Chapter 41: Cheng Cheng's Deep-Seated Inferiority (Vote and Reward Requested)

Cheng Cheng put down her backpack and began tidying up her clothes and personal belongings of her own accord.

Cheng Yao said, "You'll find out soon enough. First, pack your things and clean the place."

"Okay, so mysterious..." Cheng Cheng fetched a broom. It was Friday, and she wasn't in a hurry to do her homework—she'd definitely wait until Sunday afternoon, the thrill of last-minute rush.

Seeing her so industrious, Cheng Yao asked, "You're acting strange."

"Hehe, bro, I'm going shopping with classmates on Saturday. Can you give me a hundred yuan?"

"Are they boys or girls?"

"Of course girls, quite a few of them," Cheng Cheng replied seriously.

Cheng Yao nodded lightly. "Alright, finish cleaning first."

"Thank you, bro! You're the best, mwah!"

"Heh..." Cheng Yao shook his head with a smile, organizing his few belongings into a suitcase. He hadn't bought many clothes to begin with.

For him, clothes and trousers were consumables, only bought two or three times a year—spring, summer, and winter attire.

Cheng Cheng didn't have many clothes either, mainly because of financial constraints.

The rented apartment was small, so there wasn't much to tidy up—few possessions to begin with.

Then, Cheng Yao fetched water, and together they mopped the floor and wiped the tables, easily finishing the cleaning.

Once satisfied nothing was left behind, he called the landlord: "Hello, this is Cheng Yao. Yes, that's right. Something's come up and we're preparing to move out. I've cleaned the room for you. Would you be able to come over to check it now?"

After hanging up, Cheng Cheng munched on a lollipop and asked, "How'd it go?"

"He lives right across the street, he'll be here soon."

"Oh, how much will he refund us?"

"Whatever he decides. After all, we're moving out suddenly without much reason..."

Cheng Cheng felt a pang of regret.

Soon, a middle-aged man arrived, glanced at the pair and asked, "Why are you leaving? Your little sister isn't studying here anymore?"

"She is, but something came up—we can't stay here anymore."

"Oh, I see. Let me calculate the rent." The landlord didn't say much else. There were only two months left in the year; refunding a few hundred was already generous.

After inspecting the place, the landlord returned three hundred yuan—a truly fair amount.

Cheng Yao handed the money to Cheng Cheng, bid farewell, and the two left the old residential complex. He couldn't stand the stench from the garbage bin at the entrance anymore.

The low rent was due to the poor condition of the apartment and the filthy environment, though the landlord was decent.

"Driver, how much to Clouds at Mid-Mountain?"

"Ten yuan."

"Alright." Cheng Yao opened the trunk and loaded their belongings.

Once in the taxi, he sent a message to Zhang Ya.

Cheng Yao: I've moved house with Little One. Come visit when you're back for National Day.

Zhang Ya: Okay ヾ(o◕∀◕)ﾉヾ, remember to send me photos.

Cheng Yao: Mm.

Sitting in the taxi, Cheng Cheng gazed out the window, feeling that life had changed a lot in just a few weeks.

First, her brother seemed to have struck it rich, giving her so much pocket money.

Second, he was treating her even better.

Was it because he took her good looks' genes, and now his conscience wanted to make it up to her?

Cheng Cheng hugged her little backpack, chin resting on it, small eyes fixed on the streets outside.

Cheng Yao rested his arm on the car door, taking the first step to improving their lives.

The days ahead would be long, but at the very least, he wanted Cheng Cheng to shed her old shadows and take on the role of a proper guardian himself.

For the first time, Cheng Yao felt the weight of 'responsibility.' In high school, he hadn't understood what it meant—life had felt hard and uncomfortable.

Now, he was beginning to grasp its meaning.

The old complex was only a ten-minute drive from Clouds at Mid-Mountain. Cheng Yao said, "From now on, you can take the subway to school. One stop, a few hundred meters' walk and you're there—almost the same as before."

"Mm," Cheng Cheng nodded gently.

The driver stopped at Clouds at Mid-Mountain, remembering the high property prices. "Alright, we're here."

"Thank you."

"No problem, get out on the right."

After getting out, Cheng Yao pulled the suitcase, while Cheng Cheng shouldered her backpack and clung to his sleeve, bewildered as they walked toward the luxurious complex.

At the gate, the security guard asked, "What are you here for?"

"Residents of Building 11, Unit 1103," Cheng Yao replied, pulling out his phone to call the sales center.

Soon, the security booth received the call and let them through.

Because of equipment checks and disinfection, they hadn't received their passes yet; they'd have to wait two days. Besides, it was a high-end community, so entry was strictly controlled, and vehicles needed to be registered.

Cheng Yao felt reassured by this—stricter meant safer.

Once their identity was confirmed, he led Cheng Cheng inside.

A grand swimming pool greeted them at the entrance, with sun loungers and umbrellas by the water; luxurious floor-to-ceiling windows and garden arrangements, and towering sycamore trees within the complex.

There weren't many luxury cars in the parking lot, but one Porsche was enough to catch the eye.

All of this left Cheng Cheng completely stunned.

It felt as if she had moved from the countryside straight into the city's most opulent area, making her feel somewhat unsettled.

Unable to hold back, Cheng Cheng asked, "Bro, are we really living here?"

"What else? Did I bring you here to cause trouble?"

"How much is it per year?"

Cheng Yao smiled, "The down payment's been made, the house is ours."

"Really!?" Hope sparkled in Cheng Cheng's small eyes—her very own home?

Though she was in high school, she knew what a down payment meant.

Still, she had no real concept of money or property, only excitement at having a new home.

Cheng Yao didn't elaborate, sensing her attention wasn't on the financial details.

"You... you bought it..."

"Mm."

Cheng Cheng exclaimed, "Then, can I bring classmates home to play?"

"You can!"

All her past grievances vanished. She had always felt self-conscious about inviting friends over due to the rented flat, never daring to host them.

Cheng Yao understood her feelings—little girls are sensitive.

The paths in the complex were beautifully laid, with a small plaza for children and the elderly; some grandparents strolled leisurely with their grandchildren, and a few men played basketball in the independent court.

"Yay, awesome!"

Cheng Cheng instantly transformed into a little sprite, skipping and jumping without fear of falling.

Seeing her so happy, Cheng Yao felt his softest spot touched, unable to stop himself from smiling—his heart light and joyful.

They arrived at Building Eleven, stepped onto the elegant tiles, and took the elevator worth tens of thousands straight to the eleventh floor.

Cheng Cheng looked around, amazed that it was almost as spacious as their old apartment.

Cheng Yao entered the password, and the door opened.

Cheng Cheng's eyes lit up, her mouth wide enough to fit a quail egg.

Upon entering the living room, the lights automatically turned on.

"Wow!!!"

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