Chapter 41: Never Wrong Oneself

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Never Wrong Oneself

She suddenly stood up, took a few steps forward, and moved to stand directly in front of Cheng Hai.

Xiao Li immediately turned his weapon and aimed it at her.

Yao Yuzhen stood her ground, looking at Xiao Li with a calm expression.

Even Song Yao hadn’t expected this move.

Seeing Xiao Li silently lower his weapon, she smiled and spoke slowly.

"The three of you went to so much trouble to stage this grand drama for me. I truly appreciate the effort. Now, I’d like to ask, where’s my room?"

Her gaze swept over everyone present before finally landing on Yao Yuzhen.

Yao Yuzhen had no intention of acknowledging her.

Song Yao didn’t seem to care and simply shrugged.

"No one’s going to answer, huh? Fine, I’ll pick one myself. I’ve had a hard life in some mountain ditch for half my life. Now that I’ve finally got a powerful dad, I can’t treat myself poorly. I’ll start by taking the biggest room!"

With that, she turned as if to leave.

"Mom..."

Shen Shuangshuang’s heart tightened. She quickly took half a step forward and lowered her voice.

Her own room was at the far end of the second floor—spacious, bright, and with excellent light.

’This Song Yao reeks of poverty. If she actually moves into my room, who knows what kind of trouble she’ll cause.’

Yao Yuzhen’s expression grew darker and darker.

She had initially accepted this woman with a "let’s see how it goes" attitude, but now it seemed that had been a terrible mistake.

’Forget about making way for her. Even if the sky falls, I won’t let Shuangshuang suffer the slightest grievance!’

"You, stop right there!"

Song Yao stopped and slowly turned to face Yao Yuzhen.

Yao Yuzhen walked past her, out of the living room, and headed to the left.

Everyone could only follow behind, watching as she walked to a corner, stopped in front of the very last room, and shoved the door open.

The door hinges let out a piercing screech as dust billowed out.

Song Yao went over to take a look.

It was a small room, less than 10 square meters, with a 1.2-meter-wide bamboo bed that had clearly been there for many years.

A pile of discarded old furniture sat in the corner, and a few yellowed magazines were scattered on the floor.

The windowpane was cracked, held together by a piece of tape.

"From now on, you’ll sleep here."

After saying her piece, Yao Yuzhen turned and walked away.

Shen Shuangshuang smiled, her tone light and airy.

"Comrade Song Yao, I imagine it was hard for you to even find a place to stay in the countryside. You’re lucky to be able to live here now."

"You can have my luck, how about it?"

Song Yao stood in the doorway, hands in her pockets, in a relaxed posture.

Shen Shuangshuang’s face fell, and her brow twitched.

She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to calm down.

’Getting physical now would only make the scene uglier, and she didn’t want to lose her composure in front of her mother.’

"Don’t push it."

Tossing out this line, she turned and left, her back radiating impatience.

Yao Yuzhen also made to leave.

"Comrade Yao Yuzhen, don’t move just yet."

Song Yao’s voice came from behind her.

Yao Yuzhen wasn’t falling for that. Not only did she not stop, but she also picked up her pace.

Song Yao watched her retreating back and almost laughed out loud, shouting after her.

"Fine! City folks are so particular, with such delicate ears they can’t handle a single word of truth. So when I start stirring things up later, don’t you come crying to me about how heartless I am!"

Yao Yuzhen understood perfectly. Her words were a blatant threat.

Her steps faltered for a moment, and her fingers tightened slightly before relaxing again.

’What kind of trouble could a country bumpkin from some village possibly cause?’

’If she really has the guts, let’s see her blow up this courtyard.’

Song Yao turned back and called to Xiao Li.

"Come on, let’s go. We’ll move our things in first and figure out the rest later."

The two of them carried their luggage across the courtyard.

"In a house this big, you think I’m worried about finding a place to sleep?"

She surveyed her surroundings as she walked, her tone filled with a defiant spirit.

