Chapter 78 Move in with me...
Xia Zhiyao was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "Dad, I know you care about me." She paused, her gaze unwavering, but her tone gentle, "I understand the principles you're using. Time is limited, and opportunities must be seized... I understand."
She took a deep breath, as if encouraging herself: "But my life isn't a table. I don't want to just live according to the optimal solution. I hope that the choices I make are because I'm willing, not because I'm afraid of running out of time."
The father listened quietly, his gaze unwavering. He put the book aside, clasped his fingers on his knees, and said in a steady tone, "Zhiyao, what you said sounds nice, but it's just emotion."
He pushed up his glasses, his gaze as sharp as ever: "The market won't change because of your wishes. The rules are the rules. The earlier you enter, the lower the cost and the smaller the risk. Your so-called 'willingness' will only lead to missing out in the end."
His tone was unhurried, yet carried an undeniable coldness: "You think you have a choice now, but you're just wasting your limited resources on ineffective persistence. Zhiyao, be rational, that's the most basic thing."
Xia Zhiyao looked at her father quietly, her voice softening: "Dad, I know what you're worried about."
She paused, her tone calm but earnest: "I have absolutely no contact with him anymore, and I never will. I understand your concerns, and I'm trying to move forward. I'm meeting new guys now, and maybe a new beginning will come soon."
She pursed her lips slightly, her eyes clear, and continued unhurriedly: "But... matters of the heart cannot be deduced like economic principles. They are not models, not data; they require time and choices."
Xia Zhongming had been sitting upright, his usual expressionless face, but as Xia Zhiyao spoke, he gradually began to soften. When she mentioned that she was meeting new boys, Xia Zhongming looked up at her, his eyes less cold and sharp, and more scrutinizing, as if trying to discern whether she was telling the truth or not, and there was also a hint of barely perceptible tenderness in his eyes.
After a moment of silence, he sighed softly, his tone softening slightly: "Zhiyao... if you can really do that, of course I'll be at ease."
He paused, then regained some of his rational restraint: "I just don't want to see you ruin your own life. You said that feelings can't be explained by economics, and I admit that, but at least you have to make sure you don't go back to the same old path."
His voice remained calm, but it was no longer as aggressive as before. After a moment of silence, he suddenly stood up, walked to the bookshelf, opened a drawer, took out a card, and turned to hand it to Xia Zhiyao.
“This was originally prepared as your dowry.” His tone remained calm, but less aggressive than before. “If you need money to move, just take it.”
At that moment, Xia Zhiyao looked at her father and her heart trembled slightly. This was not a simple support, but a complex contradiction: concern, control, and unspoken emotions were all hidden in the weight of this card.
“Dad…” she said softly. She understood her father’s personality. This card was not just money, but a way for him to express his care, control, and even expectations. She hesitated for a few seconds, but finally reached out and took it.
“Thank you.” She looked up at her father, her voice soft but clear, “But this time, I really want to do it my way.”
"Zhiyao." Her father's voice suddenly rang out, still steady, yet carrying an undeniable pressure, "Don't disappoint me. You can change houses, but the path you must take cannot be delayed."
Xia Zhiyao lowered her eyes and softly replied, "I understand."
Zhou Yue and Xia Zhiyao acted swiftly and decisively, without any hesitation. From setting their target to viewing the house, they completed the process almost in one go.
Xia Zhiyao listed the conditions she cared about most, and Zhou Yue quickly added the details. The two had a clear division of labor: one made phone calls and the other looked up information. Their efficiency was as fast as if they were handling an emergency project.
Over the course of several days, they had visited several properties, and Zhou Yue had carefully inspected each one for her. He considered almost every detail, such as whether the floor had suitable lighting, whether the surrounding environment was quiet, and whether the security facilities were adequate.
Even downstairs in each building, he would check whether the goods in the nearby supermarkets were fresh. After each viewing, he would pause for a moment, then calmly offer a series of suggestions or revisions.
Xia Zhiyao couldn't help but laugh and teased, "Your occupational hazard is really thorough; you even have to check the supermarket goods."
