139 Discussing the Move

"Young Master." Two knocks sounded on the study door from the outside.

"Come in."

The door opened, and an elderly man of about fifty entered. It was none other than the man Lin Xia usually referred to as Uncle Lin.

You Xin leaned back against his leather swivel chair, his head tilted slightly upward with his eyes closed. His index finger was slightly curled, tapping rhythmically against the solid wood desk, producing a dull, thudding sound.

"The Master is already aware that people from the Qin family have arrived. The Master says it is nothing more than children playing games, and that you need not pay it much mind. Just have someone keep an eye on them."

You Xin’s lips curled into a faint smile. He stared straight at the man before him, his gaze sharp and piercing. If Lin Xia were to see him now, she would never believe this was the gentle, jade-like You Xin she knew.

"Given that she is protected by the 'Dragon Shadow' mercenaries, do you honestly believe our people can monitor her without being discovered?"

"This... I am confident I can keep an eye on her without alerting anyone."

You Xin did not respond, his finger continuing to tap lightly on the tabletop.

"Forget it. She is just a little girl, and she is likely not here for us. I need to think this over. You may go, Uncle Lin." You Xin waved his hand.

"Young Master, you have lived outside for such a long time. If you do not return soon, I fear..."

You Xin chuckled. "What is the rush? Everyone is scrambling to return home, fighting and clawing at one another, yet they do not realize that by not fighting, one is already winning."

"This... I do not understand such things, old servant that I am. But Young Master, the family rules state that you may return after sixteen. What future is there for you in this small, cramped place? You really should reconsider. I will not disturb you further." After finishing his sentence, Uncle Lin retreated with great tact, closing the door gently behind him.

You Xin sat alone behind the desk, his eyes fixed on the copy of *World Microeconomics* in his hands. It was only after a long while that he realized he hadn't absorbed a single word. He simply set the book aside and picked up the phone.

***

Meanwhile, after Lin Xia hung up the phone and returned to her study, she found that Miao Miao had sent another text message complaining.

Miao Miao: "Xiaxia, when can you finally come to City B? I am buried in work here. What is the point of you hiding away in a small place like Rongcheng every day? Only the vast sky of the capital can offer you more opportunities and a place where your talents can truly shine! Besides, you have to come to City B eventually. It’s only two years earlier than planned."

Seeing this message, Lin Xia felt a stir in her heart.

It was true. Her family had some money now; her parents' small grocery store had been doing well over the past two years, and they had saved up a decent sum. If she invested that money, buying a house in the best district of the capital would be no problem at all.

She intended to continue writing, and it was impossible to fly to City B with her father every time a copyright issue arose.

Moreover, the situation in Rongcheng was becoming unpredictable, with various factions emerging. The key was that she was in the same class as Qin Yingxue. Even if she remained cautious and avoided contact, mistakes happen, and there were always blind spots. If she offended those people, how would her family and the Lin family survive in this place?

Liu Yan: "I am actually tempted. But I’m afraid my parents won't agree. They have lived their whole lives in a small place like Rongcheng; if you make them move suddenly, and there’s no good way for them to make a living, they won’t go."

In her previous life, after Lin Xia bought a house, she had tried to get her parents to move in. But the two elders were used to living in Xishui Town and couldn't adapt to the lifestyle of a big city, so they never went.

Miao Miao: "Don't worry about that. As long as you agree to buy a house in the capital and move over, I will help you talk to your parents. I guarantee they will agree. So, the only problem now is whether you agree to move."

Liu Yan: "Let me think about it."

Just as she was typing, her phone rang. She pulled it from her bag. "Hello?"

"Is that you, Xiaxia?"

"Yes, it’s Ah Xin!" She stood up from the computer, grabbed the pillows scattered across the sofa, and collapsed onto them. "Is something the matter?"

"I’ve finished the books you lent me, so I wanted to ask if you have time. I can bring them back to you now." You Xin’s voice was as gentle as ever.

"Hmm..." Lin Xia mused for a moment. She had been sitting in front of the computer for nearly an hour, and it was time to go out, walk around, and rest her eyes. Besides, she hadn't found all the materials for her book *Small Wealth is Enough*, and You Xin had a vast collection of books on politics, economics, and history.

"I’ll come to you instead. I happen to need to borrow a couple of books."

Hearing that she was coming over, You Xin, who had been lying on the chair, straightened his back instantly and sat up.

In the face of love, everyone is so humble. It has nothing to do with status; it is simply because of love.

"Okay, I’ll wait for you."

"Alright, bye."

"Bye."

After hanging up, Lin Xia returned to the computer to see that Chen Qing had sent a few more messages.

Miao Miao: "Think about it carefully. It’s a win-win situation. Plus, housing prices are skyrocketing; they've gone from over ten thousand to twenty thousand now. I heard from a relative in real estate that they seem to be trending even higher. Also, if you come now, I can help you secure a residency permit for City B. I heard from Xiao Ye and Tianhao recently that with the way prices are rising, it’s going to get harder and harder to get a permit in the future."

Housing prices, residency permits.

Right. How could she have forgotten that?

