117: Home

At this moment, Tao Yue'er, who had originally flown away, suddenly stopped in mid-air.

She turned around and looked at Lin Mu, who had disappeared into the alley.

An unusual feeling arose in her heart.

She didn't know why she had said those words to a stranger just now.

From Lin Mu, she felt a faint sense of closeness.

But no matter how hard she racked her brain, she couldn't remember where she had seen him before.

Then she gave a self-deprecating laugh: "Perhaps I've had too many worries lately, making me hallucinate."

As soon as she thought of the upcoming troubles, her beautiful eyes furrowed again.

She sighed helplessly, and her figure flickered, disappearing from the spot.

After Lin Mu entered the alley, his gaze constantly scanned his surroundings.

His strange behavior immediately caught the attention of a portly Middle-aged man (Fang Yan).

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) walked forward with a smile, striking up a conversation: "Young man, are you looking for work?"

Lin Mu shook his head upon hearing this: "Not at all. I'm new here and would like to rent a courtyard."

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) looked at Lin Mu's simple coarse cloth clothes.

He kindly reminded him: "Young man, renting a place here isn't cheap."

"This old man actually has a storefront for rent. Are you interested, young man? The price is definitely much cheaper than here."

Lin Mu pondered for a moment, then said: "Then I'll trouble you, old man, to lead the way."

Seeing Lin Mu agree, the Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) laughed heartily and said: "Young man, please follow me."

After speaking, he took the lead and walked towards the other end of the alley.

Lin Mu silently followed behind him.

Along the way, the Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) chatted with Lin Mu from time to time.

Lin Mu also occasionally responded with a few words.

The two twisted and turned, not knowing how long they had walked.

Finally, on a secluded street, the Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) stopped.

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) pointed to a dilapidated storefront on the street and said.

"This is where I started my fortune years ago. Although it's a bit run-down, it can still be lived in after some tidying up."

As the Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) spoke, he lifted his leg and walked towards the storefront.

Lin Mu hesitated for a moment, then followed the Middle-aged man's (Fang Yan) steps.

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) pulled out a key and searched for a while before opening the door.

As soon as the door opened, a decaying smell wafted out.

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) covered his nose, and with his other hand, waved away the dust coming towards him.

Seeming to notice that Lin Mu was somewhat dissatisfied, he gave an awkward smile and said.

"This place hasn't been lived in for many years, so it's normal for it to be a bit dirty and messy."

"You just need to tidy it up a bit, and you can live in it."

Lin Mu stood at the door, looking at the shop, which was only a few square meters, and frowned slightly.

He asked hesitantly: "This seems a bit too small."

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) smiled slightly and said: "Don't worry, young man, follow me."

Saying that, he led Lin Mu towards the backyard.

Behind the counter of the storefront, there was a wooden door.

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) opened the wooden door, and what came into view was a similarly dilapidated small courtyard.

The courtyard had three tiled rooms. Lin Mu went forward to inspect them, and the houses were intact and suitable for living.

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) followed behind Lin Mu, saying with a smile: "How about it, little brother? Is this place alright?"

"The backyard can be lived in, and you can even do a small business in the storefront in front."

"As for the price, don't worry, this old man will definitely give you a fair price."

Lin Mu was quite satisfied with this place.

He precisely needed a quiet place.

However, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Lin Mu deliberately showed a look of disdain.

He said unenthusiastically: "The place is barely livable, it's just a bit too dilapidated."

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) immediately saw through Lin Mu's thoughts.

He simply wanted to haggle over the price.

He was secretly delighted; as long as Lin Mu liked the place, that was all that mattered.

This place had been left vacant by him for several years, and now that someone wanted to rent it, it would provide an extra income.

With a plan in mind, he reached out and patted Lin Mu's shoulder, saying loudly.

"Young man, just tell me if you've taken a liking to it or not. The price can be negotiated."

Lin Mu said without changing his expression: "I wonder, old man, how much cheaper can you make it for me?"

"I'll tell you upfront, if it's too expensive, I can't afford to rent it."

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) heard this and said: "You and I are fated, so I won't say much more."

"Ten taels of silver a year, what do you think?"

Lin Mu hesitated for a moment after hearing the price.

Seeing this, the Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) thought Lin Mu found it too expensive, so he quickly continued.

"This price is very cheap, if you don't believe me, ask around."

"If there's any other place cheaper than mine, this old man will give you this courtyard for free."

The reason Lin Mu didn't speak when he heard the price of ten taels was because he didn't have an intuitive concept of worldly silver.

Since he came to the Nine Nether Continent, he had always used spirit stones.

He was afraid that agreeing too readily would make the Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) target him.

Hearing the Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) say this, he understood.

The price the Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) mentioned definitely had room for negotiation.

So, Lin Mu held out his hand with five fingers spread and said: "I'll give you five taels at most; this is almost all my savings."

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) was stunned upon hearing this, and couldn't help but think.

"Good kid, he looks so innocent and harmless, but I didn't expect him to be a good haggler."

He chuckled and made a gesture of two fingers in front of Lin Mu.

"Add two more taels, seven taels is really the absolute lowest."

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) saw that Lin Mu still wanted to bargain.

He quickly interrupted Lin Mu and continued: "This old man will also send someone to deliver some daily necessities. It's settled then."

Lin Mu gave a wry smile and said: "Alright, then it's settled."

Seeing Lin Mu agree, the Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) burst into hearty laughter.

"Young man, you're truly straightforward! Please wait here for a moment, I'll go and have someone deliver the items right away."

"And I'll also draft the contract and bring it with me later."

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) was decisive in his actions.

Lin Mu only waited for a moment before he saw a few Xiao Si (Attendant) pushing a two-wheeled cart, stopping in front of the shop.

After Lin Mu and the Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) signed the contract, the Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) ordered the Xiao Si (Attendant) to help Lin Mu tidy up, then turned and left.

Lin Mu looked at the newly tidied shop and nodded with satisfaction.

From now on, for a period of time, this would be his home.

The word 'home' had become somewhat unfamiliar to Lin Mu.

Since arriving here, Lin Mu had never had a home of his own.

He had always been constantly on the move.

Now, he was finally temporarily settled.

Thinking of home, Lin Mu couldn't help but recall his family.

"Family?"

Such a distant term.

Immediately, Lin Mu took out a roll of paper from his backpack and carefully spread it on the table.

Then he took out a brush and ink, and began to write vigorously on the paper.

As his hand moved continuously, a lifelike figure appeared on the paper.

This figure was a beautiful woman, dressed in modern professional attire.

Her lustrous black hair was coiled on top of her head.

This was Lin Mu's wife on Blue Star.

Lin Mu looked at the woman, and couldn't help but fall into memories.

A moment later, Lin Mu pulled his thoughts back.

The brush in his hand, like a wandering dragon, continuously flew up and down.

Figure after figure kept appearing on the paper.

Each one, he drew as if it were a real person.