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

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Yang Guangming boarded the train alone to return to his hometown of Ying County, Hebei Province.

The train arrived at the somewhat dilapidated Yingxian Station in the afternoon.

With his simple luggage in hand, Yang Ming disembarked from the train with the flow of people. The platform was bustling with activity, and familiar local accents filled his ears, carrying a sense of warmth mixed with a reluctance to leave.

Without any delay, he left the station and headed straight for his second uncle, Tian Yuzhu's, house.

Tian Yuzhu was busy organizing planning reports at the village branch office when he was surprised to see his nephew return suddenly, looking travel-worn. He quickly put down his pen, stood up, and greeted him, "Guangming? Why are you back so soon? Have you settled everything in Kyoto?"

As he asked, he picked up the thermos and poured water for his nephew.

Yang Guangming took the large, rough porcelain bowl, drank a large gulp of warm water, wiped his mouth, briefly explained the situation in Kyoto, and then stated his purpose:

"Second Uncle, the main reason I came back this time is to handle the household registration transfer. The transfer permit has already been issued in Kyoto, so we need to hurry up and get the procedures here done."

Upon hearing that it was a serious matter, and one that concerned his eldest sister's family's foothold in Kyoto, Tian Yuzhu immediately took it seriously: "This is a big deal, it can't be delayed. Come on, your second uncle will accompany you to handle it!"

As he spoke, he greeted the accountant in the same office, pushed his old bicycle, and accompanied his nephew out the door.

With Tian Yuzhu, a respected village party secretary in the area, personally accompanying him, and with Yang Guangming having all the necessary paperwork, the household registration transfer process went exceptionally smoothly.

They first went to the commune and found the clerk in charge of household registration. The clerk was familiar with Tian Yuzhu. After checking the relocation permit and related documents from the capital, and listening to Tian Yuzhu's explanation of the situation, the clerk readily stamped the relocation permit with his official seal, muttering, "Yuzhu, your nephew has really made something of himself! He's going to the capital to become a city dweller!"

After leaving the commune, the two rode their bicycles to the relevant departments in the county town.

Perhaps because Tian Yuzhu had given prior notice, and because the matter itself was in accordance with policy regulations, the county officials did not make things difficult for them. They simply checked the materials routinely, asked a few questions, and then completed all the procedures smoothly.

When the thin household registration transfer certificate with several bright red stamps was handed to Yang Guangming, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This piece of paper, though light and flimsy, symbolizes the formal legal separation of a family from their ancestral homeland.

A complex mix of emotions welled up within him. This place held traces of his growth, familiar neighbors, and childhood memories, but more than anything, it evoked a resolute determination to embark on a new life.

As they left the county government office, the sun was already setting. Tian Yuzhu patted Yang Guangming on the shoulder: "Guangming, now that things are done, why don't you stay at your second uncle's house tonight? Your second aunt just steamed some cornbread and fried some eggs. Shall we have a drink?"

Yang Guangming shook his head and politely declined, saying, "Second Uncle, thank you. However, I still need to go back to the old house; I have some things to take care of. Tomorrow, I would like to invite you, my eldest uncle, and my eldest and second aunts to come over."

Seeing his nephew's serious expression, Tian Yuzhu knew there were other plans, so he didn't insist on keeping him any longer: "Alright, then you can go back first. Tomorrow morning, I'll go and call your eldest uncle, and then have your aunt inform your two aunts."

Yang Guangming returned alone to the familiar old brick house. Pushing open the slightly heavy wooden door, he found the courtyard quiet, covered with a thin layer of dust from days of inactivity.

He walked through the main room, the east room, the west room... his fingers brushing against the walls and door frames, his gaze sweeping over the familiar furniture and decorations, fragments of memories from his childhood and adolescence constantly surfacing.

Since awakening the mystery of the womb, everything the original body experienced has become his own experience.

He learned to speak here, read and wrote here, watched his mother toil for a living here, and received his father's few letters here. This place holds so many memories of joy and sorrow, and now it will soon be empty.

He quickly cleaned up the mess, boiled a pot of water, and took out a few steamed buns from the refrigerator to heat up, thus solving his dinner problem.

As night falls, the countryside is exceptionally quiet, with only the occasional bark of a dog.

He lay on his old bed, his head resting on the familiar hard pillow, but he couldn't fall asleep. His mind was racing, pondering his plans for tomorrow.

