Our home

Spring has firmly established itself in the northern part of the city. The sunshine grows warmer day by day, and even the weeds at the base of the old residential building in Yucaiyuan are pushing their way up and blooming with wildflowers.

The door that was always tightly closed is now often open, and it is no longer a solitary person coming in and out, but a pair of figures.

After the thin veil of pretense was gently pierced during the family dinner, the relationship between Qi Shuo and Tan Huaiyu seemed to be infused with a more grounded and practical force.

It's no longer just about sweet embraces between lovers; it's also about a quiet yet solid understanding of building a life together.

This tacit understanding is first reflected in the transformation of the "home".

This small house in Yucaiyuan has witnessed Tan Huaiyu's five years of lonely waiting, as well as all the tentative steps, growing closer and staying together after their reunion.

However, its "hardware" is indeed too rudimentary. The cramped space, old furniture, and mottled walls give it the feel of a hasty and shabby temporary place to stay.

"Shall we... redo this?" One sunny weekend afternoon, Tan Huaiyu nestled in Qi Shuo's arms, her fingers unconsciously twirling the buttons on his loungewear, and suddenly spoke. Her tone was tentative, but her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Qi Shuo was looking at his phone when he heard this. He paused for a moment, then turned to look at him: "What do you want to do?"

"Just... paint the walls, change the furniture, and fix up the kitchen and bathroom too..." Tan Huaiyu gestured, getting more and more excited as he spoke. "The space is a bit small, but with proper planning, it should be quite comfortable. At least... at least when you come over, you won't have to sleep on that broken sofa anymore." His voice trailed off at the end, tinged with a hint of heartache.

Qi Shuo put down his phone and looked around the small space he had lived in for many nights and was already very familiar with.

Indeed, the sofa is too narrow, the bed is too small, and it's difficult to even turn around in the kitchen. Before, when I was alone, or just staying for a short time, I could make do with these things.

But things are different now. This is Tan Huaiyu's home, and soon, it will be their shared home.

"Okay." Qi Shuo responded without hesitation, "If you want to do it, then do it."

Those five simple words made Tan Huaiyu's heart bloom. He immediately scrambled out of Qi Shuo's arms, ran to his desk, took out paper and pen, and began to draw a sketch with great enthusiasm.

Qi Shuo followed and stood behind him, watching him sketch out the room layout with unprofessional lines, occasionally interjecting, "We could build a wall cabinet here to save space," or, "How about a sofa bed? It'll have a place to sleep if Qin Zhou and the others come."

They didn't hire a designer or find a renovation company. The two of them discussed things, took measurements, went to building material markets, and compared furniture, just like any ordinary couple busy building their love nest.

Qi Shuo has exceptional hands-on skills; he can handle measurement, calculation, and even some simple carpentry and plumbing tasks. Tan Huaiyu is responsible for theoretical discussions, aesthetic judgment, and... logistical support.

The renovation project officially started at the tail end of spring.

On their first weekend, they emptied the room. They got rid of the old, unwanted furniture, leaving only the single bed that held countless memories and Tan Huaiyu's beloved large bookcase. Then, they began the most tiring yet most "accomplished" part—painting the walls.

Qi Shuo, dressed in old work clothes and wearing a hat folded from newspaper, was in charge of the "high-altitude work" such as wall treatment and ceiling work. Tan Huaiyu took on the painting of the lower and middle parts of the walls. Both of them became "painters," and their bodies and faces inevitably got covered in white paint spots.

"Hey, Qi Shuo, you didn't brush it evenly here on your face!" Tan Huaiyu laughed, pointing at Qi Shuo's nose while holding up a brush.

Qi Shuo glanced at him, said nothing, but simply raised his hand and smeared a line on his cheek with his paint-covered fingers.

"Hey!" Tan Huaiyu's eyes widened, and he was about to retaliate, not to be outdone. In the small room, a childish "paint war" broke out, laughter mingling with the smell of paint, creating a lively atmosphere.

Finally, looking at each other's "battle scars," they couldn't help but laugh. Sunlight streamed through the freshly cleaned window, falling on their smiling faces, speckled with white spots, bright and warm.

The walls were painted a clean, warm white, instantly making the space appear much brighter and more open. Next came replacing the light fixtures, installing new curtain tracks, and laying linoleum flooring…

Each task required the two of them to work together, either collaboratively or by dividing the tasks. Qi Shuo was taciturn, but quick and efficient, always able to accurately complete the parts that required the most skill and strength.

Tan Huaiyu is meticulous and thoughtful. He will put the tools away neatly, remember to hand Qi Shuo a bottle of water with the cap unscrewed, and secretly take a picture of Qi Shuo's profile with sweat sliding down his forehead when Qi Shuo is focused on working.

Furniture is being delivered one after another.

