Exiled!? Ha! I have An Infinite Space-Chapter 90 -

By the time we returned to Unit 50, the sky had already begun to darken.

The light from the sun was fading slowly, and a cool evening breeze moved through the narrow paths between the houses.

Smoke had already started rising from a few courtyards, and faint sounds of cooking could be heard from different directions.

I slowed my steps slightly as we approached our house.

Not far from us, An Li suddenly pointed to a house just a few meters away from ours.

"That one is mine," she said with a small smile.

I followed her gaze.

Her house was smaller than ours, but it was still in good condition. The courtyard was neat, and from the outside, it looked like someone had already settled in properly.

I nodded.

"It is close," I said.

She smiled again, clearly pleased.

Before she could leave, I spoke.

"We will be making dinner soon," I said calmly. "You and your family can come over."

The words came out naturally.

Beside me, I felt Fu Sheng’s gaze shift toward me, but he did not interrupt.

An Li paused.

For a moment, she looked a little surprised.

Then her expression softened.

"Alright," she said. "I will come."

She did not hesitate for long.

With that, she turned and walked toward her house, her steps light.

I watched her leave for a moment, then turned and walked into our courtyard.

Fu Sheng followed behind me, still pulling the wagon.

The moment we stepped inside, the difference was clear.

The place was no longer dusty like before.. the place looked strange and cleaned up. With everything kept in place.

The dried leafs were all swept revealing the nice cemented work on the ground.

Fu Tong was still outside, finishing up the last part of the courtyard. He leaned on the broom when he saw us.

"You are back," he said.

Fu Teng walked out from inside, wiping his hands lightly.

"We cleaned most of it," he added.

"Only a few things left."

Inside the outdoor kitchen, Madame Fu and Fu Fei were still arranging things.

Bai Ming and Fu Li came out from one of the rooms, carrying old cloths.

They stopped when they saw us.

"You are back," Bai Ming said.

I nodded.

"We bought some things."

Fu Sheng pulled the wagon forward and stopped near the table.

Everyone’s attention shifted to it.

Fu Tong walked closer and lifted the cloth covering it slightly.

"...You bought a lot," he said.

I smiled faintly.

"We needed it."

Madame Fu stepped out of the kitchen and looked at the wagon.

Her eyes softened slightly.

"At least we will not go hungry tonight," she said.

I nodded.

"Let’s take everything down first," I said.

Fu Tong nodded immediately and pulled the cloth aside. He began lifting out the items one after another.

"Careful with that," Fu Teng said as he took a sack from him.

"I know," Fu Tong replied, but still adjusted his grip.

They worked together, passing things down.

Grains, oil, salt, fruits, and the small things I had picked up. Everything was placed neatly on the table first before being sorted.

Madame Fu walked closer and checked the items.

"This is enough for now," she said.

Fu Fei picked up some of the food.

"I will take these inside," she said.

"I will help," Bai Ming added, already lifting a basket.

The two of them carried the food into the outdoor kitchen.

Not long after, Fu Tong followed them, carrying the heavier sacks.

"I will arrange them inside," he said.

Inside the outdoor kitchen, they found more than expected.

"There are bowls here," Fu Fei’s voice came from inside.

"And plates," Bai Ming added.

Fu Tong laughed lightly.

"At least we will not be eating with our hands."

"There are chopsticks too," Fu Fei said.

"That is good," Madame Fu replied as she stepped in.

Soon, the sound of water being poured and things being arranged came from inside.

Outside, Fu Sheng had already taken the tools from the wagon.

He checked them briefly, then looked toward Fu Teng.

"Come," he said. "Let’s fix the beds first."

Fu Teng nodded.

The two of them carried the tools inside.

From where I stood, I could already hear the soft sounds of wood being adjusted, nails being set, and quiet discussion between them.

"This one can still be used," Fu Sheng said.

"We just need to reinforce it."

Fu Teng responded, "The leg is loose. I will hold it."

"Hold it steady."

They did not waste time.

Outside again, Fu Li brought out the candles I had bought.

