Back to 1984: Let's Work Hard Together to Raise The Kids!-Chapter 270: Opening a Small Gate

Xiao Jinlin’s lips curled slightly, "Coincidentally, I’m moving this week too."

Chen Xinyue: "?"

By the weekend, she finally understood what moving house meant in Xiao Jinlin’s terms.

"You you you... you live next door to me?" Chen Xinyue was shocked, looking here and there, discovering that the two yards were only separated by a wall. If they opened a small door, they could practically become one household.

Xiao Jinlin was very satisfied with his handiwork, "I’ve thought about this method for quite some time, so we can go to and from work together, saving Uncle Fang from running back and forth, isn’t that right?"

Chen Xinyue’s mouth twitched heavily, momentarily unsure whether to praise him or to berate him.

"Aren’t you afraid people at the company will gossip?" Chen Xinyue raised an eyebrow.

Xiao Jinlin smirked confidently, "I’ve got exclusive rights to the company basement; who do you think will find out?"

Chen Xinyue was silent.

With Xiao Jinlin’s help for the move, she didn’t need to worry about anything and had moved into her new house within a day.

Honestly, having a standalone little yard not only expanded the space but also made everything much more convenient.

Since the house is a standard courtyard with one entrance, the main courtyard is turned into a living room with bedrooms on both sides, specially reserved for family. If Lin Qin and the others visit, they can stay in the bedrooms on either side of the living room.

The bedrooms have a separate bathroom, which is particularly convenient.

The east wing originally had a large central bedroom connected to two smaller rooms.

Chen Xinyue had the three rooms merged; the middle is her bedroom, the left is a study, and the right is a bathroom, dressing room, and a makeup room with an adjusted space layout. When she’s home alone, the east wing is more than enough.

In the far corner of the west wing is a designed public bathroom, beyond is the kitchen linked to the dining room, and further in is another room temporarily used as a storeroom for tools and supplies.

The yard is paved with marble, clean and tidy, with a swing set and a sunshade; when it’s not too hot, it’s quite comfortable to sit in the yard drinking tea and reading a book.

Because she was too excited, she had insomnia on the first night in the new house.

She got up before dawn and wandered in the yard.

Soon someone knocked on the door.

She opened the door and found it was Xiao Jinlin, somewhat shocked, "Why are you up so early too?"

Xiao Jinlin waved the breakfast in his hand, "Freshly made, want some?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Chen Xinyue hurriedly let him in.

Xiao Jinlin entered the kitchen with familiarity, and Chen Xinyue quickly followed to help.

After spending a few days together in Nanyu, they worked smoothly as a team and quickly laid out breakfast.

Xiao Jinlin suggested, "I think we should open a small door between the two yards..."

Seeing Chen Xinyue glare at him, he immediately argued, "Don’t overthink it. I meant opening a small door so whenever I want to find you or you need me, we can use the small door directly, rather than going around the big one, saving a long walk.

Also, I’ll arrange for a cleaning lady on my side. With a place this small, cleaning one yard versus two doesn’t cost much more; she can help you with the cleaning too, and you’d need to pay a minimal fee; you’re better at this math than I am."

Those words struck a chord with Chen Xinyue, for as good as a big house is, maintaining cleanliness is tough; she’s busy during the day with work and exhausted when she returns, not wanting to be up all night cleaning. She was contemplating hiring a maid, and this was like having a pillow ready when sleepy.

Seeing Chen Xinyue interested, Xiao Jinlin added, "Apart from cleaning, the lady can also help look after the house, noticing any disturbance immediately. Plus, she’s quite good at cooking..."

"Stop, stop, okay, I surrender, we’ll do it your way, open the door?"

Just as Chen Xinyue finished speaking, Xiao Jinlin immediately contacted Tang Ming, asking him to find someone to open the door.

Tang Ming was sleeping soundly, but his boss’s call woke him abruptly, "Boss, any instructions?"

Xiao Jinlin leisurely instructed, "Have the construction team come around eight in the morning to open a small door in my yard."

"Oh... huh?" Tang Ming’s eyes widened, seeing the other end hang up; he looked down to find it was six in the morning! Oh my goodness! Was his boss even human? Who makes calls to employees this early! It’s a day off too!

Tang Ming felt like he was on the brink of death.

At eight, he arrived with the construction team at Xiao Jinlin’s place, brimming with resentment, but before he could speak, a few red banknotes were stuffed into his hand.

His attitude shifted 180 degrees instantly.

"Boss, where do you want this door, and in what style? If there are any other instructions, please let me know, and I’ll serve you immediately."

The overly eager demeanor was even a bit much for Xiao Jinlin.

"Behave properly; no other requests, just that the door should open both ways, at that location."

Tang Ming followed Xiao Jinlin’s finger, a momentary blankness washed over him, "Wait, if I’m not mistaken, the house next door belongs to Secretary Chen!"

A suddenly aware Tang Ming seemed to have uncovered a significant secret, hopping up, "Boss! You aren’t playing pretend and really getting with Secretary Chen..."

Xiao Jinlin shook his head.

Tang Ming was about to sigh in relief when Xiao Jinlin wistfully opened up, "Xinyue doesn’t agree, what should I do?"

"Cough, cough, cough..." Tang Ming nearly choked on his saliva.

After recovering, he had to face the fact that his boss had fallen for Secretary Chen, yet Secretary Chen didn’t share the sentiment.

So, Tang Ming spent the entire morning in a dazed state.

It wasn’t until the construction foreman approached him for payment that he snapped to reality.

Through that small door, you could perfectly see Chen Xinyue drinking tea and reading under the swing.

The woman was no longer in work attire, her long curly hair cascading down, wearing a white corduroy ankle-length dress on a somewhat chilly spring morning, with white fur lining the collar complementing her delicate face like porcelain, glowing amid the light.

Noticing a gaze upon her, Chen Xinyue looked up.

Tang Ming awkwardly smiled, promptly greeting her.

Chen Xinyue put down her book, walking over in plush slippers, "Assistant Tang, why are you grinning foolishly?"

Tang Ming: "..."

Now aware of his boss’s intentions, Tang Ming treated Chen Xinyue with much more respect, no longer daring to be as casual as before.

Chen Xinyue didn’t overthink it and insisted on splitting the construction costs after inquiring.

With this door, their interactions became indeed more convenient; during the day while Chen Xinyue worked, the door stayed open, allowing the cleaning lady to come and tidy up, do laundry for her. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

When she returned from work, the lady would have prepared a snack for her.

Home affairs were arranged perfectly; if anything broke, it was promptly fixed without bothering her.

And she only needed to contribute a salary of three thousand; the majority was covered by Xiao Jinlin, making it incredibly cost-effective.