Hua Kai said goodbye to Section Chief Cheng and followed Meng Ming out of the building, heading towards the next unit.

As they walked, Meng Ming said, "I really didn't expect that the blueprints for Section Chief Cheng's house were drawn by such a beautiful girl."

Hua Kai said, "Thank you for the compliment. It's partly a hobby, and partly I need to earn some money."

"Being able to make money from your hobby is a pretty good thing," Meng Ming said.

"I think so too, so I design each house carefully, otherwise I won't be able to live with myself." When chatting, Hua Kai also showed an attitude of giving the other party more trust.

Meng Ming's apartment building is in a pretty good location in the community, with a small garden in front. His apartment is on the fifth floor.

After going up the stairs, Meng Ming introduced the house to Hua Kai: "I live alone in this house, so you can make it as trendy as possible."

Hua Kai was delighted to hear this, because designing such a house would be incredibly rewarding. She was worried that no one would dare to break through and innovate, but since someone was bold enough, she would have to put her skills to good use.

She said to Meng Ming, "Comrade Meng, are you really sure you're not afraid of novelty?" We need to confirm the flower's appearance to avoid wasting all our design work.

When Meng Ming reached the door, he took out his key to open it and said, "I'm not afraid at all, I'm just afraid of not having any innovations."

Hua Kai followed Meng Ming into the house and looked around. "Comrade Meng, this house is at least 90 square meters, right?" The larger the square footage, the more money she could earn, so Hua Kai was naturally very happy to see that it was a big house.

Meng Ming led Hua Kai inside: "Don't call me Comrade Meng, it sounds too serious. I'm not more than two years older than you, let's just call each other by our names. This apartment is 88 square meters, but the balcony and corridor are not included in the area, so if you include them, it should be over 90 square meters."

As Hua Kai looked at the house, she said, "Okay, then I'll call you by your name, that way it'll be more casual. Meng Ming, if you let me design this house, I'll definitely surprise even yourself."

Looking at the blooming flowers, Meng Ming smiled and said, "I've seen Section Chief Cheng's drawings, and I trust your vision and creativity."

Hua Kai felt that talking to someone like this would be easy: "Okay, I'll take the measurements first, and then I'll go back today and make a sample for you. We'll meet tomorrow to discuss and finalize the plan. Take a look at some of the drawings I made before." As she spoke, she handed Meng Ming some sample drawings she had made before from her backpack.

Meng Ming looked at the blueprints and nodded, "It's creative, more beautiful than any other renovation I've ever seen. I'm starting to look forward to it."

As she drew the floor plan, Hua Kai said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely satisfy you."

After drawing the floor plan, Hua Kai confirmed Meng Ming's opinion: "Meng Ming, this kind of decoration can't be changed often. Although you are single now, you may get married and have children next year. You need to think carefully about your needs."

Meng Ming said with certainty, "There's no need to consider those things at all. If there are no unexpected events, this house will be my own private space. I can explain some things in detail later. Anyway, just design it so that I can live here by myself."

Upon hearing this, Hua Kai had some guesses in her mind. Meng Ming was either a non-marriage advocate or had some hidden reason why he was not suitable for marriage.

Of course, she wasn't sure why, but she wouldn't pry into other people's privacy; she just needed to understand her clients' needs.

She said to Meng Ming, "If that's how you put it, then I'll have more freedom to do it. But tell me your needs first, and I'll take them all into account when I design it."

Seeing that Hua Kai didn't ask any further questions, Meng Ming's expression relaxed: "My requirements are simple. The living room should be suitable for friends to have small gatherings. Two bedrooms are fine, since friends might stay overnight occasionally. You can decide on the rest."

Hua Kai, holding a ruler, measured the dimensions while asking, "Where's the kitchen? How much cooking do you do?"

"You know what, the kitchen really can't be too shabby, I like to cook."

"I never expected that someone as playful as you would enjoy studying cooking."

"A girl as pretty as you, and you even know how to decorate houses?"

"I'm just taking that as a compliment. Oh, by the way, do you need a study?" Hua Kai thought the house was big enough, and the living room had two windows, so she asked this question.

"Wouldn't making the living room smaller make it seem like we're using a study as a room?"

"No, the study can be smaller, or a semi-enclosed study? Like a sliding door, which can be closed when needed and opened when you want it to be bright?"

"That's a good idea, let's do it."

"Okay, I'll write it down first, and then I'll give you a few more options so you can decide."

"Okay, I trust your judgment now. You take a look at the design."

“We’re not in a rush to finalize the design. A few more days won’t hurt. It’s mid-September now, and a month is enough for the renovation. We’ll definitely have it finished before the heating comes on.” As she spoke, Hua Kai finished measuring, put away the ruler, and checked her watch. “Meng Ming, I have to go to school this afternoon. I can finish the drawing by evening self-study. Let’s look at the draft here tomorrow at noon. Is that convenient for you?”

Meng Ming agreed: "Okay, I'm also at work this afternoon, so let's meet tomorrow at noon."

"I'll head back now, goodbye." Hua Kai said goodbye to Meng Ming again and jogged back to school.

I unexpectedly got another job today, and it went so smoothly. Although I didn't have lunch, I'm in a good mood. The school also provided some snacks, so I can just eat something and drink some hot water later.

In the afternoon, shortly after the second period began, a teacher came to Huakai's class and said that the homeroom teacher, Teacher Wang, wanted Huakai to come over because she had something to discuss.

Hua felt a little nervous. Her homeroom teacher had called her during class, so it must be something serious. She ran out.

Upon entering the office, she saw her second uncle, Hua Wanhe. She never expected it to be him and asked in surprise, "Second Uncle, what brings you here?"

Hua Wanhe was even angrier when he saw how beautiful and elegant Hua Kai had become. Why wasn't his own daughter as outstanding? Since you're so outstanding, I'll make sure you can't show your talent.

He said to Huakai, “Huakai, your dad asked me to come and process your withdrawal from school. You know what your family’s situation is. Your younger brother also needs to go to school. If you go to school, all the work in your family will fall on your parents. How can they bear that? Your dad has never seen the world and didn’t dare to come. So he asked me to come and process your retirement.”

Hua Kai didn't trust Hua Wanhe at all. Besides, her family earned a lot of money from the market, and they would never let her drop out of school at this time. When she went home the day before yesterday, she even said that she would ask her older brother to come to the city as well. So this matter must not be true.

She said to Hua Wanhe, "Second Uncle, our family is really not as poor as you say. The money my parents earn from going to the market is enough for me to go to school. My dad has also brought me to school. If it were really something as big as dropping out of school, my dad would definitely come. You are my uncle, you have no right to handle my dropping out of school."

Hua Wanhe knew that Hua Kai was not easily fooled, so he said, "If you don't believe me, call the village and have someone find your dad to answer the phone. You'll know if it's true or not then."

He was prepared; both Hua Wanjiang and his wife had been called away by Zheng Shuzhen, so he was certain that no one would answer the phone.

Hua Kai looked at her homeroom teacher, Wang Xiangjun, and asked, "Teacher Wang, may I borrow your phone?"