In another two years, as the population of City B increased, policies would be introduced to restrict outsiders and regulate housing prices, meaning those without a local residency permit would be barred from buying property.

Liu Yan: "Okay, Miao Jie, I’ll give you an answer as soon as possible. I’m busy with something right now, so I have to go."

Miao Miao: "Sure, I understand. You must come! I’m in urgent need of your joining—I’m still working overtime right now."

***

Ever since she became the editor-in-chief of *Heart’s Joy*, Chen Qing had to work overtime almost every night. After all, it was a newly launched magazine, and nothing was on the right track yet; everything required her personal attention. Furthermore, she was young, and it was difficult to command respect from everyone. The senior editors would pay lip service while slacking off behind her back, creating all sorts of problems. The new editors lacked experience and had to consult her for everything. She was as busy as a spinning top.

She was not one to admit defeat. And why should she? If she didn't have exceptional qualities, how could she have a boyfriend like Wu Tianhao and a friend like Jin Ye?

Seeing Lin Xia’s avatar go grey, Chen Qing sighed at the mountain of manuscripts on her desk and buried herself in work once more.

Those people wanted her to surrender and obediently give up the editor-in-chief position, but she refused.

In the workplace, everyone prioritizes their own interests. There are no permanent enemies; if used correctly, enemies can be allies. But before that, one must let others see their value so they can weigh the benefits of forming an alliance.

Lin Xia closed her computer, put her phone and keys in her bag, and locked the door. She slowly walked down the stairs.

Just as she exited the lobby, she saw You Xin standing at the intersection. Lin Xia was surprised. "Didn't we agree that I would come to your place?"

You Xin smiled. "It’s late at night; it’s not safe for a girl to be out alone. It’s only a short walk, so I came to pick you up. Besides, my eyes were hurting from reading too long."

Lin Xia felt a warmth in her heart. Such a thoughtful boy—what a pity!

Seeing that the lights in Lin Xia’s apartment were off, You Xin asked, "Are your parents not home?"

Lin Xia nodded. "Look who’s talking—aren't your parents not home either?"

You Xin laughed. "They went out traveling."

Speaking of You Xin’s parents, they were a strange pair. They often left their only son at home while they toured the world, claiming they were getting old and that if they didn't go out to see the world now, they might never have the chance.

So, ever since Lin Xia moved here, she had never met You Xin’s parents, only Uncle Lin, who took care of him. Every so often, You Xin would go away to visit them to satisfy his longing.

Truly, in a large enough forest, you’ll find all kinds of birds! Having lived two lifetimes, this was the first time Lin Xia had encountered parents like these. She had thought such people only existed in campus romance novels, where authors would force the parents to travel the world just to leave the protagonists alone together.

Lin Xia joked, "You were raised so freely, and yet you didn't turn out crooked. Are you a natural-born talent?"

A breeze blew past, lifting the stray hairs on her forehead. You Xin brushed her hair back, smiling. "And you? You were raised like a lamb by your aunt, and yet you turned out just fine."

His movements were familiar and natural. Lin Xia smiled, and as they reached the entrance to his building, her slight sense of discomfort vanished.

He rang the doorbell, and Uncle Lin’s smiling face appeared behind the door. "Ah Xin is back, and Xiaxia is here too."

"Hello, Uncle Lin."

"Hello, hello, come in."

There were slippers specifically for her in You Xin’s house. Lin Xia opened the shoe cabinet with practiced ease, then paused for a second. In the cabinet, there were two pairs of slippers. Beside her light blue pair sat a large grey pair; the two pairs lay side by side, looking quite cozy.

"What's wrong?" You Xin’s voice came from behind the door, sounding natural and composed.

Perhaps she was overthinking it. Didn't Uncle Lin handle everything in his house?

Thinking of this, Lin Xia said, "Oh, nothing." She changed her shoes and followed You Xin into the study.

You Xin’s home used electronic locks, which had shocked Lin Xia the first time she visited. But considering his parents were rarely home, it made sense that he would go to such lengths to ensure his and the elderly caretaker's safety.

Pale green curtains, off-white wallpaper, and a set of white modular sofas sat in the center of the living room. The hardwood floors and walls were spotless—not at all like a typical home, devoid of any human warmth.

The study’s decor, however, was different from the modern aesthetic of the living room. It was antique and grand, with soft yellow wallpaper and gentle wall lamps that cast a warm, inviting glow.

Lin Xia curled up on the white sofa, rubbing against it comfortably. "I thought my study was well-organized, but yours is even better. Every time I come here, I want to stay longer."

You Xin’s apartment layout was different from Lin Xia’s; it was much larger, so his study was significantly more spacious. The furnishings were not flashy, with bookshelves lining the walls, and the quality of the items was clearly high, exuding a low-key luxury.

Although You Xin had a gentle personality, he kept his distance from others. He had grown up with Xie Xitong and Chen Zimo, but because his parents were never around, Xie Xitong had visited only a handful of times in over a decade, and Chen Zimo had never stepped inside once. Lin Xia, however, had become a frequent visitor after moving in, mostly because they both loved to read.

Xie Xitong, the original owner, disliked reading and naturally didn't care for the decor of his living room, let alone the study.

