Director Wang was so scolded that he couldn't even lift his head.
She had it so hard!
There weren't many houses in the sub-district office to begin with, only the siheyuan where Yì Zhōnghǎi lived had a few decent ones.
But Yú Guójié seemed to know something and kept provoking her with his words.
The implication was that he didn't want to live in the other party's courtyard. Where was she supposed to find a suitable house for him?
Secretary Zhang frowned, looking displeasedly at Yáng Wèiguó.
In his opinion, Yú Guójié had already made a concession, giving up a building for a flat house!
It had also solved a big problem for the steel rolling mill! He hadn't expected the other party to be so perfunctory!
They were just trying to fool him with dilapidated houses, he couldn't stand it anymore!
He had to stand up for justice today! He couldn't let good people suffer!
"Old Yáng, why don't we forget about it? Don't get so angry with people, it doesn't look good."
Director Wang looked at Secretary Zhang gratefully, wishing she could kowtow to him! What a good person.
Then Secretary Zhang changed the subject, "We won't exchange houses anymore. Let's do as you say, alright?"
"When do you have time? I'll find a few more people to help you move together?"
Yú Guójié looked at Secretary Zhang in shock. He hadn't expected this seemingly upright person to be such a master of sarcasm!
However, this move was indeed brilliant!
If it weren't for maintaining his image, he would have agreed immediately.
Director Wang wanted to die at this moment. She thought he was an ally, but unexpectedly, he stabbed her with a soft knife, quick and ruthless!
Director Wang's old face turned red! Wasn't this slapping his face?
He glared at Director Wang furiously, his eyes seeming to spew fire: "You now! Immediately! At once! Find me a house!"
He gritted his teeth and said: "They are exchanging a building for a flat house, do you know that!"
Exchanging a building for a flat house? Director Wang looked at Yú Guójié in shock.
In this era, buildings were a symbol of status!
Even if the rooms were small and the floors were high, it was still a house that many people would fight tooth and nail for.
Yú Guójié smiled calmly, but inside he was suffering.
He had been too hasty!
If he had known he would have to live with these beasts, he would never have agreed!
Director Wang was sweating profusely. Even if you sold her, she couldn't conjure up a house!
Seeing Director Yáng looking like he was about to devour someone, Director Wang gritted her teeth, "Yes! I'll take you there now!"
For now, she could only try to fool Director Yáng first!
As for Yì Zhōnghǎi and the others, she could just warn them more often in the future! Make everyone in the courtyard behave!
Besides, Yú Guójié was the head of the steel rolling mill's security department. Who in the courtyard would be foolish enough to offend him?
Under Director Wang's guidance, the group returned to the siheyuan where they had started.
There were only a few women washing clothes in the courtyard, and it seemed quiet.
"Oh, Director Wang, what are you doing here?"
Seeing the group enter, Third Aunt smiled and greeted them.
Director Wang had no intention of talking to her and perfunctorily replied, "Bringing people to see the houses."
Third Aunt's smile froze.
There were houses in the courtyard, in the back, three large tile-roofed houses adjacent to each other. They could be moved into with a little repair.
Everyone in the courtyard had their eyes on them. Now they were going to be given away?
Looking at the houses before him, Director Yáng finally relaxed and smiled as he asked Secretary Zhang, "How is this house?"
"You have to ask Yú Guójié about this."
All eyes turned to Yú Guójié.
Actually, Yú Guójié was feeling conflicted. Director Yáng was already furious, and after a long detour, Director Wang had still brought him back to the beastly courtyard.
It meant that the house before them was the best she could find.
If there was another option, he certainly wouldn't want to be neighbors with these beasts.
Director Wang saw Yú Guójié hesitating and, afraid he would refuse, gritted her teeth and said:
"Director Yú, if you live here, the sub-district office can make the decision, all three rooms will be yours!"
Looking at the three rooms before him, Yú Guójié's heart stirred.
The total area of these three rooms was about 80 square meters, which was already the largest area he could be allocated at his level.
In this era, when a family of several people squeezed together, it was not easy for him alone to get such a large area.
Moreover, he couldn't force Director Yáng to make room for him, could he?
However, he didn't intend to agree so easily.
Now they needed him, so he should get the benefits he deserved.
Yú Guójié frowned, pretending to be troubled, "Director Wang, this house is already in such disrepair, the renovation will definitely cost a lot of money."
Seeing that Yú Guójié's attitude had softened, Director Wang immediately agreed.
"Director Yú, don't worry! Since you are willing to make a concession and exchange a building for a flat house, our sub-district office will not be unreasonable!"
Director Wang waved her hand and directly promised, "The renovation costs of your house will be covered by our sub-district office!"
She just hoped to quickly get this matter over with and give Director Yáng an explanation!
Besides, the sub-district office was paying, not her!
"No, no, no, that's not what I meant," Yú Guójié quickly refused.
"I wanted to ask if the sub-district office could transfer the property deed of these three rooms to me?"
Renovating the house wouldn't cost much, but if the house was renovated and he no longer worked at the steel rolling mill, they could take the house back, and he would have no recourse.
But if it became his private property, these problems would vanish.
Moreover, 80 square meters within the Second Ring Road of Sìjiǔ Chéng, Yú Guójié could almost laugh out loud just thinking about it.
What is this called? Reborn, I own a house in the capital?
"No problem!"
Director Yáng was the first to agree. As long as the other party agreed, where else would he find a building for him?
"I have no objections!" Director Wang hadn't thought that far ahead; she just wanted to get this over with quickly.
Procedures such as ration books, household registration, and property deeds were all completed that afternoon under Director Wang's diligent arrangements.
Thus, the three rooms in the back courtyard of No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, along with the open space in front of the gate, all fell under Yú Guójié's name.
The area on the property deed also changed from the original 80 square meters to 110 square meters!
And all Yú Guójié paid was a few near-expiry food coupons.
These were given by Director Yáng just now.
Yú Guójié couldn't help but sigh that people in this era were simple and kind.
They really get things done when you give them money!
After saying goodbye to everyone, Yú Guójié had a simple dinner.
Four white flour steamed buns, a plate of braised pork, and a plate of stir-fried shredded potatoes cost only 4 cents and 7 fen, plus four liang of grain coupons.
It was too cheap! And thinking about his salary of over 200 yuan, he couldn't spend it all, he simply couldn't spend it all!
However, this situation would only last for this year.
Starting next year, three consecutive years of natural disasters would severely damage agricultural production and cause grain shortages.
At that time, even with money, one might not be able to buy grain.
Yú Guójié felt a sense of urgency. He had to hurry up and get some seeds to plant the land in his space!
With grain in hand, one is at ease.
He ambled back to the courtyard. As soon as Yú Guójié entered the courtyard gate, he bumped into a middle-aged man with a sharp mouth, monkey cheeks, and his eyes wrapped in tape.
"Young man, who are you looking for?"