Chapter 32: The Grand Villa Reveal
When Bai Xia pushed open the door to their small inn room, warmth and chatter immediately greeted her.
"Xia-jie! You're back!" Bai Xin jumped up from the bed with bright eyes.
Bai Xuan leaned forward on the table where they had been chatting. "You've been gone for so long. Did you get your books?"
Bai Xia smiled, brushing off some dust from her sleeve. "Mm, I read what I needed."
Bai Yang glanced up from polishing a pair of old shoes. "How was the house?" he asked, eyes curious and hopeful.
Bai Xia's lips curved mysteriously. "You'll see tomorrow when we move in."
"Ehh~! Don't be so secretive!" Bai Xuan pouted dramatically. "Just give us a hint—what's the color of the roof? Or the size of the garden?"
Bai Xia chuckled lightly. "You'll find out soon enough."
Bai Xin rested her chin on her palm. "I bet it's a tiny house with just one room," she teased with a giggle.
Bai Xuan playfully flicked her forehead. "You little brat, do you think our Xia-jie would settle for that?"
As the siblings joked and talked, the atmosphere grew light and lively. Chu Sun soon entered, carrying a tray of food. The aroma of warm rice and seasoned vegetables filled the air instantly.
"Dinner time," she said with a smile.
On the small wooden table, she set down a pot of white rice, braised tofu with spring onions, stir-fried cabbage with garlic, and a bowl of pork bone soup—simple, comforting dishes that filled their modest room with homely warmth.
"Wow! Meat tonight!" Bai Xin's eyes sparkled.
"Don't gulp it all down," Bai Sung teased, sitting beside them. "We'll be eating better food soon."
They all gathered around the table, passing bowls and chopsticks. The sounds of laughter and light chatter mixed with the clinking of porcelain bowls.
Bai Yang said between mouthfuls, "Dad, I can't believe we're moving tomorrow. It still feels unreal."
Bai sung smiled, though his expression carried a trace of disbelief too. "Yes... I still can't imagine what kind of house they'd sell for six hundred thousand yen. Maybe it's just a small one at the edge."
"Don't worry," Bai Xia said, eyes glinting. "You'll like it."
After dinner, Chu Sun cleaned the dishes while the others got ready for bed. The room quieted as the lantern dimmed. One by one, they drifted to sleep—dreaming of tomorrow's new beginning.
---
The next morning arrived with a crisp golden sunrise.
Bai Sung didn't go to work; this was the day they would move into their new home. Excitement buzzed through the family as they packed their few belongings—neatly folded clothes, old keepsakes, and a few bags of daily necessities.
They squeezed into a single taxi, bags piled on their laps.
"Xia'er," Bai Sung said, gripping the seat nervously, "are you sure the villa is within the city? The address looks... high-end."
Chu Sun reached for his hand. "we said it's already paid for. Don't worry."
The taxi drove through smooth, clean streets lined with lush trees until they reached a gated community. When the security guards saw the entry card, they let them through with respectful nods.
Bai Sung's heartbeat quickened. The villas here looked like something out of a luxury magazine.
When the taxi finally stopped in front of a large, elegantly designed villa—painted a soft cream with dark tiled roofing and intricate wooden trims—his jaw dropped.
"Is... is this the one?"
Bai Xia nodded calmly.
The moment they stepped through the carved wooden gates, everyone froze.
The front courtyard stretched wide, with a paved driveway large enough for four cars. On one side stood a neatly trimmed hedge with blooming camellias, and at the center—an elegant stone path led straight to the front door.
Inside, the air was cool and faintly perfumed with new wood and polish.
The main living room opened into a vast, open space. A white grand piano sat gracefully near the window, sunlight reflecting off its glossy surface. Plush cream-colored sofas surrounded a glass coffee table, while delicate Chinese landscape paintings adorned the walls.
"Ah!" Bai Xuan gasped, stepping in slowly. "It's... it's so big!"
Bai Xin's eyes sparkled as she touched the soft sofa. "It's like a dream..."
Bai Yang let out a low whistle. "I feel like we walked into someone else's life."
Bai Sung stood silently for a long moment, his throat tight. How could this be only six hundred thousand yen?
He turned to his wife. "The real estate company must have been very generous."
Chu Sun nodded, her eyes shining with disbelief and pride. "Yes… yes, they truly were."
They continued their tour, led by Bai Xia and Chu Sun.
The dining room connected smoothly to the living room, with a long, polished cream wooden table and ten cushion chairs, enough for a feast. Beyond it lay a modern kitchen, gleaming with spotless counters, large storage cabinets, and a view of the garden through glass doors.
Outside, the garden was calm and beautiful, with stepping stones leading to a small pond. Goldfish darted beneath lotus leaves, and a soft breeze rustled the bamboo fencing.
They climbed the elegant stairs leading to the second living room, cozier in style, then the eight bedrooms.
Each room was spacious, with tall windows and clean wooden floors, big royal beds, walk in closet with floor to ceiling mirrors, small sofas and a desk for studying. The two master bedrooms stood out—one with a private balcony overlooking the pond, the other slightly larger, adorned with intricate wall patterns and a beautiful chandelier.
Every bedroom had its own bathroom—complete with marble counters, bath tubs and a shower stall. There was even a guest toilet near the main living room.
By the time they finished exploring, the whole family gathered back downstairs again, still dazed.
Bai Sung broke into a wide smile. "Xia'er, you truly have good eyes! You brought luck to our family!"
He patted her shoulder proudly while Chu Sun nodded in agreement.
As they talked, Bai Sung helped Bai Yang and Bai Xin choose their rooms, while Chu Sun guided them gently—placing their bags and making sure the windows were open for fresh air.
Meanwhile, Bai Xuan had found the second master bedroom and quickly claimed it as her own.
"No way!" Bai Xia exclaimed when she saw her. "That's mine!"
"You already got to choose everything," Bai Xuan said with mock indignation, hugging the door frame. "It's my turn!"
"I'm younger, so it should be mine!" Bai Xia countered.
"Then age up even more, maybe you'll get the first one next life," Bai Xuan teased, grinning widely.
Their bickering echoed through the hallway until Bai Sung's voice thundered from below.
"Enough, both of you! The elders get the second master bedroom."
Bai Xuan froze for a second, then turned toward her father with a sheepish smile. "Then... I guess I'll settle for this one."
"Good girl," he said with a chuckle.
She ran to him, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, Dad!"
Her laughter echoed as she dashed up the stairs again, twirling with excitement.
Bai Xia could only shake her head, amused. "She really doesn't give up, does she?"
She looked around the room she eventually chose—it was still spacious, with soft cream curtains and a large princess-style bed. Though not a master bedroom, it was luxurious beyond anything she had ever owned.
By the time everyone had unpacked and settled, Bai Xia gathered them in the living room again.
Her gaze swept over her family—each wearing their old, simple clothes. Against the grandeur of the villa, they looked almost like servants.
We'll need new clothes soon, she thought. And household appliances too.
She suddenly realized she had forgotten to take anything electrical—no refrigerator, no rice cooker, no plates or utensils.
"I can't believe I forgot that…" she muttered softly, palm on her forehead.
"Well," Bai Xuan said brightly, "then we'll just buy food outfor everyone for now!"
Bai Xia laughed, shaking her head. "Fine. Let's go."
She and Bai Xuan headed for the door, but before they stepped out, Chu Sun's voice floated from behind—filled with quiet worry as she spoke with her husband.
"What about our Bai Yan…?"
The question hung in the air, soft yet heavy.
Bai Xia paused at the doorway, her expression darkening slightly.
"Don't worry," she whispered under her breath. "I'll bring him back too."