Chapter 205: Even the Dust on the Ground Looks Beautiful
When Ning Xiyue activated the automatic navigation feature and entered the location of her rural courtyard house, a video popped up — a 4D model of the entire property.
It showed her the structure, layout, and floor plan of the house without her needing to visit it in person.
Ning Xiyue multitasked — responding to Song Jiayin and her second brother’s conversation while also watching the video of the small farmhouse.
But once she saw the courtyard in the video, she was speechless — her expression almost broke.
It wasn’t much better than the cowshed in their production team. The four walls looked like they’d let in the wind from every direction. Anyone unfamiliar with the idiom “bare as a beggar’s home” would understand it immediately after seeing this place — and feel it deeply.
This house… in the dead of winter, even a little mouse would probably freeze living here.
But as Ning Xiyue kept watching, she actually started to feel happy. The property deed in her hands was the most valuable thing. As for the house’s habitability — well, the system had just gifted her a renovation. That wasn’t a problem at all.
“Dear host, our interior renovation includes the entire courtyard, not just the house itself. It’s a full-service package — including furniture — transforming the whole place inside and out,” the system reminded her, noticing how long she’d been staring at the 4D model.
“And you can choose the renovation style too — rustic, natural, understated luxury, and nearly a hundred other design templates to pick from. You can even customize your own.”
“So nice,” Ning Xiyue’s eyes lit up. She then looked suspiciously at the little turtle avatar, “If I choose a design template and click confirm, will the house be fully renovated the next time I visit it?”
“Yes, host. When you go there to ‘sign for delivery,’ you’ll find a fully renovated courtyard— ready for you to move in immediately, with no follow-up issues to worry about.”
“Alright, let me take a look then.”
The moment she finished speaking, countless design models appeared before her — each one a 4D visualization, letting her experience the style directly and vividly.
All the designs were very much in tune with modern aesthetics, products of the times.
She was dazzled by the choices, unable to decide — on the verge of falling into decision paralysis.
In the end, considering the local conditions, Ning Xiyue chose the simplest style: a renovation that kept the traditional farmhouse feel of the courtyard, repairing the existing buildings while preserving the vegetable patch and small orchard.
She then added a rustic interior design — simple, natural, and spacious, using warm tones that felt cozy at first glance. The overall layout mirrored the little home Yun Xiulan had arranged in the mechanical factory’s family housing.
She wanted it to feel like home.
Once she made her choice, Ning Xiyue confirmed it and pressed the Apply Renovation button.
“Ding! Complimentary renovation is now in progress. Please look forward to the results.”
Hearing the system notification, Ning Xiyue finally let her mind return fully to the present and focused on chatting.
With such a major matter settled, her mood soared. Even the dust on the ground seemed beautiful now, and the buildings around her no longer felt like targets — they were something to purely admire.
When it was about time, the three of them walked toward the supply and marketing cooperative, chatting as they went to meet up with her parents.
Every supply cooperative was more or less the same, but to Ning Xiyue, this one felt completely different.
Because the moment she stood at the entrance, her system chimed — and in her eyes, the cooperative transformed dramatically.
“Ding! Sign-in location detected: Wangjiang Town Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Would the host like to sign in?”
“Sign in.”
“Sign-in successful! Reward: two sets of red peony-patterned quilts and other bedding, plus two enamel basins and water bottles with the character ‘double happiness’.”
She hadn’t expected the reward to be items for her elder brother’s wedding.
The system was truly considerate — responding in real time to her life’s needs.
Now her brother wouldn’t need to prepare bedding separately. She generously declared that she would handle that part of the wedding preparations.
Looking at the dazzling red bedding in her inventory, with large peonies blooming across the covers, Ning Xiyue felt an instant burst of joy.
They were so beautiful — perfect for a wedding.
She withdrew from her thoughts and quickened her pace, following her second brother into the cooperative.
As soon as they stepped inside, their parents and elder brother approached from the entrance, carrying bags of goods. Yun Xiulan was still talking to Ning Qingzhi as they walked.
“We should find some time to go to the department store in the city. You two need to get all your wedding supplies ready as soon as possible.”
“Mm, I’ve already bought some things. When we get home, help me see what’s still missing,” Ning Qingzhi nodded seriously.
“Have you decided where you’ll live after the wedding?” Ning Hai asked, carrying the items he’d bought.
“Yes. Jiayin has a relative nearby who owns a house. They’re relocating for work, so we arranged to take it over and will live there temporarily.”
Of course, “take over” really meant they had quietly bought it. The house was nearby, and Ning Qingzhi and Song Jiayin had already paid half the price.
Right now, the house was under contract with a deposit paid. Once the transfer was complete, they’d pay the rest — and the house would officially become their marital home.
It would mean they’d have a home of their own in Shanghai.
Ning Qingzhi paused, then continued:
“Thanks to this, I now meet the requirements to apply for family relocation and housing in the military family compound.”
A faint smile appeared on his face:
“I had Old Ji submit the application a few days ago. It should be approved soon. Once the family housing is ready, we’ll move into the military family building.”
“Good. As long as you’ve got a plan,” Ning Hai said with a look of relief, then added calmly, “If you run short on money, tell your mom.”
His pockets were empty — cleaner than his face — and he really couldn’t offer any help. All he could do was pat his son’s shoulder and tell him to go to his mother for financial support. Dad was powerless here.
At the doorway, Ning Xiyue overheard this and couldn’t help feeling a mix of amusement and sadness. When she’d gone to the countryside, her father had given her all his private savings. He probably hadn’t managed to save much in the months since.
She began wondering how big of a red envelope she should secretly give him for the New Year. A man with no money in his pockets was truly pitiful — she couldn’t let her dad go out looking so strapped.
It had to be a big one — and in small bills, so he could use them as pocket money.
Most importantly, it had to be hidden from her mother, the family treasurer.
At the entrance, Yun Xiulan noticed her daughter staring off into space. She tapped Ning Xiyue on the head and tugged her hand.
“What are you daydreaming for, Yueyue? Let’s go.”
“Ah, okay.”
For a moment, Ning Xiyue felt guilty under her mother’s gaze. She shook her head and immediately linked arms obediently with Yun Xiulan.
Her left arm held Song Jiayin’s, and her right arm held her mother’s, while the Ning men followed behind them toward the parking spot where Comrade Ji was waiting.
Once inside the car, Ning Xiyue deliberately sat on the right side, hoping to spot a courtyard like her bare-walled one among the houses in that area.
Unfortunately, even after they had driven quite a distance, she hadn’t seen a single rundown courtyard.
In fact, she hadn’t seen any courtyards at all.
It looked like she would have to find time to go and see it on her own.
Feeling a bit disappointed, Ning Xiyue pulled her gaze back, leaned her head against the car door, and closed her eyes to rest.
The 4D video model from her navigation app was still the most reliable reference.
