Chapter 73: The Birthday Gift from Luo Xing Was Returned by Gu Shiyan

These past few days in the laboratory, Luo Xing and Gu Shiyan interacted just like any ordinary classmates. Luo Xing had initially been bothered by the way Gu Shiyan explained the situation with the senior to her that day. But later, seeing that Gu Shiyan had no other intentions and never again said anything inappropriate to her, she finally put her mind at ease.

Yuncai had claimed that Gu Shiyan got into a fight with Ke Yu because of her. Luo Xing didn’t believe it. On her phone, her brother Luo Zhou had sent her messages about viewing apartments. After the incident with Ke Yu, Luo Zhou had called the police, but since Ke Yu’s behavior only counted as harassment, he was merely reprimanded and then released. Luo Zhou was determined to find Luo Xing a new place to live and was still searching.

He sent her two listings: one was a small apartment previously owned by a girl, with good surroundings and amenities. The second was more upscale, with better landscaping and a nicer environment, though it was a bit farther from the university compared to the first. These were the best and most suitable options among all the rentals he had found. Luo Xing and her brother had arranged to visit them on Saturday.

...

“Gu Shiyan! Just because I said a few words about Luo Xing, you want to cut ties with me now?” Sun Shiqi stood at the doorway. This apartment belonged to Gu Shiyan. She had agreed to provide him with information in exchange for living here. She’d stayed for several years without ever paying rent, and had almost come to regard the place as her own. Yet today, upon returning from school, Gu Shiyan informed her that she needed to move out as soon as possible!

She’d called him to ask why, but Gu Shiyan simply replied that he had already given her everything he owed over these years. Since they would no longer be in contact, it was only right she vacate the property registered in his name. Sun Shiqi was beside herself with rage. She thought at most Gu Shiyan was just venting on behalf of Luo Xing—the reason he had thrown water at her that day. She assumed that once he calmed down, he would realize who was truly important between Wen Nuan and Luo Xing.

But to her shock, Gu Shiyan really meant to end things between them. On the other end of the line, he simply told her to find a place on her own, that they would have no further contact, and then hung up. When Sun Shiqi tried to call back, she discovered she’d been blocked—her calls never went through. Furious, she nearly smashed her phone, only to remember she didn’t even have the money to buy a new one!

It’s easy to get used to luxury and hard to return to frugality. No, she couldn’t just leave like this; she had no money to find another place. Staring at the door, Sun Shiqi began to scheme.

Gu Shiyan owned so many properties in this area. Knowing his habits, he would never live in a place that had already been occupied by someone else. He never cared much for these things. Why not rent out this apartment herself and make some money? Sun Shiqi glanced at the listings on her phone and found that someone was searching for a place near Xing University. The prospective tenant seemed easygoing and not stingy about the price.

Luo Xing walked out of the laboratory building, Shen Que following beside her. “So your brother has already picked out some apartments for you?” Shen Que asked. Luo Xing nodded. “He’s narrowed it down to two. We’ll go see them this Saturday.” Shen Que offered, “Want me to come with you?” Luo Xing shook her head. “No need. It’s the holidays. Take a good rest—you don’t have to come. My brother will be there.”

Gu Shiyan followed them from behind, one hand in his pocket, descending the steps at an unhurried pace, his gaze fixed on their backs. Their gentle conversation floated to his ears.

“Luo Xing.” He called out to her. When Luo Xing turned around, he unzipped his backpack and took out a bright yellow gift box—the birthday present Luo Xing had given him. He handed the box back to her. “This is yours.” Luo Xing accepted it, glanced at it briefly, then tucked it into her bag without opening it.

Saturday arrived.

After viewing the first apartment, Luo Zhou was not very satisfied with it. Luo Xing looked back at it. “This one seems nice.” Luo Zhou shook his head. “The security isn’t good enough. I want to move you so something like last time won’t happen again.” Luo Xing nodded, not arguing with him. “Let’s go, onto the next one.” Luo Zhou checked the time. “The next one is three times the rent of this place, you know?” Luo Xing looked at the information Luo Zhou had sent her.

Luo Zhou grinned. “So what? You’re not paying for it—your brother is.” Luo Xing laughed, “Wow, thank you, brother! May your business boom!” “The previous owner was a girl, also from Xing University, about your age. I also liked the interior design. Let’s go take a look.”

After verifying their identities with security, they were allowed inside. This alone made Luo Zhou prefer this place. Luo Xing looked around; the landscaping was indeed beautiful, the view exquisite. This complex wasn’t as crowded as the previous one, and when she looked up, she could see a vast blue sky, unlike the last apartment, where only a small patch was visible, the rest blocked by high-rises all around. Perhaps that explained the threefold rent.

“The agent said the only requirements are that you don’t alter the apartment’s layout, and that the rent must be paid up front for the whole year. That’s what the owner insisted on,” Luo Zhou explained as they climbed to the seventh floor.

As soon as they entered, Luo Xing’s eyes lit up. “The decor here is beautiful.” There were only two units per floor, the hallway was wide, and at the end was an open-air balcony with a stunning view. Seeing how much Luo Xing liked it, Luo Zhou was pleased as well.

The agent, a man in a suit, clarified all the necessary details with Luo Zhou. Luo Xing simply followed her brother, taking it all in. After a thorough look around, she was quite satisfied. Luo Zhou immediately decided to take it—rare as it was to see his sister so pleased, he didn’t even try to bargain, paying a full year’s rent on the spot.

“I’ll get the movers to bring your things over today?” Luo Xing nodded, excited for her new home. “Oh, and here—this is for you.” Luo Zhou handed her an envelope. Luo Xing squeezed it, “You’re not giving me money, are you?” Luo Zhou ruffled her hair. “Nothing so tacky. Open it and see.”

She opened it, revealing a property deed with her name on it. “You… you bought my old apartment?” The place where Luo Xing had lived during her first and second years had been bought by Luo Zhou, and he had put her name on the deed.

“Consider it a housewarming gift. That place holds the memories of your youth, after all. You can always go back and stay there.” Luo Xing hugged Luo Zhou. “Brother!!”

Thus, Luo Xing owned the second property of her life. The first had been a gift from her parents, and the second, from her brother.