My Roommate Lover - Chapter 4 - Hardworking Bro

Jia Simiao couldn’t believe his ears. This was his own house, and yet he had to pay rent to live in it? How did that make any sense?

Shen Jun’ao said, “I understand you might feel it’s unfair. But you have to know, we rented this ancestral house of the Jia Family, signed a house leasing contract, and never intended to sublet it, especially not to a man. It’s only because you’re the owner that we’re even considering this. We’ve laid out our terms, and whether you accept them is up to you. You don’t have to rent, which would actually be better, saving us all from awkwardness.”

Are beautiful women intimidating? Yes. Are intelligent women intimidating? Yes. And what about women who are both beautiful and intelligent? They’re more than just intimidating.

Look at her, not outright rejecting but setting conditions instead. Jia Simiao wanted to accept, but the problem was he had no money. He couldn’t just hand over the few coins in his pocket as rent. Seeing his hesitation, Shen Jun’ao said calmly, “If you can’t pay the rent, then we have no choice. Please find another place to stay or contact Xiao Ya to mediate.”

If he had somewhere else to go, he wouldn’t be here negotiating.

Jia Simiao sighed, “To be honest, I’m really out of money. If I had any, I wouldn’t be here insisting on staying. How about this? As the owner, I could take some ceramics to sell and use that to cover the rent?”

Zhang Xixi immediately refused, “No way. We promised Ya-Jie that nothing in the house would be missing. Otherwise, we’d have to compensate.”

Jia Simiao said, “I won’t ask you to compensate. I can give you a written guarantee.”

Shen Jun’ao replied, “It’s not about money. We can’t break our promise.”

Zhang Xixi quickly added, “Right, right, we’re people of integrity. We can’t do something dishonest.”

Jia Simiao looked hopefully at Tang Ziyu, but she shrugged, also helpless.

Shen Jun’ao said, “Jia Simiao, since you can’t pay rent, we have a compromise. I wonder if you’d be willing.”

As long as it didn’t involve selling himself, he was willing to do anything. Jia Simiao nodded eagerly.

Shen Jun’ao continued, “It’s not as bad as you think. The three of us are quite busy. I have to work during the day and sometimes at night. Ziyu has school, and Xixi is busy with her business. Since you’re familiar with the Jia Family, you could help with chores like cleaning, cooking, and gardening in exchange for rent. If you agree, you can stay. If not, we really can’t help you.”

In his own home, supporting three women, and he, the owner, had to do chores for them. It felt odd, but on second thought, it wasn’t so bad. There was a washing machine for laundry, and cleaning was just tidying up his own place.

Jia Simiao gritted his teeth and said loudly, “Alright, I agree.”

Shen Jun’ao smiled, “Don’t agree too quickly. Living with three girls can be inconvenient. Let’s set some ground rules.”

Zhang Xixi and Tang Ziyu perked up, grabbing paper and pen to jot down the rules.

Shen Jun’ao said, “You can’t enter our rooms without permission. If you need something, knock first.”

Jia Simiao nodded, “I understand. Basic manners.”

Tang Ziyu added, “The toilet and bathroom are shared. Knock before entering, and lock the door from inside.”

Shen Jun’ao said, “No smoking inside, and no inappropriate clothing.”

Jia Simiao nodded, “I understand the dangers of smoking. But what counts as inappropriate? Is wearing shorts in this heat okay?”

Zhang Xixi exclaimed, “No way! No going shirtless either. And no bringing girls over or letting them stay overnight.”

“Don’t worry. I only know Xiao Ya, and she’s in America. I don’t know anyone else.”

“And no washing our underwear. Who knows what a pervert like you might do?”

“Uh, I don’t have that kind of hobby.”

Shen Jun’ao said, “Oh, Jia Simiao, you’re back just in time. There’s something you should know. The Demolition Office plans to tear down your ancestral house to build a new development. You saw how it’s the only old house left in the city center on Yangjiang Road. Xiao Ya went to America partly because of this…”

Jia Simiao laughed, “Did the Demolition Office contact you? How much did they offer?”

Zhang Xixi felt speechless, “Three million. Not bad, right?”

Shen Jun’ao and Tang Ziyu looked worried. As tenants, if Jia Simiao decided to sell, they couldn’t stop him. This was a government matter, and they were powerless. The real ‘arm’ in this situation was Jia Simiao.

In the city center, finding a place like this with a garden, comfort, and convenience was impossible. Shen Jun’ao, Tang Ziyu, and Zhang Xixi loved this house. Moving would be the last thing they wanted.

Jia Simiao muttered, “With three million, I could rent any place I want. No more chores or cooking…”

Tang Ziyu got anxious, “Hey, that’s your ancestral house. How can you just sell it?”

“I don’t want to sell, but look at my situation…” He emptied his pockets, letting coins fall to the floor. “If I don’t sell, I can’t even afford food.”

Shen Jun’ao, Tang Ziyu, and Zhang Xixi exchanged glances, quickly discussing among themselves. “Jia Simiao, you’re lucky to have landlords like us. How about this? You can eat here for free. We’ll cover groceries, but you have to cook. Now you don’t have to worry about food or rent. How’s that?”

Jia Simiao said, “That’s fine, but doing all the chores makes me a kept man. People might think you three are keeping me as a ‘kept man.’ It doesn’t bother me, but it might affect your reputations…”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I think I should be independent. Could you lend me a few hundred to start a small business?”

“What?”

Shen Jun’ao, Tang Ziyu, and Zhang Xixi almost jumped up, “Jia Simiao, don’t push it. We just let you stay rent-free, and now you want money too?”

Jia Simiao said, “How about just a few dozen?”

Zhang Xixi said loudly, “If you’re really broke, you can come with me to buy goods during the day and help at the stall at night. I’ll pay you twenty a day.”

“Twenty?”

“Do you want it or not?”

“Sure, even a little helps.”

Zhang Xixi was pleased. Twenty a day for a helper, plus he could act as a bodyguard. Shen Jun’ao and Tang Ziyu were relieved. With Jia Simiao around, they could stay, and he would handle chores and cooking.

Zhang Xixi asked, “Jia Simiao, how’s your cooking?”

Jia Simiao, feeling calm, smiled, “Not bad, I suppose.”

Zhang Xixi raised her hand, “Our ancestral house has a new member today. I think we should celebrate and welcome Jia Simiao. Any objections?”

Tang Ziyu laughed, “None from me.”

Jia Simiao, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, “You don’t have to be so polite…”

Zhang Xixi said, “Who’s being polite? We’re serious. Jia Simiao, there’s food in the kitchen. Go make dinner and cook a few dishes.”

“What? You welcome me by making me cook?”

“You’re the hardworking bro. Who else would do it? Get to it.”