Seeing the anxious looks on everyone's faces, Chen Lishu reassured them, "Don't worry, the houses will continue to be rented out. It's just that by re-tallying, I'll have a general understanding."
Upon hearing that the houses would still be rented, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. They weren't particularly concerned about who the landlord was, as long as the renting continued.
Meanwhile, Zhao Shengli, who had already returned to his room, panicked when he saw Xiaoli starting to pack. He pleaded, "Xiaoli, it was all my fault this time. I shouldn't have lied to you. Can you please not leave?"
"Not leave?" Xiaoli looked at him mockingly. "Not leave? And then sleep on the streets with your whole family?"
"Zhao Shengli, you're truly something. Your whole family is disgusting." Xiaoli threw out a parting shot before turning to Xiaotang. "I'm going back. Are you coming?"
Xiaotang found the whole situation rather absurd. She had never seen the Zhao Shengli family act like this. Not owning the houses yet lying about it, wasn't that no different from a sham marriage? People with questionable character couldn't be friends.
"I'll go with you," Xiaotang said, also grabbing her luggage.
Watching the two figures leave without looking back, no matter how much he pleaded, left Zhao Shengli flustered, angry, and helpless.
"Go call your dad and your eldest brother back. Let's discuss what to do. If necessary, find a place to move quickly."
Looking at Chen Lishu's demeanor, she clearly wasn't someone to be trifled with, not to mention the burly, fierce-looking man beside her. It was likely that the combined strength of the men in their family wouldn't match up to him.
"I'm not moving. Let's see what they can do to us," Zhao Shengli said defiantly, throwing himself onto the bed as if resigned to ruin.
"The police are still outside, and that Ms. Chen doesn't look like an easy person to deal with. Do you really want to get a criminal record?"
Seeing her son remain motionless, Madam Liu had no choice but to go find her husband and eldest son herself.
...
Chen Lishu glanced at the more than ten tenants in front of her. After a moment's thought, she began, "As you all know, I can't come here frequently, and it's impossible for me to collect rent every month. Therefore, the terms will be half-yearly. Anyone who can pay for six months in one go will have one month's rent waived, meaning you'll pay for five months to rent for six months."
There was such a good deal?
Everyone looked at each other. A reduction of one month's rent meant over twenty yuan, which was equivalent to half a month's salary. Spread out, it meant saving four to five yuan each month!
For those who had to meticulously budget every penny to make ends meet until the end of the month, this would solve quite a few problems.
Everyone immediately became eager.
"I'll be staying here for two more days. Anyone interested can pay me within these two days. Of course, if you don't want to pay for six months upfront, I'll still rent to you."
Two families, in particular, with less fortunate circumstances, couldn't afford to pay so much at once. Hearing her words, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"The most important thing in life is integrity. I trust you today, and I hope you won't betray that trust."
Coming back once every six months, Chen Lishu felt this frequency was reasonably manageable.
After saying what needed to be said, and because it was too cold outside, Chen Lishu thanked the two police officers again, and they departed.
Father Zhao and Eldest Brother Zhao were quickly summoned back. Initially unwilling, they wanted to argue with Chen Lishu, but facing Wang Dazhu's absolute dominance, they all backed down and obediently looked for a place to move.
Before leaving, they returned all the money they owed Chen Lishu, not a cent short.
"Are you hungry? Let's go grab something to eat and warm up. Since the houses are cleared out, we still need to put up a rental advertisement this afternoon."
Having stood outside for a long time, Chen Lishu felt her hands and feet were numb with cold. Seeing that it was already noon, she and Wang Dazhu found a noodle shop and had a steaming hot meal.
At that time, very few people rented out rooms to outsiders. The day Chen Lishu posted her advertisement, someone came to inquire about the situation the very next day.
After a detailed inquiry and inspection of the house, the person readily rented the main house.
With all matters coming to a close, Chen Lishu specifically took half a day off and went shopping on the commercial street with Wang Dazhu. Afterward, they went to Quanjude together.
Being able to eat Quanjude roast duck at this time was absolutely high-end. With each duck costing around six to eight yuan, Chen Lishu was not stingy. Besides eating one duck in the restaurant with Wang Dazhu, she bought ten more.
Transportation was inconvenient at this time, and as the saying goes, "a poor home but a wealthy journey." People had few opportunities to travel. It was winter, and the duck could be preserved easily. Since Chen Lishu had this convenience, she thought of buying them to let everyone taste.
Roast duck was something she could only eat a few pieces of before finding it too greasy. However, Wang Dazhu liked it more and ate the rest by himself.
On her last day in Beijing, Chen Lishu visited the courtyard house again. Everyone had been diligently pooling money for the past two days. By the time Chen Lishu arrived, most had chosen to pay six months' rent upfront, with only two families opting for monthly payments.
Chen Lishu left her account number for these two families, and they could deposit money into the account regularly each month.
Before leaving, she called Gu Xingdong to inform him that she would be home the morning after next. Gu Xingdong had an important meeting to attend at the time and simply said "Understood" before hanging up abruptly.
Chen Lishu didn't pay it much mind. Who knew that as soon as she exited the train station upon arrival, she would see a tall, military-green figure waiting for her not far away.
Chen Lishu's lips curved upwards involuntarily. She quickened her pace and walked over. "Why did you come? I thought you were busy and wouldn't be able to make it."
"Camp Commander!" Wang Dazhu, carrying things in his hands, found it inconvenient to salute. However, the title of Camp Commander was something he had long been accustomed to. In his heart, Gu Xingdong was his camp commander then, and forever would be.
Gu Xingdong nodded. Seeing the two large bags of items in his hands, he asked curiously, "Bought so many things?"
Chen Lishu smiled sheepishly. "Mostly food, besides the roast duck, there are gifts for everyone. The items are indeed a bit much."
Gu Xingdong reached out to take them, but Wang Dazhu quickly dodged him. "Camp Commander, they're not heavy at all. I can carry them."
Gu Xingdong didn't snatch them from him. Soon, the three of them got into a military jeep waiting outside.
They first sent Wang Dazhu to his shop, where Wang Aixiang and Liang Chunsheng were present. Chen Lishu handed over the gifts for Wang Aixiang and Liang Chunsheng as well.
Each received a roast duck, and Wang Aixiang also got a set of cosmetics.
Wang Aixiang wasn't particularly interested in food, but she was very fond of the cosmetics Chen Lishu gave her.
"Sister, you understand me best. Once a woman passes twenty-five, she feels her complexion isn't as good. Especially these past two years, I've noticed wrinkles appearing. Time spares no one, alas."
Wang Dazhu, standing nearby, couldn't help but chime in, "Sister, I remember you're a year older than me. Aren't you twenty-eight by Chinese New Year? It's normal to have wrinkles. Not having them would make you a monster."