Fortune Across the World

Chapter 35: Moving from the Countryside to the City (Part 2)

In the afternoon, Ding Qiyu returned home to share the news of buying the courtyard with Aunt He and Lian'er: "…so, I'll go handle the paperwork tomorrow, and we can move in the day after! It's time to start packing."

"So soon? It feels a bit rushed!" Aunt He hesitated, thinking they should bid farewell to familiar villagers and that Lian'er needed to resign from her work. Aunt He herself had already quit her job and spent her days doing house chores and mending clothes for the children.

Ding Qiyu wanted to move quickly: "Mom, let's try to get everything done tomorrow. I can't sleep peacefully with those despicable people around." Those scoundrels were like the Sword of Damocles, and Ding Qiyu couldn't rest easy as long as they were nearby.

Aunt He thought Ding Qiyu made a good point, so they all busied themselves with moving preparations.

They decided to keep the little courtyard and land in Hejia Village, not selling them. Except for dismantling the security system, everything else would remain as it was. The new courtyard had all the necessary furniture, so they only needed to pack valuables, clothes, and some miscellaneous items. With the convenience of city shopping, they only needed to bring the best and newest clothes. As for linens and bedding, they were old and could be replaced in the city.

Ding Qiyu asked Aunt He for a small wooden box to organize her designs, notes, and sketches. These were the culmination of her efforts since arriving in this world, the most important belongings she would take with her.

While packing clothes, Ding Qiyu found the red silk she'd folded into a small square and forgotten in a corner. She picked it up, saw the dark gold embroidered "Yi" character, and hesitated before placing it in the box. The chances of meeting the red-clad woman again were slim, but Ding Qiyu kept the silk as a memento of the ordeal and the wound on her arm that hadn't fully healed.

After organizing her clothes, Ding Qiyu remembered the seven copper coins she kept by her bedside, strung together by Aunt He long ago. Retrieving them from under her pillow, she placed them carefully in the box, smiling. Those seven coins were the start of everything—family, home, and the pursuit of her dreams. Things were looking up...

The next day, Ding Qiyu met Uncle Li in the city at the appointed time and place, and together they went to the relevant government office to complete the transfer. After paying taxes and fees, she received the official property deed, making the courtyard officially theirs.

Completing the paperwork, Ding Qiyu hurried to the market to buy a variety of gifts such as tea, wine, and fruits, then rushed home. She and Aunt He divided the gifts, and the three of them set out to say goodbye to acquaintances.

They went together to the He Ankang family's home to explain the move. The He family felt reluctant to see them go. Aunt He, too, felt reluctant to leave the He family, who had helped them through tough times. Ding Qiyu was grateful to them as well, having learned many survival skills from He Ankang. She vowed to repay their kindness if given the chance.

Leaving the He family, they split up to visit their respective friends and acquaintances. Ding Qiyu went to see Master He first. Hearing of her move, Master He was genuinely happy for her. He had always considered Ding Qiyu his prized pupil and knew that the small village couldn't confine her. He believed that even Xingcheng wouldn't contain her, as she would one day showcase her talents on Daqian's grand stage.

After visiting all her friends, Ding Qiyu returned home by evening. Lian'er arrived shortly after, but Aunt He, having lived in the village for decades and knowing more people, returned much later.

Dinner was somewhat somber, and Ding Qiyu noticed Aunt He's reluctance to leave Hejia Village. She comforted her, "Mom, we're just moving to the city; we can always come back to the village whenever you want. Xingcheng is so close; I can bring you anytime. Besides, our new home is near the General's Mansion, away from those despicable people, and we'll have no trouble with petty thieves. Life will be much more convenient in the city. Cheer up, and I promise you'll love our new home!"