After two weeks, the house was finally completed, and it was time to send people in.
Of course, it can't all be hotel guests; the management staff are even more important.
"Mom, although you two don't have much experience in this area, you are both very meticulous. I think this is the perfect job for you. Just help me see if there's anything that needs to be added or repaired."
Jiang Ruan checked them over briefly and found no major problems, so she decided to find them something to do to keep them from getting bored and depressed.
“Sure, Mom has no objection, Mom can do it!” Jiang’s mother replied first.
Seeing this, Xiao's mother quickly nodded in agreement, "I have no objection either. We both have good jobs, and we're willing to do them."
The two women became like best friends over the past few days, supporting and holding each other's hands, and looking at the work details that Jiang Ruan handed over.
Jiang Ruan then assigned the remaining tasks and sat by the door waiting for people to come over.
Because it is free housing, there will be restrictions on who can come. Those who break the law, cause trouble, or misbehave will not be accepted. Only the elderly, the infirm, the disabled, the widowed, the orphaned, or those with special abilities will be accepted.
Soon the first person arrived, an old man with white hair. Although his clothes were old and worn, they were very clean.
"Young lady, I heard you offer free accommodation here?" the old man asked tentatively.
“Yes, Grandpa, but not just anyone can live here,” Jiang Ruan replied with a smile.
"What conditions must be met?" the old man asked nervously.
"Please don't worry, let me explain our requirements. First, we only accept the elderly, the infirm, the disabled, the widowed, the orphaned, and those with exceptional abilities. Second, after moving in, you will need to abide by certain rules, such as not fighting or damaging the environment. Finally, if you are able, you can participate in some volunteer work to help others. Can you accept these?" Jiang Ruan explained patiently.
“Of course! I’m just an old man living alone, without any children, which fits your requirements perfectly. Besides, I’m in pretty good health and can help you with some things,” the old man said quickly.
"That's good, Grandpa. Let me show you the room." Jiang Ruan said, getting up and leading the old man into the courtyard.
The old man looked at the neat and clean room and a satisfied and gratified smile appeared on his face. "This is wonderful. I never thought there would be a place like this."
Jiang Ruan arranged a room for the old man, brought him some daily necessities, and told him to come to her anytime if he needed anything.
The old man was moved to tears, repeatedly expressing his gratitude: "Thank you, young lady, thank you all..."
Jiang Ruan comforted him, saying, "Grandpa, you don't need to thank me. It's all what I should do. From now on, we're all family, so it's only right that we take care of each other."
In this way, Jiang Ruan received one qualified person after another, and each person was filled with gratitude for this place, which made Jiang Ruan feel extremely gratified.
Just as it was getting dark, Jiang Ruan had just turned off the outside lights when she heard a series of rustling sounds coming from outside the wall.
It sounded like chewing food; the noise seemed to be from bones and meat.
Driven by curiosity, Jiang Ruan walked toward the source of the sound. Suddenly, a figure flickering in the corner startled her, and she retreated, her expression tense.
"Who is it?" She touched the patterns on her fingertips, knowing that she would strike first if necessary.
No one responded, but the chewing sounds stopped, replaced by a few sighs.
"Making a fuss over nothing, acting like a ghost, that kind of person is the most annoying!" Jiang Ruan saw that the person had hidden away again, and his sigh sounded like a mocking laugh. Instantly, anger welled up in her heart.
She looked in that direction from the darkness and called out, "Come out! I've seen you! Stop hiding!"
However, the surroundings remained silent, with only a few sighs echoing in the air.
Jiang Ruan frowned, feeling uneasy. She didn't know who this mysterious person was or why they were making such strange noises here.
Suddenly, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness. He was tall, and his face was obscured by shadows, making it impossible to see his features clearly.
Jiang Ruan stared at him warily and asked, "Who are you? Why are you here?"
The figure did not answer, but simply watched her silently.
Jiang Ruan felt a chill run down her spine, and she instinctively gripped her weapon tighter. Just then, the figure suddenly moved, charging towards Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Ruan panicked and quickly raised her weapon to defend herself. But just as she was about to strike, the figure suddenly stopped and turned to leave.
Jiang Ruan was stunned. She didn't understand what this person wanted to do. Was he just trying to scare her? Or did he have some other purpose?
Jiang Ruan decided to give chase to see what this person was up to. She cautiously followed behind the figure, keeping a safe distance.
The figure seemed to have noticed Jiang Ruan following him, but he did not stop and continued to walk forward.
Jiang Ruan followed the figure through a narrow passage and into a spacious room. The room was filled with a putrid stench, causing Jiang Ruan to instinctively cover her nose.
The figure stopped in the center of the room and then turned around.
Jiang Ruan finally saw his true face. It turned out that he was a man wearing a tattered robe, his face covered with wrinkles and scars, and his eyes revealed a kind of indifference and despair.
The man looked at Jiang Ruan and said in a deep voice, "What are you doing here?"
Jiang Ruan, gripping her weapon, replied, "I was just passing by."
The man sneered and said, "Hmph, just passing by? This isn't a place you can just walk into. Now that you're here, don't expect to leave so easily."
Jiang Ruan felt a chill run down her spine, realizing she was in danger.
But this man was so familiar; his name seemed to be right on the tip of my tongue, yet I just couldn't bring myself to say it.
However, the man didn't give her enough time to think and prepare. He seemed eager to demonstrate his strength and immediately made his move.
"Overestimating yourself!" Jiang Ruan said before the man fell to the ground, her tone full of sarcasm and smugness.
He stared wide-eyed at Jiang Ruan, his face filled with astonishment, seemingly unable to believe that he had been so scorned. Jiang Ruan, however, remained calm, her eyes as cold as frost. She slightly raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a faint smile that contained contempt and mockery towards the man.
Just then, the man suddenly felt everything go black, and his body involuntarily slumped forward.
Then he fell straight down, much like the final scene of a murder to silence a witness.
Jiang Ruan turned him over so she could finally see him properly.
When she finally saw his face, she cupped her hands in greeting and said, "Long time no see."
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