A courtyard house in Beijing costing five thousand yuan now sounds quite expensive, but in later years, it would fetch astonishing prices.
The more Chen Lishu thought about it, the more excited she became. She had money on hand. Even if she didn't have the opportunity to live there, she couldn't pass up such a golden opportunity for investment.
With that in mind, Chen Lishu spoke, "Comrade, can you tell me where the Guo family you mentioned lives?"
The receptionist heard her question and reacted, "Comrade, do you want to buy a house?"
Chen Lishu smiled and nodded, "I do have that intention, so I'd like to see the situation in detail."
Upon hearing her words, the woman couldn't help but size her up from head to toe. She saw that her attire was ordinary, and someone staying at their level of guesthouse was definitely not a person of high status. Otherwise, those with connections would have gone to a hotel.
Thinking this, the woman's gaze became somewhat suspicious, "You heard what we said earlier, right? Their family is asking for five thousand yuan."
Chen Lishu continued to smile, "I heard. Could you trouble yourself to give me the address?"
Gu Xingping, standing nearby, listened to Chen Lishu's words with her mouth slightly agape. She found Chen Lishu's idea to be too, too bold and too reckless.
Buying a house in a faraway place like Beijing without anyone to live there. Moreover, that was five thousand yuan. Such a large sum tied up in a house that couldn't be used at all would surely be considered uneconomical by anyone.
But her third sister-in-law had always been a woman with her own ideas. Perhaps she had other plans, Gu Xingping thought. She opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed back what she had intended to say.
After inquiring about the Guo family's address from the front desk, Chen Lishu took Gu Xingping's hand and, asking for directions along the way, they went to the Guo family's house.
"Third sister-in-law, you and third brother will be in the provincial capital from now on. Why are you buying a house here? And the house is so expensive," Gu Xingping finally couldn't hold back her curiosity and asked her questions as they walked.
"Although you and third brother won't be coming here, little sister, think about it. Where is this place? This is the capital, the heart of a nation, a place many people yearn for. In the future, more and more people will gather here. With more people, food, clothing, housing, and transportation will all become problems, especially housing. At that time, housing prices will surely rise. I estimate that it won't be just a few times, but even dozens of times more."
"Really? Is that true?" Gu Xingping was stunned by the scenario she described. Dozens of times? How much money would that be?
Chen Lishu smiled, "Don't worry. Even if we don't live in it, I can rent it out and earn quite a bit of money each year. Think about the house we're renting now; doesn't it cost a hundred yuan a year? In Beijing, could it be rented out for three to five hundred?"
Hearing her say this, Gu Xingping suddenly saw the light. The house was hers, and she could earn several hundred yuan a year from it. In this way, the money spent on buying the house would be earned back before long. Instantly, she felt the deal was worthwhile.
When the two sisters-in-law arrived at the Guo family's home, the elderly couple were both there. Upon hearing that they wanted to buy a house, they immediately became very enthusiastic and took them to see the house with the keys.
It was a very proper courtyard house, with blue bricks, grey tiles, and a jet-black main gate. Upon entering, there was a courtyard that wasn't very large. The main house had five rooms, the east and west side rooms each had three rooms, and there were also four rooms facing the street. Except for the wooden doors and windows being somewhat old and worn, there were no other issues.
Chen Lishu was very satisfied and immediately decided to buy this house.
The two parties first drafted a house transfer agreement. After signing, they went to the housing administration office to complete the housing registration procedures. It wasn't until she received the property deed with her name on it that Chen Lishu gazed at the words with great fondness for a long time.
"Young lady is truly cautious. Even with a contract, it's not enough, and you still insisted on wearing out our old bones and running all the way here."
As they came out of the housing administration office, the Guo couple chuckled and teased her.
"Thank you, uncle and auntie, for making the trip. After all, I won't feel at ease until I get the property deed." She didn't want any problems with the house she bought with so much money.
After parting ways with the Guo couple, Chen Lishu and Gu Xingping returned to the newly purchased courtyard house. Chen Lishu looked at it affectionately twice more, and then the two of them went to inquire about rental prices nearby.
At the current wage levels, few people rented entire courtyards; most rented rooms.
The going rate for three rooms was eleven to twelve yuan. Now, the entire courtyard had fifteen rooms, meaning the monthly rent would be between fifty and sixty yuan.
The provincial capital was too far from here, and Chen Lishu had neither the time nor the energy to manage it. She thought for a moment and then went with Gu Xingping to the neighborhood committee. She found a seemingly very enthusiastic Auntie Liu and briefly explained her plans to her.
"My family is not local, and I cannot always look after it. Auntie, you are familiar with this area, so I would like to ask you to help look after it. I will only charge fifty yuan per month in rent. Whatever you can rent the remaining rooms for will be your reward for your hard work."
"That's wonderful!"
It was just a matter of running errands and speaking a few words, and she could earn several more yuan each month. There couldn't be a better deal. Auntie Liu readily agreed.
Chen Lishu signed a simple agreement with her, then wrote down her address and gave it along with the house keys to her.
Seeing that all matters were settled, Chen Lishu called Gu Xingdong again. After confirming the time of their return, she and Gu Xingping went to the train station to buy tickets for the train that evening back to the provincial capital.
After three consecutive days on the train, when the aunt and niece got off, it was already past five in the afternoon. As soon as Chen Lishu walked out of the station exit, she spotted the familiar, tall figure not far ahead.
"Xingdong," Chen Lishu quickened her pace and ran towards him. When she got close, she forcefully suppressed the urge to throw herself into his arms. Tilting her head slightly, she asked in a sweet voice, "Have you been waiting long?"
She knew that Gu Xingdong always paid attention to his image, especially in public places like the station, which was crowded. In that era, which was not yet open-minded, any inappropriate behavior would invite criticism from others.
"Not too long."
Gu Xingdong naturally saw her intentions. As their eyes met, his heart instantly softened completely. "Are you hungry? Shall we go eat first?"
"Mhm," Chen Lishu nodded.
The three of them first went to a restaurant and ate three bowls of noodles, then Gu Xingdong drove them back to the camp.
By the time the three of them arrived home, it was already past eight in the evening.
Gu Xingdong took out his keys, opened the door, and then reached up to pull the light cord. In the dim yellow light, Mao Da Wang was sitting obediently at the entrance, meowing at him.
"Oh, there's a cat?" Gu Xingping, who followed them in, rushed over and tried to hug it. To her surprise, Mao Da Wang twisted its body and turned around, showing an expression of disdain, then waddled away with its round hindquarters.
"Third brother..." Seeing that it was being disdainful of her, Gu Xingping immediately called out to Gu Xingdong with a hint of grievance.
"Don't pay attention to it. This guy is just attention-seeking."
Da Wang turned its head and let out a displeased "Meow" at Gu Xingdong. It then gracefully jumped onto the cushion Chen Lishu had made, which had already become its exclusive nest.
Seeing its aloof demeanor, Chen Lishu was amused. Someone had said this cat resembled her, but she thought it clearly took after Gu Xingdong.