2022.9.25
The renovation team arrived, and Song Ya chose a thick reinforced steel-and-concrete door. The door was so heavy that it took six people just to carry it into the elevator.
Lin Nan Nan and Liu Haowen went to class, leaving Song Ya alone in the apartment.
This house had been a shared rental, with three rooms in total. She vaguely remembered that the innermost room had been occupied by a male college student, but so much time had passed that she hardly remembered his face.
After the National Day holiday, typhoons, heavy rain, and hailstorms would arrive, followed by extremely cold weather. In such conditions, people’s hearts could be treacherous. She didn’t know this man well, and leaving him alone in the apartment could be a potential risk.
Just as Song Ya was thinking about finding an excuse to get him to leave, the college student returned.
He wore a simple white shirt and black pants, his hair lazily covering his head. Seeing the door being installed, he furrowed his brow slightly and asked, “What’s going on here?”
Song Ya looked up and felt an inexplicable familiarity about him but couldn’t recall his name. She explained, “The previous door had quite a few scratches. I thought I’d replace it with a sturdier one.”
After a pause, she added, “There’s been news online that a typhoon is heading our way. I noticed the windows here aren’t very strong. I’m worried they might break, so I’m installing double-layer blast-proof windows. Do you want your room’s windows replaced too?”
The man straightened up, long eyelashes shading his eyes. After a moment’s thought, he nodded. “Alright, let’s do it. How much is it? I’ll transfer the money.”
“No need. The landlord said they’ll cover the cost. Just open your door when the workers need to measure, and they’ll install it this afternoon,” Song Ya said.
“Okay.” The man nodded and stepped into his room.
Since door installation could be noisy, Song Ya had informed property management in advance and scheduled it for just after 10 a.m. Yet when the screws started going in, the matron from across the hall came out yelling.
“Do you know you’re disturbing everyone? Why are you changing the door for no reason?” Her anger escalated when she saw only Song Ya present.
Song Ya raised her eyes, a cold glint in her gaze. “I hired professionals and notified property management. Everything is following proper procedure.”
The matron glared fiercely at Song Ya, then shouted at the workers, “At this hour, my son is still sleeping! If you wake him up, will you take responsibility?”
The workers paused and looked at Song Ya, who waved them on. “Keep working. Don’t mind them. Once this door is installed, please add a security door as well. I’m worried about people with bad intentions.”
“Who are you accusing of having bad intentions?” The matron understood Song Ya’s implication and yelled angrily, “This is slander! And disturbing the peace! I’m calling the police!” She reached for her phone.
Song Ya smiled lightly and said slowly, “Perfect timing. Property management still has footage of you scratching my door last time. The police can handle both issues together.”
The matron froze, unsure whether to hold or drop her phone.
Just then, a door behind the matron opened, and a man in his early thirties stepped out. He was overweight, his face covered with pockmarks, and his hair messy. Clearly woken up, he was about to scold but froze when his gaze landed on Song Ya.
He tugged at the matron’s sleeve. “Mom, they’re just renovating. No need to get this angry. Let’s go back.”
This man was the matron’s son, Huang Guolin.
The matron noticed her son staring intently at Song Ya and instantly flew into a rage. Pointing at Song Ya, she warned, “Don’t you dare marry someone like her! Just play around, nothing more. People like this will only be after our house and registration!”
Song Ya twitched her lips—there was no way she’d consider a guy like that.
“Mom, I know. At most… just for fun,” Huang Guolin said, his sticky gaze scanning Song Ya, making her nearly want to slap him.
Thanks to Huang Guolin’s persuasion, the matron didn’t continue yelling and returned to her room.
The workers installed the door quickly. “Miss, do you want the security door too? This is our sturdiest door. Even a blowtorch can’t penetrate it.”
“Yes. You saw what my neighbors are like. I’d feel safer with it. Also, please measure all the windows in my apartment so they can be delivered this afternoon,” Song Ya replied.
The worker hesitated, about to protest, but Song Ya handed him 1,000 yuan.
“Master, the typhoon is coming soon. I know you’re busy, but I’m worried the windows won’t withstand it. This is a little extra for you. After installation, I’ll treat you more.”
At times like this, money solved everything.
Seeing her generosity, the worker happily agreed, “Alright, I’ll measure now. Delivery will be around 2 p.m. Installation should be done today.”
“Thanks,” Song Ya said, letting him measure.
Once the measurements were done and the worker left, the man came out of his room. He had changed into a black hoodie and jeans. His dark eyes fell on her. “I’m moving back in by the end of the month.”
“Ah?” Song Ya was momentarily stunned.
The man kindly explained, “I’m a senior now and have been interning. Previously, my internship was far away, so I didn’t stay here. I recently quit and plan to move back in.”
“Oh.” Song Ya nodded. She recognized his familiar face but still couldn’t place him. “What’s your name?”
Leaning slightly against the wall, he replied in a crisp voice, “Zheng Yiming.”
Song Ya’s eyes widened instantly. No wonder he seemed familiar—Zheng Yiming! The future captain of the First Legion, a double-trait superpowered individual!
She hadn’t expected such a powerhouse to be right in front of her.