Early the next morning, the eldest uncle Tian Yulin, the second uncle Tian Yuzhu, and the eldest aunt Yang Guixiang and the second aunt Yang Lanxiang, who rushed over after receiving the news, arrived at the old house one after another.

Inside the main room, Yang Guangming had already brought out all the remaining grain from the house.

It mainly consisted of several dozen kilograms of wheat from the summer harvest, as well as rice, flour, and various grains that he had specially added from his spatial storage, all piled up in a heap.

Although the total amount wasn't particularly large—about two hundred catties including the grain he took out from his spatial storage—it was still a considerable sum for Tian Yufen and Qin Lanying, mother and daughter-in-law, who had saved up through frugality in this era of precious food.

Looking at the grain, the elders were all moved. Tian Yulin sighed, while Tian Yuzhu silently took out his pipe and lit it. The eyes of the two aunts were already reddening.

Yang Guangming cleared his throat and said sincerely to the four elders, "Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt, this is all the grain the family has saved up."

Our whole family went to Kyoto, and we don't know when we'll be back. We can't take all this stuff with us, and it'll just go to waste if we leave it here. So I decided to divide it into four parts.”

He pointed to the four piles of grain that had been roughly divided on the ground: "It's not much, it's just a small token of our family's appreciation. Thank you for helping my mother, my grandmother, and my siblings and me all these years when we encountered various difficulties. We will always remember this kindness."

The eldest uncle, Tian Yulin, stepped forward, looked at the grain on the ground, then at his nephew who had grown taller than him, and patted him heavily on the shoulder, his voice a little hoarse:
"Guangming, you're a thoughtful child! When you get there, take good care of your mother, your grandmother, and Shanshan. If you encounter any difficulties, write to the village. Your uncle may not be very capable, but he will definitely help if he can."

Tian Yuzhu chimed in, "With the household registration moved to Kyoto, life will definitely get better and better. If you need any help from home, just like your uncle said, send us a letter. We have a lot of people in our family. We can't handle big things, but we can certainly contribute manpower and effort."

The two aunts held Yang Guangming's hands, tears streaming down their faces.

Da Gu Yang Guixiang choked up, "Guangming, you've gone so far... Your mother is resilient, but she's still a woman. Please bear with her while you're by her side."

Your grandmother is getting old, and she doesn't know anyone in Kyoto, so you have to be extra careful..."

Second Aunt Yang Lanxiang also kept nagging, giving instructions that were nothing more than to take care of her health, look after her family, and come back to visit often.

Yang Guangming agreed to each suggestion, a warm feeling welling up inside him, tinged with a touch of sadness. He knew that these simple words of advice contained the most sincere care from his loved ones.

After distributing the grain, the next step was to arrange the old house.

Yang Guangming led his uncles and aunts to look at the brick house again, inside and out.

This house was built by Tian Yufen with most of the savings that Yang Jianxiong sent back, after she gritted her teeth and used them.

In an era when most houses in this village were still made of adobe, this house with its blue bricks and gray tiles allowed Tian Yufen to stand tall and also gave Yang Guangming and Yang Shanshan a relatively decent home.

This place embodies countless efforts of the mother and carries the memories of the whole family, especially the many childhood memories of the siblings.

Yang Guangming clearly expressed his thoughts: "Uncle, Second Uncle, my mother definitely won't be willing to sell this house. If she does, it feels like our roots will be severed."

Moreover, if something happens in the future, I'll need a place to stay when I come back.

What I mean is, don't sell it for now. Find a relative to move in and help take care of it and maintain it, just make sure the house doesn't collapse or break down.

As for the future... we'll talk about it after we've completely settled down in Kyoto.

Upon hearing this, the eldest uncle, Tian Yulin, and the second uncle, Tian Yuzhu, exchanged a glance, their expressions somewhat complicated.

Both families lived in mud-brick houses passed down from their ancestors, dilapidated and leaky in summer and drafty in winter. Who wouldn't be tempted by this sturdy brick house?
Tian Yulin is honest and simple, and values ​​family ties the most.

He thought about his younger brother's situation—Tian Yuzhu had three half-grown sons, crammed into three low mud-brick houses. The eldest son was approaching marriageable age, but without a decent new house, it would be difficult for him to find a wife in the future.

