In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Yang Guangming had considered this issue long ago and had been waiting for the right moment to speak.

Seeing that his elder sister was worried about this, he calmly said, "Elder sister, you don't need to worry about where to live. Move in with me."

Everyone looked at him, their eyes questioning.

Yang Guangming continued, "I have a spare guest room that's been empty. It's perfect for you. Besides..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his family before finally settling on the empty space, as if planning for the future. "In another month, I'll be going to school in Beijing, leaving only Jian Yue and the two children at home."

"If you move in, you and Jian Yue can keep each other company and look after each other. I'll feel more at ease while I'm away."

His suggestion not only solved Xianglan's accommodation problem, but also took into account his wife's loneliness after he left home, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone and is reasonable.

Yang Xianglan hesitated, not wanting to trouble her younger brother and sister-in-law: "Is this... appropriate? Won't it be too much of a disturbance to Jianyue? Besides, that's your and Jianyue's home..."

“What’s inappropriate about it?” Yang Yongkang, who hadn’t said much until now, made the final decision, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “Guangming is right, it’s settled then! You can stay here at Shikumen for a couple of days, and on Sunday, Guanghui and Guangyao will help you move your usual things to Guangming’s place. You can stay there permanently from now on.”

As the head of the household, he was well aware of the housing difficulties and understood that Guangming's suggestion was the best arrangement.

My daughter's reputation is more important than anything else!

After her father spoke, Xianglan didn't say anything more, but she still felt a little guilty. She secretly made up her mind to help her sister-in-law with housework and take good care of the two children in the future to repay this kindness.

In the evening, Lin Jianyue returned from school, her face showing a hint of fatigue, but her eyes were clear.

Yang Guangming then discussed with her the idea of ​​having his older sister move in permanently. He carefully explained the reasons behind it, as well as his concerns about leaving home.

After listening, Lin Jianyue expressed her agreement almost without hesitation. She took Yang Guangming's hand and said in a light tone:
"There's nothing to discuss. Let your older sister move in right away! It's not easy for her to raise two children alone. It's only right that we help her out. Besides..."

A sincere and warm smile appeared on her face. "My older sister and I have always gotten along well. She's gentle and capable. With her moving in, we can keep each other company, and the house will be more lively. If you go to Kyoto, I'll have someone to talk to, and someone to discuss things with. Isn't that great? I'd be more than willing!"

After learning about this, Lin Jianyue went to the Shikumen (stone gate house) the next day to openly tell her eldest sister her thoughts and reassure her.

Seeing that her sister-in-law genuinely welcomed her without any resistance, Yang Xianglan finally felt relieved. Filled with gratitude for her younger brother and sister-in-law, her eyes welled up with tears as she repeatedly said, "Jianyue, thank you, thank you... You've really gone to so much trouble..."

"Big sister, please don't say that. We're family." Lin Jianyue smiled and held Xianglan's hand, her tone warm.

Sunday was a beautiful, sunny day, perfect for moving.

The three brothers, Yang Guangming, Yang Guanghui, and Yang Guangyao, borrowed a tricycle from the factory and pedaled hard, helping Yang Xianglan move some of her personal belongings from the Wang family home, along with the children's clothes, books, and some old household items she couldn't bear to throw away, to Yang Guangming's house. There weren't many things, but the tricycle filled about halfway.

The empty guest room had been cleaned spotlessly, with the windowsill and chairs immaculate, and Lin Jianyue had even put on freshly washed curtains.

The bed was covered with clean sheets and blankets, which smelled of sunshine.

Although the room is not large, it is bright and clean with good lighting, making it look warm and comfortable.

Honghong and Amao were both curious about living in a new environment, touching and looking around, but they were also a little reluctant to leave their grandfather and were somewhat downcast.

Yang Guangming squatted down and comforted them, speaking gently: "Honghong, Amao, this will be your second home from now on. It's closer to school here, so it will be more convenient for you to go to school, and you can sleep in a little longer in the morning."

And you can go back to see Grandpa anytime on weekends and holidays, or have Grandpa come over for dinner, okay?

Hearing this, the children gradually cheered up, thinking about being able to sleep in late and see their grandfather often. They then began to assign who would sleep in which bed in the room.

Xianglan watched all this, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

The grief of her mother-in-law's passing has not completely faded, and the complex emotions of moving away from the Wang family still linger. However, the anticipation for a new life and the warmth of her younger brother's family, like the autumn sunshine, warmly illuminate her heart.

She officially settled down at her younger brother's house.

Although the accommodation problem has been temporarily solved, Yang Guang knows that this is only a temporary measure.

