Chapter 239 - 239 Changing the Courtyard into a Kindergarten
239 Changing the Courtyard into a Kindergarten
Just then, the gate opened at the perfect time. Inside, Classmate Han and several servants came out to greet the family.
“Yunjin and Lady Lu, you’re here! Come on inside!”
The group went inside.
Classmate Han gave the group some information about the house, “There are two courtyards on this property. At the front here is the southern room. This is where the servants can stay. We are currently in the front courtyard. The front yard has a garden and a fake mountain. There are four principal rooms in the middle. On each side of those rooms are two side rooms. There’s a hallway leading out of the side rooms that take you to the eastern and western wing rooms. The layout for the back courtyard is very similar.
West to the courtyard is a lotus pond, a garden, and a man-made lake. The environment is quite nice.”
Xie Yunjin’s visited this place before and didn’t really react to the tour. Beside him, Lu Jiao was over the moon. She scored such a good deal with this place. The size and layout of this place were worth way more than 1,200 taels of silver.
Lu Jiao couldn’t help it but say to Classmate Han, “You sold it at a loss. Do you want to increase the price?”
Naturally, Classmate Han refused, “Lady Lu, that suggestion is a slap in my face!”
Lu Jiao didn’t suggest it again. Truly, she had fallen in love with this place. It reminded her of the small bridges in the south of the Yangtze River. This house was going to be hers. Just the thought of that made her ecstatic.
“Thank you so much.”
If she didn’t ask to buy this place, Classmate Han never would’ve sold this place. He was a businessman and a smart one at that.
However, Classmate Han only sold it to her because of Xie Yunjin.
Lu Jiao took a look at Xie Yunjin. She wanted to thank him. However, there were a lot of people around and she shouldn’t go out of her way to say thanks. People would find that strange.
Xie Yunjin saw the look in her eyes and understood. However, he wasn’t happy about her appreciation. She was so polite with him like he was an outsider. How could he be happy about that?
Classmate Han didn’t notice the silent exchanges between the couple. He continued on with the tour.
Behind the group, Lu Gui and the four little ones were stunned. What a beautiful and giant courtyard!
They thought the new house they built with the black bricks was already fancy enough. Who knew this place would look so much better than their house back in the village?
The four little ones were unspeakably happy. Each one of them hopped their way to Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao, “Daddy, mommy, this is going to be our home?”
Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao smiled and nodded, “That’s right. This is going to be our home.”
The four little ones instantly cheered, “Wow, this is going to be our home! Our home is so beautiful!”
“Too bad Xiaobao and Mutou couldn’t come.”
“We can invite them over as guests sometimes.”
The Fourth Born was confused, “But they’re so far away. How do they come?”
The other three didn’t appear to have heard him. They grabbed onto each other’s hand and ran towards the garden. Behind them, Lu Gui pursued, “Slow down! Don’t trip and fall!”
Since Lu Gui was going to keep an eye on the children, Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao followed Classmate Han to the back courtyard.
Just like Classmate Han had said, the layout was pretty much the same as the front courtyard. The difference was that there were no hallways on the side of the eastern and western wing rooms. However, a porch was built in front of those rooms. It was obvious that the back courtyard was where the women lived.
Classmate Han confirmed Lu Jiao’s guess, “This is where the women live. Behind here is a row of backrooms.”
Lu Jiao nodded and strolled around. She thought of a problem… This property was huge and she needed someone to keep it clean. She planned on tending to her businesses and it was likely she won’t have the time to take care of the four little ones and Xie Yunjin. Therefore, their meals and daily routines will need someone’s assistance as well. It became obvious to her now that she needed servants.
Lu Jiao thought about it and then asked Classmate Han, “This place is so big that I will need some help. I want to buy some servants. Do you know any reliable brokers who can bring me some people? I want to buy a few servants.”
Classmate Han almost offered to give her some. But then he decided against it. Anyone he gives her would ultimately still belong to the Han family. Lady Lu might not find them loyal or reliable as a result. It would be better for her to directly get some people from a broker.
“Sure, this afternoon, I will ask one of my people to talk to my broker. I’ll ask them to find some people for you by tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
Lu Jiao smiled. She then remembered how Xie Yunjin promised the Dean that he would start tutoring the young students.
“Before, you said you would start teaching students from the school. Are you going to be teaching in the school or are the students coming here?”
If they were going to come here, she had to spend some energy setting up this place. Her original plan was to set up the front courtyard like a kindergarten – a place where the four little ones could play and study. If Xie Yunjin’s students were going to come here, she had to figure out a way to divide up the space.
Plus, she would have to actively avoid interacting with those students to shield herself from rumors.
Xie Yunjin’s eyes darkened. He didn’t want those students to come to the Xie family courtyard. Even seeing Classmate Han talk to Lu Jiao made him feel salty. He had to put in the effort to stop himself from kicking Classmate Han out. He wasn’t sure how he would react if those students talked to Lu Jiao.
“I’m not going to the school, nor am I going to let those students come here.”
Xie Yunjin looked over to Classmate Han, “Is anyone renting nearby? I don’t need anywhere big – a place with three rooms is good enough. I want to rent it so I can teach there and also the students can study there.”
Classmate Han understood Xie Yunjin’s intention right away. It would be very inconvenient for the students to come through his home when his wife was here.
Classmate Han agreed instantly, “Sure. It’s easy to rent a place that size.”
Lu Jiao smiled happily, “Since you have a plan for your students, then I will change up the front courtyard as I please.”
Her statement made Xie Yunjin and Classmate Han ask in unison, “Why are you changing up a perfectly good courtyard?”
Lu Jiao explained excitedly, “I want to change up the front courtyard so that it becomes the perfect place for the four little ones to study and play. After I’m done, they can use the space to study, play, and also eat.”
Xie Yunjin noticed how meticulous and caring she was when it came to the four little ones. He couldn’t help but feel sourness bubbling up in his heart. Why did she only care about the four little ones and not him?
Classmate Han was very curious, “That sounds rather amazing. Once you’re done with the place, can I bring my two sons to play and study with the four little ones?”
Lu Jiao didn’t decline. Firstly, Xie Yunjin and Classmate Han were great friends. Secondly, Classmate Han sold this place to her at such a great price. This meant Lu Jiao was indebted to him.
Lu Jiao beamed, “If you aren’t worried, then bring them over.”
There was no difference in looking after six kids compared to looking after four.
Classmate Han smiled happily. Her two sons were so spoiled by their mother that they acted like little overlords. If they could spend some time with Lu Jiao, then they might learn some rules and become more obedient.”
“Great! Once you’re done with the place, I will bring them over.”