Although his own home wasn't spacious, he only had one son who was still young, so he could squeeze in for a few more years.

So he took the initiative to say, "Yuzhu, you have many sons and your living space is cramped. Seeing that the children are growing up day by day, this house... why don't you move in first and help your older sister and Guangming take care of the house? My place can still make do for a few more years."

Tian Yuzhu hadn't expected his elder brother to offer so readily, and felt both grateful and a little embarrassed. He looked at Yang Guangming, his tone questioning, "Guangming, what do you think of this... what your uncle said..."

Yang Guangming had anticipated this and was pleased with the outcome.

My eldest uncle took the initiative to show his generosity, and my second uncle's family really needed the house to solve their immediate problem.

He nodded and said, "Second Uncle, since Eldest Uncle says so, and your family really needs it, then we'll trouble you."

You can rest assured that you can live in this house without worry. As for routine maintenance and repairs, such as checking for leaks in the roof and damage to the doors and windows, I'll leave that to you. In case… I mean, in case anything changes in the future and you need this house…”

"do not worry!"

Tian Yuzhu immediately straightened his back and solemnly assured her, "Guangming, this house belongs to my elder sister and you. I'm just temporarily staying here to help look after the house!"
Whenever you need to come back, or if you have any other plans, just send us a message, and we'll pack our things and move out immediately, without hesitation!

I will cherish every brick and tile of this house as if it were my own!

That was how it was settled.

Yang Guangming handed a heavy bunch of keys to his second uncle, Tian Yuzhu. The moment the keys were exchanged, both of them felt much more at ease.

Tian Yuzhu solved his family's pressing housing problem, while Yang Guangming ensured that the old house had life and was not abandoned or decayed.

After spending another night in the old house, the next morning, with his uncles and aunts bidding him a reluctant farewell, Yang Guangming once again embarked on the country road to the train station.

His uncles helped him carry his simple luggage, while his aunts kept giving him instructions along the way.

When Yang Guangming, dusty and weary from her journey, returned to her familiar room at the Kyoto Ward Women's Federation Guesthouse, it was already afternoon.

He had just raised his hand to knock on the door when he heard light footsteps inside. Then the door creaked open, revealing his younger sister Yang Shanshan's excited little face.

"Brother! You're back!" The little girl cheered and rushed over to hug her brother tightly when she saw him.

Yang Guangming wore a tired but relieved smile and reached out to ruffle his sister's hair: "You're back. Is everything alright at home?"

"Everything is fine, everything is fine!" Yang Shanshan nodded vigorously and pulled her brother's hand to walk into the house.

Yang Guangming looked up into the room and saw that his father, Yang Jianxiong, was also there.

Inside the room, Mother Tian Yufen and Grandmother Qin Lanying sat side by side on the edge of the bed by the window, while Father sat on the old chair against the wall. All three looked serious, as if they were discussing something important.

Upon seeing him enter, all three of them turned their gazes towards him, instantly enlivening the previously tense atmosphere in the room.

"Guangming, you're back! Was the journey smooth? Have you eaten?" Grandma Qin Lanying spoke first, her face full of undisguised concern, and she got up to pour him some water.

"Sure thing, Grandma, please sit still." Yang Guangming quickly put down his luggage, went to his grandmother's side, and helped her sit down. "I ate on the train. Everything's taken care of."

Tian Yufen looked at her son with a questioning look in her eyes.

Yang Guangming understood and proactively reported, "Mom, the household registration transfer procedures have all been completed smoothly."

I asked my eldest uncle, second uncle, eldest aunt, and second aunt to help me divide the grain from our hometown into four portions, which I then distributed to each family. They all thanked me and Grandma, and said they were grateful for my concern and told us to take good care of ourselves in Kyoto.

Upon hearing that the grain had been distributed to relatives, Tian Yufen nodded without saying anything.

Those grains were saved by her and her mother-in-law, one grain at a time. Although it hurt her heart, after the family settled in Kyoto, they had grain rations and no longer worried about food. On the contrary, their relatives back in their hometown were in even more difficulty.

The best way to handle this is to distribute the family's food to relatives who have helped them in the past; it's a way of showing some consideration.

Yang Guangming continued, "As for the old house... I've discussed it with my eldest and second uncles, and we're not selling it for now."