Children grow up day by day and need their own space. Jing Shu is a little girl, and sooner or later she will have her own room.

Although Lin Jianyue is understanding, her older sister has been living here for a long time, which is not a long-term solution. In the long run, inconvenience is inevitable.

Moreover, it's really inconvenient for my second sister and Xiaowen to live in the front building, which isn't a long-term solution.

He began to seriously consider a complete solution to his family's housing difficulties.

At this time, national policies are quietly changing, spring breezes are blowing, and the ice is beginning to loosen.

Although the housing allocation system remains the mainstream, private housing transactions are no longer completely frozen in big cities like Shanghai. Some private housing transactions have begun to appear sporadically in the surrounding areas, but they are not yet active. Many people still cannot change their mindset and feel that buying a house is a "loss".

But Yang Guangming has no shortage of money, nor does he lack forward-thinking vision.

His savings from years of work, plus the small amount he accumulated by using the refrigerator space, amounted to a considerable sum, far exceeding the imagination of ordinary people in this era.

He hid most of the money carefully, and his public savings were mainly his salary.

He plans to buy a private house with independent property rights.

In his view, housing prices are currently low, and it won't cost much to completely solve the family's current housing problem, allowing his parents to enjoy their later years and his sisters to have a stable place to live. It's a very worthwhile investment and an excellent investment.

Whether from the perspective of improving one's life or increasing asset value, it is imperative.

In Shanghai in the late 1970s, even in well-located areas, housing prices were so low that they are hard for people of later generations to believe.

At this point, the housing price needs to be assessed by the housing management department, and it is basically equivalent to the construction cost, plus a certain amount of depreciation.

The price range generally fluctuates between 20 and 50 yuan per square meter, depending on factors such as the structure of the house, location, and condition.

Yang Guangming doesn't need to buy a big house, around 100 square meters is enough for now.

Even at the highest price of fifty yuan per square meter, one hundred square meters would only cost five thousand yuan.

His savings over the years are far more than that.

Even if he only uses the money he has saved from his salary, he can easily afford it, and it would be more than enough.

Once he had this clear idea, Yang Guangming immediately took action.

He first consulted the housing management department about the policies and procedures for private housing transactions. He learned that there were indeed policies that allowed it, but the procedures were relatively complicated. The seller needed to provide proof of ownership and proof from their work unit or street office, and the buyer also needed to provide proof. Only after a series of procedures such as review and evaluation by the housing management department could the transfer of ownership be completed.

Then, he started asking his friends and family to keep an eye out for suitable properties.

He politely greeted Xie Feiyang, Chu Dahu, Yan Jun, his well-informed colleagues at the factory, and even some long-time residents in the alley.

However, not many people were willing to sell their private homes during this period.

A house is a place to settle down and make a living. Unless there is an emergency or special circumstances, few people will sell their ancestral property.

Therefore, there are very few listings available. Either the location is too remote and inconvenient to get around; or the house is in such poor condition that it is almost a dangerous building and requires a lot of money to repair; or the property rights are unclear and there are family disputes or historical issues that make people hesitant to buy.

After inquiring for several days, he still couldn't find a suitable one. Yang Guangming wasn't impatient; he knew this matter required patience and opportunity.

Just as he was considering whether to relax the conditions or wait a while longer, Xie Feiyang brought him some news.

After Xie Feiyang got off work, he came over with a smile on his face, as if something good had happened.

"Guangming, are you really going to buy a house?" Xie Feiyang took the cigarette that Yang Guangming handed him, lit it, took a puff, and asked bluntly.

“Yes, you know our situation at home. It’s getting more and more cramped. We’re looking to see if we can find a suitable private room.” Yang Guangming poured him a cup of tea.

"What a coincidence!"

Xie Feiyang slapped his thigh and said, "I have a friend named Hu. We used to live in the same compound and had a good relationship."

His elderly relative passed away recently, leaving behind a house.

His children all work and have settled down in other places. When they came back to handle the funeral, they discussed disposing of the house left by the old man, dividing the money among themselves, so that they wouldn't have to worry about it later.

His house isn't far from yours. It's a single-room shikumen house, detached with its own courtyard, and the property rights are clear. His father's work unit allocated it to him years ago, but later bought out the title. Would you be interested in taking a look?

Upon hearing this, Yang Guangming immediately became interested.

A single-room shikumen house with its own courtyard was exactly the type he had in mind.

It maintains relative independence and privacy while also featuring the unique living atmosphere of Shanghai. The area is not too large to be conspicuous, meeting the needs of modern families without being too eye-catching.

