Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Chapter 154 Surprise

Seeing Xu Bei say this, the mother and daughter were relieved of some of their concerns and began to talk about their life in the city.

Xu Juan, in particular, will be starting school on March 1st.

I was worried that it would be difficult to go from luxury to frugality. I eat and drink well at home every day, and I would definitely feel uncomfortable when I go back to school to live in the dormitory and eat in the cafeteria.

If my mother and brother could both go to the city and live by her side every day, our life would be as wonderful as a dream.

"I really hope this area near the department store will be rented out. Otherwise, all these plans will fall through."

Xu Bei chuckled and patted his sister's head. "You silly girl. Even if we can't rent there, we'll find somewhere else. Don't worry, moving to the city is a done deal."

With Xu Bei's assurance, Xu Juan was extremely excited.

Later that evening, after Xu Bei returned to his room and crawled into bed, he could still faintly hear his younger sister's chattering voice coming from the east room.

The next morning, when Xu Li rode her bike to the store alone, she was deeply moved upon learning of the decision her mother and brother had made. However, she also felt a great deal of guilt and worry.

"If it weren't for my sake, you wouldn't have needed to open a shop in the city. Everything is difficult at the beginning; it's not that easy."

Otherwise, I think I should wait until after I give birth.

Xu Bei had already made up his mind, and after a night, many of his ideas and arrangements were finalized.

"Sister, by the time you give birth, it will be too late. You'll have lost a lot of money."

Besides, our move to the city will be very beneficial for Xiaojuan. She'll be taking the college entrance exam next year, don't you want someone from our family to go to university?

Xu Juan chimed in with a slightly embarrassed expression, "Yeah, sis, just say yes. That way I can go home to eat and sleep every day, and I won't have to squeeze into the dorm with so many people. Maybe if I really push myself, I can get in."

Zhao Fengying knew exactly what her eldest daughter was thinking, and she also chimed in, "Xiaoli, just listen to us. I could tell yesterday that your Wenliang doesn't want to go to the city, afraid that if the business gets too big, he'll lose money."

Besides, you're pregnant, who can feel at ease with the commute back and forth like that?

After much persuasion, Xu Li finally let go of her psychological burden and reluctantly agreed.

However, she strongly insisted that the exchange fee for the shop should not be reduced too much just because it was a family transaction, otherwise she would feel even more that her family was taking advantage of her.

Xu Bei naturally had no objection and followed his sister's wishes in everything.

When Zhu Wenliang heard about this arrangement after finishing get off work at noon, he was overjoyed.

He had witnessed the entire process of his mother-in-law's shop, from its preparation for opening to its official opening, and how well it sold before the Lunar New Year.

Although it's the off-season after the New Year, there's still some income every day. It's a business that makes money as soon as he takes over, and it has also successfully resolved the conflicts between him and his wife. How could he not be happy?

Therefore, when Xu Li offered to pay more money to exchange for the shop, Zhu Wenliang was very supportive and even offered to pay the legendary transfer fee.

The next morning, Xu Bei took a car to the city again.

When they found Wei Xuelin's office with ease, they could tell from his expression that things had probably been done.

When the two went to the corridor to talk, it was just as he had guessed.

"Brother, Xiao Song's boss has agreed to rent out that house, but the rent is a bit high. I need to let you know first."

Xu Bei tried his best to suppress the upward curve of his lips and asked, "Brother Wei, how much is it per month?"

Wei Xuelin held up his right hand and gestured with his fingers. "Forty yuan. That's really expensive, almost a month's salary for us. You'd better think it over before making a decision."

When Xu Bei heard that it cost forty yuan, he didn't think it was expensive at all, but of course he couldn't show it on his face. He pretended to be very surprised and said, "That much? That's really not cheap."

"Who says otherwise?" Wei Xuelin praised Song Zihou to Xu Bei again, "Actually, the rent was originally supposed to be forty-five, but Song Zihou put in a good word for us later."

"That's a discount of five yuan, which is quite a lot."

Since Xu Bei was determined to win, he said some things that the other party wanted to hear and then got straight to the point.

"Brother Wei, even if it's expensive, I'd still like to rent it. After all, it's close to the department store, which is much better than other places I've looked at."

.

"That's true. I also think this place is good." Even though Wei Xuelin had never run a shop or done business, he still had basic judgment. "Okay, let's go downstairs now."

So the two of them went up to the second floor together and found Song Zihou.

Even though we've already drunk together, put our arms around each other, and called each other brothers, in the office setting, in front of so many colleagues and superiors, we definitely need to act a bit more formally.

Therefore, from signing the contract and completing the formalities to paying a month's rent and getting the keys, Xu Bei cooperated with the other party in putting on an acting show.

When they met again at a state-run restaurant later, they were once again toasting and chatting enthusiastically.

The shop has been rented; now it's just a matter of setting up and decorating.

Xu Bei first briefly shared his thoughts, then changed the subject and started talking about wanting to rent a bungalow near the department store.

After all, Wei Xuelin and Song Zihou work and live in the city and know many people, so they might be able to provide some useful information.

As a result, Song Zihou, whose face was flushed from drinking, immediately smiled smugly, "Brother, isn't this like someone bringing you a pillow when you're sleepy? Old Wan from our department, his second brother got a new apartment, and he's thinking of renting it out. I just heard it's a bit far from the department store, but it's quite close to No. 1 Middle School."

Upon hearing this, Xu Bei was naturally overjoyed and extremely satisfied. "That's great! My sister goes to No. 1 Middle School. If we rent there, it will be convenient for her to go to and from school."

Song Zihou exclaimed, "That's great! It's close to the school, so I can sleep in a little longer in the morning."

Wei Xuelin also sighed, "Yes, especially since the school dormitories are nothing compared to home. My sister-in-law's relative is in high school, and she said she couldn't eat or sleep well, so she had to switch to commuting."

After the three of them had a big meal, Xu Bei followed them back to the government office, just as it was time for the afternoon shift to start.

Wei Xuelin went upstairs first, while Song Zihou went into the office and found Lao Wan, who had just arrived at his workstation.

After exchanging a few words, the two quickly walked out one after the other.

After a brief introduction and pleasantries, Xu Bei and Song Zihou waved goodbye without saying a word, and then followed Lao Wan to look at apartments for his younger brother, who also worked in the government building.

The row of bungalows near No. 1 Middle School has at least five or six households, each with its own independent courtyard gate, and they are very neat and orderly.

Led by Lao Wan and his brother, they stopped in front of the wooden door at the far east end.

The other person pulled out a key with a keychain attached to the IV tubing and quickly unlocked the brass lock.