My second uncle's house is cramped; my older cousin is almost an adult, so there's not enough room for him.

My eldest uncle offered to let my second uncle's family move in and help look after the house. I've already given the keys to my second uncle, and he promised that they can move out anytime we need them.

Hearing that the old house had been secured and that her younger brother would be moving in, Tian Yufen felt relieved, but also somewhat conflicted.

After all, she had poured countless hours of her heart and soul into building that house, and she had a deep emotional attachment to it. The best outcome was for it to be lived in and maintained by her own family, rather than left empty and abandoned.

She gave a soft "hmm" to indicate that she understood.

At this moment, Yang Jianxiong, who was sitting to the side, cleared his throat and spoke, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement and urgency: "Guangming, you're back just in time. We were just talking about the house."

"A house?" Yang Guangming turned to his father, who had been pondering this matter on the train. "Any suitable news?"

"Ah."

Yang Jianxiong nodded, clearly taking the news very seriously. "After asking around with several old comrades and some friends in the area, we finally got some reliable information these past few days, and the conditions sound quite good."

He explained in detail: "It's a private house in Haidian District. The owner is an engineer surnamed Zhao. I heard that his entire company is relocating to another place, and his whole family will have to go with them, so he's in a hurry to sell this house and make some money."

"What kind of house is it exactly?" Yang Guangming pressed, as this was what he was most concerned about.

"It is the second courtyard of a three-courtyard siheyuan, and it is relatively independent." Yang Jianxiong had obviously learned a lot of details. "I heard that the siheyuan was originally a wealthy merchant's outer residence built in the suburbs before the liberation. It was built in the mid-1930s, so it is only about 20 years old now. The materials are very solid, the workmanship is exquisite, and it is well preserved."

He continued to describe the specific layout of the east courtyard: "In this east courtyard, the main house is on the north side, with a total of four rooms. The layout is a standard one-bright-two-dark layout, that is, the middle room is the main hall, the two sides are bedrooms, and there is also a slightly smaller side room attached to the side, which can be used as a bedroom or a study."

To the east, there are two side rooms, one of which is a kitchen and dining room. What's special is that the water pipes have been connected to the kitchen, making it convenient to use water.

The other room is a storage room, used to store various daily necessities. There is also a vegetable cellar dug underneath, where cabbages and radishes can be stored in winter.

In the southeast corner of the courtyard, there is a separate dry toilet, so the family doesn't have to go to the public toilet outside.

The four main rooms combined reportedly have a usable area of ​​80 or 90 square meters, which isn't small, and more importantly, the location is excellent.

Yang Jianxiong emphasized, "It's only about a ten-minute walk from the district women's federation where your mother works, which is very convenient."

Finally, he revealed the most crucial information: "The homeowner's quoted price after assessment by the housing management department is 1,200 yuan."

I think that considering the house's condition, location, and the rare private ownership aspect, the price, while not low, is definitely worth considering.

Yang Guangming listened carefully to every word his father said, his brain working at lightning speed to analyze the information.

Built in the 1930s, this courtyard house is over 20 years old. In an era when everything was in ruins and very few new houses were being built, it wasn't bad compared to newly built houses.

With four main rooms and two side rooms, the functional areas are clearly defined, and each room has a separate kitchen and toilet. By today's standards, this living condition is quite excellent and sufficient for their family to live in.

Moreover, there is plenty of space to move around, and Grandma would definitely love having a yard where she can sunbathe and grow flowers and plants.

The location is impeccable, making it extremely convenient for my mother to commute to and from get off work.

A price of 1,200 yuan was undoubtedly an astonishing sum in an era when the average worker's monthly salary was only 30 or 40 yuan. But for him, this amount of money was entirely within his means.

Most importantly, in an era when housing was highly dependent on planned allocation and private housing circulation was extremely limited, he knew how rare and precious it was to find a private house with clear property rights, legal transferability, and such suitable conditions.

Opportunities are fleeting.

He barely hesitated before saying, "Dad, now that you mention it, the condition of this house is indeed rare."

The area is sufficient, the layout is good, and the location is very convenient.

We need to go see the actual property as soon as possible. If the house is in good condition as you described, with no structural problems or major hidden dangers, I think we can finalize the purchase.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his mother and grandmother, before stating his considerations:

"If we settle on a house sooner, our household registration can be directly transferred to the address of this new property. Then, we can also get the ration coupons, food ration coupons, coal ration coupons, and other daily necessities processed as soon as possible."

