Five years of marriage, always separated [1970s]

Having said that, you can't get married quickly.

In his previous life, he often saw people say that people in the 1980s were open-minded and liberal-minded. Ye Fan finally saw it today. "Call Chang Guangrong and ask him. He is the matchmaker."

Ye Fan often went out, and Geng Zhiye couldn't go out during shifts. Ye Fan was worried that something might happen at home and her mother-in-law would be at a loss, so she wrote down her parents' home phone number, her brother's office phone number, and Chang Guangrong's phone number and put them under the phone.

Upon hearing this, Yu Wentao went to the main room to call Chang Guangrong.

Chang Guangrong expected that the Yu family would look for him in the next two days, so after hanging up the phone, he picked up his bag and went riding his bike.

After unlocking the door, Chang Guangrong turned around and said to his wife in the store, "When I get my dividends at the end of the year, should I buy a car or a house first?"

When his wife heard this, she knew he wanted to buy a car: "Sister Ye said that the value of a house increases every year, but the value of a car depreciates once you get it."

Chang Guangrong was not rich enough to buy a car like buying cabbage, and he felt sorry for the money when he heard it: "Then let's buy a house." Suddenly he remembered that the girl's home was in Dongcheng, so he locked the car and said, "I'll take a car over there."

"Is the bag at home?"

Chang Guangrong put the big bills in his bag at home.

Ye Fan told him that there were many thieves on the bus before, and he thought that since he was a grown man, the thieves would not dare to touch him. As a result, he was robbed several times a year, and he didn't know when he was lost, so Chang Guangrong became honest.

Chang Guangrong was stared at when he got on the bus with his briefcase. He had seen many malicious looks before, so he opened his bag in front of the other person and asked, "Do you want it?"

Then he was despised - a poor bastard!
Chang Guangrong sneered and found a seat in the back row.

The girl's mother was retired and at home, so Chang Guangrong asked her mother if she could make the decision. The girl's mother let Chang Guangrong make the decision. Chang Guangrong was happy and thought to himself that he really trusted me!
Chang Guangrong then asked her what the customs for weddings were among her neighbors.

Ordinary families don't buy washing machines, televisions, and refrigerators when they get married, as these items are currently restricted. The girl's family naturally wouldn't make unreasonable demands if they wanted to marry into the Yu family.

The girl’s mother tried to ask, “What about three turns and one ring?”

Bicycles, sewing machines, watches and radios came to Chang Guangrong's mind: "Who uses the sewing machine?"

The woman didn't know how to use it, and neither did Yu Hongwei. The woman's mother couldn't say "keep it for me", so she said, "Then let's have three."

Chang Guangrong didn't expect that he would be so easy to talk to. Since the other party was sincere, Chang Guangrong didn't beat around the bush and asked directly how much the betrothal gift was.

Ordinary people only give a small gift for marriage, but Wang Aihe's gift is considered an outlier. Chang Guangrong saw that the girl's mother did not make excessive demands, so he opened his bag, took out a pen and paper, and wrote down all the conditions she had mentioned.

Seeing how serious he was, the girl's mother thought that Chang Guangrong was young but thoughtful. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. The person Chang Guangrong had chosen must be good.

Originally, the girl's mother felt a little uneasy because they thought they could get married soon this year, but seeing this, she thought that they should seize the opportunity if they met the right person.

Before leaving, Chang Guangrong asked the bride's family to pick a few dates, and then he asked the groom's family to pick a few dates as well. Later, when they discussed the betrothal gifts and the wedding date, they would all decide on a good date together.

The girl's mother increasingly believed that Chang Guangrong was a steady person and happily sent him away.

Seeing that it was still early, Chang Guangrong took the bus to Ye Fan's house and handed him a piece of paper with all the requirements. Ye Fan took a quick look and said, "Not too much. Maybe there will be a dowry."

Chang Guangrong nodded: "The two elders are particular about dowry. Five hundred yuan is not much for a betrothal gift. Maybe the girl's family doesn't want any and can give her a few hundred yuan."

