The Wen family’s two new homes had been renovated long ago, but they delayed moving in to let the chemical odors dissipate.
Chen Ru had thought carefully about when to move.
Right before the Spring Festival was ideal.
The renovation smells were gone, making the new home safe to live in, and they could stop renewing the lease on their rental, saving money.
Sure, with Chen Ru’s current income, renting wasn’t a big deal, but why spend unnecessarily?
After dealing with so many big clients, Chen Ru had learned a lot, including their spending habits.
People like Mrs. Wang splurged on what they loved, spending freely when it made sense, but wouldn’t part with a cent otherwise.
Chen Ru was saving to buy Wen Ying a place in a big city!
While Wen Ying was in Shanghai revising scripts after her exams, Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong began packing up their rental.
The family’s books were definitely coming to the new home, along with most of their clothes.
Pots, pans, and bedding weren’t needed—the new home deserved a fresh start, and Chen Li had insisted on handling those.
Of course, Chen Li lost out to Mrs. Wang, who, ever the charmer, gifted a mid-to-high-end kitchen set, including cookware, knives, and dishes.
Li’s mother only later realized how close Mrs. Wang had gotten with the Wen family!
So cunning!
Knowing Wen Ying had been looking out for her daughter Li Mengjiao, Li’s mother, not to be outdone, provided a steam iron and vacuum cleaner.
Usually, bank managers gave gifts to big clients, but with Chen Ru, the clients were the ones giving gifts, refusing to let Manager Chen decline… During the winter break, Qin Jiao’s school was out, and upon hearing about the Wen family’s move, she and her mother sent practical housewarming gifts.
Yuan Fenghui, on behalf of Tianjiao Film, gifted a home theater system with a large TV and speakers.
Even Zou Weijun, under the publisher’s name, sent a set of decorative pieces.
Zou Weijun’s taste was impeccable. Her gift wasn’t lavish or flashy, but placed in the study, it instantly elevated the small room’s sophistication—Wen Dongrong loved it, feeling the new study matched his style perfectly, which was why he couldn’t muster a stern face for Xie Qian at the airport.
Chen Li barely secured her right to provide bedding.
Deng Shangwei saw even his wife couldn’t claim the big contributions, so he had no chance… Oh well, since his brother-in-law handed over his salary, Deng figured he’d get him some nice smokes and liquor for the holiday!
These folks were all sharp, finding every excuse to give gifts, leaving Chen Ru no room to refuse. The new home was filled to the brim with housewarming presents.
Since the new home lacked nothing, there was no need to move old household items. Chen Ru let Wen Ying’s aunt Zhu Meiqun and uncle Wen Changlin pick first, as they lived in Chengdu and could use many things.
Wen Changlin happily took Wen Dongrong’s old desk and a fan.
Zhu Meiqun took daily necessities.
For some reason, in the past, if Chen Ru gave them used items, Zhu Meiqun might’ve overthought it. Now, she didn’t.
The items were old but useful, and Zhu Meiqun accepted them without any mental burden—a perfect form of support!
Learning that Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong’s new home needed nothing, Wen Ying’s uncle and aunt’s families discussed and each gave a red envelope.
Beyond that, for days, whenever Zhu Meiqun wasn’t at her stall, she came to help clean, wiping every corner of the new house spotless before Chen Ru could lift a finger.
Wen Changlin, after a visit, bought rice, flour, and oil with his own money—items no one else had thought to give. His sharp mind, honed from selling insurance in Chengdu, knew how to read people. Without keen observation and quick thinking, insurance doesn’t sell!
The red envelopes, the cleaning help, and Wen Changlin’s thoughtfulness warmed Wen Dongrong’s heart.
He felt his family was making him proud, and before Wen Ying returned, he strutted around for days.
Chen Ru didn’t say much but was quietly pleased.
She wasn’t stingy—if she were, she wouldn’t let Wen Dongrong support his family. Her past frustration came from Wen Hongyan’s family.
What makes a family?
Reciprocity!
It’s not about giving a chicken and expecting a duck of equal value, but if you can’t even spare an egg in return, how can the giver feel good?
The move proceeded smoothly, but no one updated Wen Ying on the progress.
Mrs. Wang and others didn’t want to flaunt small gestures to Wen Ying, while Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong tacitly kept quiet.
…No, it wasn’t about surprising Wen Ying, definitely not!
A few items remained in the rental, and Wen Dongrong planned to move them, but Chen Ru told him to take Wen Ying straight to the new house.
Wen Ying had seen the house during renovation, even clashing with Chen Ru over wall colors.
Now, fully furnished, it felt decent—not trendy, but not outdated.
Wen Ying pushed open her room’s door.
She expected a fully pink room.
To her surprise, only the wall behind the bed was painted a soft, pale pink, paired with white furniture, creating a cozy vibe.
The other three walls were white, as Wen Ying had wanted.
To break the monotony, Chen Ru had put up a poster.
Not of a celebrity or a movie, but the promotional poster for *Teen Idol*’s launch—
Wen Ying burst into a smile.
Same neighborhood, different unit and floor.
Completely different decor.
And parents who were entirely different from her past life.
Wen Dongrong stood with hands behind his back, chin slightly raised, still playing the boss, but his eyes darted, as if awaiting praise.
Chen Ru stood quietly by the door, saying nothing.
Still commanding!
Full of presence!
But compared to Wen Ying’s memories, Chen Ru now seemed younger, more composed.
Wen Ying naturally looped her arm through Chen Ru’s, “Mum, our new house is so nice. Can I invite friends over?”
Wen Ying’s friends weren’t like Yue Shanni anymore, treating her as a cash machine.
Each of her friends had their strengths, shining in their own way, and she was no longer the “Wen Ying” who stumbled through adolescence in her past life.
Most importantly, this transformed “home” and changed parents gave Wen Ying the confidence to boldly invite friends over!