With a fixed address, Shanshan's transfer to another school can now be finalized.

In this way, our family could finally settle down and put down roots in Kyoto.

Tian Yufen and Qin Lanying were undecided about buying a house, a major decision that could easily cost thousands of yuan, and instinctively felt that the amount of money was too much.

But when they heard their son's analysis, which was logical and reasonable, and which concerned their own lives such as residency and schooling, they nodded in agreement, and their worries eased a little.

Qin Lanying, in particular, was quite impressed when she heard that the house was a single-story building with a yard.

Having lived her whole life in a detached bungalow, she was genuinely apprehensive about living in a tenement building where everyone had to share a kitchen and toilet.

Having her own yard allows her to stretch her muscles, which gives her more to look forward to in the future. Yang Jianxiong is even more gratified to see his son so decisive and focused on the key issue of settling down.

“Alright, since you think it’s feasible, let’s not delay.” Yang Jianxiong was a decisive soldier. “I’ll go borrow the phone at the guesthouse front desk and contact Engineer Zhao. If he’s available now, we’ll go see the room right away! Let’s avoid any unforeseen problems.”

With that, he stood up and strode out. Yang Guangming immediately followed, also hoping to finalize the matter as soon as possible.

Tian Yufen and Qin Lanying watched the father and son disappear through the door, their backs steady yet anxious. They exchanged a glance, both feeling as if they were in a dream.

So... we're going to go house hunting? A house for just over a thousand yuan? It feels like a dream, so unreal.

But seeing the father and son's resolute attitude, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law felt much more at ease, and could only silently pray that everything would go smoothly.

Yang Jianxiong quickly contacted Engineer Zhao through the phone number at the guesthouse reception.

Upon hearing that someone was about to view the house and had a strong intention to buy, the other party became very excited and immediately said that he could rush home from work right now and let them come directly over.

After hanging up the phone, Yang Jianxiong said to his son, who was standing beside him, "It's all arranged. He's setting off now. Let's go too."

He had the guards waiting outside the guesthouse bring the jeep over. Considering it was only their first time viewing the room, and that too many people would only lead to conflicting opinions, he asked Tian Yufen and Qin Lanying to rest in their guesthouse room and wait for news.

The family chatted in the room for another ten minutes or so, and when they felt it was about time, the father and son went out.

The two got into the grass-green military jeep, and Yang Jianxiong gave the address to the guard.

The distance was indeed very short. The jeep only drove for a few minutes, turned through a few alleys, and stopped at the entrance of a relatively wide alley, big enough for one car to pass through.

A middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses, looking like a typical intellectual, was pacing anxiously at the entrance of the alley.

Upon seeing the military jeep stop and Yang Jianxiong, dressed in military uniform and exuding an extraordinary air, stepping out of the vehicle, he immediately strode forward to greet him, a warm yet slightly awkward smile plastered on his face.

"Are you... Chief Yang?" Engineer Zhao asked tentatively, his gaze quickly sweeping over Yang Jianxiong's military uniform and the jeep behind him, his attitude unconsciously becoming more respectful.

In this era, soldiers, especially cadres equipped with jeeps, represented authority and credibility.

"Hello Engineer Zhao, I'm Yang Jianxiong." Yang Jianxiong shook hands with him in a friendly manner, then turned to introduce his son who was following behind him, "This is my son, Yang Guangming. He mainly wanted to look at houses; he's the one who makes the decisions at home."

Engineer Zhao quickly shook hands with Yang Guangming: "Hello, hello, Comrade Yang Guangming. It's really kind of you to make this trip. The house is inside, please follow me, this way please." His tone was clearly urgent.

He led the father and son into the alley.

This alley is indeed wider than the usual ones, and the ground is paved with old-fashioned flagstones. Although it is a bit uneven, jeeps can still drive in, which will make it much easier to move furniture and other items in the future.

After walking for about several dozen meters, we arrived at a vermilion gate.

Although the paint has faded and peeled over the years, and the door knocker is rusty, the gatehouse is tall, and the brick carvings on the lintel, though weathered by time, still faintly show the auspicious and prosperous patterns carved in the original, indicating that the original owner had put thought and money into it, and that it was not an ordinary residence.

