Time flew by, and it was dusk before long. People walked in one after another.
Tang Xiaoyu greeted everyone warmly with handshakes and laughs. Everyone chatted with laughter.
"Brother Xiaoyu is so mature! He's enjoying his work." Wang Ziyan admired.
Old Zhou nodded. "You brats, none of you are saints. You all just like to show off."
"If you were half as good as Little Tang, we'd have much less to worry about."
Wang Ziyan didn't refute. After all, her senior and second senior brother were examples.
Tonight, Tang Xiaoyu sang a new song "Dream Chaser", and the rest were songs he had sung in the past two days.
He believed that after the current songs were spread out, then he would release new songs, to give people time to adapt.
When it was time to liven things up, Old Zhou and Wang Ziyan didn't leave. Instead, they partied along.
They left reluctantly when it was over, still feeling unsatisfied.
After a busy day, Lu Changchun was about to lie down and rest after washing up. But Tang Xiaoyu called out to him.
"Uncle, wait. Let me give you the money from these few days."
Lu Changchun said casually, "Keep that bit of money. It's not much."
Tang Xiaoyu insisted, "It's better to calculate clearly, so money doesn't come between our uncle-nephew relationship in the future."
Tang Xiaoyu had experienced too many relationships ruined by money. So he liked to lay the ugly words out first and divide the profits clearly.
Lu Changchun had come to understand Tang Xiaoyu these days. He agreed, "Then you can calculate it."
Tang Xiaoyu reported, "After paying the teahouse owner and Little Lian, we have 3,656 taels left. You provided stuff worth 500 taels per day, so 1,500 taels for three days. That leaves 2,156 taels. 1,078 taels each."
"So I should give you 2,578 taels." He held out the money to Lu Changchun as he spoke.
Lu Changchun took the money and said, "By this calculation, you get less than Little Lian every day, but you did the most work."
"That won't do. Let's split that 1,500 evenly too."
Tang Xiaoyu waved his hand. "I already got a lot. Little Die got more because that's where she always earned money. We shouldn't take advantage."
"You not only worked hard but also provided the stuff. Without your things, we'd still be singing on the streets! So you should get the same."
"All I have is a mouth and some songs. They're worthless in this world of cultivation. Songs like these are not worth any money."
Hearing Tang Xiaoyu's words, Lu Changchun could only take back the money.
"Uncle, are houses in White Tiger City expensive?" Tang Xiaoyu wanted to buy a house and settle down, so he asked.
Lu Changchun thought for a bit. "It's a little more expensive than surrounding cities."
"Roughly how much?"
"Even the cheapest ones cost several dozen mid-grade spirit stones. Nicer ones are more expensive, starting at several dozen top-grade spirit stones."
Tang Xiaoyu was speechless for a moment. He explained, "I just want a house with a few rooms and a small yard."
Only then did Lu Changchun react. "My bad. I didn't realize what kind of house you wanted. There are some that cost a few hundred taels, a few thousand taels. The difference lies in location and size."
Tang Xiaoyu felt his pocket with a little over 100 taels. He decided to buy after finding a good location first.
Another dozen days passed swiftly. It was payday at the Orchid Lodge. After taking out Lu Changchun's share, Tang Xiaoyu got over 6,000 taels.
Though paltry for cultivators, it was a fortune for mortals.
Holding the banknotes, Tang Xiaoyu's yearning for a home grew stronger.
After breakfast, he went to tell the teahouse owner and gave Little Lian some instructions.
On the way back, he happened to run into Old Zhou's group and told them to freestyle today.
Back at the Orchid Lodge, he took the banknotes and credentials and headed towards the second-hand housing trading spot.
He arrived, stated his purpose and requirements. The manager arranged for someone to show Tang Xiaoyu the houses.
They came to a residential area for mortals with courtyards side by side. The guide opened the gate to one and introduced, "Sir, while this courtyard is not the best, the location is definitely superb. Please take a look and see if the layout and environment are satisfactory."
Tang Xiaoyu examined the courtyard layout. Entering, a stone brick path led straight to the three main structures. Fruit trees lined both sides, though he didn't know what kind.
The two side rooms were on the left, with a kitchen on the right. In the corner by the side rooms was a toilet made of wooden planks.
But this was not a pit toilet, rather one with buckets.
Inside the main building, the entrance led to a living room, with bedrooms and a study on either side.
After touring the whole courtyard, Tang Xiaoyu was very satisfied. He asked, "How much for this courtyard?"
