Seventh Year Of Separation chapter 55
Moving In
Due to the tight timeline for moving, Gu Jiahe went to see the house with Li Zhao the next morning.
Although this community had been around for a while, the property management had kept it well-maintained, with large green areas and even a small garden in the courtyard.
There was a real estate agency next to the entrance of the community. When Gu Jiahe passed by, he glanced at the rental prices listed on the signboard and was startled.
The prices were almost twice as high as what Li Zhao had told him.
After walking for two to three minutes with Li Zhao, they arrived at the entrance of the unit.
The landlord who received them was already there, appearing to be a man in his thirties, dressed in a black coat and looking serious.
Gu Jiahe glanced at him from afar and felt a bit worried. What if this person was difficult to deal with or backed out at the last minute? That would be even more troublesome.
But when the landlord saw Li Zhao, he smiled and greeted him.
Seeing Gu Jiahe standing behind Li Zhao, the landlord also extended his hand, indicating, “I’m Liu Qing.”
Gu Jiahe hesitated for a moment. It was the first time he had seen a landlord introduce himself by name. He quickly reached out to shake hands.
The three of them entered the elevator together, initially in silence. Gu Jiahe decided to break it: “Mr. Liu, are you a friend of Li Zhao?”
Liu Qing turned his head: “Yes. I’m his colleague. We used to work in the same litigation group. Li Zhao has helped me a lot, and we get along well.”
Gu Jiahe nodded. So, this was Li Zhao’s colleague who he had helped remotely with legal matters. No wonder he was so nice, even coming to show them the house on his day off.
The house had a digital lock, and Liu Qing opened the door with a few presses.
Gu Jiahe stood at the door and asked, “Should we take off our shoes?”
Liu Qing waved his hand: “No need. I’m not an agent. There are no formalities here. Feel free to look around.”
The apartment wasn’t large, about sixty square meters, but it had a living room, a bedroom, a separate bathroom, and a kitchen. For Gu Jiahe, living alone, it wasn’t cramped at all; it was even somewhat luxurious.
At ten o’clock, sunlight from the southeast streamed into the living room through the balcony, making the whole room exceptionally bright.
Gu Jiahe grabbed Li Zhao’s wrist and whispered in his ear, “This place is really nice.”
Li Zhao smiled, “Then let’s rent it.”
Gu Jiahe seemed to have some concerns and turned to ask Liu Qing, “But Mr. Liu, why are you coincidentally renting it out now? Has this good house been vacant all along?”
Liu Qing muttered softly, “It’s all because of Li Zhao, forcing me to rent it out. Originally, I…”
In an instant, Li Zhao shot him a warning glance.
Liu Qing hurriedly laughed, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Li Zhao said he has a friend who needs a place in a hurry, and since he’s helped me a lot before, I’m just returning the favor…”
Gu Jiahe nodded repeatedly, “Thank you, Mr. Liu. But I just glanced at the rental prices listed by the agency at the entrance. The rents here should be quite high. Are you sure you want to rent it to me at this price?”
As he spoke, Gu Jiahe gestured with his fingers, indicating a certain amount.
After seeing his gesture, Liu Qing’s eyes widened.
“Oh, really?” Liu Qing elbowed Li Zhao and asked through gritted teeth.
Li Zhao turned his head and whispered in a low voice, “I’ll make up for the difference.”
Gu Jiahe leaned over, “What are you two talking about?”
Liu Qing quickly shook his head, “Nothing, nothing. I’m renting it to you with peace of mind. I don’t want to bother with listing it outside anymore, so this price is final.”
Soon, half an hour later, Liu Qing had the lease agreement signed by Gu Jiahe. He could move in that day.
After Liu Qing finished explaining some matters needing attention, he copied down the code for the door lock and handed it to Gu Jiahe before leaving himself.
Gu Jiahe and Li Zhao were left alone in the house.
It was already noon, and the sunlight outside was even more intense. Gu Jiahe was experiencing living in such a bright house for the first time, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
“Ge, you really have a wide network,” he said, wrapping his arm around Li Zhao’s neck from behind.