"This is it." Engineer Zhao led the two into the courtyard.

Upon entering, the first thing that catches the eye is a screen wall made of finely polished bricks with the character "福" (fortune) carved on it. Although the edges are somewhat damaged, the overall grandeur remains.

Passing the screen wall, you enter the first courtyard.

You can see that the main house and the east and west wing rooms are inhabited. There are several clotheslines in the yard with clothes hanging on them, and some common roses and morning glories are planted in the corners of the walls, creating a strong sense of daily life.

Some residents heard the noise and peeked out of their windows.

Engineer Zhao simply nodded in acknowledgment and, without lingering, led the two through the hanging flower gate of the first courtyard into the second courtyard.

The second courtyard is clearly more spacious, orderly, and quieter than the first courtyard.

Engineer Zhao led them directly to a moon gate on the east side.

“My home is in this east courtyard, which is relatively independent. Although it is part of this three-courtyard siheyuan, it is no different from a separate house.” As he spoke, he walked through the moon gate.

A quiet, square courtyard suddenly appeared before the bright sunlight.

Compared to the courtyard of my old home in the countryside, this courtyard is not large, but it is very tidy. The ground is paved with blue bricks, and although some moss has grown in the gaps, it is kept very clean.

To the north is a row of four main rooms, with blue bricks and gray tiles. The roof tiles are neat and uniform, and there are simple animal-shaped decorations at both ends of the roof ridge. The windows are wooden lattice windows, but they are all inlaid with glass, making them look bright and clean.

To the east are two slightly lower side rooms, also built of blue bricks.

Sure enough, there was a small, separate hut in the southeast corner of the yard, with the door tightly closed; it looked like the toilet.

The courtyard seemed neglected and somewhat empty, but the layout was complete and the main building looked very sturdy.

"Comrade Guangming, Chief Yang, please take a look."

Engineer Zhao began his introduction with enthusiasm, his tone tinged with pride, yet also with a hint of sadness at his impending departure:

"The main house has four rooms, which is the standard layout of one bright room, two dark rooms, and one side room."

The middle room is the main hall, used for entertaining guests; the two sides are bedrooms, which are well-insulated; the next room is a side room, which is a bit smaller, but it is perfect as a bedroom or study.

The first owner invested heavily in its construction, using only the finest pine beams and cedar rafters, and it hasn't warped at all over the years.

He pushed open the door to the main hall in the middle of the house and invited the father and son inside for a tour.

The main room was quite spacious, and the floor was made of cement, which, although not very smooth, was very flat.

The high ceilings prevented a feeling of confinement. Both bedrooms on either side were spacious and well-lit.

The side room was indeed smaller, but it was more than enough for one person to live in or use as a study.

The house still retains a lot of furniture, including an eight-immortal table, a grand master chair, a wardrobe, and a bed. The main pieces of furniture are all there. Although the styles are old and the paint is dull, they feel solid to the touch and show no signs of insect infestation or decay. It is clear that the materials used are of good quality and the house is well-maintained.

"These furniture... and these tables, chairs, and benches inside, if you like this house, you can keep them all," Engineer Zhao said, his tone very sincere.

"We also have some pots and pans in the kitchen, water tanks, stoves, brooms and dustpans, and other household items that we can't take with us and are too lazy to deal with."

If you don't mind, we can discount it and make it 200 yuan in total.

If you were to buy a complete set of everyday items like this at a flea market, it would probably cost at least four or five hundred yuan, and you might not even find anything that would be as suitable.

After showing them the main house, he led the two to the east wing.

One room is the kitchen, and remarkably, there's a gleaming tap in the corner, with a cement sink built underneath.

Besides the usual coal stove, there was also a brick stove with a bellows. Although it showed some signs of smoke and fire, it was kept quite clean.

The other room was a storage room, filled with a small amount of coal and various odds and ends. There was an entrance covered by a thick wooden board on the ground. Lifting it revealed a dark, dark cellar underneath, from which a faint smell of earth and rotting vegetables wafted.

Finally, he led the two to the southeast corner to see the toilet, which was a traditional dry toilet with the pits separated by stone slabs.

Although simple, it was cleaned very well, with no obvious odor, and some lime was sprinkled in the corner.

After touring the entire east courtyard, Yang Guangming had a basic understanding of the area.