"A respectable person would not let his daughter marry empty-handed." Ye Fan handed the paper to Yu Wentao, "Tell Hongwei not to settle for less."

Yu Wentao went to her nephew's shop in the afternoon and delivered the woman's request. When Yu Hongwei's sister-in-law saw the full card, she couldn't help but said, "It's enough to marry five of me."

Yu Wentao: "When you got married, the college entrance examination had not yet been resumed. What era is it now?"

His sister-in-law smiled and said, "Look at you, I was just talking casually. If I really want to be picky, I can't compare with others. They have a stable job and are well educated. I didn't even finish five years of elementary school."

Seeing that she was quite sensible, Yu Wentao said, "Do it in a decent way!"

Although Yu Hongwei's elder brother and sister-in-law had never met the woman, they heard from Yu Hongwei that she was easy to get along with. The couple did not want to have a brother or sister-in-law who would cause trouble for the family, so they naturally hoped that this matter would be successful. The couple promised Yu Wentao that they would buy everything from the department store except what they had at home.

Zhang Xiaoming and Wei Jianshe finally came back. Ye Fan had to count the goods and set the prices, so he couldn't take care of the trivial matters at home. After giving Yu Wentao instructions, he went home.

Ye Fan distributed the goods and went to the Foreign Affairs College the next day. Ye Fan wrote down the requirements and read them to Erbao when he got home. When Dabao heard that there were requirements for appearance and height, he couldn't help but teasing, "Is this a beauty pageant?"

Erbao hit his brother.

Ye Fan: "Stop it. Erbao, are you nervous about a one-on-one interview?"

Erbao shook his head: "But mom, I haven't learned Spanish yet."

Ye Fan said, "It's not too late to study in college. Your appearance and height are both acceptable, but the key is speaking. Don't try to learn a minor language, just be safe and use English. The second is cultural subjects, which are probably not lower than your brother Sen Sen's financial school."

Geng Sensen couldn't help but ask: "With so many requirements, the academic requirements are still so high?"

Ye Fan: "Maybe it's about the same score as Dabao's school. Erbao, don't think that just because you have no problem speaking English and your appearance is up to standard, you're guaranteed to get into this school."

Erbao said, "Mom, I know passing the exam is just the beginning. I still need to work harder to get in."

Ye Fan patted her head: "Then mom won't nag me anymore. Check your summer homework. School will start in two days."

Geng Sen Sen remembered that he hadn't packed his luggage yet, so he asked Da Bao to go to the back to help him pack.

Dabao just followed him while looking down on him.

Ye Fan folded the bed sheets and quilts that he had put away yesterday and put them in his bag. Er Bao saw this and asked, "Mom, when are you going to the army?"

Ye Fan: "Register for you and your brother."

"Are you really sending my brother to school?" Erbao couldn't believe it. "How old is he? Don't spoil him!"

Ye Fan smiled and said, "No matter how old you two are, you are your parents' treasures."

The little girl suddenly felt embarrassed: "What is mom talking about? I'm going to find grandma, you can talk to yourself." After saying that, she ran out.

Ye Fan shook his head and laughed, put the clean clothes in it, and thought about what he would wear in a few days.

Today is obviously colder than the day Ye Fan went to the army. It may be even colder in a few days. Ye Fan took out her straight jeans, and found a corduroy short jacket and a pair of leather boots that are lighter than the jacket. As for the inner wear, it depends on the weather. If it's cold, wear a tight thin sweater, otherwise wear short sleeves.

After packing up his things, Ye Fan was sweating all over, so he packed up and went to the bathhouse to take a shower.

On the last day of August, Ye Fan went to the office. On September 1st, after sending Erbao and Dabao back, Ye Fan distributed the wages and commissions.

Business has been good recently, and everyone's commissions are more than their salaries. When Geng Zhiye's former guard received the money, he asked hesitantly, "Sister-in-law, how much is the square meter of the house your sister-in-law bought now?"

Ye Fan: "You can't afford it, and I don't recommend you to buy it."

