Chapter 9

The next morning, after class, Chu Ci took Lin Tian to the siheyuan his grandmother had left him.
The courtyard had been empty for so long that weeds had grown everywhere.
Still, Lin Tian loved it. In her previous life, even with wealth, she had never had a Beijing siheyuan.
High walls, spacious rooms, it felt heavy with history.
Chu Ci opened all the doors to air out the rooms and remove the musty smell.
There was basic furniture inside, but nothing extra. To live there, they would need to add many items.
“I’ll have someone clear the weeds. Do you want to plant anything?” Chu Ci asked.
Lin Tian had always envied people with a home. Now, vaguely, she felt she was about to have one.
Excited, she told Chu Ci she wanted a grape arbor, two fruit trees, and some flowers, easy-to-care-for ones, since she wasn’t skilled at gardening.
She spoke enthusiastically, eyes shining. Chu Ci listened without interrupting. When she finished, he agreed: “Got it. I’ll get it done in the next few days.”
Only then did Lin Tian realize she might have been too excited. She changed the topic: “We’ll also need daily supplies. I’ll make a list.”
Chu Ci agreed to everything, seemingly granting all her wishes.
He then sent Lin Tian back to the guesthouse, saying: “I might be busy these few days. I’m planning to install heating, renovate the bathroom, and fix the toilets. You’ll have to stay at the guesthouse a bit longer. Rest well and eat properly.”
Lin Tian was unbothered: “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of myself.”
Over the next few days, Chu Ci’s time was spent on classes and the siheyuan.
He occasionally checked on her, while Lin Tian’s days remained relaxed. She woke early for some qigong, ate three meals on schedule, and snacked on the food Chu Ci brought if hungry.
She also bought a few books to read. Entertainment was scarce in this era, but people’s minds were full, Lin Tian felt a rare sense of peace and happiness.
After leaving the train station and parting from Zhao Yunyun, it took her two days to remember to call her. Zhao Yunyun didn’t say much, just asked where she was staying and wanted to visit.
Lin Tian happened to be bored, so she told Zhao Yunyun the location of her guesthouse.
That day, Lin Tian was reading when she suddenly heard a knock on the door. Glancing at her wristwatch, it was a little past 9 a.m. The watch had been bought for her by Chu Ci, and Lin Tian felt perfectly justified keeping it.
Before she could go to open the door, she heard Zhao Yunyun calling from outside: “Tiantian, are you there?”
Lin Tian got up and opened the door, sure enough, it was her.
“I thought you said you’d come in the afternoon. Why so early?” Lin Tian thought. If she wasn’t home, it would have been a wasted trip.
Zhao Yunyun smiled: “I happened to be passing by and thought I’d drop in, so I wouldn’t have to come all the way this afternoon.”
Once Zhao Yunyun entered, Lin Tian closed the door.
“Tiantian, why are you living alone in a guesthouse? What about your husband? Weren’t you looking for him?” Zhao Yunyun finally asked.
Lin Tian explained that Chu Ci was busy managing the siheyuan, and Zhao Yunyun nodded, then asked for directions. After hearing it, she was secretly impressed, this spot had once been a residence fit for a prince. Clearly, Tiantian’s husband was no ordinary man.
But when she looked at Lin Tian, it seemed quite natural.
Not thinking too much, she suggested: “Tiantian, shall we go to the department store?”
“Sure! I was just thinking of buying some clothes,” Lin Tian agreed readily. She had only brought a few outfits when she arrived, and wearing the same ones repeatedly had already worn on her. Plus, her belly was growing, and many of her previous clothes no longer fit.
Lin Tian still had over five hundred yuan she had brought with her. She hadn’t spent much these days; Chu Ci had been paying for everything.
She was also curious about the mall at this time, wondering how it compared to the future.
When they arrived, Lin Tian was surprised by its grand exterior. She had imagined it would be like a small later-era supermarket. Inside, the crowd was larger than expected for a weekday. Only now did Lin Tian realize this era worked six days a week with one day off, unlike later times.
Being pregnant, Lin Tian couldn’t go into very crowded areas. They walked slowly, stopping to look at various goods.