The house is indeed in excellent condition, with a sturdy structure and no obvious cracks or signs of subsidence. The layout is well-designed and fully functional, especially the separate yard and running water in the kitchen, which are significant advantages.

The courtyard is independent and quiet, neither disturbing others nor easily disturbed by them. In the future, if we eat something nice at home, we can avoid being spied on by our neighbors with just a little care.

Although the furniture and household items left behind are old, they do save them a lot of trouble and extra expenses.

He was already quite satisfied, but he didn't show it on his face. He just looked at it carefully and occasionally asked a question or two about the details, such as whether the roof had ever leaked, how the heating would be handled in winter, and whether the yard would flood during the rainy season.

Engineer Zhao answered truthfully to all questions, stating that he would go up to inspect the roof every spring and summer and had never missed it.

In winter, coal stoves are mainly used for heating. As long as you are willing to burn coal, the heating effect is quite good.

The yard is situated on higher ground, with smooth drainage and has never accumulated water.

After the tour, the three returned to the center of the courtyard.

Yang Jianxiong looked at his son, asking for his opinion with his eyes.

Yang Guangming met his father's gaze and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Yang Jianxiong understood, and said to Engineer Zhao, "Engineer Zhao, we've seen your house, and it's really nice. It's well-maintained, the layout is good, and the yard is quiet."

Engineer Zhao's face immediately showed a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, and his hands unconsciously rubbed together.

But Yang Jianxiong changed the subject, a perfectly timed look of unease on his face: "It's just that the price... to be honest, 1,200 yuan, plus 200 yuan for the furniture, that's 1,400 yuan, which is too much of a burden for our family."

He sighed, his tone sincere, "To be honest, Engineer Zhao, although I am a military officer and my benefits seem good, most of my salary goes to helping the families of my comrades who are struggling financially. I really don't have any savings."

This house purchase will mainly depend on my son finding his own way to raise the money. At most... at most I can help him with 100 yuan, that's the limit.

Although Yang Jianxiong wanted to haggle, he wasn't lying. He really didn't have any savings. Even if he could scrape together 100 yuan for his son, he would have to borrow some from his comrades to make up the difference.

He was clearly not good at bargaining, so he could only subtly point out that his family was not extremely wealthy to avoid the other party thinking they were "easy prey" and insisting on a fixed price.

Engineer Zhao was taken aback for a moment, then pushed up his glasses. He clearly hadn't expected that this dignified military leader, who was riding in a jeep with bodyguards, would give such an "embarrassing" reason.

He glanced at the young yet composed Yang Guangming, then at the sincere-looking Yang Jianxiong, and felt that it didn't seem fake.

A flicker of struggle and urgency crossed his face.

His and his wife's job transfer orders have been issued. His wife and children have already left and shipped their luggage. They are just waiting for the proceeds from the sale of the house so that he can immediately go to his new unit to report for duty. Time is very tight.

Those who came to see the apartment before either complained about the price or couldn't come up with that much cash in a short time. With the deadline for registration fast approaching, he was extremely anxious.

If they can't reach an agreement today, he'll have no choice but to settle for the next best option: handing the house over to the state for rental.

In that case, although he could receive some rent regularly, the loss would be too great compared to the lump sum payment from the sale of the house, and he would definitely prefer to sell the house.

He took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, "Chief Yang, Comrade Guangming, to be honest, the housing management department's assessment of 1,200 is not because I am asking for too much."

You've all seen this house in person; the quality, location, and the tranquility of its detached courtyard are all impeccable.

I genuinely want to sell or give away the furniture and belongings I'm leaving behind, just so the transaction goes smoothly and I can have peace of mind.

He paused, then gritted his teeth and said, "Since you truly have real difficulties, and I am indeed in a hurry to leave, time waits for no one..."

How about this, I'll give you a discount of two hundred on the total price of the house! And all the furniture is free!
The house comes furnished, and the total price is one thousand yuan!

Everything, including the house, will be transferred to you! This is truly my bottom line. Any lower... any lower and I'll have to hand it over to the government for rental, which would be an even greater loss for me. But I really have no other choice; I can't afford to wait any longer!

One thousand yuan! It's two hundred yuan cheaper than the original price, and it includes all furniture and household items.

Yang Guangming quickly calculated in his mind.