"Ah?" The guard exclaimed softly, looking hesitant, and almost asked clearly how she could buy it.

Ye Fan: "My sister-in-law wants to buy a house, and she didn't use my money, so I have no reason to stop her."

In fact, Ye Fan could have said a few words, but she didn't say anything because she didn't want to annoy others.

Yu Wentao also asked Ye Fan whether a courtyard house or a building was better. Ye Fan told her the truth that in the long run, a courtyard house was better because it would accommodate the children after they got married. If it was convenient and clean, it would be better to go for a building.

Yu Wentao went house hunting with Geng Zhiqin, but there was no courtyard house at a suitable price. Yu Wentao was worried that Geng Zhiqin and Sun Laifu would break up if the house issue was delayed for too long, so she decided to buy an existing building.

Yu Wentao's nephew knew why Ye Fan didn't stop him, because Yu Wentao had complained to his father that his daughter was ignorant, but Ye Fan didn't bother to care: "Sister-in-law, tell us the truth." Ye Fan: "It's more cost-effective to buy two rooms in a compound than to buy a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment. Two apartments cost seven or eight thousand, and the decoration costs one thousand, which is ten thousand less. Two tiled houses cost four or five thousand, and the decoration costs two thousand. They are as spacious as apartments, and there are still a few thousand left."

Former security guard: "It's not as convenient as having a building."

Ye Fan: "You can install the toilet and water boiler yourself. If you just want a simple renovation, 500 yuan is enough for two tiled houses. As long as it is independent property, you can make changes at will."

Yu Wentao's nephew: "What is independent property rights?"

Ye Fan: "Many shanty towns used to be the houses of rich people. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the rich people fled and no longer wanted the houses, for example, they became traitors. The government took over the houses and moved in those who didn't have any. The property rights belonged to the government or all the residents. If the houses were demolished and a high-rise was built one day, the original residents might regret it. It would be very troublesome to go to court and have the house awarded to you."

Everyone understood.

Ye Fan: "You should also be careful when buying a building. If the seller and the owner are not the same person, you cannot buy it."

"Is it so troublesome?"

Ye Fan said: "There are many people who cheat for a few dollars, let alone houses worth thousands or tens of thousands."

Yu Wentao's nephew asked, "Sister-in-law, is a courtyard house better than a building--" He paused, "Let me think about what that word is." He saw the book on the desk, picked it up and opened it, "Yes, it maintains its value!"

Ye Fan: "A complete courtyard house like my home will retain its value, but a house in a shanty town cannot. A house in a shanty town with independent property rights is not as valuable as a building. If you buy it to live in, the rise and fall of the price has nothing to do with you. If you don't have much money, I suggest you buy a tiled house. Although a shanty town is crowded, you can see your neighbors as soon as you open the door of a building."

Yu Wentao's nephew asked: "Houses here are expensive, what about houses farther away?"

Ye Fan: "That's fine. It seems far now, but if Chang Guangrong goes there to open a factory someday, wouldn't it be close for you to work there? Besides, Chang Guangrong is not the only one who wants to open a factory. Even if you don't live there, it will be cost-effective to rent it out when the time comes."

The former security guard, who is also Ye Fan’s sales team leader, said, “I want to buy it and live in it myself.”

Ye Fan: "Xiao Qin's house is now four hundred."

Yu Wentao's nephew exclaimed: "Wasn't it three hundred last year?"

Ye Fan nodded: "It may go up by the end of the year. I heard from Lai Fu that his neighbor wanted to sell his house, but he hesitated even when offered 400 yuan. The house that didn't grow much is just a run-down courtyard house without a bathroom."

Sales team leader: "Will it increase in price in the future? I mean the Siheyuan."

Ye Fan: "My house has increased, it has doubled."

Yu Wentao's nephew couldn't help but ask: "Which one is the one with three main rooms in your house?"

Ye Fan said, "The five-room main house that your aunt transferred to Dabao will also double in size."

Yu Wentao's nephew: "It's only been a few years."