Hearing Lin Xia’s comment, You Xin smiled. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Fruit juice is fine."

"Alright, I’ll go get some. If you want to look at any books, feel free to browse the shelves. Don't be a stranger."

"Thank you!" Lin Xia’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. You Xin really did have many good books that couldn't be bought on the market.

Rongcheng was a small place, and the bookstores had a limited selection, mostly popular titles. The materials she needed, like *Records of Palace Maid Conversations* or Lin Hong’s *Mountain Home Refreshments*, weren't available in local shops. Logistics weren't as developed as they would be in the future, and buying books online required traveling across half the city to a designated pickup point. Since Amazon didn't have much competition yet, the prices weren't very favorable.

She picked a few books and placed them on the desk. She noticed a book lying half-open and, out of curiosity, picked it up. It was entirely in English, titled *World Microeconomics*.

*He’s reading this at such a young age, and in pure English? Can he even understand it?*

She wouldn't even be able to understand the Chinese version. It seemed he really was a specialist in his field!

She set the book down and strolled along the shelves, her hands behind her back.

*Oh?*

There was a dedicated section for her books, tucked away in a small corner at the bottom left—if you didn't look closely, you’d never notice it. Lin Xia examined it carefully and realized that every one of her works was there. Was he a loyal fan?

He didn't look the part.

Among the room full of books, only this little corner held anything for casual entertainment. Besides two classics by Jin Yong and Gu Long, the rest were her own romance novels. Lin Xia looked at the pile with a strange feeling; there were even her earliest articles published in *Fine Rain*.

She pulled out the issue of *Fine Rain*. The book was brand new, except for the pages where Liu Yan’s articles were printed; they were thick and darkened from being flipped through repeatedly. Some of the most exciting parts had been highlighted with a pen, with little notes scribbled in the margins.

Seeing the small handwriting, Lin Xia chuckled. *It’s not a textbook; is it really necessary to study it so intently?*

She glanced at the title of the article: *Cinderella’s Crystal Shoe*.

"When their warm lips met, the world seemed to blur and drift away. The ambiguous sunset light hit Yi Ning, overlapping her shadow with Ouyang Xi’s long one. Leaves drifted down, and Yi Ning could clearly see his long, dense eyelashes and the tiny, shallow mole on the bridge of his nose."

Next to it was written: *The scenery is so beautiful, but where is the person?*

"As a bird streaked across the sky, Yi Ning sat alone on the hillside, looking up at the serene horizon, hoping time would stop."

Next to it was written: *A beautiful silhouette by the water, haunting my dreams.*

"For no reason at all, I just like her. I like her so much that being by her side, there is not a sliver of distance between us."

Next to it was written: *My greatest love. I hope to be by her side for a lifetime, with not a sliver of distance.*

After reading these lines, Lin Xia hurriedly closed the book.

This was almost a confession of You Xin’s inner thoughts. Could a person like him harbor a secret crush on someone?

*Silhouette. Haunting dreams.*

The faces of Liu Ziqing, Zhao Xin, Xie Xitong, and Qin Yingxue flashed through her mind. She wondered who it was he had set his sights on.

"Knock, knock, knock." The sound of knocking interrupted her thoughts.

She turned to see You Xin standing at the door, holding two glasses of orange juice. This was what one called breeding—he was polite even in his own home.

She had rummaged through his books without permission and read his notes—how was that any different from reading someone’s diary? Lin Xia felt a bit embarrassed, but she held up the magazine with a natural air and shook it. "You fellow, you’ve collected so many of Liu Yan’s books on the sly. Whenever we discuss them, you never say a word. I thought you didn't like her."

You Xin smiled. "How could I not like her? She is the person I like the most. It is precisely because I like her that I cannot discuss her."

Seeing the strange look on Lin Xia’s face, he changed the subject naturally. "I just squeezed this fresh orange juice. Try my handiwork." He placed the juice on the glass coffee table in front of the sofa.

"Oh, great! I’ve only ever eaten the food Big Brother Chen makes; I didn't know you could make juice too." Lin Xia’s expression softened as she put the book back and walked over. She took a sip and nodded. "It’s so pure! Sweet but not cloying. You didn't add any sugar; it’s just the natural sweetness of the fruit."

You Xin nodded and glanced at the books on the desk. "Can you finish all those?"

"Phew, definitely not in the short term. And even if I finish them, I won't be able to remember everything. That's why I think buying them is better. It's a shame that buying books in Rongcheng isn't very convenient."

"True. Getting around here isn't easy, and there isn't even a train station."

"Tell me about it. Sister Qing was just telling me to move to City B. I’m currently torn over whether I should go."

Hearing this, You Xin felt a stir. The situation was currently in flux. Lin Xia didn't have a powerful family background like the protagonists in her books. If she were dragged into the conflict, even if he wanted to help, his family wouldn't offend other powerful clans for the sake of an unknown girl.

So, he said nonchalantly, "Moving to City B is a good idea. I hear housing prices there are rising higher and higher. My parents bought a house in City B, and I’ll probably be moving there soon myself."

"What! You’re moving away too?"