"There are only two packs," she said.

"That is enough," I replied.

She nodded and began placing them around the courtyard table.

One by one, she lit them.

The soft glow slowly spread, pushing back the darkness just enough.

By now, the sky had fully darkened.

The courtyard was quiet, except for the sounds of work and the children playing nearby.

Fu Jin and Fu Jun were running around with Fu Qin and Fu Lin, their laughter rising and falling without restraint.

Master Fu sat nearby, watching them.

"Do not run too far," he said, though there was no real force in his voice.

They did not listen.

They rarely did.

I walked over to the table and sat down.

The wood was still slightly rough, but it was clean.

After a moment, Fu Sheng came out.

He wiped his hands lightly on his clothes before sitting beside me.

"They will be done soon," he said.

I nodded.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

We both watched the courtyard... It has really been a long while.... Since this exile started now we finally got to rest.

"You were worried earlier," I said, facing him.

He glanced at me slightly.

"About what?"

"The money," I replied.

He did not answer immediately.

Then he said, "I still am."

I leaned back slightly.

"You think I will spend everything?"

"I think you do not think about limits," he said calmly.

I let out a small breath.

"That is not true."

He turned his head slightly to look at me.

"Then what is true?"

I met his gaze.

"I think about results," I said.

He frowned slightly.

"That is not the same thing."

"I know," I replied. "But in a place like this, holding back too much will not help either."

He stayed quiet.

So I continued.

"If I did not take that house, we would be squeezed into a smaller place. More people, less space, more problems."

He did not deny it.

"And if I had not brought out that gold," I added, "we would still be standing there, being looked down on."

His jaw tightened slightly.

That part... he did not like.

"I can handle being looked down on," he said.

I shook my head.

"I know you can," I said. "But not everyone here should have to."

My eyes moved toward the others.

"To survive here, we need space. We need stability. We need people to think twice before stepping on us."

I paused.

"That costs something."

He followed my gaze.

For a while, he said nothing.

Then he spoke again.

"But you are the one paying that cost."

His voice was quieter now.

I smiled slightly.

"I have it, so I use it."

"That is not a good reason."

"It is enough for me."

He exhaled slowly.

"You make things sound simple... but you don’t understand that now we might become a threat.. you hear that girl, in just a few minutes the news of us paying over 500 teals ha spread all over. Who knows who can be planning to hurt us at this moment."

I looked at him for a moment after he said that.

The candlelight moved slightly between us. His face was serious.

I understood his point.

In a place like this, there was no real law. No one would come to help if something happened. Only those who had strength could stand firm.

I leaned forward a little and rested my hand on the table.

"You are right," I said quietly.

He looked at me, a little surprised that I agreed so easily.

"This place is not safe," I continued. "And people like us... we will be watched."

He nodded slightly.

"That is why I am saying—"

I reached out and placed my hand over his before he could finish.

He stopped.

My hand was warm against his.

He looked down at it, then back at me.

"But we will not stay like this," I said.

My voice was calm, but firm.

"We will not remain people others can touch easily."

He did not speak.

So I continued.

"You are worried because we stand out now," I said. "Then we will make sure that standing out is not a weakness."

His eyes stayed on me.

"We will become stronger," I said. "Stronger than them."

The words were simple, but I meant them.

"Strong enough that no one will dare think of harming us," I added.

He was quiet for a moment.

Then he asked,

"And how do you plan to do that?"

I smiled slightly.

"We start from here," I said. "We settle. We understand this place. We build what we need."

I tightened my hold on his hand just a little.

"And step by step, we grow."

He studied my face carefully, as if trying to see if I was just saying words.

I was not.

After a moment, his expression softened slightly.

"You speak like you are already certain," he said.

"I am," I replied.

He let out a small breath.

Then his hand turned slightly under mine, holding it properly this time.

"Then I will believe you," he said quietly.

I smiled.

"Good."

As soon as I said that I felt something cold on my lips... When I looked properly, Fu Sheng had placed a soft kiss on my lips.