"Little Ge, finish your homework. I'll be counting on you for the next few days."
After their outing, thinking about the big project ahead, Qiu Xi turned her gaze to the free labor beside her.
"..."
Qiu Ge, having anticipated this outcome, nodded helplessly.
"Alright, you can go rest too."
"Then I'm leaving!"
"Mm-hmm, go ahead."
After Qiu Ge left, Qiu Xi took out the paper she carried and began to conceptualize her room's renovation.
Over the next few days, Qiu Xi sketched out the patterns for the walls and ceiling that would be decorated with paint. The ceiling was to be a starry sky, and one wall would feature a beach castle at dusk.
To avoid a somber feel, Qiu Xi chose relatively fresh and elegant color palettes; even the starry sky was dreamy.
"Sister, this is quite a project!"
Upon seeing the painting sketch, Qiu Ge felt the complexity. Just the ceiling alone looked like a difficulty 3s operation.
"It's fine, I'll paint it myself. You just need to hand me things." Kan Shu Le.
Qiu Xi had already considered the workload, but with Little Hua, there might be room for negotiation.
A path is made by walking. If one path is blocked, there's always another. If all else fails, she could bribe Little Hua with a delicious meal.
"Okay, Sister."
Entrusted by their parents, Qiu Ge could only agree.
"Don't be so glum. I'll treat you to a feast once it's done."
Looking at Qiu Ge, Qiu Xi felt a bit of pity for him.
But there was nothing to be done; he was her brother!
It's best to boss your brother around early; it's even better to make him do errands!
"Sister! You said that!"
"Mm-hmm! I did."
"Then I'll remember that!"
Her sister had only just returned, and Qiu Ge quickly realized her sister's control over the family's finances.
If she wanted something, it was better to ask her sister than their parents. As long as the reason was sound, coupled with a bit of a sob story and some labor, it was bound to work.
"Work hard!"
Seeing her fawning younger brother, Qiu Xi couldn't resist reaching out to ruffle his hair.
"I'm off. Sister, don't forget your promise!"
Saying this, he bolted out.
......
"Linglong Sister, my sister is busy upstairs. I'll take you up."
"Okay."
Qiu Xi had been busy with renovations during the day and learning video post-production at night. She hadn't heard from Hua Linglong and was almost forgetting her promise.
Following Qiu Ge, Hua Linglong was quite curious about Qiu Xi doing her own renovations and was eager to see the results.
"Linglong, why are you here?"
Seeing the person who suddenly appeared at the door, Qiu Xi was a bit taken aback.
As she stepped down from the shelf, Qiu Xi habitually tried to wipe the paint off her hands. Finding that it wouldn't come off, she casually wiped it on her apron. Kan Shu Wu.Xià
"If you don't look for me, you're not allowed to come look for me?"
"No! I'm delighted you're here."
Another laborer, and one who studied photography at that.
"..."
"Come on, I know you too well!"
They had known each other for years; how could she not understand this girl's ulterior motives?
"Hehehe~"
"Alright, let me take a look."
"Look all you want!"
"Xiao Xi, this is amazing! When the results are out, don't rush to put the furniture in. Let me do a photoshoot here first."
As soon as she finished looking, Hua Linglong's imagination ran wild, and she already had ideas for how to shoot it.
"No problem! It's just..."
"Alright, alright, I'll help you, I'll help you!"
"Great! I knew Linglong, you're the best!"
With one more person, amidst their banter, the work felt much easier.
In less than half a month, Qiu Xi had finished painting the walls of her room.
"Xiao Xi, now that this is done, can we start the photo shoot?"
She had been looking forward to this for a long time. Now that it was finally finished, the first thing to do was the shoot!
"Okay, wait until I buy the furniture and decorations, and then I'll have you shoot, alright?"
"Yes, yes, yes! If that's the case, then let's schedule it for tomorrow!"
"Mm-hmm! Sure."
"Sister, don't forget my feast!"
Qiu Ge, overhearing their conversation, hesitated for a moment before feeling compelled to remind his sister.
"It's a good thing all your food goes to your brain! Otherwise, I wouldn't dare let you eat, for fear of fattening up the only heir of the Qiu family."
"Then I'm not afraid, as long as Sister doesn't forget."
"Don't worry, I won't forget. I'll treat you once it's all set up."
"Okay!"
Qiu Ge wasn't worried about his sister flaking out; after all, his sister wouldn't stoop to such things now.
"Xiao Xi, I'm leaving then. I'll come back tomorrow."
Seeing that it was getting late and the work was done, Hua Linglong prepared to head home.
"Mm!"
Now, Qiu Xi was alone again, which was perfect for buying the things she needed.
A bed, a bookshelf, a desk and chairs, then some mint green and white sheer curtains, a bay window on the balcony... After looking it over, feeling like it was enough, Qiu Xi paid and placed the order.
"Mission accomplished!"
Stretching out her arms in a big yawn, she was finally done!
......
After dinner that evening, Qiu Xi received a call from her mother.
"Mom, what's up?"
She was at her grandparents' place, so her family wouldn't call unless something was up.
"Your father and I have decided. We'll do as you suggested and close the convenience store."
"Isn't that great!"
It was perfect for their retirement and relaxation, and she could afford it now.
"However, your father and I don't plan to retire at home so soon. We're still young."
"..."
Well, she had gotten her hopes up for nothing.
"Then what do you plan to do?"
"We haven't quite figured it out yet. We wanted to discuss it with you."
"Alright, I'll head back tomorrow then. I just need the furniture here."
"Okay, we'll wait for you to come back."
After hanging up, she remembered her arrangement with Hua Linglong and realized the photoshoot wouldn't happen tomorrow.
So Qiu Xi sent Hua Linglong a message, and after a brief discussion, they rescheduled the photography session.