57: Chapter 57 New Home

Bai Qi watched Liu Erlong's flustered figure as she left and let out a soft chuckle.

The way she jogged away with disorganized steps was a world apart from the vigorous and resolute manner she had when she first entered.

Bai Qi shook his head with a smile and turned to look at the open space in front of him.

Calling it an open space was being generous; it was actually just an undeveloped area of the academy.

Bai Qi rolled up his sleeves, prepared to get down to business.

This open space was about five hundred square meters. Although not large, it was enough for him to plan out a small garden.

He wanted to tidy this place up so that in the future, whether he lived here himself or brought Xiao Wu, Ah Yin, and the others over, they would have a comfortable place to stay.

He stayed busy until evening, not even stopping for lunch.

However, Bai Qi didn't feel hungry at all.

When he finally stopped, Bai Qi straightened his back.

Looking at the open space, it looked so much better than it had in the morning; it was incredibly refreshing to behold.

But Bai Qi still wasn't quite satisfied with the garden he had planned. He glanced at the sky and saw that the sun had already set.

Bai Qi prepared to take a break. He took a tent out of his storage ring, found a relatively level spot, and set it up.

Next, he set up a small table and two small stools in front of the tent.

Then, Bai Qi brought out his now-essential tea set.

Bai Qi used his Soul Power to boil a pot of water and brewed some tea. Sitting on a small stool, he picked up a teacup and took a sip.

While drinking tea, he opened the System Mall.

The System Mall sold everything. Bai Qi had noticed before that there were ready-made houses inside. At the time, he had thought about getting a set for Aunt Rou when they returned to the Star Dou Great Forest, but now it was convenient to just bring Aunt Rou here directly.

This open space was about five hundred square meters. He planned to set up a small courtyard with a four-story building covering three hundred square meters.

Bai Qi flipped through page after page, looking at dozens of courtyard designs, but he wasn't satisfied with any of them. Fortunately, the System had a customization feature.

Just as he was about to communicate with the System, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from a distance.

The corners of Bai Qi's mouth curled up slightly. Even without using Soul Power to sense it, he knew who was coming.

Liu Erlong walked over carrying a small basket.

Bai Qi smelled the fragrance wafting from the basket; it was the scent of food.

“Teacher Erlong, coming to deliver food so late?”

Bai Qi stood up and greeted her with a smile.

Liu Erlong walked to the table, placed the basket down, and lifted the cloth covering it. The food inside was still steaming, clearly just brought over from the cafeteria.

Liu Erlong didn't look at him. While surveying the surroundings, she laid out the dishes and spoke with a hint of reproach in her tone.

“Busy all day and you don't even know to eat.”

Bai Qi chuckled, sat down on a stool, picked up a rice bowl, and began to eat.

Liu Erlong also sat opposite him, watching him as she spoke.

“So, how is the cleaning coming along?”

With his mouth full of rice, Bai Qi gave a muffled hum. Only after swallowing did he speak.

“Almost done.”

Liu Erlong nodded and didn't ask further.

Bai Qi finished the meal quickly.

He put down his bowl and chopsticks, picked up the teapot to pour a cup of tea for Liu Erlong, and then poured one for himself.

The two of them drank tea quietly for a while, neither of them speaking.

Liu Erlong glanced at the sky. Knowing that Bai Qi would definitely finish tidying up before resting, she urged him.

“I'm heading back first. You should rest early; don't stay up too late working.”

Bai Qi nodded and watched her leave.

After walking a few steps, Liu Erlong suddenly stopped and looked back at him.

Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.

From beginning to end, she never mentioned the awkward incident from the morning.

Bai Qi watched her figure disappear into the forest path and then began communicating with the System.

After communicating for more than another hour, he finally designed a courtyard he was relatively satisfied with.

Then Bai Qi closed the mall, stood up, and stretched his limbs. He would prepare the ground first.

He kept busy until the sky began to brighten, at which point Bai Qi finally stopped.

This open space had completely changed. The ground was level, and the sense of disorder was gone.

Although it was still just a bare patch of land, it already had the prototype of a courtyard.

Bai Qi stood in place, looked around once, and nodded in satisfaction.

Then he opened the System Mall and found the courtyard he had perfected with the System.

The style was simple and elegant, with three floors above ground and two below. As for the price, Bai Qi took a look; it was acceptable.

Following Bai Qi's payment and selection of the location, with a slight vibration, a small courtyard appeared out of thin air on the empty ground.

The courtyard walls were three meters high. They weren't railings but solid blue brick walls without a single gap.

The walls were covered with vines of various flowers, their tender green branches swaying gently in the morning breeze. But because they had just appeared, the flowers hadn't bloomed yet, leaving only a wall of green leaves.