Li Zhao held his hand and smiled, “What’s so special about that? I don’t know how many times I’ve covered for this kid.”
Gu Jiahe looked at the house and asked, “Do all lawyers make so much money?”
If Liu Qing could afford to leave this house vacant for so long, he probably owned more than one property.
“He’s wealthy. His family is a prominent legal family with a solid background. This apartment is one of his investment properties.”
Gu Jiahe nodded, “I see.”
Li Zhao continued, “Don’t worry, he doesn’t have the same problems as those wealthy people like Qun Ge. He’s quite genuine.”
Gu Jiahe said, “I can tell. Let’s go, I’ll treat my great benefactor to lunch. I need to go back and pack my things in the afternoon.”
The two of them found a small restaurant near the community and had lunch.
Gu Jiahe got to know the surrounding area better. There was a supermarket nearby, and there was also a 24-hour convenience store next to it. Just one intersection away was the subway station, making transportation very convenient.
Li Zhao drove Gu Jiahe back home and helped him pack his luggage.
Fortunately, Gu Jiahe had gotten used to moving over the years, and he didn’t have many belongings. Even his clothes were just a few sets worn repeatedly.
When Li Zhao opened his closet, he found his own shirt hanging inside, still wrapped in a dustproof bag.
“Oh, I forgot to return this to you. Just take it with you,” Gu Jiahe said.
Li Zhao replied, “No need. Just keep it.”
Gu Jiahe was puzzled, “Keep it?”
Li Zhao said, “You’ll have plenty of opportunities to wear it in the future.”
After packing up the contents of two suitcases, Gu Jiahe sent some other miscellaneous items via a local express delivery service.
Although the landlord had breached the contract first, Gu Jiahe still fulfilled his obligations and thoroughly cleaned the rundown house.
Just before closing the door, he turned back and walked into the bedroom, sitting on the window with stained glass.
Li Zhao walked up behind him, “What are you looking at?”
Gu Jiahe’s gaze seemed to be fixed on a distant point. After a while, he turned back, “Just bidding farewell to my panoramic penthouse.”
With that, he smiled and jumped off the windowsill, pulling Li Zhao out of the door.
Bang—the wooden door was locked. He had left this place completely.
Gu Jiahe quickly adapted to life in the new community, where there were many young people and quite a few pets.
Ever since his coach recommended more exercise, Gu Jiahe would run downstairs every night. As a result, he encountered many cats and dogs along the way.
There was a family in the neighborhood that had a Schnauzer, and the more Gu Jiahe looked at it, the cuter it seemed.
The little dog seemed to have a good understanding of human nature, as it always enthusiastically rubbed against Gu Jiahe’s legs whenever it saw him.
For a brief moment, Gu Jiahe entertained the idea of getting a pet himself. But this thought only lingered in his mind for half a minute at most.
Forget it, he thought, let’s focus on taking care of myself first.
Gu Jiahe never changed the password for the door lock of his new home that was given to him. It wasn’t that he intentionally left it unchanged; he simply couldn’t be bothered, and the landlord rarely came by anyway.
In this home, there was a well-temperature-controlled shower, allowing Gu Jiahe to enjoy a comfortable hot bath every day.
With a small kitchen equipped with an exhaust fan and stove, Gu Jiahe would buy groceries after work and cook for himself.
In short, it was a completely different living experience for him. He even wondered if his wish made under the shooting star had come true. Perhaps, for the time being, heaven couldn’t give him five million and a three-bedroom apartment, but it did provide him with the down payment for a happy life.
After nightfall, the window sill faced a beautiful lake in the botanical garden of North City. Surprisingly, the view from here wasn’t inferior to that seen through the flower-patterned glass window.
Sitting under the moonlight, Gu Jiahe thought to himself. Suddenly, he heard some noise at the door.
He immediately became alert, grabbing a wrench from nearby.
Pushing open the bedroom door gently, the living room was dark. But there was a mechanical sound, as if someone was trying to unlock his door.
Gu Jiahe’s heart started pounding heavily.
3-2-1-
The front door was actually opened from outside. Gu Jiahe thought, damn, if only I had changed the password earlier, now I’m being robbed!
