"Rent it, why not rent it? Is he not the big leader? When is he coming?"
"Hmm... I don’t know yet. I wanted to ask you first. If it’s okay with you, I’ll let him know and see when he can move in."
"I’ve been cleaning that place every day, so it’s neat and tidy. Your leader can co anyti."
"Okay, I’ll go back and let the director know. Sister Erni, how much is a small courtyard per month?"
"Twenty-five, you know, it’s the usual rate." Yang Erni wasn’t foolish; the bigger the leader, the more money they have. She figured the amount she ntioned might still seem too little to them.
"Alright, I’ll go back and discuss it with the director." Ye Qing understood this too, and she didn’t say much. After all, when she rented it, she bargained with Yang Erni for a week. Seeing it vacant for a while, Yang let her have it; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so cheap.
Having agreed with Yang Erni, Ye Qing rode her bike back to the state-run restaurant.
She told Director Mr. i about the situation there, "It’s all settled, the place can be viewed anyti."
"Ye, you’ve been working hard for half a day. Sit down and join us for a al, we can talk while eating." At that mont, i Langchi signaled Ye Qing to take a seat.
Ye Qing quickly waved her hand, "No, no, I’ll wait outside for you guys."
"Langchi asked you to sit down, so don’t refuse. Join us and have sothing to warm up after running around for so long." The director spoke up, and Ye Qing didn’t refuse.
"I’ll stay at the hotel tonight. Tomorrow, could Ye co find and accompany to view the house? If I like it, I’ll ask Ye to help buy so daily necessities. I’m not great with these things, being a man."
"Sure, sure, I’ll have Xiao Ye co over early tomorrow morning."
"Then I’ll trouble Ye."
"No trouble at all." Sitting opposite i Langchi, Ye Qing suddenly sensed the aura emanating from this man, one that commanded respect. Ye Qing kept her head down, not daring to et his eyes, afraid she might embarrass herself and leave a bad impression.
After eating, Ye Qing took the introduction letter and accompanied i Langchi to the state-run hotel. They agreed to et early at the hotel the next morning.
After parting from i Langchi, Ye Qing quickly returned ho. This was the happiest day she’d had since being expelled from school.
Ye Qing didn’t sleep well that night, pondering many things. She ca to understand the gap between herself and Lin Wan.
She figured out how she should proceed with her future.
Both she and Lin Wan ca from rural backgrounds. The only difference was Lin Wan found a good husband. Her significant other was soone she t first.
Just a man, she thought, I can let Lin have him. If others can find soone, so can I.
Isn’t this a chance heaven sent ? A man even better than Han Yi.
During this ti, she must seize this chance, for her future, to surpass that woman Lin Wan. She must seize the opportunity.
The next day, Ye Qing dressed a bit better than usual. She wanted to look fashionable, but in this winter season, everyone was wearing padded jackets and pants, with coats either checked or floral. Luckily, she had a wool coat that fit nicely over her outfit, and she styled her hair into two braids that matched her scarf and coat well.
Ye Qing certainly had a keen eye.
Without a bicycle, Ye Qing was wondering how to bring i Langchi such a long way. Unexpectedly, the director had already sent a car to the hotel.
Besides these considerations, the director thoughtfully packed a new set of bedding made by his wife.
"Director."
"Xiao Ye, you’re here? Hurry, take us to see the place."
Ye Qing smiled and nodded at them, got into the car, and told the driver the address.
Yang Erni was already in the courtyard, having woken up early to clean the house and yard again.
When Ye Qing and the others arrived, Yang Erni had already ward up the furnace.
i Langchi looked around the courtyard, satisfied, and nodded.
He decided to rent it.
"Our place, near Central Street, is a bustling area. It’s convenient for shopping, and the security is good. The rent for a courtyard in this area is usually twenty-eight. Since Ye Qing introduced you, twenty-five is fine. The water cos from our own well, electricity is free, and there’s limited wood in the yard, but I’ll leave it all for the leader." Yang Erni was skilled in business, her words leaving everyone pleased, earning herself a tidy sum.
