Chapter 20

"Share the rent!"

Just as Ding Ning thought that with his persistent refusal to leave, the fat man Lin Xuan would definitely give in, he unexpectedly firmly suggested sharing the rent.

The old woman, hearing this, immediately smiled and said, "That's good, that's good. There's a bed in the east room too. It's fine for the two of you to share a room. You're both boys, there's nothing to be afraid of."

Lin Xuan glanced at Ding Ning and said, "Hey, you're a bit fatter than me, but you're also a bit more handsome. I guess no one would want to share a room with you. How about we just make do? But you'd better be careful, I have a bit of a temper."

As Lin Xuan spoke, he deliberately clenched his fist, and even with Ding Ning's heightened senses, he almost didn't hear the sound it made.

Ding Ning was a fat man, weighing over 220 pounds before he inherited the Wealth God's legacy. Now, he was a bit slimmer, probably around 200 pounds. Despite his weight, he was quite handsome and not at all ugly. After practicing cultivation, he exuded a clean and fresh aura, making him a rather adorable fat man.

So, Ding Ning's current appearance gave people a very safe feeling.

Ding Ning wasn't angry at being underestimated by the fat man. He could see that, apart from sharing the rent with Lin Xuan, there was no other way out.

Since the house had two rooms, as long as he could occupy the west room, it didn't matter who lived in the east room.

Seeing that neither of them objected, the old woman happily agreed to their proposal to share the rent.

Renting a house required ID registration. Ding Ning handed over his ID.

The old woman took a look at Ding Ning's ID and said, "You're a bit slimmer than in your ID photo, and you don't photograph well. In person, you look better."

"Thank you, Grandma, you're too kind."

Ding Ning mumbled in response, but his eyes followed Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan didn't register; instead, he took his backpack and other belongings and ran into the house, immediately entering the west room.

"Hey... Hey!! How can you go into that room?"

Ding Ning had come here specifically for the west room, which was filled with spiritual energy. Before he could get there, someone had already beaten him to it, so he hurriedly tried to stop him.

"What are you shouting for? I got here first, and I've already set my sights on this room. If you want to stay, you'll have to take the east room. Otherwise, leave, and I'll rent it myself."

The old woman also smiled and said, "Ding Ning, the east room is just as good. It's the same size and layout as the west room. Grandma has an extra folding bed. If you don't mind, you can use it."

Although Ding Ning had rented the house, he didn't particularly like the old woman. He felt she lacked the kindness that one would expect from an elderly person. Ignoring her words, he followed Lin Xuan to the door of the west room.

As soon as he reached the door, Ding Ning suddenly caught a faint whiff of blood!

His expression turned serious, and he didn't immediately enter the west room. As a cultivator, he was very sensitive to unusual odors. Perhaps someone had killed a chicken or a fish in there. If that was the case, Ding Ning didn't want to cultivate there until the smell was gone.

Forget it! Even if the spiritual energy in the east room wasn't as strong as in the west room, it was still better than the pond at the foot of Green Mountain. Lin Xuan wouldn't be able to absorb any of the spiritual energy, so Ding Ning just needed to practice a bit longer.

Seeing that Ding Ning agreed, the old woman smiled and completed the registration for both of them.

After finishing the registration and paying the rent, the old woman gave them a few instructions, telling them to take care of the flowers in the yard. Ding Ning readily agreed.

After Ding Ning and Ye Jing each paid three months' rent, Aunt Zhao packed her things, a simple bundle, leaving the kitchen utensils and other items for Ding Ning and Lin Xuan.

Seeing the old woman finish packing, Ding Ning asked, "Grandma, are you only taking this much with you?"

"Old age makes one realize that material things are of little value. Besides, you're only renting for a semester, and I'll be back."

The old woman didn't seem to want to talk much with Ding Ning. Instead, she said to Lin Xuan, "There's a cellar in the west room. It's filled with some of my small collections. They may not be valuable, but they're important to me. Don't open it."

Lin Xuan nodded in agreement, but Ding Ning could see a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

This reminded Ding Ning of a TV show where a character saw a warning on a light bulb not to swallow it, or it might get stuck. The character, out of curiosity, ended up swallowing it and had to go to the hospital with the light bulb in his mouth.

The old woman's words seemed unnecessary to Ding Ning. If she hadn't mentioned it, who would go down to the cellar for no reason? It was like saying, "There's no silver here."