In his opinion, this price was very reasonable, and he could even say that he got a great deal.

He understood that Engineer Zhao was indeed under pressure to relocate and was eager to get rid of the business; this price was probably the other party's bottom line.

Guangming is not short of money and is very satisfied with the house. The other party has indeed made a great concession, so there is no need to continue arguing about the price.

Without further hesitation, he looked at his father, nodded slightly, and his eyes clearly indicated that the price was acceptable.

Seeing his son's gesture, Yang Jianxiong understood that it would be difficult to lower the price any further, and considering the condition of the house itself and the current market conditions, it was indeed worthwhile.

He stopped haggling, a hearty smile spreading across his face, and extended his hand to Engineer Zhao: "Engineer Zhao, you're a straightforward and honest man! Okay, it'll be as you said, the house, furnished, for a total of one thousand yuan! We'll buy it!"

Upon hearing this, Engineer Zhao's tense shoulders instantly relaxed, and he let out a long sigh of relief, a bright smile of relief spreading across his face.

He quickly reached out and grasped Yang Jianxiong's hands tightly, shaking them vigorously: "That's great! That's great! Thank you! I'm so grateful that you understand! You've finally solved my biggest problem!"

The worry that had been weighing on his mind for days was finally put to rest, and he was so excited that he was almost incoherent.

"Mr. Zhao, when would be a convenient time for us to go and complete the transfer procedures?" Yang Guangming asked at the opportune moment.

He wanted to settle things as soon as possible and get the property certificate to avoid any unforeseen complications.

"Now! Let's go right now!" Engineer Zhao said impatiently, raising his wrist to check his watch. "It's only 3 p.m., there's still time to go to the housing management bureau to complete the procedures! I have all my documents with me, including my ID card, property certificate, and a letter of recommendation from my employer!"

He was also a decisive person and was ready to close the deal at any time.

"Alright! Then I'll trouble Engineer Zhao to lead the way." Yang Guangming and Yang Jianxiong exchanged a smile, both feeling a sense of relief and joy.

The three immediately got into the jeep and headed straight for the district housing management office.

At this time of day, there aren't many people at the housing management office.

With Yang Jianxiong, a military leader with a calm and composed demeanor, present, even though he did not specifically reveal his identity, his military uniform and natural bearing carried an inherent sense of credibility.

With all the necessary paperwork from Mr. Zhao, the buyer and seller acting voluntarily, and the price meeting the housing authority's assessment standards, the transfer of ownership proceeded exceptionally smoothly.

Filling out forms, verifying documents, changing registration... each procedure was carried out in an orderly manner.

When the staff wrote "Tian Yufen" in neat handwriting on the new property certificate and stamped it with the bright red official seal of the housing management bureau, handing a brand-new piece of paper symbolizing legal ownership to Yang Guangming, he felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.

He carefully put away the property certificate, knowing that with this house and this thin piece of paper, his home would truly have a solid and unbreakable foundation in Beijing.

From then on, their family was no longer adrift, but truly settled down in this city.

After completing the transfer procedures, the three of them went to the bank together.

Yang Guangming took out 1,000 yuan in cash from his savings account and solemnly handed the money to Engineer Zhao.

Engineer Zhao carefully counted the money twice to confirm the amount was correct. Then, he carefully put the money into his old leather bag, zipped it up, and held it tightly to his chest. His smile never faded, and even his wrinkles smoothed out.

With the payment settled, the three returned to the courtyard house.

Engineer Zhao's few remaining personal belongings—mainly a few changes of clothes, some books, and toiletries—had already been packed up and were ready to be taken away.

He handed all the house keys, the whole bunch, to Yang Guangming.

"Comrade Guangming, this house and this home will belong to you from now on."

Engineer Zhao looked at the home he had lived in for nearly ten years with emotion, his gaze sweeping over the familiar main room and courtyard, a hint of reluctance and nostalgia flashing in his eyes.

But more than anything, it was the relief of being relieved of a heavy burden and the anticipation of a new job and a new life that was about to begin. "I hope your family will live here comfortably, in harmony and happiness, and that your life will become more and more prosperous."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao. I wish you all the best in your new job and a bright future."

Yang Guangming accepted the heavy bunch of keys, still warm from the other person's touch, and offered his sincere blessings. (End of Chapter)