable slippers in front of her.
"The door key and access card are on the table."
He carried the two large suitcases into the room without even breathing hard. "I've also given you the spare key to this room. After you finish tidying up, I'll register your fingerprint. You can call me anytime if anything comes up."
Zeng Keqin thanked him softly. "Sorry for the trouble."