The east wing had been converted into a latrine and a boiler room, while the west wing had been turned into a kitchen and dining hall. Neither was suitable.

So, she continued toward the back, glancing at the row of gate-side rooms.

Cobwebs hung from the low eaves, and a few wooden planks were haphazardly blocking the doorway.

Inside was a messy pile of old furniture. It didn’t look promising.

She shook her head, unsatisfied.

So, she turned, passed through the central archway, and headed straight for a row of rooms on the other side.

Xiao Li, carrying a bundle weighing dozens of pounds, followed right behind her.

The rooms in the back courtyard were all empty.

The walls were painted white, and the rooms were spotless, completely bare, but their size was comparable to the main house.

At this, Song Yao broke into a wide grin.

"Perfect. This is it. From now on, this is my territory."

She stood in the center of the room, surveyed her surroundings, and spoke with conviction.

Xiao Li looked up at the four doors and couldn’t help but ask.

"Miss, there are four rooms. Which one will you pick?"

Song Yao waved her hand, full of bravado.

"Pick? Why would I pick? I’m taking them all!"

"Huh?"

Xiao Li froze for a second, his eyes wide with surprise.

Before he could even process it, Song Yao had already started making plans.

She stepped into the first room on the left and tapped the floor with the tip of her foot.

"This first one on the far left, we’ll turn it into the kitchen. The second one will be my bedroom; it has to face south for good light. The third will be a guest room, and when there are no guests, I’ll use it as a study. For the last one, we’ll run pipes and make it a combination toilet and shower room."

Xiao Li stood rooted to the spot, speechless.

But Song Yao only grew more pleased with the idea, muttering to herself.

"I’m in the city now. I can make do with other things, but not food. I have to eat well and live well, and get myself all strong and healthy."

She hadn’t expected Yao Yuzhen to take care of her anyway, which was precisely why she had chosen the back courtyard—for some peace and quiet.

Luckily, the Shen Family was old money and had a spacious house, so she wouldn’t have to be crammed under the same roof with those two.

Song Yao was never one for all talk and no action.

Now that the location was decided, it was time to get moving.

She gave Xiao Li his tasks right then and there.

He was to contact workers to repaint the walls and find a reliable carpenter to build a bed.

Meanwhile, she grabbed a broom and a rag and started cleaning the rooms one by one.

By the time she had finished a round of cleaning, Song Yao’s stomach was already growling.

Xiao Li then dusted himself off and headed out, saying he was going to run some errands and grab a bite to eat on his way back.

Yao Yuzhen and Shen Shuangshuang had no idea about the commotion they were causing in the back courtyard.

The two of them had long since gone to a restaurant with Cheng Hai.

The meal had been personally arranged by Sheng Hui, the young master of the Sheng Family, to welcome them. He had pulled out all the stops.

They had the best private room in the restaurant, and the menu was filled with lavish, hearty dishes.

Yao Yuzhen sat in the seat of honor, speaking polite pleasantries, but inwardly she was already gloating.

Xiao Li, on the other hand, was remarkably fast.

On his way out, he had asked around, found two skilled craftsmen, and brought them straight back.

"Miss, the carpenter said he happens to have a full set of furniture. It was originally a custom order for someone else, but they canceled, so the pieces are still brand new."

The words were barely out of his mouth when the carpenter chimed in with a sorrowful expression.

"Miss, you have no idea the trouble I’ve been through... I spent more than forty days making this set. It’s all built to the specifications for a newlywed couple—the best materials, the most fashionable style. Who knew the couple would suddenly break up and cancel the order? Now I’m stuck with it."

He sighed again and again, pulling out the blueprints from his coat and unfolding them page by page for Song Yao to see.

After listening, Song Yao nodded without hesitation.

"Alright. If there’s nothing wrong with the furniture, have it brought over. We can sort out the money easily."

"Oh, thank you, Miss! I’ll have someone start moving it over right now!"

The carpenter’s eyes lit up, and he looked like he was about to jump for joy.