Chapter 23: Changing the Lock and Moving In

Zhong Yuxiu wholeheartedly agreed. Attending university was for oneself, for family, and for the future of the nation; Yan Wenqiang was truly remarkable, losing only three points in the science exam, completely immersed in his studies.

During her own exam, she had deliberately answered a few questions incorrectly, not wanting her score to be too high and attract unnecessary attention; a researcher did not need to be in the spotlight, only to devote themselves to their work and remain true to their conscience. Considering too many things would only lead one astray.

In the interstellar era, true researchers were quite low-key, as their work concerned the very foundation of the nation.

She admired Yan Wenqiang deeply, for achieving such outstanding results under difficult conditions was no easy feat.

Leaving the auditorium, she learned that Zhong Yuxiu had not yet been to the classroom. Xu Hongqi, ever enthusiastic, offered to lead the way, saving her much time; the classroom was quiet, as everyone had left for their dormitories or gone home after the assembly. Classes would begin the next day.

“Zhong, may I visit your home?” As they left the classroom and walked along the winding path on campus, Xu Hongqi asked after much hesitation.

“Of course, I’ll take you to my home tomorrow,” Zhong replied. Xu Hongqi was honest and straightforward, and though her temper was a bit fiery, it was of no consequence. “But I don’t know how to cook, so I won’t be able to treat you to delicious food.”

At the educated youth settlement, she had wanted to learn but simply couldn’t manage it; she wasn’t stupid, yet no matter how she tried, cooking eluded her. For over a year, she had just assisted Sun Ruhong and Jiang Mei, always playing a supporting role.

“No need to go out of your way to entertain me, I just want to visit,” Xu replied. How could she eat someone else’s food in these times? People barely had enough rations for themselves; sharing meant going hungry. “By the way, do you keep your ration registration outside or at school?”

“At school,” Zhong Yuxiu answered.

“Have you collected your meal tickets?”

“No, I haven’t.” Meal tickets? Wasn’t it just a matter of getting food directly?

“Come, I’ll take you to get them. Our class started collecting them yesterday afternoon.” Xu Hongqi pulled her back toward the finance office, where they obtained Zhong Yuxiu’s share of money and meal tickets for the month; university students received subsidies, making their studies entirely free.

Zhong Yuxiu slipped the tickets and money into her pocket. “Thank you, Xu. If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known.”

“It’s normal. You live off-campus, so news doesn’t get to you. I’m here at school, so it’s easy to find out anything with just a little inquiry.”

Xu Hongqi escorted her to the school gate. They said their farewells and went their separate ways.

Zhong Yuxiu hurried back to the hotel. Sister Lian was already at work, and several people were queueing up to register for rooms.

“Sister Lian, I’m back. I’m packing up to move to my new place.”

“Once you’ve packed, come down to register. Your room will be vacant for them,” Sister Lian said with a smile, then returned to her work.

Zhong Yuxiu quickly went upstairs, packed her things, and carried her suitcase downstairs; all her valuables were in her storage ring, and only a few favorite clothes remained in her suitcase.

“Sister Lian, I’m here to check out.”

Sister Lian nodded without looking up. “Alright, I’ll register you out shortly. Just pay another fifty cents and you’re good.”

“Okay, thanks for your trouble, Sister Lian. I have to tidy up the new place, so I’ll be off.”

“Go ahead.” Sister Lian finally looked up and waved her hand.

Busy as she was, Zhong Yuxiu dragged her suitcase out of the hotel and arrived at the Wang family courtyard; the gate was locked, so they must have left. She took out her key, opened the door, and entered. The yard was spotless. She toured all the rooms: the kitchen had pots, pans, and utensils, the storage room held some old clothes and a wooden rack, and the bedroom was furnished with a bed and all necessary furniture.

It was no surprise; everything was clean and tidy, with no sign that the previous owner had just moved out.

Uncle Wang must have put in considerable effort, truly cherishing the house.

From today onward, this courtyard would bear the name Zhong—it was Zhong Yuxiu’s!

She closed the gate and found every corner pleasing to the eye; though it wasn’t as spacious as the mansions she had lived in during her previous lives, its value lay in its tranquility.

There were no family quarrels or endless disputes, and it felt as if she had returned to the interstellar era; there, human relationships were distant, even familial bonds were faint. Here, she could focus on her research and pursue anything she wished.

Zhong Yuxiu set down her suitcase and went to the kitchen. From her storage ring, she took out rice and flour, storing the rice in the bin and placing the flour in a cloth sack beside it. She then brought her suitcase into the bedroom and began organizing.

She sorted her clothes into the wardrobe, and only when she was about to lie down did she realize she had no quilt or mattress. She had to hurry to the nearest supply cooperative to buy new bedding; she bought two sets for rotation, made up the bed with one, and took apart the other to wash and air it.

After all this, she hadn’t even had time for lunch; it was too late to go to the school canteen, so she had to make some simple noodles at home to tide herself over.

Once the kitchen was set up, she returned to the bedroom. Lying on the bed, she found sleep impossible; unable to cook and unwilling to do housework, what should she do?

She tossed and turned half the night, finally falling asleep from exhaustion, and woke up close to dusk.

She ate a few mouthfuls of noodles for a simple meal, switched on the electric light, and rummaged through her storage ring for her interstellar-era research notes; among them was an improved domestic robot, though the materials were hard to come by, and she had little suitable in her ring. Fortunately, during the interstellar era, she had bought several housework chips specifically for this purpose. With those on hand, she just needed to acquire some scrap metal to refine with her mental powers.

However, this meant she could not reveal the domestic robot to the world, only use it herself.

The chips required lithium electronics, which didn’t exist yet; perhaps, once she finished the robot, she could invent lithium electronics as well? That wouldn’t be difficult.

The next day, she got up, took in the washed bedding, made up the bed, dismantled the unused set, and threw it in the basin to wash, then hurried to school for breakfast and classes.

The morning was spent collecting textbooks. After the professor introduced himself and encouraged the students, the classmates did their own introductions, and half the day passed quickly.

After lunch, she used her break to have the locks at home changed, then rushed to the recycling station, but found no scrap metal—it was precious and all collected centrally.

She was utterly bewildered!

This era was so unfriendly to her—even finding scrap metal was difficult.

That evening after school, Zhong Yuxiu and Xu Hongqi walked out of the gate, chatting and laughing as they went home together. She took out her key, unlocked the door, pushed it open, and playfully gestured for Xu to enter.

“Welcome to my home, Xu Hongqi. Please come in.”

Xu Hongqi couldn’t help but laugh, thanked her, and stepped into the courtyard. Seeing the arrangement and furnishings, envy nearly overflowed from her heart.

“Yuxiu, do you live here alone?”

Zhong turned back. “Yes.”

“How wonderful.” She also longed for such a spacious courtyard, for the whole family to live together.

“It’s not bad,” Yuxiu replied, understanding Xu’s envy. “Come inside, I’ll pour you a glass of water. I don’t have hot water here, only cold—hope you don’t mind?”