Settling on a "Dorm"

A few days before the California Institute of Technology officially began classes, the four-person "house-hunting journey" of Lin Hai and the others finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

After extensive on-site inspections and comparisons, the property they liked most fulfilled nearly all their dreams: an excellent location, a pleasant environment, and ample space.

But they encountered a not-so-small "obstacle"—the owner would sell, but not rent.

Before the visit, the four of them had been somewhat hesitant about the "for sale only, no renting" condition. But the moment they actually pushed open the slightly aged front door, all their doubts vanished.

It was a two-story detached house with a strong sense of age. Its exterior walls had classic stucco coating, with some exposed wooden structures bearing traces of wind and rain, lending it an even greater sense of steadiness and charm.

It was not as shiny and glamorous as the brand-new apartment buildings in downtown Los Angeles, but its structural layout was remarkably neat and practical, carrying the solid comfort of an old-fashioned home.

Pushing open the heavy solid-wood front door, they first saw a spacious, bright living room. Sunlight streamed through several large windows, falling across the slightly worn but still sturdy hardwood floor, which carried a warm sheen. The ceiling height was also comfortable, without any of the oppressive feeling common in old houses.

On one side of the living room was an open kitchen, complete with a highly practical central island large enough for all four of them to work around together.

On the other side were two symmetrically arranged bedrooms, both moderately sized with good natural lighting. A bathroom sat between them.

This bathroom was unexpectedly spacious. The vanity was wide enough for two people to wash up at once without feeling cramped,