Zhou Yue turned to look at her, a smile playing on his lips, but his eyes held a serious expression: "For someone in the investment business, it's always good to be cautious, isn't it?"
Xia Zhiyao glanced at him. His caution and meticulousness were not only a requirement for his work, but also a way of taking care of and protecting her.
The house I finally found was located near the East Third Ring Road, a newly built high-rise apartment building. Although the hustle and bustle of the city was within easy reach, the deep design of the community isolated the traffic and noise, making it feel like a peaceful paradise.
Pushing open the door, you'll find a two-bedroom apartment with a large balcony. The living room is bright and spacious, with the city lights twinkling outside the window. Through the thick glass, the noisy world seems to be transformed into a silent painting, tranquil and beautiful.
Xia Zhiyao walked to the balcony, slightly opened her arms, and took a deep breath. Suddenly, all her fatigue and worries seemed to be washed away by the tranquility of this moment.
With bustling activity at her feet and tranquility surrounding her, a feeling of warmth filled her heart, as if all the pressure had been lifted in that instant.
Zhou Yue followed behind her, his eyes scanning the inside and outside of the house to check the soundproofing and lighting. He nodded slightly and said, "It's pretty good. The neighborhood is conveniently located and quite quiet. It's much better than mine."
Xia Zhiyao turned her head, her gaze falling on him, a slight smile playing on her lips, a rare look of relief in her eyes: "Yes, I like places like this."
The moment their eyes met, Xia Zhiyao felt her heart skip a beat.
Zhou Yue said in a low voice, "Then let's go with this one."
Xia Zhiyao realized that in this bustling city, perhaps what she had been searching for was a place that was both quiet and able to preserve beauty, and he, Zhou Yue, was perhaps the one who could accompany her to that peaceful place.
A few days later, the contract was finally finalized.
Xia Zhiyao's pen tip lightly traced across the paper, and only when the last signature fell did she realize that her palms were already covered in sweat.
The moment she handed the contract back, her heart felt like it had been hit hard. The old life was officially sealed away, and a new life was quietly beginning. She hadn't felt that feeling of relief mixed with trepidation in a long time.
Zhou Yue took the stack of documents from her, turned his head slightly to look at her, his eyes showing a hint of confirmation and concern: "Are you relieved now?"
Xia Zhiyao nodded slightly, her voice unconsciously becoming lighter: "Yes, the money is just enough."
Zhou Yue's gaze lingered on her for two seconds, then he suddenly chuckled softly, his voice tinged with regret and amusement: "What a pity. I had already planned to lend it to you if you were a little short. It's a real shame I can't be your creditor."
Xia Zhiyao looked up at him, her eyes flashing with teasing, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly: "Come on, if you really lend me the money, I will return it to you without keeping a single penny."
Zhou Yue did not respond immediately, but stared at her intently, his gaze becoming even more serious under the dim streetlights, as if scrutinizing every detail of her.
After a long silence, he spoke softly, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tenderness: "However, this house has almost bankrupted you. In the future, at least let me contribute more money in our daily lives."
Xia Zhiyao's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously wanted to refute him, but his gaze was too deep, and his concern and thoughtfulness made her reaction slow. She opened her mouth, but didn't say anything. Instead, she stared at him blankly.
Just as she was about to look away, Zhou Yue was one step ahead of her, raising his hand to gently rub the top of her head, the movement extremely light, as if afraid of disturbing this delicate tenderness.
At that moment, Xia Zhiyao felt a surge of emotion she had never experienced before, a feeling that was both warm and fragile, as if something was quietly drawing her closer, yet she was also afraid of losing it suddenly.
“I know you don’t like owing people.” His voice was deep and gentle, yet firm and unyielding. “But I’m your boyfriend. Between us, it can’t be considered owing.”
Xia Zhiyao was stunned for a moment, her gaze unconsciously falling on his face, and a ripple of emotion stirred in her heart.
At that moment, Zhou Yue's tone seemed to have a gentle strength, pushing away all her defenses layer by layer.
