Chapter 4

With Mr. Mu's help, I had already secured the house—a charming three-bedroom, two-bathroom Chinese-style alley house that was located in an okay area. The place wasn't extravagant, but it had a certain warmth to it, a simplicity that made it feel like home already. The wooden beams, the delicate carvings on the doors, and the traditional tiled roof—all of it felt like something out of a dream, something that would serve as a solid foundation for me and the babies.

But there was still the matter of buying it. Renting had never been my first choice, especially with the financial support Mr. Mu had offered. This house could be mine, but I had to be smart about how to make it a permanent place of refuge. I wasn't interested in moving again once I was settled, and owning this home would give me the stability I needed.

After leaving Jia Du's father's office, I spent the evening with Zu Mu and Chen Na, still reeling from the financial discussions and the overwhelming reality of the future I now had to plan for. We hadn't talked much about the next steps yet, but I knew I couldn't keep delaying things.

"Tomorrow, I'm going to see the bank about buying the house," I said as we sat together on the couch that evening, a quiet moment of reprieve before the storm of decisions hit. The words felt strange, but they were the truth.

"Are you sure about this?" Zu Mu asked, her voice gentle but concerned. "I mean, you could always just rent for a while longer if you need time to think about things."

I shook my head, a bit more forcefully than I intended. "No, I don't want to rent. This place—it feels like the right place for me, for the babies. It's a little out of the way, sure, but it's quiet, it's peaceful, and it has room for all of us."

Chen Na, who had been silently listening to our conversation, spoke up. "If you're sure, then we'll help however we can. You've already come so far, Xui Bai. It's amazing, really."

I smiled at her words, grateful for her support. "Thanks, Chen Na. I'll need all the help I can get."

The next morning, I headed to the bank with Zu Mu by my side, ready to take the next step. The moment we entered the bank, I could feel the tension in the air—everything here felt so formal, so business-like, but I couldn't afford to let that intimidate me. I had a goal, and I wasn't about to back down now.

We were ushered into an office, where a woman in her mid-thirties greeted us. Her demeanor was professional, but not unfriendly. She asked for the necessary documents, and as we handed them over, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment settle in.

"So, you're interested in purchasing the property?" she asked as she flipped through the papers. "It's a good choice. The area is stable, and the house is in decent condition. We can offer you a loan, but we'll need to discuss your financial status and repayment plans."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "I've got a bit of financial support right now, but I'd like to pay for the house outright, if possible. Renting isn't something I want to do long-term."

The woman raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "That's certainly an option, though it will require you to come up with the full purchase price. Are you prepared for that?"

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Yes, I believe I can manage it with the funds I have. I want this house to be mine, not just a place I'm renting."

She didn't seem surprised by my determination, but she did caution me. "It's a big commitment, especially with your current situation. Are you certain about this?"

"I'm sure," I said, my voice steady. "I'm ready to take the leap."

After a few more questions and some time spent discussing my financial situation and options, the bank representative agreed to proceed with the paperwork. I was officially in the process of purchasing the house.

Once we were done at the bank, I felt a strange sense of relief wash over me. The decision had been made. This house would be mine, and it would be a place where I could raise my children without fear of being uprooted again.

As we walked back to the car, Zu Mu gave me a smile. "You did it," she said, a touch of admiration in her voice.

"Yeah," I replied, the weight of the decision finally sinking in. "I did it."

A few days later, I found myself walking through the house once more, my hand lightly brushing over the smooth surface of the wooden beams, a sense of contentment filling me. It was official. I was a homeowner.

I had made the right choice. Now, I just needed to make this home a place where my children would feel safe, loved, and protected. With Zu Mu and Chen Na's help, I knew I wasn't going to be alone in this journey.

The thought of everything I still had to do made my heart race—there were preparations to be made, baby-proofing to consider, and the looming question of how I would raise the children without turning into someone they could resent—but for now, I allowed myself a moment of peace.

This was my home. This was the first step in building a future for my children.

And nothing could take that away from me.

The days following the purchase of the house were a whirlwind of activity, and I had little time to sit and relax. The moment the paperwork was signed, I felt the weight of responsibility settle even deeper on my shoulders. Decorating and making this house truly feel like a home was my next challenge, but I couldn't do it alone.