The guide politely replied, "To be honest with you, Sir, the lowest price is 700 taels."
Tang Xiaoyu considered the prices and felt it wasn't too expensive.
If this was Maple Moon City where he had stayed previously, Tang Xiaoyu would've thought the guide was price gouging.
"I'll buy it. Where do I go to process the paperwork?"
The guide was even more respectful. "Sir, please follow me to the government office to transfer the deed."
With the guide's lead, the ownership transfer was swiftly completed.
Naturally, Tang Xiaoyu also paid the guide in front of the staff.
At the same time, Tang Xiaoyu's household registration was moved to White Tiger City, since his home was now here.
When parting with the guide, Tang Xiaoyu stuffed ten taels into his hand.
"Thank you for your trouble. Go have some tea."
The guide quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Sir! Thank you, Sir!"
"What's there to thank? I might need to trouble you again in the future."
"Sir, if you need anything in the future, come find me directly. To say nothing else, I'm very familiar with White Tiger City."
After some small talk with the guide, Tang Xiaoyu finally bid farewell.
Holding the deed and keys, he ran back to the courtyard he just bought and started cleaning.
After spending an hour tidying up the yard, Tang Xiaoyu went to buy new furniture, kitchenware, beddings and over 20 pots of flowers from the streets.
He also gave each mover a few taels to please drink tea after they moved everything into the yard.
They kept calling out they'd be at his service in the future.
After sending them away, Tang Xiaoyu started decorating.
An hour later, looking at his new home, Tang Xiaoyu nodded satisfactorily.
"Finally got my own nest. Gonna surprise Old Lu tonight."
After closing the yard gate and locking the newly replaced lock, Tang Xiaoyu turned to head back to the Orchid Lodge.
Just as he turned, he saw the gate of the neighboring yard open and a woman walk out.
The woman wasn't extremely pretty, but pleasant to look at, with tall and well-proportioned figure.
Plain clothes made her appear more ordinary and clean.
Staring at the woman, Tang Xiaoyu was dumbstruck, not because she resembled anyone.
Rather, she matched all his fantasies about a wife.
Accustomed to internet celeb faces, the appearance of such an ordinary, clean woman would make men like Tang Xiaoyu want to marry her home.
The woman turned and saw his dazed look, covering her mouth in suppressed laughter.
Tang Xiaoyu came to his senses, quickly tidying his clothes. "Miss, I just moved in today. I'm Tang Xiaoyu."
"We're neighbors from now on. Let me know if you need anything."
The woman didn't speak, merely smiling before turning to lock her door and leaving.
Tang Xiaoyu craned his neck watching her receding back, grinning foolishly.
Only when she turned the corner out of sight did he retract his gaze.
"Hey hey, a commoner's life is so delightful!" He sang and giggled while heading the other way.
Back at the Orchid Lodge, Lu Changchun was busy on stage. Seeing Tang Xiaoyu skipping gleefully, he was puzzled.
[What good thing happened to this kid today? Why's he so happy?]
He walked over and asked, "Little Yu, you seem really happy today! Encounter something joyful?"
Tang Xiaoyu retorted, "What's wrong? Can't stand seeing me happy?"
"No, just curious!"
Tang Xiaoyu curled his lip. "Too lazy to bother with you." He walked away as he spoke.
In the evening, Old Zhou and Wang Ziyan arrived. Seeing Tang Xiaoyu, they were also curious.
Old Zhou called Tang Xiaoyu over. "Little Tang, why so happy today?"
Tang Xiaoyu denied, "Do I? I'm the same as usual!"
"Brother Tang, your joy is written all over your face." Wang Ziyan said impatiently.
Tang Xiaoyu smiled awkwardly, "Hehe, is that so? It's probably because of the wages!"
"I think it's because of women!" Hearing Wang Ziyan's words, Tang Xiaoyu's heart thumped, but still explained, "How could that be? Am I such a superficial person?"
Wang Ziyan thought about it and felt it made sense. If it was because of a woman, even a great beauty like herself wouldn't constantly suffer setbacks.
Seeing Wang Ziyan had no reply, Tang Xiaoyu quickly changed the subject.
"Old Zhou, have you finished your business yet?"
The two blushed and replied, "The matter is quite complicated, it will take some more time."
In fact, neither of them had paid any mind to monitoring the Demon Sect at all. If Tang Xiaoyu hadn't brought it up today, they would have nearly forgotten from playing around so much.