"Interested! Feiyang, thank you so much this time! Your news came at just the right time!" Yang Guangming said quickly, somewhat excited. "When is a convenient time to view the property?"

“My friend is coming back to handle this in the next couple of days, tomorrow afternoon is fine. I’ll go with you,” Xie Feiyang said readily.

The next afternoon, accompanied by Xie Feiyang, Yang Guangming went to see the house.

The house is located deep in a relatively quiet alley. It is a typical Shikumen building with black lacquered wooden doors, brass door knockers, and some faded carvings on the lintel, showing the marks of time.

Pushing open the slightly heavy wooden door, which creaked open, revealed a small courtyard paved with bluestone slabs, with clumps of moss growing in the cracks. In the corner was a well, its opening covered with a stone slab; though long unused, it added a touch of antiquity and coolness. The courtyard wall was low, allowing a glimpse of the neighbor's treetops.

Passing through the courtyard, you enter the living room, which is over twenty square meters in size. It is square and covered with old-fashioned wooden floors. Although they are a bit old and dark in color, they are well preserved and there are no obvious signs of decay.

The upper half of the wall was painted white, while the lower half had a green wainscoting, a typical old-fashioned style.

Behind the main hall is the kitchen, which retains its original layout, with a traditional stove and a reserved space for installing a coal stove. Unlike many other homes, it has not been converted into living quarters.

What pleased Yang Guangming the most was that the house had a three-story attic and an open-air terrace.

Go up the narrow, steep wooden staircase on one side of the main hall, and you'll reach the third-floor attic.

Although the three-story attic has a low ceiling and requires bending over to enter, it is quite spacious, about ten square meters, and can be used as a storage room or converted into a bedroom, which is perfect for children.

From the third floor down to the second floor, there is a square drying platform. It is not enclosed and has a wide view. It can be used to dry clothes, grow some flowers and plants, and also to cool off in the summer.

The front room and pavilion on the second floor are, of course, indispensable. The basic furniture inside is still there and has not been removed.

The homeowner said the total building area of ​​the house is about 87 square meters, and that's also the number on the property certificate.

The house had clearly been unoccupied for some time, but it was well-maintained overall, with no major damage. The original old furniture, such as the eight-immortal table, armchairs, and wardrobe, were still there, covered only with a thin layer of dust. "This house has always been our family's home, and we've taken good care of it," said Mr. Hu, the homeowner, a middle-aged man in his forties. He wore glasses and appeared very refined, his tone tinged with reluctance. "If it weren't for the fact that my family members had been assigned to work in other cities and we didn't know when they would be able to come back, we really wouldn't be willing to sell it. We've lived in this location and this house for decades; we've developed an attachment to it."

Sunshine Ming carefully inspected the interior and exterior, even checking for insect infestation in the wooden structure and signs of leaks in the roof, and was quite satisfied.

Although the house is old, it has a sturdy frame and can be made very comfortable with a little repair.

Finding such a well-located, well-structured, clearly owned, and well-maintained detached Shikumen house in such a short time is already considered very lucky.

"Regarding the price..." Yang Guangming looked at the homeowner and the property manager who had accompanied him; this was the key issue.

After some discussion and with reference to the assessment opinions of the housing management department, the final price was set at thirty yuan per square meter.

The property manager explained that the location of the house was decent, but it was built a long time ago and had depreciated considerably; therefore, the price was reasonable. It was 87 square meters, and the total price was 2,610 yuan.

This price is considered above average at present, but considering the good condition of the house and the advantage of being a detached house, Yang Guangming felt it was a very good deal, even lower than his expectations.

Without much hesitation, he readily agreed. At this point, haggling was pointless; securing the deal quickly was the best course of action.

“Okay, that’s the price.” Yang Guangming extended his hand and shook hands with the homeowner, Mr. Hu, and the property manager, his tone reassuring. “I’ll trouble you all to take care of the paperwork.”

Mr. Hu breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Yang Mingming's prompt response and nodded repeatedly: "Good, Comrade Yang is so helpful! We will definitely cooperate in completing the formalities."

Over the next few days, Yang Guangming was busy running around with various procedures: signing the sales contract, transferring the property title at the housing management department, paying the deed tax, and obtaining a new property certificate...

Although the process was cumbersome, requiring visits to several departments, stamping, signing, and queuing, it proceeded relatively smoothly without encountering major obstacles, thanks to Xie Feiyang's connections in the housing management department.

During this period, interpersonal relationships often play a crucial role in getting things done.

When I finally received the slightly rough "Property Ownership Certificate" bearing the name "Yang Guangming" and stamped with a bright red seal, the thin piece of paper felt surprisingly heavy.