At the clothing section, Lin Tian suddenly remembered that her fabric coupons were limited. She mentally longed for the future, when shopping would be quick and convenient.
Unfortunately, Zhao Yunyun didn’t have many fabric coupons either, just enough for a single dress. Lin Tian ended up buying a loose dress as maternity wear.
Thinking further, she used the remaining fabric coupons to buy Chu Ci a white shirt. With his build, it would suit him perfectly.
Zhao Yunyun, seeing this, said enviously: “Tiantian, you and your husband must be very close if you remember to buy something for him too.”
Lin Tian smiled silently, thinking to herself that it was just repaying a little kindness, he had bought so much for her, she had to return the favor somehow.
Pregnant, Lin Tian soon got tired, and the two returned.
After parting with Zhao Yunyun, Lin Tian returned to the guesthouse.
As she went upstairs, she noticed a familiar figure at her door, it was Chu Ci.
Lin Tian paused, seeing the tall man carrying something. After locking eyes for a moment, she finally asked: “Why are you here?”
“I saw some waxberries being sold on the way, so I brought some for you,” Chu Ci said, unconcerned by her tone.
Lin Tian opened the door, and Chu Ci followed her inside. After putting down the fruit, he asked: “You went out?”
“Yes, to the department store to buy clothes. I also picked one up for you, want to try it?” she asked.
Chu Ci was pleasantly surprised, he hadn’t expected one for himself. Smiling, he said: “Sure.”
He was wearing a gray shirt today.
Lin Tian handed him the white shirt, indicating he should change in the bathroom.
Chu Ci didn’t object and went to change.
A moment later, he came out.
The shirt fit perfectly, making him look even more handsome. Add a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and he could pass for a refined rogue from the future.
“Do you like it?” Chu Ci asked, slightly uneasy.
Lin Tian nodded with admiration. Facing such handsomeness, her mood brightened further. “Very much. What do you think?”
After all, she was just the gift-giver, it only mattered if he liked it.
Chu Ci felt warmth surging in his chest as he said earnestly: “I really like it. Thank you, Lin Tian.”
It was the first time he had addressed her so formally by name. Lin Tian felt slightly embarrassed but crossed her arms proudly: “You’re welcome. Consider it a thank-you for the watch.”
Though the shirt’s value couldn’t compare to the watch, Chu Ci said nothing.
In the following days, Lin Tian didn’t see Chu Ci, he was likely finishing up at the siheyuan.
Sure enough, he arrived on Sunday morning.
The first thing he asked upon seeing Lin Tian: “What did you have for breakfast?”
“A bowl of wontons. You?” she responded politely.
“I had two buns. Pack your things, we’re moving today,” he said.
“Now?” Lin Tian asked.
Chu Ci nodded: “I borrowed a friend’s bicycle. Your luggage isn’t much, and staying at the guesthouse isn’t as comfortable as home.”
Lin Tian didn’t object and let him in.
She didn’t have many belongings besides what she brought, the items Chu Ci had bought her, and a few books. Packing was effortless.
After tidying, Lin Tian changed into the green dress she bought at the department store. The color complemented her fair skin, making her glow even more. Pregnant, she hadn’t worn makeup, only a bit of nourishing cream daily.
Having eaten and slept well recently, Lin Tian looked fuller, though her chin was still sharp and her face small.
Chu Ci looked concerned: “Why aren’t you gaining weight?”
Lin Tian glared: “I’m pregnant, but that doesn’t mean I have to sacrifice everything. I don’t want to become a huge blob, you’re not allowed to interfere anymore.”
Chu Ci was speechless; he didn’t mean it that way, but didn’t know how to explain.
Because of this small incident, the ride to the siheyuan was silent. Lin Tian was too lazy to talk, and Chu Ci didn’t want to upset her further.
At the siheyuan, Chu Ci opened the gate. Lin Tian immediately noticed the renovated courtyard. He had worked hard to plant the grapevine she wanted, a blooming pomegranate tree, and a small peach tree.
These had been transplanted with the help of others. The flowers he had added were also in full bloom.
