An extraordinary life journey through old Beijing courtyard houses

Chapter 225 Occupying a House

Qin Huairu was pregnant, and of course, he hadn't only found out now.

Public telephones already existed in Beiping at that time.

From 41 titles in 49 to more than 100 titles now.

It's like saying, "Please have Aunt Ma at the alley entrance call out."

The names, however, are quite fancy, such as "Paging Telephone" and "People's Telephone".

Moreover, the fee is low (400 yuan per time, equivalent to 4 cents in the second edition of RMB), but it is charged on both sides.

If it weren't for the news that his wife was pregnant, would Jiang Baobin have been so reluctant to stay in the reporting group?

He misses his wife and worries about his children.

Jiang Baobin gets furious when he talks about his children!

Damn! The two of them worked hard for half a year before, and now they're exhausted, like grandsons.

But they got nothing.

But ever since I came back from South Korea, I've been hooked from the first shot!

Who can I reason with?

From now on, if you ask who is the best at tormenting people?

You must choose a system!

He'll get angry with anyone who objects!

Seeing her husband return, Qin Huairu, who was hanging clothes to dry, smiled like a peony.

The setting sun shone on her face, casting a warm glow.

"Hehehe————" Jiang Baobin chuckled as he looked at her obviously protruding belly.

This is my child!

The thought of watching him being born and raising him myself is so exciting!

Qin Huairu subconsciously stroked it—the little guy seemed to sense it and moved very vigorously.

"Don't just stand there, let's go home."

"Okay, okay, wait a moment, I'll put my things down so I can help you."

Qin Huairu found it quite amusing: "Oh dear! My belly isn't that big, it's not necessary."

"Oh, then slow down."

"Binzi, why did you buy so much stuff again? How much did all this cost?"

Qin Huairu looked at Jiang Baobin, who was carrying large and small bags on his shoulders and in his hands, and said helplessly.

"Hey, money's not a problem, I'm just happy right now."

"Come on in, let me show you what gifts I bought."

"What kinds are there?"

"There are dresses from Shanghai, leather shoes from Guangzhou, silk from Suzhou, and toys for our children —"

"Oh! He's not even born yet, why would you buy him toys?"

"Hey, isn't this a rare opportunity? These are all local specialties that you can't find in Beiping. Don't worry, they're worthless."

Qin Huairu said with a bittersweet smile, "Oh dear! That's still money! You've squandered it again!"

"This is nothing, I have money (borrowed)."

As the two were walking back, chatting and laughing, someone suddenly greeted them: "Hey! Binzi's back! Wow! You bought so much stuff?"

The person who greeted them was actually Jia Zhangshi.

"Yes, I'm back, Aunt Jia."

Jiang Baobin agreed verbally, but he was a little puzzled. He looked at her, and then at the east wing behind her.

As if sensing something, he turned his head and saw He Yushui sitting on a stool by the door of the west wing, playing by herself.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai's wife, who had heard the commotion, also came out from the east side room.

She greeted him with a smile, "Binzi's back?"

"You're back, Aunt Yi."

Jiang Baobin came from the neighboring courtyard. As soon as he entered, he saw his wife and could only laugh.

Without realizing it, the changes in this courtyard were so significant.

Our house is no longer a standalone dwelling; several other families have suddenly joined us.

Old Yi's wife asked with concern, "You're not leaving this time, are you?"

"Oh dear, that's hard to say. We have to follow the organization's arrangements. If they tell us to leave, we have to go."

"Let's talk about it later. Didn't you see Binzi is carrying several bags?" Jia Zhangshi interjected.

The man with the triangular eyes stared eagerly at the things on Jiang Baobin's body—how wonderful it would be if these were his own?

She was hiding inside the door, but she heard everything.

With clothes and leather shoes, it must have cost a lot of money. This third son of the Jiang family is really rich now!

After returning home, Jiang Baobin didn't need to ask.

While he was changing clothes, Qin Huairu told him everything.

Even if she didn't say it, Jiang Baobin could guess pretty much what was going on.

More than a month ago, the newspaper published a report about Huang Jinrong, the leader of the Green Gang, submitting a "self-confession of repentance" to the Shanghai Military Control Commission.

