Saturday morning, Wanqing looked around their old apartment. The sofa's fabric was frayed, the table was scratched from years of meals, and the beds creaked with every turn. They had lasted through hardship, but for Riverside Apartments, they seemed too tired.
"Dad, Mom," she said, "before we move, we need proper furniture."
Lin Mei frowned. "The old things are still usable. Why throw them away?"
Su Weiguo agreed, "The table and beds can last a few more years. Better to save."
Wanqing shook her head lightly. "We'll live in the new place for decades. Let's start fresh. Not luxury, just solid and comfortable."
Su Ning grinned, "Yes! A new bed! My old one squeaks louder than me."
---
By midday, they walked into a large furniture showroom. The lights shone over rows of sofas, polished dining sets, and gleaming appliances. Lin Mei instinctively looked at the price tags and her heart clenched.
But Wanqing's tone was calm. "Not wasteful. Think of it as building our home properly."
Piece by piece, they chose:
Living Room: A sofa set with firm cushions, a matching coffee table, and a simple TV cabinet.
Dining Area: A six-seater table, sturdy oak with clean lines. "This one will see every New Year meal," Wanqing said softly.
Master Bedroom: A double bed with a tall headboard, a wardrobe, and a small dressing table.
Wanqing's Room: A bed with a soft mattress, a wardrobe, and a desk with a bookshelf for her notes.
Su Ning's Room: A single bed, a smaller wardrobe, and a study desk. He sat in the chair immediately, rocking back and forth like a king.
Extras: A shoe cabinet for the entryway, nightstands for each room, and curtains thick enough to block the river sunlight.
Appliances: A refrigerator and a washing machine, chosen without hesitation.
By the end, the list filled an entire order sheet. Lin Mei's face had gone pale. "Wanqing… this is too much."
Wanqing signed the form and slid her card across calmly. "Mom, furniture isn't for one year. It's for twenty. Better to buy well once than patch things forever."
The sales assistant promised delivery the next day.
---
Back home, the sorting began. The old sofa was carried to the hallway, the creaky beds dismantled. Neighbors gathered as the pieces piled up.
"Still usable," one man muttered, tapping the wooden frame.
"Throwing these out? You must've bought new ones," another said knowingly.
"Riverside Apartment and new furniture… the Sus were hiding savings all along," a woman whispered.
Lin Mei flushed, embarrassed, but forced a smile.
Wanqing only looked on quietly, her gaze steady. Watching the old furniture leave felt like shedding a skin.
A new home deserves a new start. This is only the beginning.
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✨ End of Chapter 7 ✨