The 70s Novel: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Lie Down-Chapter 293: Adapting to New Roles

The people are here, and it’s late today, so we have to arrange how to sleep.

The small courtyard they rented is part of a larger four-section traditional courtyard, divided into smaller courtyards, with three rooms inside.

Originally, she planned for the couple to have one room, Little Pearl to have another, and the last one to mostly serve as a kitchen, where they also eat. The remaining small space would be used as a washroom.

Now there’s an additional boy, where should he sleep? Split Little Pearl’s room into two? That would be too small. Thinking that this would wrong her daughter, she’s unwilling and unhappy.

Li Jiajia didn’t pay attention to the father and son, first washing Little Pearl before bringing her to the couple’s big room. Back in the kitchen,

"Mom, am I sleeping with you and Dad tonight?" Little Pearl happily bounced on the big bed, clearly excited.

"Yes." Seeing her happiness, Li Jiajia temporarily set aside her concerns, "Mom will go wash up, and then come to keep you company."

"Go ahead, Pearl is waiting for you..." Cai Zhenzhu waved her little hand at her.

Li Jiajia went out and saw the father and son sitting there without moving. She ignored them, washed up, and returned to the room.

After she entered the room, Cai Zhihao breathed a small sigh of relief and said to Cai Linong, "Your mom and sister have already gone into the big room, you should sleep in your sister’s small room today. Come on, let’s wash up..."

Cai Linong lowered his head, with a flash of grievance in his eyes. Sister’s room? Ha... yes, they hadn’t planned for him to live with them.

Cai Zhihao helped Cai Linong with the wash-up, opened the room meant for Cai Zhenzhu, settled him in, and left.

Lying in bed, Cai Linong couldn’t sleep. This room was obviously a girl’s room, with pink floral curtains and bedding, two cute dolls on the bed, and the wardrobe and desk were a soft pink-purple color. Whoever arranged the room clearly gave it thought.

He felt the soft bedding, smelling the sunshine on the blanket, and inexplicably felt a pang of sadness, wanting to cry.

Once Cai Zhihao dawdled and finished washing up, he returned to the room to find the mother and daughter already asleep, cuddled together.

He slowly exhaled in relief. Asleep is good, no need to face her for explanations.

He carefully lay down on the outside, covered himself, and went to sleep. He was tired from traveling today and mentally strained with his mind occupied, so as soon as his head hit the pillow, he fell asleep quickly too.

The night passed peacefully without incident.

Upon waking in the morning, Li Jiajia looked at her adorable daughter in her arms, feeling her heart melt.

Only she and her daughter were in bed; Cai Zhihao had already gotten up. Li Jiajia didn’t linger in bed either.

She was going to work soon and needed to address what hadn’t been discussed the previous day.

After getting dressed and washing up, she went to the kitchen, where Cai Zhihao was making breakfast.

"Awake? Breakfast is almost ready."

"No hurry." Li Jiajia walked over, sat down, and straight to the point said, "What’s going on with Linong?"

Cai Zhihao’s back stiffened momentarily, having rehearsed his words multiple times in his mind, yet still feeling a bit guilty when speaking, "My parents are getting old, and taking care of Linong is a bit difficult. Before, we could help, but now that I’m out, it might be four years before I can return... My parents feel that children should be with their parents; otherwise, being apart for a long time would make them estranged..."

Though he rambled on and didn’t state the outcome, Li Jiajia sensed the conclusion from every sentence.

Got it, the child was indeed meant to stay long-term.

"Where do you plan for him to live?" Since he was already there, she didn’t have any reason, nor did she wish to cause a big fuss, making everyone unhappy. From yesterday’s observation, she could tell Little Pearl liked this brother...

She didn’t want to ruin her image in Little Pearl’s eyes.

A child, just an extra pair of chopsticks, she could afford that.

But what to do about living arrangements?

Clearly, Cai Zhihao hadn’t thought it through, "How about letting Little Pearl sleep with us and giving the single room to Linong?"

"In your dreams, everything inside is specially prepared for Little Pearl." Li Jiajia looked at him with a flicker of disdain over unrealistic fantasies in her eyes. But it was too fast, and Cai Zhihao didn’t notice.

"Yes, that wouldn’t be right either." Upon hearing Li Jiajia’s words, Cai Zhihao knew he misspoke and quickly changed his tune, "Then how about partitioning a small room in our room for him, it doesn’t need to be big, just enough for a bed."

Li Jiajia didn’t even think before shaking her head, how could he come up with that... The partitioned room would have no soundproofing. Later, in the room doing something... best not even mention it!

Cai Zhihao suggested several plans, none feasible, leaving him a bit dejected, "Well, how about renting a bigger place?"

Li Jiajia actually already had a plan in mind; for now, she just wanted to make Cai Zhihao anxious. Regardless of the reason, he acted on his own without her consent, deciding for Cai Linong to come without her agreement, that’s his fault.

Although she couldn’t make Cai Linong leave, she couldn’t let this go and let Cai Zhihao get used to making unilateral decisions.

"Then why don’t you say what to do?" Cai Zhihao was somewhat discouraged, obviously unable to suggest sending the child back.

"Modify the entrance location a bit and set up a room to use as the kitchen, while this space can be converted for him to live in."

Besides the three connected rooms, there was a long corridor-like small courtyard at the entrance. If built against the wall, it could be extended into a small room measuring four meters long and one and a half meters wide. The small room might be small, but it’s more than sufficient for a kitchen.

However, they rented this house; can it be renovated like this?

Upon hearing her suggestion, Cai Zhihao breathed a sigh of relief quietly, as long as she agreed to have him stay, the means of achieving it could be anything.

"I’ll do whatever you say." He immediately agreed, not even considering whether it’s possible, just showing his stance first...

Li Jiajia looked at him, understanding his thoughts yet chose not to expose him. They’ve had a decent relationship over the years of marriage, and without Cai Linong being a nuisance, it’d be better. But in this world, there are too many things one wishes weren’t so. She couldn’t change what had already happened; she can only manage her part.

"Alright, that’s settled then." Li Jiajia didn’t explain too much; talking more doesn’t accomplish much.

School starts tomorrow, so the house issue can wait, but Cai Linong’s schooling can’t be delayed.

She didn’t plan to intervene in this, so she said, "We’ve already arranged Little Pearl’s school, but not yet Linong’s. Get in touch with one today. I’m heading to work soon and won’t have the time."

"Okay, I’ll look around shortly." Cai Zhihao clearly hadn’t thought of that yet, and was still slightly stunned, then gratefully said to her, "Thank you, Jia Jia."

He’s been anxious these days, knowing it’s improper to bring him here without proper arrangements, yet she showed no dissatisfaction and still considered for him.

Maybe, back then, they really hadn’t thought it through.