She had always believed that she could remain independent and that she did not need to rely on anyone. But now, his words seemed to awaken her previously silent thoughts and gently touched a corner deep within her heart.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but suddenly, all words seemed pale and powerless.
In the end, she simply lowered her head and smiled softly, a silent acceptance of the relationship and the beginning of the quiet collapse of the defenses deep within her heart.
Xia Zhiyao sat in the passenger seat, casually scrolling through her phone. Suddenly, she stopped, turned her head slightly to look at Zhou Yue, and asked, "How's this style?" Her voice was soft, but carried a hint of anticipation.
Zhou Yue glanced at it, then said in a low voice, "It's pretty good, simple yet modern, just like your usual style." Zhou Yue patted her hand and said in a relaxed tone, "You can choose the style yourself, but you need to buy a bigger and sturdier bed for the master bedroom."
Xia Zhiyao couldn't help but smile and turned to look at him: "That's all you can think about."
Before she could finish speaking, Zhou Yue suddenly reached out and gently pressed her shoulder, then lowered his head without hesitation and kissed her hard on the lips.
A mother walked by and, seeing this, immediately covered her child's eyes.
Xia Zhiyao muttered to herself, "In broad daylight, people will laugh at us."
Zhou Yue smiled slightly, his gaze gentle yet playful: "We'll talk about the bed when we get home. I need some interest first."
Xia Zhiyao shoved him, saying, "You're a beast in human clothing, a scoundrel." Her voice was mocking, but there was no anger in her eyes, only a hint of tenderness.
Before their laughter had even subsided, Zhou Yue suddenly stopped laughing, and his tone instantly became serious: "The new house won't be habitable for at least six months. Where do you plan to go during this time?"
Xia Zhiyao thought for a moment, then replied absentmindedly, "Let's stay in a hotel first, or rent a short-term apartment." She didn't seem to care, and her tone was as relaxed as ever.
Zhou Yue frowned, clearly not satisfied with the suggestion, and shook his head directly: "That's too much trouble." After thinking for a few seconds, he said firmly, as if announcing something that was taken for granted: "Move to my place, just for the transition."
Xia Zhiyao paused for a moment, her eyes flickering slightly, then smiled nonchalantly: "Why do you make it sound like I've already agreed?"
Zhou Yue didn't respond immediately, but simply smiled at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and certainty. In that instant, even the air seemed to soften. His gaze was deep, as if awaiting her decision.
Xia Zhiyao raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of teasing in her eyes, "You're not going to bring out your investment theories again, are you?"
Zhou Yue smiled slightly, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, "I did prepare a lot."
He adjusted his posture, and his tone became serious. "Actually, moving to my place is much more suitable than renting a short-term apartment. It makes perfect sense as an investment. Think about it, short-term apartments have high costs and are unstable in the short term, so the actual returns are not worthwhile."
Xia Zhiyao glanced at him, a smile playing on her lips, "Here we go again?"
Zhou Yue was not interrupted and continued, "If you rent a short-term apartment, the cost will increase, the time will be unstable, the return on investment will be low, and it will be troublesome to change places. In the long run, there may also be hidden costs, such as the time and energy you spend moving and looking for a place."
He paused briefly, his gaze lingering on her, his tone gentle yet firm, "Comparatively speaking, moving to my place is not only the lowest-cost option, but it also guarantees stability. Most importantly, it will save you time and energy, allowing you to focus on doing more important things."
Xia Zhiyao frowned, a helpless smile playing on her lips. "You're treating moving like an investment project."
Zhou Yue smiled, a hint of confidence in his eyes. "Yes, the most important thing about investing is considering long-term returns and sustainability. Moving to my place is a high-value investment, both safe and practical, perfectly meeting your needs."
He paused briefly, his eyes fixed on her. "Xia Zhiyao, you do operations consulting yourself, so of course you know how to analyze things and see the pros and cons. How could this choice be inappropriate?"
Xia Zhiyao smiled, lowered her head and muttered softly, "If that's what you're saying, I don't know how to refute it."
Zhou Yue raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in his voice, "Then I won't argue, just promise me."
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