The nine-foot-long and wide brick bed could easily accommodate five children sleeping on it.
The west room of the main building was reserved for the five boys - Little Shitou, Shi Kuai, Shi Zhu, Shi Qiao, and Tao Su - while the east room was for the five girls - Qing Ke, Qing Guo, Qing Cai, Nuan Dong, and Qing Miao.
The central hall was not overly decorated, with a long table against the wall to place the teapot and teacups, and two eight-immortal tables with benches for dining and studying.
There was also a stone table in the courtyard. Looking to the east and west wings, except for the room used as a kitchen, all the other side rooms had brick beds installed, but were locked since no one was residing in them for the time being.
The thatched outhouse was built in the back courtyard, where there were also wooden playthings like a swing made by craftsmen, and a large stone slab covered the well to prevent children from falling in.
After showing Little Shitou and the others around, Qi Huan declared with a smile: "This courtyard will be your new home from now on."
"Really?"
"Such a nice courtyard is really for us to live in?"
"I must be dreaming. Shi Kuai, Shi Kuai, quickly pinch me to see if this is real!"
"Okay, sure."
Shi Kuai grabbed Shi Zhu's slender arm and gave it a hard twist... Shi Zhu cried out in pain.
While wiping away tears, he choked out: "It hurts, it hurts so much!... It seems everything is real!" He was so overjoyed that he had never lived in such a beautiful house before that tears and bubbles came out of his nose. Just as he was about to wipe them away with the back of his hand, a clean handkerchief was handed to him.
Mindful of his dignity, Qi Huan didn't mention the runny nose but simply said, "Wipe your tears, sister hopes you'll all happily live in your new home!"
"Yes, thank you Sister Qi Huan!"
The other children, slowly regaining their senses, also surrounded Qi Huan and expressed their gratitude one after another.
This was truly the most wonderful day of their lives.
Although the people of the Cloud Shadow Caravan had taken good care of them, their borrowed living arrangements always made them feel a lack of belonging.
Little did they expect that not only did Sister Qi Huan provide them with food and shelter, but she also gave them a home.
Gazed upon with admiring eyes, Qi Huan smiled warmly and talked to them about future plans.
"Sister is willing to help you all by providing free food and accommodation at the Welfare Institute until you reach adulthood. However, I cannot support you for life - you need to learn to be self-reliant.
For now, you are working for the Qi Huan Company, and I will pay you wages monthly which you can spend as you wish. But this does not mean that delivery is the only work you can do. You are still young with endless possibilities in life.
Mr. Li Shuchen is teaching you literacy, and he said Shi Qiao learns characters quickly with a photographic memory. Since Qiao has talent in this area, he could consider pursuing further studies and take the Imperial Examination.
Shi Kuai is excellent at abacus calculation, so he could become even better at it and work as an accountant in the future.
Little Shitou is clever and articulate, so he might become a shopkeeper or manager someday.
Tao Su said Qing Ke always enjoys watching her cook, so perhaps Qing Ke could become an excellent chef.
Nuan Dong once praised Qing Guo's deft embroidery skills...
Qing Cai has innate martial abilities and is studying under Yan Wu, so she could potentially have a career as a bodyguard..."
Qi Huan carefully listed out each of their strengths, not leaving anyone out among the ten children.
Seeing the flames of hope gradually ignite in their eyes, she continued to encourage them: "You are all wonderful people who can make a living through your own talents in the future.
So, after the boys come of age, once they find stable jobs with steady incomes, the Welfare Institute can no longer provide free accommodation. You can either move into your employer's staff quarters or use your savings to purchase your own residence. If you truly need to continue staying at the Institute, you will have to pay rent."
"Although the girls will be considered adults at fifteen, sister will still let you stay for free until you turn twenty. If you meet someone you admire, you can get married. But if you don't find a good match, there's no need to rush into marriage either. In this era, marriage is almost a lifelong commitment, so you must be very discerning and not settle for less."
The "Five Stones" and "Five Greens" listened attentively, taking Qi Huan's words to heart and pondering them thoroughly. They concluded three main points:
1. For the next ten years or so, they could continue living in this spacious and tidy courtyard home.
2. They needed to learn skills.
3. After growing up, they must become self-sufficient.
Despite their young age, they could understand the thoughtfulness and care behind Qi Huan's words. Each of them felt deeply touched, with warm feelings filling their hearts that lingered enduringly.
They all silently made up their minds to repay Sister Qi Huan's kindness when they grew up.
"Sister Qi Huan, building this courtyard must have cost a lot of silver, didn't it? Have you spent all your money?... Including the two taels today, I've saved up a total of two taels and seven qian. Can I give you half? Then we can share and have money to spend together!"
Qing Miao took out the two taels of silver Qi Huan had given her earlier from her purse and unhesitatingly offered half to her.
"Sister Qi Huan, I've hidden the rest of my silver. When I return to the caravan, I'll dig it out and give you the remaining three qian and five fen."
Seeing the scattered silver in her hand, Qi Huan's eyes moistened. The children she had rescued were all so grateful.
"Miao, keep it. Sister doesn't need it. I still have plenty of silver, don't worry."
"Really?"
"Really, I'm not lying."
"Well, of course. A fairy sister like you must be very, very wealthy!"
All ten children gazed at her with firm conviction. Qi Huan put on a thick face and replied, "That's right, this fairy is quite rich!"
Seeing that it was getting late in the day, they wouldn't have time to move in today. After showing them around the new courtyard home, Qi Huan planned for them to move in tomorrow.
"Go back and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow morning, pack your belongings and thank Yan Jiu and the others from the caravan. They will arrange for someone to send you all here to the Welfare Institute.
I've already spoken to Tao Su and Da about this. Since it's not far from the tavern, they'll move in here with you. During the day, you can all go to the tavern together, and at night, you won't have to worry or be afraid."
"Okay, thank you Sister Qi Huan!" The children chorused their gratitude over and over.
At the evening's end, they reluctantly left the Welfare Institute, watching as Qi Huan locked the gate and handed the key to Yan Wu.
"Please, Yan Wu, take them to Qi's Restaurant for dinner first, then take them back to the Yunying Merchant Group. After that, give this key to Yan Jiu so they can help the Little Shitous move tomorrow."
"Understood, Miss Qi. But how will you and the Prince get back?"
Qi Huan smiled mysteriously and said, "We'll walk back."
Hearing her answer, Yan Wu didn't ask further. After the cubs were seated, he raised the whip in his hand.
The children in the carriage pulled back the curtains at the windows and waved goodbye to Qi Huan and Li Shuchen.
Qi Huan waved back at them, and after the carriage had gone far away, she turned around.
It was the beginning of the month, and the waxing crescent moon hung in the sky, casting a soft glow upon their shoulders as they walked side by side on the path home.
Li Shuchen took her hand and said in a gentle, moonlight-like voice, "Ah Huan, are you hungry? Shall I fly you home?"
At that moment, the System, having just passed the shielding period, chimed in, "Reporting to the host, Li Shuchen wants to carry you."
