"Big sister, to be honest, I only have three hundred yuan in my pocket. If I have to give four hundred, I'll have to go back and scramble for it. Besides, houses are already unaffordable, how can I even consider the location?" Chen Lishu said with a forced smile.
The woman was momentarily stunned. She just wanted a larger place in a farther location, but four hundred was too far from her desired price. The woman hesitated again.
"Big sister, we have two more places to see. I can only offer four hundred. If you want to sell, I can go back and get the money. If you're still unsure, you can take your time to consider. This way, both of us have more options."
The price difference was too significant, and she couldn't make this decision alone. She still needed to discuss it with her husband after he returned.
Seeing that the woman didn't speak further, Chen Lishu and Lin Qi turned to leave.
The two of them then went to the area opposite the train station.
This was a place Lin Qi had inquired about himself. It was spacious, around forty to fifty square meters. Judging by its layout, it was likely a shop before, as the street-facing doors and windows still bore marks of being bricked up. Now, only a front door facing the residential area remained.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, everything was nationalized. The country implemented a unified purchase and sale system, prohibiting a commodity economy. Naturally, many shops were closed and converted into residences.
Chen Lishu had taken a liking to the place as soon as she entered. Being close to the train station, it would definitely be a prosperous area in the future.
However, liking it didn't mean she wouldn't negotiate the price.
After a quick look around, Chen Lishu asked the owner, "What is the price?"
The man replied, "Comrade, thirteen hundred, firm. I'm being transferred for work, otherwise I really wouldn't sell."
Chen Lishu pondered for a moment and said, "Brother, you see how the back of this house is completely blocked, and the light inside isn't good. If I move in, I'll definitely have to renovate it. Could you give me a further discount?"
The man didn't hesitate and nodded. "I'm truly in a hurry, and not many people can come up with over a thousand yuan at once. Since you, a female comrade, are asking, I'll knock off a hundred. It's a fixed price of twelve hundred. I really can't go any lower, otherwise I'll have to go through the trouble of renting it out first."
Chen Lishu saw that he had stated his final offer. She knew that even if she haggled further, the difference would only be a few dozen yuan. It was better to leave a good impression than to annoy him.
"Alright, brother, you're a straightforward person. Then I'll take this place."
The man was surprised that she, a woman, was so decisive. A smile spread across his face.
Chen Lishu had already prepared the purchase contract. Soon, both of them signed and left their fingerprints. Chen Lishu went to get the money and handed it to the man. Then, they went to the housing authority together to transfer the ownership.
The entire process was completed in less than two hours.
"I'll start packing my things this afternoon, find someone to help me move tomorrow, and hand over the keys the day after tomorrow morning. Does that work for you, sis?"
Chen Lishu smiled and nodded, "Yes."
The matter had gone surprisingly smoothly, and Chen Lishu was in a good mood. At noon, she and Lin Qi went to a nearby state-run restaurant for lunch.
After eating, they returned to the small courtyard.
"Everyone has been very busy this year. Since I'm home these few days, I plan to give everyone some benefits in advance."
Last year, due to exams and then a series of events, she hadn't thought of this. Regardless, everyone had worked hard for a year, and she should give them something to celebrate.
"Sister Chen, what benefits are you planning to give everyone?" Lin Qi asked curiously.
"For other things, we don't have the coupons to buy them. However, the one thing we don't lack is fabric. It's perfect to get everyone new clothes before the New Year. How about two meters of fabric for each family, plus a ten-yuan red envelope?"
Lin Qi was stunned for a moment. "Sister Chen, isn't that too much?"
Two meters of fabric plus ten yuan would be more than twenty yuan. The year-end benefits at most factories weren't this generous.
Chen Lishu smiled. "Our achievements wouldn't be possible without everyone's collective effort. This is not much. When conditions improve in the future, we'll be like those large enterprises and provide housing for our employees."
Housing?
Lin Qi was astonished by Chen Lishu's words. He had never even considered such a thing before.
However, since he started working with Chen Lishu, he had indeed learned a lot and broadened his horizons. Looking at Chen Lishu's determined gaze, Lin Qi believed that her intention to provide housing was not just talk and that it would definitely happen in the future.
As there was nothing else, Chen Lishu told Lin Qi to go home early. She cut two pieces of fabric herself, picked up one, and went to the neighbor's Ding family first.
Sun Shuzhen was very happy to see Chen Lishu. "Xiao Chen, you're back. Come in and sit down."
"Aren't Uncle Ding and the others home?" Chen Lishu sat on the sofa and looked around, finding only Sun Shuzhen at home.
Sun Shuzhen went to pour her a cup of water. "Your uncle has a teaching and research conference to attend, and Ding Chen ran off to the photo studio."
Chen Lishu took the water cup and placed it on the table before picking up the fabric she brought and handing it to Sun Shuzhen. She smiled and said, "I have a friend at a textile factory in the provincial city. I can buy fabric there without coupons. I just brought a piece back for you and Uncle Ding."
Fabric was a valuable gift during those times, especially this piece Chen Lishu brought, which was probably six to seven feet long, enough to make a dress or a pair of pants.
Knowing it was Chen Lishu's thoughtfulness, Sun Shuzhen was happy, but she frowned and said sternly, "You children should just visit; you don't need to bring anything. If you bring anything next time, I'll be upset with you."
"It's said that a teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime. Uncle Ding has taught me, and it's only right for a student to respect their teacher. Besides, it's not an expensive item."
Seeing Sun Shuzhen still disapproving, Chen Lishu deliberately said, "Aunt Sun, do you dislike my gift because it's too cheap and don't want to accept it?"
"You certainly have a way with words," Sun Shuzhen said, unable to refuse her and accepted the fabric with a smile.
They chatted for a while longer. When she learned that Chen Lishu was working as a teaching assistant at the school, Sun Shuzhen was both happy and proud.
After all, Chen Lishu's English was taught by her bit by bit. She couldn't help but feel proud to have such a student.
Sun Shuzhen originally intended to keep her for dinner, but Chen Lishu declined.
After leaving the Ding family, Chen Lishu went to the Wang family.
Wang Chenglin and his wife were at work and not at home. Only the old lady was there.
When she learned the purpose of Chen Lishu's visit, the old lady was overjoyed. Her son and daughter-in-law not only earned money but also gave fabric and money for the New Year. What better fortune could there be?
As Chen Lishu left, the old lady walked her to the main gate before returning.
Everyone had received a gift, so naturally, her own home couldn't be left out. Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Lishu cut another piece of fabric and then hurried home.
...
At Chen Mancang's house, the family was having dinner. Zhang Chunhua suddenly spoke,
"I heard that our second brother's daughter, Lishu, is back. This time she brought a little brat, saying it's adopted. She borrowed money from us when our family was building the house, but she claimed to have none. Could she afford to raise someone else's child for nothing? The second couple is also not good. They always pretend to be poor with us. Chen Lishu, that shrewd person, wouldn't she support her own family if she had money? Anyway, I'll never believe it."