He held his breath, ready for anything. The person approached the bedroom from the darkness.
Gu Jiahe didn’t move a muscle, pressing against the door. As the person got closer, Gu Jiahe pushed harder against the door.
The person tried to open the bedroom door but failed, then forcefully twisted the doorknob. Gu Jiahe continued to push against the door.
In the next moment, the person suddenly spoke, “Jiahe…”
Li Zhao?!
Gu Jiahe quickly opened the door, only to see Li Zhao standing outside, looking at him puzzled.
“What are you doing?” Li Zhao noticed the wrench in Gu Jiahe’s hand.
Gu Jiahe quickly let go and dropped it on the ground, “I thought I was being robbed…”
Li Zhao couldn’t help but laugh, but his voice was slow, “What thief? A thief who steals your heart?”
Gu Jiahe pretended to retch, “Too cheesy. But why did you come over so late? You didn’t even send me a message.”
Li Zhao didn’t reply, took off his shoes, and flopped onto Gu Jiahe’s bed, burying his face in the blanket.
Gu Jiahe walked over and sat beside him. Then he realized that Li Zhao had a faint smell of alcohol.
“Did you have a dinner appointment tonight?”
“Yeah, with that new client. Had a little to drink.”
Gu Jiahe sniffed, “More than just a little. You didn’t drive here, did you?”
“No, I called a cab…”
The next moment, Li Zhao fell silent.
Gu Jiahe turned him over and checked. He was already asleep, eyes closed, breathing steady.
Gu Jiahe felt somewhat helpless, went to the bathroom to get a hot towel, and returned to the bedside.
He took off Li Zhao’s coat and hung it on the back of the chair by the bed.
Then he lowered Li Zhao’s shirt, revealing his collarbone, neck, chest, and even his abdomen.
Li Zhao’s chest rose and fell slightly with each breath.
Gu Jiahe used the hot towel to gently wipe his face and neck. During the process, his fingers accidentally touched Li Zhao’s collarbone.
Gu Jiahe’s breath caught for a moment, and his fingers uncontrollably traced down his skin. His fingertips grazed Li Zhao’s collarbone, shoulder, and continued downward.
His gaze was scanning the texture of Li Zhao’s skin after drinking, but the next moment, his hand was caught.
“Taking advantage of the situation?” Li Zhao gently lifted his eyelids, smiling as he asked.
“It’s you who came to me.” Gu Jiahe retorted confidently.
Li Zhao turned to lie on his side, reaching out to pinch Gu Jiahe’s butt, “Why does it feel like your body is in better shape recently?”
His fingers wandered over Gu Jiahe’s waist and butt. Gu Jiahe must have been exercising recently, as his body had become more enticing.
Gu Jiahe sensed a hint of something in Li Zhao’s tone, “What are you implying?”
Li Zhao chuckled, “Exercising behind my back?”
Gu Jiahe: “The coach asked me to practice my core.”
Li Zhao, hearing the word “coach,” made a disdainful sound and then pulled him over from the bedside, “Come on, let me check your core strength.”
Half an hour later, Gu Jiahe’s head was spinning.
Wasn’t it said that men couldn’t perform well after drinking?!
Early the next morning, Gu Jiahe’s alarm clock rang first. As he reached out to turn it off, his hand suddenly touched someone’s arm beside him.
Gu Jiahe, still half asleep, opened his eyes and realized that Li Zhao had stayed overnight.
Of course, not only did he stay over, but he also left behind some difficult-to-mention memories.
“Why did you suddenly come over last night?” Gu Jiahe finally remembered to ask.
“You live close by. My place is too far.” Li Zhao buried his head in Gu Jiahe’s neck and took a deep breath.
He was telling the truth. This place was closer to their law firm, just three intersections away by car.
“Uh-huh.” Gu Jiahe sat up from the bed, straightened out his pajamas, then turned to see Li Zhao closing his eyes again, seemingly falling back asleep.
He casually asked, “So, are you planning to move in?”
Li Zhao suddenly opened his eyes, showing no signs of sleepiness, “Since you brought it up, why not?”