TGBOG Chapter 5

After leaving the airport, Zhao Yijia and Ye Luan went their separate ways.

Literally “separate ways.”

Ye Luan had a friend picking him up, heading east; Zhao Yijia took the airport bus to the university town in the west. Despite Ye Luan’s insistence on giving him a ride, Zhao Yijia declined.

Zhao Yijia lived in the faculty dormitory of Y University. After graduating, he stayed at the school for a year but found it unsuitable, eventually quitting to write full-time. Technically, he wasn’t supposed to stay in the faculty dorms after resigning, but since he had helped the school with some writing tasks during the anniversary celebrations without charging, the department head turned a blind eye and let him stay.

Zhao Yijia liked the school.

The lush camphor trees, the bustling students, the 24-hour study rooms, and the always lively cafeteria… each made him comfortable enough not to want to leave. Unfortunately, this comfort had vanished ever since his neighbor Da Lin started dating.

Their two-person dormitory often became a stage for a three-person drama, making full-time writer Zhao Yijia very uncomfortable.

For instance, at this moment, after getting off a crowded bus and dragging his suitcase back to the dorm, he opened the door to find a couple passionately kissing on the sofa. After waiting for a while, he finally had to knock on the door.

The couple stopped, and Da Lin peeked out, smiling sheepishly, “Yijia, you’re back!”

Zhao Yijia smiled and waved, acknowledging him.

To be fair, Da Lin was a good roommate. He worked in the school administration office and often brought Zhao Yijia freelance work opportunities and meals. However, perhaps due to being single for too long, his sudden romance was overwhelming, making it hard to handle. Just last month, Zhao Yijia spent at least half the time in the study room because the room’s soundproofing was too poor.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yijia sighed inwardly: Staying at the school wasn’t sustainable; he needed to move out.

In fact, he had been looking at rental listings for a while, but without urgency, he hadn’t found anything suitable. Now, after two exhausting days, his desire to move out became urgent. He couldn’t resist taking out his phone and posting on Weibo:

Zhao Zhao V: Looking for a reliable single apartment to rent in Y City, needs to be convenient for transportation and dining, urgent.

Within seconds, replies flooded in:

No More Milk Tea: Little Prince is moving out?
Red Apple: Ah, too bad I’m not in Y City, otherwise I’d love to be roommates with Zhao Zhao!
Worry-free from Lin’s Family: Envious of Little Prince’s future roommate, can they read the new chapters first? *Doge*
Hehe: Not in Y City, but I’ll help spread the word~

…

After reading the comments and replying to a few, Zhao Yijia was about to put down his phone and rest when a new WeChat message popped up:

Shiye: I have a friend with an empty apartment up for rent.

Zhao Yijia stared at the message for a while before unlocking his phone to reply—

Zhao Yijia: Really?

Shiye: Really, I don’t lie.

Zhao Yijia: Where is it?

Shiye: Fifth Garden in Changting District.

Zhao Yijia was a bit surprised. He knew about Fifth Garden in Changting District, a villa area near a scenic spot, with excellent location and greenery, and of course, high prices.

Zhao Yijia: Too expensive, I probably can’t afford it.

Shiye immediately responded: Can we have a meal sometime? We can discuss the details. It’s best to be cautious about the neighborhoods recommended by fans on Weibo. While it’s not that fans have bad intentions, it feels inappropriate for strangers to know your real-life address.

Zhao Yijia thought about it and realized he had been a bit impulsive.

Zhao Yijia: Master Twelve, I’m free the day after tomorrow, I’ll treat you to a meal.

Zhao Yijia: *obedient.jpg*

Shiye: Great, the day after tomorrow at noon then, let me know the address.

Ye Luan sent the message, feeling quite pleased. His friend Yue Mian, sitting opposite him sipping coffee, was curious: “Who are you chatting with that’s making you so happy?”

Ye Luan shook his head, curbing his smile, and said seriously: “Sell me your Fifth Garden apartment.”

Yue Mian didn’t understand: “I don’t live there, you can stay if you like, no need to buy it, I’m just traveling.”

Ye Luan took a sip of tea: “I might stay longer.”

Yue Mian was puzzled and quickly put down his cup: “What do you mean?”

Ye Luan considered his words and said, “Actually, I have a friend looking to rent a place, and I also plan to stay in Y City for a while. Buying it would be more convenient.”

His explanation was winding, but Yue Mian knew Ye Luan too well and quickly caught on. He immediately teased Ye Luan: “Oh, which friend is this, someone you knew before you were five?” Yue Mian and Ye Luan had grown up together; there were few friends of Ye Luan’s that Yue Mian didn’t know.

Ye Luan remained composed: “You don’t know him.”

Yue Mian wouldn’t let it go: “This friend I don’t know, could it be the one I saw you with at the airport today?”

Ye Luan gave him a look: “Stop with the gossip. I genuinely plan to invest. Y City is known for its great environment; buying a place here won’t be a loss.”

Yue Mian, sobering up, nodded seriously: “Alright then, you and your friend stay there for now. If you still want it after a while, I’ll transfer the property to you.” He paused and added, “It’d be good if you stay; at least I won’t be bored.”

Ye Luan nodded, settling the matter.

Soon it was the day of their lunch. Zhao Yijia had arranged to meet Ye Luan at a restaurant specializing in river fish. When Ye Luan arrived, he saw Zhao Yijia engrossed in his phone, sitting under a bright lamp. The white light wasn’t too noticeable but gave him a somewhat lonely look.

Ye Luan hesitated at the door.

He suddenly remembered when he had met Tian Gai at the Yue Si event, asking him to introduce Zhao Yijia. Tian Gai had been particularly reluctant: “Teacher Ye, I don’t want to lose Zhao Zhao as a friend.”

Honestly, Ye Luan had been a bit surprised because, judging from Weibo, Zhao Yijia didn’t seem like someone who bore grudges, whether interacting with readers or friends. Tian Gai’s words seemed a bit serious, but Ye Luan, though puzzled, had still convinced him.

He had earnestly told Tian Gai: “I also want to be friends with Zhao Yijia.”

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