This is a signal.

We Easterners are very particular about giving signals before doing anything.

Huang Jinrong is a very clear signal that the good days for bad people are over!

As the capital city, Beiping was home to many knowledgeable and sensitive people.

Take the courtyard house for example, who doesn't know that the landlord was a traitor?

Although it's uncertain whether he has CCP blood on his hands, he's definitely a traitor.

He's been gone for two or three years now, and judging from this situation, he would never dare to come back unless he's willing to risk his life.

Then a common idea popped into our heads—to take over the house!

Therefore, the current situation has arisen.

However, due to Jiang Baobin's time travel, the redistribution of Courtyard No. 95 underwent significant changes.

This guy acted too early, so naturally He Daqing had nothing to do with the main wife.

He had no choice but to settle for the west wing.

Seeing that He Daqing had made his move, Widow Jia, not to be outdone, also occupied the east wing of the central courtyard.

For reasons unknown, Yi Zhonghai, after greeting the deaf old lady, also moved into the east wing of the central courtyard.

Jiang Baobin originally intended to occupy this side room as well.

However, considering that he had already occupied a side room in the courtyard.

If they take over this side as well, it would be going too far.

Besides, I'll be leaving in ten years. No matter how much I take, I'll have to give it all back eventually, so it's not worth it.

With He Daqing and Jia Zhangshi setting an example, other families naturally did not want to be outdone.

Just like in a TV drama, Xu Fugui's family and Liu Haizhong's family moved into the backyard and occupied the east and west wing rooms.

This freed up the front yard.

Therefore, even Jiang Baowen occupied two small side rooms, and now he is arguing with Lao Jiang about separating the family property.

Jiang Baobin was a little confused about this.

With the eldest sister-in-law's shrewdness, shouldn't she be working hard to squeeze money from the old man and then save up her own little nest egg?

However, after hearing what Qin Huairu said, it wasn't surprising.

This winter, while he was out there giving speeches, well, I mean, talking nonsense.

Jiang Mantang set up his stall early in the morning, but he accidentally slipped and fell, fracturing his femoral head.

These days, if you get this kind of injury, you're practically crippled, if not disabled.

The eldest sister-in-law was naturally unwilling to take on this burden, so she started making a scene.

In fact, their two families had already separated.

In Qin Huairu's words, they've completely broken off relations.

Jiang Baobin didn't take it to heart at all. What does it have to do with me? They were just the original owner's parents.

Besides, given their character, each one of them is more ruthless than the last, isn't it normal that they've ended up like this?

When you get home, touching your wife's belly and listening to the baby's heartbeat are normal practices.

Later that evening, guests began to arrive at the house.

In the end, the room was filled with people: Yi Zhonghai, He Daqing, Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, and Xu Fugui.

They were all influential figures in the institute.

Jiang Baobin allowed these people to drink tea and eat melon seeds, but he forbade them to smoke.

According to Jiang Baobin, smoking affects the fetus.

Although everyone thought he was being pretentious and felt somewhat resentful, no one dared to disobey him.

The current Jiang Baobin is no longer the Jiang Laosan who was easily manipulated and wouldn't utter a sound even after being beaten three times!

He's a great writer; he can write songs, articles, and sell books. Isn't that amazing?

Making it into the newspapers happens every now and then.

Rescuing people, gathering intelligence, and even discovering a time bomb—it all seems unbelievable.

The People's Daily even published his photo; it was a group photo with the top leader.

His deeds have been written up in almost a whole page, calling on everyone to learn from him.

I'm a darling!

What kind of person is this? Can an ordinary citizen like myself afford to offend them? I'd be too busy sucking up to them.

Jiang Baobin found it quite amusing to see the ugly, obsequious behavior of these people.

He couldn't help but feel a little smug—the manager? Bullshit!

These people subtly inquired about where he would be assigned to work and what position he would hold.

Jiang Baobin just laughed it off.

You're asking me? Who the hell am I supposed to ask?

If there's one downside, it's that they like to play mysterious and advocate the idea that things can only be understood intuitively.

What's the point of trying to understand it? Aren't you tired of this?