The main gate was a wooden double door painted deep brown with copper door rings, looking simple and dignified. Bai Qi walked over and gave it a push; the door was heavy but opened and closed smoothly.

He walked into the courtyard.

The layout of the courtyard was exactly as he had envisioned. In the center was a small path paved with bluestone slabs leading straight to the main house. On both sides of the path were reserved flower beds, currently empty, waiting for flowers to be planted later.

The main house was a three-story building with white walls and gray tiles. The doors and windows were all wooden, looking very elegant. Bai Qi didn't go inside to look closely, planning to arrange things slowly after he had settled in.

He walked to the back of the courtyard, where there was a swimming pool.

After looking over the entire courtyard, Bai Qi clapped his hands in satisfaction.

Although many details weren't finished yet, at least he had a place to stay.

He walked back to the tent and put the tent, tea set, table, and chairs into his storage ring.

Returning to the room he had prepared for himself after working all night, he lay down on the bed and quickly fell asleep.

He didn't know how long had passed before he groggily opened his eyes. Looking at the light outside, the sun was already high in the sky; it was likely close to noon.

And at that moment, two people appeared within Bai Qi's perception.

After Bai Qi walked out, the voice that was approaching from afar while introducing him to someone else came to an abrupt halt.

“He's right... in... side.”

Then came Dugu Bo's voice.

“You're really good to this Little freak, letting him live in such a large courtyard all by himself.”

Bai Qi then opened the main gate.

Liu Erlong and Dugu Bo were standing outside.

Liu Erlong was carrying another basket, seemingly having come to deliver lunch. She was sizing up the courtyard that had appeared out of thin air, her expression quite complex—it certainly hadn't been there last night.

“You're awake?”

Noticing Bai Qi, Liu Erlong spoke to him.

“Come, eat.”

Dugu Bo laughed and put an arm around Bai Qi's shoulder.

“Little freak, isn't it lonely living here all by yourself? How about this old man comes here to keep you company?”

Hearing this, Bai Qi pushed Dugu Bo away and said,

“No need for that, Old freak. This courtyard doesn't accept any male guests other than myself. It would be more like it if your granddaughter came instead.”

Hearing this, although Dugu Bo already wanted Dugu Yan to follow Bai Qi, his face still darkened at Bai Qi's blunt words. He slapped the back of Bai Qi's head and said,

“Little freak, do you have no shame at all?”

Bai Qi rubbed the back of his head and chuckled.

Dugu Bo snorted, put his hands behind his back, and strode into the courtyard.

He looked around everywhere, checking the walls and the flower vines. He went inside and circled the courtyard once. When he came out, his expression was incredibly complex as he said to Bai Qi,

“This courtyard of yours is even more grand than my medicine garden.”

Dugu Bo spoke sourly, then walked to the pavilion in the front yard, sat down on a stone stool, and unceremoniously poured himself a cup of the tea Bai Qi had brewed while he was walking around.

Liu Erlong also placed the food on the stone table in the pavilion.

Bai Qi walked over, sat down, picked up his rice bowl, and asked Dugu Bo,

“Old freak, is there a reason for your visit this time?”

Dugu Bo took a sip of tea and said slowly,

“Nothing in particular. Just came to see you, kid, and to finalize the matter of being a Guest Elder. Even though I'm only one in name, I can't do absolutely nothing. I should at least meet the people from your academy, right?”

Hearing this, Liu Erlong glanced at Dugu Bo and nodded.

“I've already made arrangements. You'll meet several teachers in the meeting room tomorrow morning. You just need to show your face then.”

Dugu Bo waved his hand at this.

“Sure, sure. But I'm telling you beforehand, I'm only here in name and won't be doing any work. Don't look for me if there's trouble, and definitely don't look for me if there isn't.”

Listening to Dugu Bo's contradictory words, Bai Qi smiled and said,

“I know, I know. You've said that eight hundred times already.”

After finishing the meal, Dugu Bo stood up, patted his robes, and said,

“This old man is leaving. I still have to handle Yan Yan's withdrawal from her school. If I don't go, they won't let her leave. I'm off, I'll come back tomorrow.”

Having said that, he walked out of the courtyard with a swagger, hands behind his back.

Liu Erlong packed up the dishes, picked up the basket, stood up, and said softly to Bai Qi,

“I'm heading back too. Get some good rest.”

Bai Qi nodded and walked her to the courtyard gate.

After walking out a couple of steps, Liu Erlong suddenly stopped, looked back at him, and asked,

“This courtyard... how did you make it appear?”

Bai Qi smiled and said only two words: “Magic trick.”

Liu Erlong rolled her eyes at him and didn't ask further. After all, Bai Qi had produced quite a few things out of nowhere before. She turned and left.

Bai Qi stood at the gate, watched Liu Erlong's figure disappear, then withdrew his gaze, turned back into the courtyard, and closed the gate.