It was just afternoon when we arrived at the inn, and Zhuang Keqing gave his waiter Xiao Lin five cents as a thank you.
The money was not much, just enough to buy two plain steamed buns, but I held it in my hand and felt very at ease. I followed the man collecting the cart and feeding the mules all the way, and was very busy.
After returning to the house, I told Qin Manzhi and Zhuang Er that the house had been rented. We were going to have a meal at noon, and then go to Yahang to meet the landlord in the afternoon and sign the contract.
"How did you find it in half a day? How is the location? Is the price right?"
Qin Manzhi thought it would take at least two or three days to find this house. In the past, she had heard that when the Shen family from the village came to the county, they searched for more than ten days before settling on a house. Not to mention the small place, the price was quite expensive.
, in the end, he sold a lot of his family’s land to be able to support his life.
The state capital is much more lively than the county town. If you were able to find it so quickly, maybe you paid a high price, right?
Thinking of this, Qin Manzhi couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Although the girl has a little money in her hand, she can't be so lavish. The days will be long in the future.
"Mom, don't worry."
Zhuang Keqing knew her mother's worrying temperament, so she just smiled slightly, walked to Qin Manzhi's side, put her hands gently on the woman's shoulders, and said in a low voice.
"Aling is so awesome. The Yaren asked for twenty taels, but they insisted on giving him a price of sixteen to one year."
Zhuang Keqing smiled with a mischievous look on her face, and Shen Ling could only smile helplessly and shake her head, believing that what she said was exaggerated.
"Sixteen or two years, with a yard and a facade?"
Qin Manzhi didn't expect that such a good rental condition could be found in the state capital at this price, and he couldn't help but be a little surprised.
How could they ever encounter such a good thing?
"Mom, don't think too much. This dental shop has been registered with the government. When the deed is signed in the afternoon, Aling will take a good look at it. If there is anything wrong, they will not dare to raise it.
What are you doing?"
Zhuang Keqing comforted her carefully.
Qin Manzhi also nodded slightly when he heard this.
Indeed, Brother Ling is, among other things, very familiar with the laws of this dynasty, so there is no need to worry about this at all.
After talking about the matter, thinking that my mother and second uncle had also been bored in the room all morning, they simply went downstairs and ordered a table of food.
After lunch, Zhuang Keqing collected his money bag and went out to the dental shop with Shen Ling.
It was just a verbal agreement in the morning. If you really want to rent a house, you still have to sign a contract.
In Yahang, the landlord was very happy to learn that the person who rented his house was a scholar, and that he still wanted to study in the state school. He enthusiastically introduced where to buy tiles, where to buy furniture cheaply, and finally even said that there were some unused ones at home.
If you don't mind the tables and chairs, you can bring them over and use them.
Zhuang Keqing thanked the landlord for his kindness and did not ask for the old furniture. He only said that if he lived well in the future, he would have to worry about it for a few more years. He was immediately happy and the landlord took the initiative to reduce the rent by one tael.
He is a good scholar, and he also studied at a government school. If he is lucky enough to pass the examination, his house will be very expensive in the future.
Once the deal was settled, we paid the money and signed the deed. It took a total of half an hour. The tooth man was also obedient and didn't rush us at all. It wasn't until he signed his name and pressed his fingerprints and put the rake into his pocket that he said with a smile.
Congratulations.
The yard is ready, but it will take some time before it is ready for people to live in.
So I didn’t check out the hotel room, I just stayed there until everything was arranged, and then I chose a good day to check in.
The tiles on the roof of the house need to be replaced with new ones, and the cracks in the walls need to be plastered with mud. There is no bed in the house, and the stove happens to be close to each other, so I just build a kang. It will be easier than burning charcoal at home in the winter.
pot.
After deciding on the work to be done, Zhuang Keqing quickly asked Mr. Lin to help find a bricklayer. He removed the damaged tiles from the roof and laid new ones with mud. The remaining tiles were picked up and used, which was just right.
The barns and huts were built. Then the window and door frames were repainted and new window paper was pasted.
After this busy work, the originally deserted yard suddenly became brighter. Once the new furniture arrived, I moved into the house and set it up, bought bedding and bedding, and it was almost done.
By the time everything was arranged, a full seven days had passed.
Several people checked out of the inn and drove the mule cart to their new home. After a night's rest and a meal, it was time for Zhuang Er to leave.
