Chapter 1242 - 1115: The First Snow of Early Winter

Chapter 1242: Chapter 1115: The First Snow of Early Winter

The letters from home traveled thousands of miles to reach Zhang Guoqing’s hands. Seeing that his parents were healthy and spending their time watching TV and strolling around town eased his worries.

He felt relieved.

Especially when Zhang the Second mentioned that the Eldest Zhang and his wife were now living apart in different places. Not only was his brother’s life quieter, but he had also gained some weight and appeared more cheerful.

Zhang Guoqing was even happier.

Whether the Eldest Zhang would take a step forward or eventually need to get a divorce didn’t matter to him, as long as his brother could live happily.

With his concerns about home set aside, days flew by in a flash.

Not long after stocking up on cabbage at home, it seemed like winter’s first snow arrived in a blink of an eye.

With the snow came a piece of good news.

Upon receiving Aunt Zuo’s call, hearing the joyful laughter on the other end, Zhou Jiao congratulated her repeatedly.

"Does my second sister-in-law know yet?"

"Shi Tou already sent a telegram home. That silly boy was so happy he could barely walk straight. Jiao Jiao, I’ve picked out two courtyards. Do you have time to come with your aunt?"

"Even if I’m busy, I’ll make time. So, when are we going?"

"The sooner, the better. Now that the young couple is staying at the school, I’m not at ease. Once they move in, I plan to look after them for a while."

Zhou Jiao raised her arm and glanced at the watch on her wrist. "It’s almost off work time. I’ll head out now. Where shall we meet?"

"How about at the bus stop in front of Yue’er’s school?"

Zhou Jiao chuckled in agreement. Talking about Yue’er and then Xinyi, with big names and nicknames together, might confuse someone unfamiliar with them.

After hanging up, Zhou Jiao immediately dialed Zhang Guoqing’s office number.

"Hello, who is this?"

Zhou Jiao smiled, "It’s your wife. I’m about to head out, so I’ll keep it short. Xinyi is pregnant, and Aunt Zuo wants me to check out the courtyard. I’ll be back later tonight, so you don’t need to come pick me up."

"Can’t this wait until the weekend in such cold weather?"

Zhou Jiao shook her head with a smile, "Aunt called just as I was about to clock out. Second sister-in-law isn’t here, so I should go over early. Call Second Brother to share the good news."

"Alright, take care."

Aunt Zuo must have put in significant effort, as the two courtyards she picked for her granddaughter’s small family were both quite nice.

One small siheyuan, although not large, boasted a delightful environment.

The yard had a common layout with the gate opening at the southeast corner. The elderly lady who owned the house said there were seven or eight rooms, but if you counted the inverted rooms, there were actually ten.

——Three main rooms with one bright and two dark, and four side rooms on the east and west, plus three inverted rooms.

It’s said that when the family reclaimed their property in the summer upon rehabilitation, there were still messy little structures around, and traces of their dismantling remained, just newly restored to its original state.

"They returned three courtyards, but unfortunately none of the furniture could be found. I was truly afraid; having the courtyard returned is enough. Having too many courtyards in hand was also nerve-wracking. I planned to retire here when I got old, but who knew, alas... let’s not talk about it."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao’s gaze flickered, "If you sell them all, where will your family live?"

"I’m the only child. As for my daughters, let’s leave it at that."

Hearing this, Zhou Jiao gave a sympathetic smile.

The old lady waved away any concern, "It’s all in the past."

Had it really passed? The lady seemed terrified; otherwise, why sell the two courtyards? However, as everyone understands the situation, no one spoke further.

After that, they checked another courtyard.

The two courtyards had about the same land area, equally small. Truthfully, there wasn’t much to choose from; initially, the little courtyard was near the alley entrance, closer to the bus stop.

While the other courtyard was deep in the alley, you couldn’t even drive a car in, and most of the surrounding area was composed of large, communal courtyards, posing a rather complex environment.

No need for much chatter. Once receiving Zhou Jiao’s opinion, Aunt Zuo began to haggle.

Unfortunately, the elderly owner remained firm, insisting on 4,500 for that courtyard.

Money?

Zhang the Second had already hinted a budget of 5,000 to Zhang Guoqing, so funds weren’t an issue.

As they headed toward the bus stop, Aunt Zuo asked in a whisper, "Do you think it’s too expensive?"

Zhou Jiao shook her head and offered rare advice, "If Aunt has the money, buy that courtyard. Renting out the rooms will pay it off in a few years."

"What about you buying it?"

Zhou Jiao looked at her speechlessly, "I’m not in a position to do that in the short term."

Aunt Zuo chuckled with delight, patting her comfortingly, "I hadn’t thought of renting, it’d be a neat return, and after a few years, it’s ours."

"Indeed. Your family is big; you could buy it for the kids as well."

"You think buying a courtyard is as easy as buying cabbage? But it’s difficult to find a courtyard, and if you miss this chance, there won’t be another. I’ll discuss it with your uncle tonight, and if we’re on the same page, we’ll buy it tomorrow."

Zhou Jiao agreed with a smile.

Courtyards were indeed difficult to find. Just in this area, Shi Tou and his wife had been searching for over half a year, and in the end, it was still because Zuo Lin, who worked at the sub-bureau, found out from a connection.

And there’s Yi Jiefang... How many buddies does he and Zhang Guoqing have? After letting it be known they wanted to buy a courtyard near Houhai, there hasn’t been a single movement.

She often heard colleagues discussing housing, having no room to accommodate the whole family. Particularly, those over forty were even more distressed.

——If each family has several sons.

If they had private property, it would be slightly better when their children get married, freeing up a room. But living in government-allocated housing made for a restless home.

"Jiao Jiao, isn’t that Xiao Wu? With age, my eyesight worsens."

Following her pointing finger, Zhou Jiao looked distant; a bus slowly departed, revealing a corner.

A military vehicle parked close to the bus sign, and a tall figure leaned against the car door.

Wasn’t that her husband?

Zhou Jiao beamed brightly, "It’s him. Who said your eyesight was poor, aunt? I didn’t see it either."

"Hard to see people in the dark, but the car parked under the bus sign, it must be your Xiao Wu. Great, we don’t need to squeeze in the bus."

"Haha, Aunt, do you also fear crowded buses?"

"Yes, everything in Beijing is nice except it’s too big. Not a single horse cart around."

"When I first started college, I could still see tricycles and horse carts."

"I remember visiting before you all went to college; Xiao Wu told me that besides grain, sugar, and meat tickets, you could buy anything with money in Beijing."

"Things will keep getting better in the future."

"Sigh... Hopefully, I just want to witness it in my lifetime." Aunt Zuo smiled, changing the subject, "Has Aunt Cheng written to you recently?"

"She always keeps in contact with my mom. My mom said she often mentions how much she misses visiting you, asking if you’d go home for New Year’s.

My mom laughed, saying your home with Uncle Zuo is here in Beijing. And she wrote to her inviting her to visit for an extended period during New Year."

"Tell your mom to ignore Aunt Cheng’s nonsense. She tagged along with her husband to the provincial city way before me, and now she spends every day with your godmother."

Hearing the jealousy in her tone, Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh—there’s no telling with old friends’ feelings.