After the old woman left, Lin Xuan didn't talk much to Ding Ning. He returned to the west room and locked the door tightly.

Seeing Lin Xuan lock the door, Ding Ning felt secretly pleased. He immediately went to the flower bed and gently parted the leaves.

A fragrant aroma slowly wafted out, and Ding Ning took a deep breath, feeling refreshed.

"Great! I sensed something unusual in this flower bed. I didn't expect it to be clover, though it only has two leaves now."

Clover was a spiritual herb that only grew in places with spiritual energy. When mature, it had three lush green leaves. Each mature clover could be used in medicine, and it was a key ingredient in low-level spirit-gathering pills, which were used for cultivation up to the fourth level of Qi Gathering.

The old woman's house had a spiritual spot, which was perfect for clover to grow.

With this spiritual spot, Ding Ning was confident he could reach the second level of Qi Gathering. With a bit of patience, he could even save the valuable spirit stone.

And with the spirit-gathering pills, reaching the third level of Qi Gathering wouldn't be a problem.

Just as he was happily examining the clover, the door suddenly opened, and Lin Xuan staggered out.

He held a piece of paper and came to Ding Ning, looking at him in surprise before saying, "I didn't expect someone like you to be interested in these flowers. Since that's the case, there should be no objections to this division of labor."

"What division of labor?" Ding Ning didn't even look up.

"Of course, it's about managing this small yard. Since we're living under the same roof, the yard, kitchen, and bathroom are shared. I've drafted an agreement. Take a look."

Lin Xuan handed over the paper, and Ding Ning took it without looking up.

The paper had three rules: one about the bathroom, where Lin Xuan would use it on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th, and Ding Ning on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th, with no use on Sundays.

The second rule was about the kitchen, where each would cook separately, with Lin Xuan having priority on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th, and Ding Ning on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th. They would share the water and electricity bills.

The rules were very detailed, even specifying the power consumption of appliances and the water meter readings.

The last rule was about the yard. Lin Xuan, seeing Ding Ning read this part, said, "I was planning to take care of the flower bed for the old woman, but since you're interested, the flower bed and yard will be your responsibility."

Ding Ning smiled, "So, I'll have one more responsibility than you. I didn't realize you were so calculating."

"Of course, I'm going to study at Binhai No. 1 High School and become a top actuary. If you have anything to ask me, I'll make sure it's the most cost-effective." Lin Xuan was quite pleased, and his attitude toward Ding Ning became friendlier after a few compliments.

"Then how did you calculate the cost of renting this house?"

"That... That's none of your business. I have my reasons."

Ding Ning didn't care much. Lin Xuan was just an ordinary student, and they were from different worlds. However, the agreement suited Ding Ning's needs.

The responsibility for the yard was fair, and since the yard had clover, Ding Ning was happy to take care of it.

He casually took the pen Lin Xuan offered, signed his name, and handed the paper to Ye Jing.

Lin Xuan didn't expect Ding Ning to sign the agreement so easily. He was taken aback for a moment before taking the paper and pen, hesitating, "Don't you have anything to say?"

"Of course, I do."

Ding Ning slowly stood up, and the dense leaves covered the clover again.

"My only requirement is that you don't disturb me. That's all I need."

"Hey, you're pretty cocky. Don't talk big if you don't have the skills. I have a bit of a temper," Lin Xuan boasted.

Ding Ning ignored him, rubbing his stomach, which was rumbling. He was hungry.

He had been eating casually for the past few days and hadn't had a proper meal. Now that he had found a place with spiritual energy and had some money, it was time for a good meal.

"I'll go buy some groceries and cook a good meal. I'll practice all night and return to Green Mountain Village tomorrow. My master should be back. I'll give him the money to repair the Guandi Temple, and he'll be very happy. Then I'll come back and continue practicing. School is about to start."

Ding Ning made his plans and said to Lin Xuan, "It's Tuesday today, so I have priority in the kitchen. I'll go buy groceries. Don't touch anything in here before I get back, actuary."

With that, he turned and left the yard, heading to a nearby supermarket to buy groceries.

"Ah... Oh! What a mistake, I forgot it was Tuesday. This fatso Ding Ning got the upper hand. Looks like my actuarial skills need more work."

Lin Xuan slapped his thigh in frustration as Ding Ning left the yard.

At that moment, a dark, ink-like cloud appeared in the northern sky, and a cool breeze blew, suggesting that it might rain soon.

*****

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