As Yang Guangming carefully stroked the words on the paper, a surge of indescribable excitement and a touch of pride welled up inside him.

He knew that he had finally acquired his first fully private property in this era. It was not just a place to live, but also a sense of security, a guarantee for the future, and a solid step he had taken to change his family's fate.

After completing all the formalities and paying off the house, Yang Guangming, filled with excitement and a touch of pride, shared the good news with his entire family.

He chose to gather his parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, and sisters in front of the old Shikumen house on a weekend.

The room was packed with people, and even the children sensed the different atmosphere and stayed quietly to one side.

"Dad, Mom, eldest brother, sister-in-law." Yang Guangming looked at his family sitting together, his gaze calm yet powerful, and slowly announced, "I bought a house in the alley next door."

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was stunned, as if they hadn't heard him clearly. They looked at him in disbelief, their faces showing various expressions of astonishment, confusion, and bewilderment.

Zhang Xiuying was the first to react. Her face didn't show joy, but rather heartache and resentment, and her voice rose eight octaves:

"Buy a house? You... why did you suddenly decide to buy a house? How much money will that cost! You child... how can you spend money so recklessly!"

She pounded her leg, heartbroken, "The factory won't be allocating housing anymore? You bought a house on your own, so you won't be eligible for housing allocation anymore! That's such a loss!"

In this era, most people believe that housing is a welfare benefit allocated by the state, and that buying a house with their own money is an extremely unwise act, tantamount to voluntarily giving up the right to receive housing from the state, which is a huge loss.

Once an individual owns private property, they will no longer be included in the housing allocation list by their work unit.

Unless there is no other employer or they cannot wait for housing allocation, they will not buy a house on their own as a last resort.

Yang Guangming has been admitted to graduate school and has a bright future. It's only natural that he will be allocated a large house in the future. In Zhang Xiuying's opinion, it's simply foolish of him to buy a house now.

Yang Xianglan immediately connected this to herself, her face showing a guilty and uneasy expression, as if she were the culprit:
"Guangming, is it because I'm moving there that you... that you had no choice but to buy a house? This... how can I possibly accept this... I..."

She was so anxious that she could barely speak, feeling that she had dragged her younger brother down with her.

Yang Guangming had anticipated this reaction from his family. He smiled and explained calmly:

"Mom, eldest sister, don't worry, listen to me. I didn't buy this house on a whim, and it's definitely not because eldest sister is moving in. Jian Yue and I are genuinely happy to have eldest sister move in, and we can look after each other."

He looked around at everyone, his gaze calm, his tone extremely firm: "I think that with housing so scarce in Shanghai, hoping for housing allocation is like waiting for the monkey to come to the horse."

There are so many people queuing up, and good properties are scarce. Moreover, the government's policies are becoming more and more lenient, so I don't think these houses can stay at cost price forever.

Who knows, maybe one day housing prices will rise, and then it will be difficult to buy.

He couldn't be too explicit, so he could only hint at it and explain in a way they could understand: "I think buying a house now is an opportunity."

Even if we wait for our work unit to allocate housing, how big will it be?

Now that we have our own house, we feel at ease. We don't have to be subservient to others or suffer from cramped living conditions.

If a more suitable property becomes available in the future, I might consider buying it again.

So, it really isn't because of you, sister. Don't feel guilty, this house was already part of my plan.

He looked at Yang Xianglan, his tone sincere, to reassure her.

Then, he looked at his elder brother Yang Guanghui and sister-in-law Li Guihua: "Brother, sister-in-law, you can also consider the plan to buy a house."

If we don't have enough money, we can pool our resources from several families.

I think the house will definitely appreciate in value in the future, so buying it now won't be a loss.

Even if you don't live there yourself, it's still a form of property.

He began to subtly instill the idea of ​​real estate investment in his family.

Yang Guanghui and Li Guihua exchanged a glance, their faces showing hesitation and caution.

Two thousand yuan is not a small amount for them; it would almost empty their savings and might not even be enough, requiring them to borrow money.

Moreover, although the factory was slow in allocating housing, there was always something to look forward to.

Once you buy your own house, you can truly put an end to any thoughts of it; otherwise, you'll feel uncertain.

They felt they should wait and see, and wait for the policy direction to unfold, and dared not take the "risk" that their younger brother had done.

“Guangming, your idea is good, and your vision is more far-sighted than ours.” Yang Guanghui rubbed his hands, somewhat embarrassed, and said. As the eldest son, he was more inclined to take a safer approach. “However… this matter is too big, involving so much money… we need to think about it some more and consider it further.”

