A true hero is nothing without his comrades.

Xiao Wang did not avoid Li An; he immediately took out his phone and started contacting the landlord. He didn’t turn on the speakerphone, though. Li An could vaguely hear a middle-aged woman’s voice on the other end, sounding somewhat dissatisfied with his request. Xiao Wang began to employ his customer service skills, alternating between soft and hard persuasion, always centering on the fact that the apartment had been vacant for over half a year—empty as it was, renting it out for a month would more than make up for it. Sensing that the landlord was wavering, Xiao Wang pressed his advantage: “Sis, our tenant is a piano teacher—he seems very tidy. You can rest assured if you rent the place to him; no need to worry.” Whether she was moved by “piano teacher” or “no need to worry,” the landlord finally stopped insisting, chattering on for a while, though Li An didn’t catch it all.

Xiao Wang hung up after a few affirmative murmurs and turned to Li An. “Bro, the landlord will go down to 1850, but we’ll be responsible for cleaning. The contract must be at least one year, though. If you’re okay with that, we can sign right now.”

Li An thought it sounded reasonable. “No problem. But I’ll need at least four days to clean the place myself—and I have to move and work. Ask her if we can start the contract from the 19th. Today, just give me the keys.”

Xiao Wang nodded in understanding and called the landlord again.

A moment later—

“Bro, it’s settled.”

Li An said, “Let’s draft the contract, then.”

Xiao Wang pulled out his tablet and got busy, while his apprentice checked the utilities.

“Bro, I’ll need your ID card.”

Li An handed over his ID, then went over the finances one last time. The deposit plus first month’s rent amounted to 3700; including the 925 agency fee, the total came to 4625. Gas hadn’t been activated yet, and he’d owe the landlord 178.5 for water and electricity, so the total was rounded up to 4800.

He currently had 6900; after paying rent, he’d have 2100 left. That evening, he’d meet Ms. Wu to check out of his old place and recover 1900 in deposit. After paying off his credit balance of 2600, he’d still have 1400. Of that, he’d set aside 400 to buy some basic furniture. Then he could move in, with 1000 remaining.

After that, he’d just pay rent monthly.

Now, with Ji Yang’s secure job, life would ease up a bit. There was finally a sense that things were starting to come together.

“Bro, the contract’s ready—check it on your phone, via the Shell House app.”

Li An opened the app and reviewed it, paying particular attention to the landlord’s details. She wasn’t much older than himself, a local, with an ID address in Galaxy Bay—her family seemed well-off. He wondered if she was married. He glanced at her ID photo—quite decent. He flipped back to the lease, took another look, and said, “Xiao Wang, everything looks good on my end.”

Soon after, the landlord confirmed her side.

The online contract was straightforward; both parties simply signed and confirmed in the app.

In less than a minute, the contract was signed.

He paid the agency fee by scanning the QR code, then added the landlord on WeChat. He immediately transferred the deposit and first month’s rent. Moments later, the landlord acknowledged receipt.

After all three parties verified the utilities, Li An transferred another 178.5. The last matter was the property management fee—the landlord had already paid for the first half of the year, so Li An would pay for the second half starting in July.

Since the contract began on the 19th, the landlord refunded him 19 days’ worth of property management—78.9 yuan. Li An accepted it without ceremony and sent a handshake emoji.

The landlord replied with a fist bump emoji, followed by a crisp voice message: “Li An, right? Download the Wanhe app, apply to join the household, and I’ll approve it. In future, pay property fees, utilities, etc. through there. If you want to activate gas or consult about internet, just contact the concierge in the app.”

Li An replied with an “ok.”

After putting away his phone, Li An felt a weight lift from his shoulders and exhaled deeply.

The housing issue was finally resolved.

Having closed the deal, Xiao Wang relaxed as well; clients like Li An were tough, but that was his job.

“If there’s nothing else, Bro, we’ll head out. If anyone around needs to buy or rent, remember to call me.”

“Absolutely.”

Li An took the two keys, escorted Xiao Wang and his apprentice to the elevator, and said, “If any kids around want to learn music, send them to me—I’ll give you a discount. Bye.”

Landing this apartment was thanks to Xiao Wang’s quick thinking.

Passing by the door of 2502, Li An paused, feeling that odd sensation rise again.

He shook his head, chuckled, and went inside.

“Hey, I’ve got it settled. Did you get your leave approved?”

Li An called Xu Hongxin.

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Wait for me.”

After hanging up, Li An began gathering up bottles and miscellaneous junk, making two trips downstairs to toss out the trash.

Before long, Xu Hongxin emerged from the elevator on the 25th floor, with Ma Tao behind him, carrying a large box.

The two saw the open door and walked over, but before they even entered, they were stunned...

Li An turned at the sound, setting down his shovel. “Ma Tao, your student canceled this afternoon?”

Still in shock, Ma Tao nodded and put down the box, surveying the surroundings uncertainly. “An Bro, is this place actually livable?”

Xu Hongxin adapted quickly, took one look, and immediately understood why Li An wanted him to bring the big box.

“All right, let’s get to work. An Bro’s going for a Syrian-style design—got it?”

He picked up the box, headed for the window, stripped off his vest, grabbed another shovel, and started scooping sand into the box with Li An.

Ma Tao began tidying up the kitchen, gathering scraps of wood. For a while, dust filled unit 2501...

At the west office entrance, Chen Xuan had just finished requesting leave from Old Dong. She slung her flute case over her shoulder, ready to head out, when she ran into Qin Yong.

“Ms. Chen, where is everyone in your office?” Qin Yong had come to the west office to give a heads-up about his cousin, but found the place empty—no one in the office or classrooms.

“No classes today, everyone’s taken leave. Anything I can help with, Principal Qin?” Chen Xuan asked calmly.

Qin Yong smiled, “Just a personal matter. I’ll come back when everyone’s here.”

Seeing Chen Xuan was about to leave, he didn’t press, “Go ahead, take care.”

Because of their unique work schedules, the Yudong campus gave main subject teachers time off from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday. During winter and summer sessions, workloads increased, but if there were no classes, teachers could leave after reporting.

Turning to Old Dong’s office, Qin Yong asked, “Why did Li An and the others take leave?”

“Ah, Li An’s moving. Just now, Ms. Chen also requested leave—they’re all probably helping.”

So they were helping out—Qin Yong thought Li An’s relations seemed pretty good.

“Do you know where he’s moving?”

“Heard it’s Wanhe Residence.”

Outside Building 34, Li An was struggling to carry a box of sand out the entrance when Chen Xuan spotted him from afar.

She hurried over to lend a hand.

In the elevator, Chen Xuan took a wet wipe from her bag and handed it to Li An, speaking softly, “Wipe the sand off your face.”

Li An took it and wiped the sweat from his forehead, then cleaned his face.

“Thank you, my new neighbor.”

Chen Xuan just smiled at his teasing.

She found she didn’t feel awkward at all.

“Li An.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you know how to cook?”