Instead of choosing expensive brands, they picked out items one by one from IKEA and some home furnishing stores with good value for money. Qi Shuo preferred simple, practical styles with clean lines, while Tan Huaiyu focused more on comfort and the warmth of small details.

The couple occasionally have disagreements, such as whether to choose a dark gray or light beige sofa, or a square or round dining table. But in the end, they always manage to reach an agreement through discussion and compromise.

"I've measured the dimensions of this sofa bed, and it fits perfectly. Plus, the fabric is comfortable." Tan Huaiyu touched the fabric of the display piece and sought Qi Shuo's opinion.

Qi Shuo sat down and tried it out, then looked at the structure: "Hmm, the hardware is alright. Let's take this one."

"And the color? Dark gray or light gray?"

"what ever."

"Let's go with light gray, it'll make it brighter," Tan Huaiyu decided, then checked the box on the order form. When it came time to pay, he naturally took the card from Qi Shuo. Qi Shuo was in charge of the physical labor, while Tan Huaiyu handled the finances and diplomacy, so he handed it over. Qi Shuo didn't say anything, just stood beside him, waiting for the moving service appointment.

The biggest project was that bed.

They finally decided to replace the creaky single bed, which was rather cramped for two tall, long-legged men. The new choice was a sturdy, solid wood bed frame measuring 1.8 meters by 2 meters.

On the day of delivery and installation, the two of them dismantled the old bed together and carried it out, then watched the workers assemble the new bed together. When the brand-new mattress was placed on top, and the soft, skin-friendly gray-blue bedding that Tan Huaiyu had specially chosen was laid out, the entire bedroom's ambiance changed. Spacious, comfortable, and filled with a reassuring sense of belonging.

"Finally, no more squeezing in." Tan Huaiyu flopped onto the soft new bed, rolled over contentedly, then turned to her side, her eyes shining as she looked at Qi Shuo standing by the bed, and reached out her hand, "Want to try?"

Qi Shuo looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips, took his hand, and lay down as well. The mattress offered excellent support, and there was plenty of space for the two of them. Tan Huaiyu immediately clung to him like an octopus, wrapping his arms and legs around Qi Shuo, burying his face in the crook of his neck, taking a deep breath, and muttering, "Our bed."

"Mmm." Qi Shuo responded, wrapping his arms around him, feeling the softness of the mattress beneath him and the warmth of the person in his arms. This "we" and "our" filled a hollow corner in his heart completely.

With the basic hard furnishings and furniture in place, the next steps were soft furnishings and storage. Tan Huaiyu bought some green plants to decorate the windowsills and corners. Qi Shuo, on the other hand, used his "space management master" skills to create practical storage spaces by utilizing walls and corners, making the originally cramped room appear neat and organized.

Tan Huaiyu's law books finally have a more spacious and tidy home. Qi Shuo's tools and miscellaneous items also have their own designated storage place.

When the last decorative painting was hung on the wall and the last potted green plant was placed in its place, this small, brand-new "home" was finally completed.

The room is bright and clean, with warm white walls, a light gray fabric sofa, a natural wood dining table and bookshelves, soft gray-blue bedding, and vibrant green plants.

Although the area is still not large, every inch of space is fully utilized, filled with a warm atmosphere and traces of the two living together.

As evening fell, the afterglow of the setting sun streamed through the clean glass windows, bathing the entire room in a warm golden light.

Qi Shuo and Tan Huaiyu stood side by side in the center of the newly renovated living room, looking around at the space they had transformed bit by bit with their own hands.

The air is filled with the faint scent of new furniture and the fresh aroma of green plants.

Tan Huaiyu quietly took Qi Shuo's hand, their fingers intertwined. He turned his head, looking at Qi Shuo's profile, which appeared exceptionally gentle in the sunset, and softly asked, "Do you like it? Our home."

Qi Shuo also turned his head, his deep gaze falling into his bright, expectant, and loving eyes.

He didn't answer immediately, but instead raised his other hand and gently brushed away a stray hair stuck to Tan Huaiyu's forehead with sweat. Then, he lowered his head and placed a soft and solemn kiss on Tan Huaiyu's smooth forehead.

“I like it,” he said, his voice deep and clear, carrying a sense of satisfaction as if the dust had settled.

There was no grand gesture, no earth-shattering event. We simply painted a wall together, chose a bed together, and transformed a humble old house into a haven called "home," a place that would hold our future together.

But that's exactly what they wanted. Simplicity, authenticity, collaboration, and symbiosis.

From now on, Yucai Garden will no longer be just Tan Huaiyu's residence, nor will it be Qi Shuo's occasional lodging stop.

This is their shared home.

Sow in spring, grow in summer.

The story of "home" and "love" has only just begun its heartwarming first chapter.