He had transplanted begonia and rose plants, and even bought a large white-and-blue porcelain pot with lotus flowers planted inside.
Seeing his effort, Lin Tian generously decided to forgive him.
Chu Ci finally found a chance to speak: “You could keep some fish in the water jar.”
“Sure, you feed them, I’ll just watch,” Lin Tian raised her eyebrows at him.
Chu Ci exhaled in relief: “No problem.”
Lin Tian looked inside the house, everything was tidy.
She suddenly realized: “Am I going to live here alone?”
Not that she wanted Chu Ci to stay, but it wasn’t safe, and she was still pregnant.
“No, I’m applying to stay off-campus. It should be approved soon,” Chu Ci replied. He had already thought of this and didn’t want her alone.
They went to the kitchen, and Chu Ci had already bought staples, grains, oil, flour, condiments, and kitchen tools.
In a good mood, Lin Tian felt it had been a long time since she cooked, her specialty. Smiling, she said: “You buy the ingredients. I’ll cook lunch today to celebrate our new home.”
Chu Ci didn’t dare object and obediently went shopping.
The siheyuan used a gas stove, saving time and effort.
Lin Tian planned to make lotus root and pork bone soup, stir-fried chives with eggs, twice-cooked pork, and a tomato salad with sugar.
Having spent money and effort these days, Chu Ci got to enjoy Lin Tian’s cooking, a rare indulgence for her: “If you want something, feel free to suggest a dish.”
“Then stir-fry some lettuce,” Chu Ci said.
Lin Tian glanced at him. Lettuce was her favorite, was he trying to…? She ignored it, gave him the shopping list, and got to work.
After the vegetables were bought, Lin Tian entered the kitchen, and Chu Ci naturally helped. She had him split the pork bones first, then started on the soup, while Chu Ci cleaned and prepped the vegetables.
For a while, the kitchen was filled with only their busy figures. Neither spoke, yet it felt comforting.
Slowly, the soup began to smell fragrant and turn milky. Lin Tian added the lotus root and chopped other ingredients for stir-frying.
Chu Ci watched her skilled movements and praised: “Amazing.”
Lin Tian shook her head: “I can cook, but you wash the dishes. I won’t do laundry or cleaning.”
“Sure. In a few days, I’ll find an experienced nanny. When your pregnancy progresses, you won’t need to cook at all,” Chu Ci had already thought everything through, he never planned to let Lin Tian do housework.
Lin Tian became genuinely curious about Chu Ci’s wealth. Renovating a house must have cost a lot, yet he was still so generous, it wasn’t easy.
“Do you usually earn money?” Lin Tian asked.
“I do some paid translation work,” Chu Ci didn’t hide it from her.
Lin Tian nodded knowingly, so that was indeed the case.
The meal was ready. Chu Ci carried the dishes while Lin Tian got the bowls and chopsticks. They divided the tasks and soon everything was set.
Before eating, Chu Ci poured half a glass of soda each for himself and Lin Tian.
“Drink a little at a time, it’s fine,” he said.
Lin Tian didn’t refuse. Today was their first day in the new home, they had to celebrate a little.
Raising her glass, she said to Chu Ci: “Thank you for all your hard work. Here’s to a happy life together!”
Chu Ci clinked his glass with hers, smiling gently: “You’re carrying our child, so you’ve worked harder. From now on, this will be our home with the baby. Here’s to a happy life together.”
He took the first bite of food and was instantly amazed. “Your cooking is even better than the state-run restaurants,” he praised.
After that, he focused on eating, quick but composed.
Lin Tian felt pleased; such simple praise was more gratifying than flowery words.
Then she recalled Chu Ci’s words about home, her mind wandering to the future. The image was so beautiful that her ears warmed with embarrassment.
She lowered her head, pretending to hide it, silently scolding Chu Ci in her mind, this scheming man always gave her sugar-coated words. She had to steel her will and not be fooled.
Lin Tian then finished her meal expressionlessly. Chu Ci noticed and silently wondered if he had said something wrong.
Finally, he sighed internally: doctors were right, pregnant women really are moody.