Mr. Mu had made it clear from the beginning that he was happy to help however he could, so I wasn't surprised when he called to offer his assistance with furniture. His help wasn't just about finances; it was about making sure everything was in place. The man had a way of making everything look effortless, and his presence was comforting as he took charge of the logistics of furnishing the house.

On the morning Mr. Mu arrived, he was accompanied by Zu Mu and Chen Na. They brought a carload of supplies, a mix of basic furniture and tools. With the Mu family's help, it felt as though the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place. Mr. Mu was all business, a man who exuded calm confidence in everything he did. He quickly began organizing and setting up the furniture with practiced ease.

"Xui Bai," Mr. Mu said, his hands resting on the back of a sturdy wooden chair he had just assembled. "You can start with the basics, but the place should feel like home. Take your time deciding how you want everything."

I smiled, grateful for his input. "Thank you, Mr. Mu. I'll try my best to make it work."

The first few days were filled with laughter, noise, and the smell of fresh paint as we got to work on various rooms. Chen Na and Zu Mu busied themselves picking out smaller, decorative pieces—pillows, rugs, paintings, and vases that would make the space feel more lived in. I was in charge of the baby room, ensuring that everything would be comfortable for the children once they arrived. We carefully arranged the crib, a cozy rocking chair, and a soft carpet that would make the space feel warm.

The living room took the most effort, but with Mr. Mu's help, we got everything set up: an elegant low table, couches with plush cushions, and a large bookshelf to hold all the things I would eventually collect. In the kitchen, the cabinets were stacked with simple dishes, and the countertops were lined with an array of essentials.

While everyone worked, I kept an eye on the progress and took care of any smaller tasks that needed attention. It felt good, knowing that this house was finally becoming what I had imagined—a true home. 

As the furniture came together, I turned to the financial side of things. After purchasing the house, the lump sum that Jia Du's grandfather had given me was still enough to cover some of the essentials. The amount wasn't overwhelming, but it was enough to provide for the immediate needs. The balance of the money was going to be carefully saved for the children's future—anything beyond that would be a bit more difficult to manage, given my current situation. 

Mr. Mu had already made it clear that he would help with any additional expenses I might have, but I didn't want to burden him more than necessary. The lump sum had certainly provided a cushion, but now the goal was to make sure it lasted as long as possible. The money would need to stretch, especially with the baby's needs and the growing costs of daily life. 

Later that evening, after everyone had left for the day, I sat quietly in the newly furnished living room, reflecting on everything that had happened. The house felt like it was already mine—like I could put down roots here and never have to leave. The babies would be raised here, in a space I could protect and cherish. 

The next morning, I decided to go over the budget again, carefully calculating how much I had left after buying the house. The lump sum had provided a bit of breathing room, but now it was time to be practical. I needed to think long-term.

I sat at the kitchen table, laptop open in front of me. A spreadsheet with various expenses stared back at me—mortgage payments, bills, baby supplies, and food costs. There wasn't much wiggle room, but I was confident I could make it work. I had Mr. Mu's support, but it was my responsibility to make sure I didn't rely on him too much.

As I started to calculate the best course of action for stretching the money further, I couldn't help but think about the future—about how to provide a stable, loving environment for the babies once they were born. This house was the first step in that journey, and now the real work began.

That afternoon, as I sat in the living room, Zu Mu and Chen Na dropped by to check on the house. The place looked more complete now—everything was in its right place. Mr. Mu had left earlier, but I knew he would be back again soon. He was a constant presence in the process, always ensuring things were going smoothly.

"How's the house coming along?" Chen Na asked, stepping inside with her usual bright smile.

"Good," I said, gesturing around. "It's starting to feel like home."

Zu Mu nodded, a small grin tugging at the corner of her lips. "I think it's perfect."

I smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. I may not have everything figured out yet, but with the support of my friends and Mr. Mu, I knew I could handle whatever came next.

The house was only the beginning. The rest would come, step by step. And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I had a chance at building something lasting, something meaningful. For me and the babies.

This house would be the foundation of our future.