With the home purchase contract officially taking effect,

the four of them stood in front of the house that would truly belong to them in the future.

Each one of them was thrilled with excitement.

As they pushed open the gate, a cobblestone path came into view, leading to a spacious courtyard garden, with a garage and pond not far off.

The Three Little Ones glanced around curiously, already imagining how they’d renovate the place.

They were planning to turn it into a warm and cozy home.

Then came the three-story villa—

The first floor housed the living room, study, and other common areas.

The second floor had the bedrooms, a makeup room, and a walk-in closet.

The third floor, years later, would belong to the little one. For now, it could be used as a temporary storage room.

They stepped into the master bedroom on the second floor—

a massive space.

The bed was pieced together from four double beds, big enough to fit seven people tossing and turning without feeling cramped.

After touring the room, all four of them flopped onto the bed together with a big “whoosh.”

Staring at the ceiling—

He Qing sighed emotionally, “What a huge house. The mattress is so soft. It feels like a palace.”

Jiang Xueli blinked, “I can’t believe that one day, I’d actually be living in a villa. And it’s not even rented!”

Han Wenwen’s cheeks were flushed. “Having a home of our own with someone you love... it kinda feels like a dream.”

He Qing turned her head and asked quietly, “Lin Zhengran, how much did this house cost you? You didn’t tell us earlier.”

Lin Zhengran replied, “About a fifth of my savings, I guess. After all, it came fully furnished.”

The three girls all gasped in unison. Their first reaction was to feel bad—he’d spent too much on them.

Secondly, they realized just how valuable this house was: newly built, three stories tall, and with a massive garden.

They didn’t even dare imagine the exact amount. And the fact that Lin Zhengran could afford five of these...

Lin Zhengran added,

“Don’t worry. I get paid annually. Yeah, the house was expensive, but thanks to Jingshi, the company’s been doing great this year. Once the year-end bonus comes in, I’ll earn it all back.”

The three of them felt they really ought to start making money too. Even if it wasn’t much, they could at least help out with household expenses.

Lin Zhengran reminded them, “By the way, since we’ve bought the place, you three should start moving your stuff from the dorm in the next few days. And get the paperwork sorted for commuting from off-campus.”

Little He Qing asked curiously, “Do we have to let our advisor know when applying for off-campus living?”

“Of course,” he said. “Jingshi can handle things with the school, but more importantly, you and Lili need to talk to your parents. It’s a necessary step—if the school doesn’t get parental consent, they won’t approve it.”

The two of them nodded, though suddenly felt a bit awkward.

Talking to their families about this could be easy or incredibly difficult—there was no telling.

Once Lin Zhengran finished speaking, he quietly held Han Wenwen’s hand.

Han Wenwen turned her head, those fox-like eyes gazing at him, fingers interlocking with his.

Her red lips curved into a smile. “I’ve still got a lot of stuff in the apartment I rented back in town. Once we finish the paperwork, will you come help me move, Brother Zhengran?”

“Mm.”

No time to waste. That very afternoon, Little He Qing and Lili each called their parents.

The two of them curled up on the bed together. He Qing twirled her hair around her finger nervously, shyly stammering, “Mom, I’ve got something to tell you. I don’t want to stay in the dorm anymore. I want to live with Lin... Lin Zhengran.”

Aunt He was surprised. “Little Qingqing, I didn’t catch that. Say it again for Mom?”

He Qing hesitated, then, eyes closed and cheeks red, she boldly picked up the pace of her finger-twirling and blurted out, “Mom! I want to live with Lin Zhengran in a rented apartment. I want to live with him. Please say yes!”

Listening to her be so bold, Jiang Xueli swallowed hard and made her own call.

Her free hand nervously smoothed down her twin ponytails.

“Mom, Dad, it’s Lili... Can I talk to you about something? Hehe... I, uh, want to rent a place off-campus. Is that okay?”

Her parents caught on instantly. “Rent a place? By yourself? You’re not talking about living with Zhengran, are you? You two planning to live together during college?”

Jiang Xueli’s face burned red. She pouted and muttered,

“Well... of course it’s with him.” She huffed, “Aiya! We’re already together, what’s the big deal about living together? Don’t worry, Mom and Dad—it’s totally safe with Zhengran. You can trust us!”

But let’s be real: with just two girls bringing this up, the odds of parental approval weren’t great.

As their boyfriend, Lin Zhengran naturally had to speak to both sets of parents too.

Let’s just say—growing up together really carried weight.

With Aunt He, it went without saying. Even if it hadn’t been for what happened during that last trip, all these years made it clear that her daughter was destined to marry Lin Zhengran.

Plus, during that trip... the way her daughter stammered on the phone—obviously their relationship had leveled up in intimacy. Renting together didn’t really matter anymore.

As for Lili’s parents, they’d basically watched her and Lin Zhengran grow up together.

Lili didn’t have many childhood friends, and her expressions when she was around Zhengran—that glued-at-the-hip kind of joy—how could they not know their daughter’s heart?

Besides, they’d been dating since high school.

So in the end, things went smoothly. Both sets of parents gave the green light for the girls to move out.

In a way, it was also a quiet stamp of approval—acknowledging Lin Zhengran as their future son-in-law.

That afternoon, Han Wenwen was munching on potato chips in the room while Little Qingqing and Lili were still on the phone with their families.

They were probably trying to reassure their parents.

The Little Fox looked on curiously. For a moment, she wondered—if she had parents too, how would she go about telling them something like this?

In the end, Han Wenwen couldn’t imagine it.

Because her eyes were quickly drawn to the nearby Lin Zhengran.

She realized that in the past, whenever she saw other people with moms and dads, she’d always feel a little sad.

But now... that feeling had completely disappeared. All she saw was Brother Zhengran.

After all, her parents had never truly loved her.

But Brother Zhengran—he would never leave her behind.

She lightly bit into a chicken-flavored chip and, taking advantage of the other two being distracted on the phone, walked over to Lin Zhengran.

Her youthful heels lifted slightly.

She wrapped her arms around his neck.

Those fox-like eyes stared at him with an enticing glint, silently asking, “Brother Zhengran, want a chip?”

Without hesitation, Lin Zhengran wrapped an arm around the Little Fox’s waist.

He bit down on the half-eaten chip she held between her lips, and the two of them kissed.

Across the room, Jiang Xueli and Little He Qing were frozen in shock.

Jiang Xueli watched herself getting third-wheeled in real-time, fuming as she rushed over and shouted, “Han Wenwen! What do you think you’re doing?! Cut it out!”

She hung up on her parents and forcibly tried to pull the fox away, stopping her from kissing Zhengran any further.

But right before being pulled away, Han Wenwen still tried to sneak one more kiss.

Jiang Xueli yelled, “You rotten fox! Stop trying to take advantage of Zhengran every chance you get!”

Han Wenwen huddled in Lin Zhengran’s arms with a pitiful expression. “What do you mean take advantage? I’m just kissing my boyfriend.”

“Lies! Zhengran, you spoil Han Wenwen way too much! Just because she wants a kiss doesn’t mean she gets one!”

Lin Zhengran gently patted Han Wenwen’s head. “It’s the same for both of you. If either of you wants a kiss, you can get one anytime.”

Jiang Xueli flushed with shame and frustration. She had no comeback.