Chapter 267: Chapter 259: Household Registration Transfer
Upon returning to the He Mansion, He Xuewen and Sisi (hereinafter both referred to as Sisi) father and daughter began cleaning. They did not trust anyone else to do it, as there were quite a few valuable decorations in the mansion. If they accidentally damaged one, there would be nowhere to find replacements.
The mansion was too big, and it took the two of them at least ten days to finally restore the He Mansion to its past glory, although it was a bit lacking in occupants.
The first visitors to the He Mansion were Tian Manxing and her family. When the Hu family learned that He Xuewen was actually a member of the He Family, they were all shocked, and then they had an epiphany. No wonder He Xuewen had the ability to acquire so many resources!
Zhou Yali also said to Tian Manxing, "Your brother-in-law truly found a great match, worth more than mountains of gold and silver. Had we known earlier about Ah Nan’s distinguished family background, we should have let Weichao and Weixin get closer to her, and maybe our Hu family could have become in-laws with the He Family, tsk, the He Family!"
Tian Manxing also had some regrets in her heart. She truly did not expect He Xuewen and Ah Nan to be biological father and daughter, and that He Xuewen was a world-famous member of the He Family. Oh, how wonderful it would have been if Ah Nan had become her daughter-in-law!
Thinking this, Tian Manxing gave her youngest son a resentful glare, deeming him disappointing!
Zhou Yali also glared fiercely at her grandson, thinking that he really lacked ambition!
Hu Weixin touched his nose, deciding that he’d better stand in the corner and stay out of the way!
When Zhou Yali and Tian Manxing caught sight of the magnificent He Mansion, their regret peaked. For the first time, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law reached a consensus: they must maintain this relationship, even if they cannot become in-laws, being related by marriage would still be good!
Liu Qiqi didn’t have as many thoughts as the adults. Although the He Mansion was beautiful and large, she still liked her own home, which felt warm and cozy.
"Sisi, isn’t your home too big for just you and Uncle He to live in? Doesn’t it feel empty?"
In fact, what Liu Qiqi wanted to say was whether living there was scary. But she’d also learned to speak in a roundabout way. It’s said that this is the artistry of speaking.
Sisi empathized deeply. She and He Xuewen living in such a large house at night was truly not a pleasant feeling. And she would often hear some strange noises, which scared her so much that she would spend the early part of the night hiding in her "Space" and counting sheep through the latter half.
"Sister Qiqi, why don’t you stay with me?" Sisi suggested.
Liu Qiqi glanced at the empty but luxurious He Mansion and decisively shook her head. She wasn’t very brave either, and it was better to sleep in her own home.
"Sister Qiqi, my room is really pretty, oh! And there are so many dolls, come see them with me!"
Sisi continued to coax Little Red Riding Hood, dragging Liu Qiqi to visit her Princess Room. Indeed, captivated by the Princess Room, Liu Qiqi was instantly unable to take her eyes off it, lying on the bed playing with dolls. She played alright, but still refused to agree to stay overnight. It wasn’t that she was unkind; it was just that she was genuinely afraid to stay in such a large house.
Sisi sighed despondently. Liu Qiqi, feeling sorry for her, suggested, "How about you come back home with me to sleep, Sisi?"
"No, I need to stay with Daddy. Otherwise, he’ll be too lonely by himself!"
During dinner, Tian Sisi asked He Xuewen, "Daddy, have any of our other houses been returned to us?"
"Not yet, but Xinhua called to say that Mr. Yun has already given a notice, so they should all be returned to us within the next couple of months. Why do you ask, Ah Nan?"
He Xuewen was in a good mood. He hadn’t expected to see the day when their family properties would be returned; he had actually given up on those houses. Now that they were coming back, his joy was multiplied.
"Daddy, once the other houses are returned, let’s move to those smaller homes in the future. This place is too big, and it’s too empty for just the two of us to live in."
He Xuewen smiled gently, "Alright, we’ll listen to Ah Nan. In the future, we’ll live in a smaller house. Mmm, let’s live in the one on Huashan Road. That one has the best view, right near Dingxiang Garden. In the future, Ah Nan, you can live in whichever house you want, and we can change residence as we wish."
"Okay, we’ll switch!"
Sisi felt a surge of being a tycoon. Ah, is this why the heavens sent her here, to be a freeloader? This feeling was truly too comfortable!
He Xuewen, looking at his daughter’s smiling face, was also very happy. He surveyed the house he had grown up in and seemed to see the bustling past, full of servants and the exhilarating dances held in this great hall, infused with fragrant breezes. How lively the He Mansion was back then, but now it was just the two of them!
He Xuewen shook his head, no longer dwelling on the past. Life was about the present. Being able to reunite with his daughter was already a great kindness from heaven!
The process of registering the household was smooth. With a stamp, Sisi became a member of the He Family; her name also became He Sisi.
"Ah Nan, would you like to come study in Shanghai?" He Xuewen inquired of his daughter.
Sisi thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Daddy, let’s not. I’m doing quite well with self-study at home. If I were really to go to school, I definitely wouldn’t be able to stand it. Besides, if I came to Shanghai, Grandpa, Granny, Daddy, and the rest would miss me."
"But Daddy hopes you can have more friends your age. In school, you can make more friends, Ah Nan." He Xuewen did not understand why his daughter disliked going to school so much. He truly hoped she could make more same-sex friends and grow up happily.
"Daddy, I have friends. Although not many, the worth of friends lies in quality, not quantity. A few good ones are enough."
Sisi tried to ease He Xuewen’s worries. Of course, she understood what he was concerned about, but she wasn’t really a child, and she would not become antisocial for not having experienced group life.
"Daddy, when I go to university, I will definitely go to school. For now, let me enjoy this free time before university!"
Sisi pretentiously acted pitiful, amusing He Xuewen, who tapped her forehead, teasing, "University admissions are based on recommendations now, how can you be so sure you’ll get in?"
"Right now it’s recommendations, but maybe in the future there will be exams. A decade can bring great changes. I think the nation will definitely restore the college entrance examination, as that conforms to social laws!"
Tian Sisi spoke confidently, remembering that, if her memory served correctly, China would restore its college entrance examinations about this time next year. She would miss the chance, but Tian Shouhua, Hu Weiwen, and Zhong Anping should be able to catch it. She believed that, with her gentle hints, they would all be able to get into university.
He Xuewen chuckled and flicked her forehead. Ah Nan always came up with such odd ideas; who knows what she had packed into her little brain?