Zhuang Keqing also didn't forget to prepare dry food for her second uncle on the way and gifts for returning to the village. He also told him to write if anything happened, and he also wrote a small note with his home address and stuffed it into his hand.
"Second uncle, thank you for sending us all the way here. Don't be in a hurry when you go back. Just pay attention to yourself and don't get too tired."
"Whatever kind words the girl says are what the second uncle should do. And I will have to come again at the end of the year to give you and your family some New Year's goods. Then don't blame my poor relatives in the village."
Zhuang Er said joking words with a sincere smile on his face. He turned back and counted the things on the cart to make sure nothing was missed. Then he said goodbye again, raised his whip and drove the mule cart away.
It was only when he left the city and walked to the next resting place to park and wanted to buy something to eat that he realized that a full ten taels of silver had been stuffed into his package at some point.
"This girl!"
Not to mention how Zhuang Er's heart was touched, Zhuang Keqing's family has truly settled down in the small courtyard.
The house was generally packed, except for a few odds and ends that had not yet been purchased. The family took advantage of the busy day and went out to do some shopping.
Turning out of the backyard, Zhuang Keqing saw the branches of the pomegranate tree stretched out from the yard opposite, with pomegranate flowers that had not yet completely faded and a few green fruits that had already formed on them.
A few children were playing together in the alley. When they saw a few people suddenly coming out of this long-uninhabited house, they were all frightened and ran away. Then they followed curiously until they came out of the back alley.
Then we got together and played together again.
After strolling around the front alley and buying some oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and daily necessities, as well as a meat and fresh vegetables, the group of people returned home.
The front door was temporarily sealed, so I still walked through the back.
Zhuang Keqing took out the key and opened the door. The family was waiting at the door. At this time, the small door of the house opposite opened with a creak, attracting Qin Manzhi's eyes.
I saw a beautiful woman in her thirties coming out. When she saw Zhuang Keqing and his entourage, she was slightly stunned. Her eyes stayed on Shen Ling for a moment. She didn't say anything. She just nodded and smiled and said hello.
Since the other party didn't say anything, Zhuang Keqing naturally didn't go up to greet him carelessly. He only smiled and nodded before entering the hospital and closing the door.
For lunch, we had braised pork belly with soy sauce and stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and we also had braised fragrant rice.
While eating, Qin Manzhi held Aman in her arms and fed her while chatting with her daughter.
"I don't know who lives in this alley, but Ke'er, you see we are going to be here for a long time, so it's time to bring some gifts and visit."
Although Qin Manzhi is a country woman, she is also very clear about human relationships. As a newcomer, she cannot have good relations with the surrounding neighbors.
Distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors, right?
Zhuang Keqing also thought of this when he saw the woman living across the street, so he said, "What mother said is that I should go buy some gifts tomorrow and go from house to house to make people feel better." I know someone is living in this courtyard now."
The mother and daughter were talking, and Aman was pointing at the rice and yelling for it.
When Shen Ling saw this, he stood up, took the child from Qin Manzhi's hand, put it on his lap and fed it.
Aman seemed to like this brother-in-law very much. He leaned against Shen Ling, close to the young man's chest, and hung his short legs on the other's knees. He just opened his mouth and the food was delivered to his mouth. Enjoyed it a lot.
"Aman is a big baby now and can eat by himself."
Zhuang Keqing looked at his younger brother looking funny and couldn't help teasing him.
The child ignored her, even turned around with a snort, and hugged Shen Ling's arm without letting go.
Qin Manzhi also found it funny when she saw it, "From now on, when my brother-in-law goes to school, do you want Man Bao to follow him?"
How could Aman understand such a complicated thing? He only knew that neither of them wanted to eat well, and they couldn't help but feel a little angry. Even when the rice spoon was put to their mouths, they refused to open their mouths.
"Okay, I won't tease you anymore, just eat well."
After pulling back his brother's thin hair, Zhuang Keqing raised his head and asked about Shen Ling again.
"Mom, if you don't mention it, I will forget it. When did you go to school?"
"There's no rush, I'll go there in a few days."
After the young man finished speaking, he lowered his head and coaxed for a few more words, finally getting the little guy to open his mouth and continue eating.
Zhuang Keqing and his mother looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.
Who would have thought that Arling, who was indifferent to outsiders, would be like this at home?