Of course, i Langchi wasn’t concerned about the details and imdiately paid Yang Erni the rent.
The director asked Ye Qing to help i Langchi settle into the house.
"Langchi, if you need anything in the house, let Xiao Ye know and have her help you buy it." After saying this, the director addressed Ye Qing, "Xiao Ye, the car is at your disposal for the morning. Accompany Langchi to shop for supplies. Return to work with the car in the afternoon."
"Understood, Director."
"Thank you, Director. I won’t inconvenience Uncle Qian today. I’ll have Ye help buy so daily necessities and then let her return."
"No need to stand on ceremony with Uncle. Feel free to tell us if anything cos up here. I’m heading back to work. Once you’re settled, Uncle will invite you for a proper drink."
"Yes, thank you, Uncle Qian, take care."
After seeing off the director with i Langchi, i Langchi returned inside the house and pondered.
"Ye, I’m a man and truly don’t know what might be necessary. Can you help think it over?"
"... Hmm, towels, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste—these are everyday needs," Ye Qing tilted her head, playfully.
i Langchi nodded, acknowledging the need. "Let’s go to the departnt store together."
"All right, let’s go then."
...
After Lin Wan returned, Liang Hongi accompanied her to the hospital for a check-up.
The baby was already two months and sixteen days old, very healthy. The doctor just advised her to eat well and nothing more.
The doctor’s words made Lin Wan uneasy because she had been eating well enough lately. At the hospital, there was a scale, and she had just weighed herself, realizing she gained a solid two to three pounds compared to before.
Liang Hongi said that pregnancy usually leads to weight gain, advising her not to adopt diet strategies like the unmarried girls who skip als for their figure.
That’s exactly what Xiao Yu from the store does.
Lin Wan understood this, and while she wouldn’t starve herself, she felt she could eat a little less.
With nothing to do at ho, today she specifically visited the textile city to buy fabric suitable for making sofa cushions—cotton, velvet, in a beige color.
After buying these, she got so sponge to take ho.
She planned to make the sofa cushions herself.
Since moving back, she hadn’t found the ti to do this. The winter cold left her with a chilly bum every ti she sat on the sofa. Additionally, her front door needed a cotton curtain.
This would help block the wind.
Right now, iron stoves were selling well; in hos in the North, every household had a large iron stove placed in the living room for warmth.
Aside from heating, in the evening, a kettle on top ensured hot water in the morning for washing.
With this stroke of luck, Lin Wan decided her living room should have one. Her mother’s place should have one too.
These days, Lin Wan was busy making sofa cushions and cotton curtains.
The rchants selling iron stoves delivered and installed them, the iron pipes vented directly outside.
There was no noticeable sll.
"Xiao Wan, I’ve completed my end-of-term project. I’ve told the teacher that I’ll start my vacation next month. Have you thought about taking a break?" Su Ling was now four months along, and her family didn’t want her traveling back and forth with such effort.
"In December, right?" Lin Wan thought about it, realizing by then the roads would likely be covered in snow, making them treacherous.
Snow accumulates every day, roads becoming quite slippery.
"Mine’s done too. I’ll talk to the teacher and ntion that I won’t be coming that month."
"Gee, you two are sothing. That month I’ll be the only one left, so boring," Yin Peibai said with a sigh.
"If you want to co without attending classes, hurry up and get pregnant then."
"Get pregnant? You make it sound like a monthly period; if it were that easy, I’d be pregnant now."
She knew Su Ling wasn’t reliable.
"Alright, don’t listen to Su Ling’s nonsense. I suspect it’ll snow in a few days. I’ve noticed fewer people have been coming lately." Returning this ti, there were noticeably fewer kids.
"Oh, it’s always like this in the winter. The teacher knows it well, that’s why they cramd the important courses in the first term. Alright, if you don’t co, you don’t co. I’ll have to stick it out till the end."
Lin Wan didn’t want to take ti off either; it’s just that after moving, she’s now a bit far from here.
After school ended, Lin Wan told her class teacher. The teacher didn’t make it difficult, only asking her to submit her project by the month’s end.
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