Ye Fan: "Seven years."

"Seven years is worth it. That's only a small increase in salary." Yu Wentao's nephew decided, "I'll go take a look when I get some rest."

Ye Fan asked: "Do you still have money?"

"I'll visit more clients."

Ye Fan nodded: "Okay, okay. Take me to the company."

With a bulging wallet, Ye Fan didn't dare to go out alone. Several salespeople escorted Ye Fan to the gate of the community.

Ye Fan didn't expect that after she distributed the wages, the employees also asked her about the house prices. Ye Fan asked a junior: "Has the sales team leader been here?"

The junior brother was stunned for a moment: "He asked you? Yes, he asked how much the house here costs per square meter. By the way, how much is this house, senior sister?"

Ye Fan: "About three hundred and fifty. When I bought it, it was less than two hundred."

The junior fellow couldn't help swallowing his saliva: "This - why should I go to work? I can just buy a house."

Ye Fan asked: "Is your family so rich?"

The junior fellow was stumped by the question.

Ye Fan's classmate laughed and said, "Where does he get the money if he doesn't work?" Then he asked Ye Fan, "Can he afford it?"

Ye Fan shook his head: "He thought the house was 200 yuan per square meter. A house that can be moved in right away without decoration would cost at least 400 yuan."

"What will he do? He said that if he has a house, people will introduce him to someone."

Ye Fan said: "I suggest buying a courtyard house."

These cunning people didn't even ask Ye Fan why, they just said "He may not listen". Ye Fan said: "It's his business whether he listens or not."

Then Ye Fan went to the store.

Little did they know that as soon as she left, everyone put down their work and went to the living room to analyze the Siheyuan that Ye Fan mentioned. The newcomer who had just arrived said, "What is there to analyze? Just look at what Senior Sister does and you will know."

Ye Fan is not short of money, but he chose a courtyard house instead of a building, which shows that a courtyard house is more valuable than a building.

Everyone thought that if the walls of the courtyard were not low and it was easy for thieves to break in and pick the lock, Ye Fan might not have bought two buildings as offices. Everyone looked at each other and decided to find a courtyard when they got this year's bonus.

When Ye Fan got home, Yu Wentao had already prepared dinner. Ye Fan estimated that no one would be in the office at lunch time, so he called Geng Zhiye around 3 o'clock to ask if it was convenient for him.

Geng Zhiye sighed on the other end of the phone.

Ye Fan asked him to speak human language.

Geng Zhiye said: "We will have training in two days."

Before heading south, Ye Fan took his luggage and bed sheets to stay at the army for a few days. He did not meet the young actor, so he took the changed bed sheets back with him.

On the first day of his trip south, Geng Zhiye called his stepmother and asked, "Is Fanfan gone?"

Yu Wentao told him that he was gone. Geng Zhiye sighed. Yu Wentao asked him what was wrong, and he said something nonsense, "I miss Ye Fan." Yu Wentao hung up the phone.

When Ye Fan heard about this when he got home, he burst into laughter. Yu Wentao hid in her room with an expression of dismay.

In this era, there is only one day off for the 11th, which happens to be Thursday. If Dabao and Erbao go with Ye Fan, they need to go there in the evening and come back on Friday morning.

The National Day in the capital has entered late autumn, and the mornings are already chilly. Erbao is in her third year of high school, a critical period, and Ye Fan is worried that she will catch a cold and get sick, so he leaves the two children at home.

Ye Fan went there on the morning of September 29th.

It was a chilly morning. Ye Fan wore a windbreaker, flat sneakers, wide-leg pants and a slim sweater, and walked with the wind. When Ye Fan got off the car, he ran into a young officer who was being so casual with Geng Zhiye. The young officer stopped and whistled: "Cool!"

Ye Fan laughed: "Commander Geng is here."

"Am I afraid of him?" The young officer turned around subconsciously, and when he saw Geng Zhiye coming out, he ran away.

Geng Zhiye looked helpless: "No respect for elders and no discipline!"

(End of this chapter)