Li Guihua chimed in, her face showing fear of the huge sum of money: "Yes, we still have to borrow money, and it makes us uneasy. Let's wait for the factory to allocate housing. Although it will be slower, at least we won't have to spend so much money."

Yang Guangming understood their concerns and didn't try to persuade them further.

He knew that changing mindsets takes time and cannot be forced.

They will naturally understand when housing prices start to soar, but by then, the opportunities will be different.

His tone softened, and he said, "It's alright, brother and sister-in-law, take your time to think it over. Now, shall I take you to see the new house? Let's see if the money was well spent?"

With mixed feelings of curiosity and even some doubt, the family followed Yang Guangming to the alley where his newly purchased house was located.

When I pushed open that black lacquered wooden door and saw the small and tidy courtyard, the spacious and bright living room, the fully functional kitchen, and the three-story pavilion and drying platform that offered a panoramic view and a sense of boundless imagination, all my complaints, worries, and feelings of being taken advantage of vanished instantly!
Zhang Xiuying's eyes lit up immediately! It was as if she had discovered a new continent.

She walked around inside and out, looking at and touching the sturdy wooden pillars and window frames. She pushed open the window and looked into the courtyard, her face filled with undisguised surprise and excitement, her mouth almost stretching to her ears.

"This...this house is really nice! Bright! Spacious! The floors, the wood, so sturdy!"

She kept muttering to herself, comparing, "This living room is even bigger than the one in our old house! And this courtyard...it's so nice! We can sunbathe and even grow some scallions and garlic!"

She has already started planning the use of the courtyard.

The thought of owning such a large house with independent property rights, belonging to her own family, and no longer having to share the kitchen and sink with other families, filled Zhang Xiuying with an indescribable excitement and sense of security, as if she had suddenly leaped from the crowded alleyway life to another level.

These days, it's rare to be allocated even a single Shikumen house, let alone a detached house with private ownership!
This is real family property!

Although Yang Yongkang didn't say anything, a satisfied look appeared in his eyes. He walked around the rooms with his hands behind his back, nodding occasionally and tapping the walls with his fingers to check the structure of the house.

He walked onto the rooftop, looked around, and nodded: "Yes, the view is open and the ventilation is good. The house is indeed in good condition, and the old furniture is still there. With a little tidying up and a fresh coat of paint, it'll be habitable." Yang Yongkang finally concluded, which can be considered his approval of the investment.

Looking at the spacious room, Yang Xiangmei felt a surge of anticipation and joy, thinking that she and her daughter would finally no longer have to share a room with their parents and could have their own independent space.

She took Xiaowen's hand and pointed to the three-story pavilion, saying, "Xiaowen can live upstairs in the future; it'll be quiet."

"Dad, Mom," Yang Guangming spoke up at the right moment, explaining his plan, "What I mean is, now that we've bought this house, we should get it ready as soon as possible. You two, my second sister, and Xiaowen, should move in as soon as possible. There are enough rooms here, and it's comfortable. As for the old house, we can leave it to my eldest brother and sister-in-law. It's more spacious for them, and they don't need to worry about getting separate rooms for the time being."

This arrangement takes everyone into consideration and is reasonable.

The old house was left to the eldest son, Yang Guanghui, in accordance with traditional customs.

It makes sense for the parents to live with their most successful son, who has also provided them with a new place to live. Moreover, the new house is in a better environment, more independent, and suitable for the elderly to retire in. The second sister, Xiangmei, also has a stable place to stay.

At this moment, Zhang Xiuying had long forgotten about "suffering a loss" and "eligibility for housing allocation," and was filled with love for this new house and pride in owning it.

Hearing her son's arrangement, she readily agreed, her face beaming with joy, as if she had become a few years younger: "Great! Great! We'll do as Guangming says! This house is great, we love it! Let's get ready as soon as possible and move in! I'll find someone to come and take a look tomorrow, to see how we should tidy it up!"

She can't wait to move into this "mansion" that belongs to her own family.

Looking at the house, Yang Xianglan felt happy for her younger brother and parents. At the same time, the weight that had been hanging over her heart because of moving out was finally lifted.

With her brother having better arrangements made, she felt more at ease living at his house.

Looking at the impressive new house, Yang Guanghui and Li Guihua couldn't help but feel envious. Thinking about their cramped old house and the seemingly endless wait for housing, they couldn't help but waver a little: Maybe... buying a house really isn't such a bad thing?
Looking at the smiles on his family's faces, filled with anticipation for their beautiful new home, Yang Guangming felt incredibly gratified.

Knowledge changes an individual's destiny, while wealth and foresight can improve the living conditions of the entire family.

This is just the beginning. (End of Chapter)