Someone from the male educated youth side also responded, "My father also has this kind of box. So, according to you, I am also a capitalist?"

"Just because you can't afford a box, you mean only capitalists can buy things? You're making a big fuss and accusing me of something. Your thinking is very dangerous and detrimental to collective unity. I think you should receive ideological education."

Zhao Xiaomei's face turned pale instantly. This wasn't her first day as an educated youth, so she knew exactly what ideological education meant. She immediately gave in and said, "I was just joking. Why did you take it so seriously? I know Song Zhiqing, so I was just joking."

Xu Juan snorted and didn't respond, but she didn't insist on the ideological education issue either.

Naturally, the male educated youth didn't say anything more.

Song Yun didn't know what was happening at the educated youth point. She had already arrived at the deserted yard at the east end of the village.

It was indeed desolate. The gate, which had been locked for who knows how long, collapsed as soon as it was pushed. The yard, which was half an acre in size, was overgrown with weeds. In some places, the weeds were taller than Song Yun.

Seeing these weeds, Song Yun didn't even frown, her eyes lit up, these are all star coins!

Although the house was as dilapidated as Captain Liu had described, Song Yun was very satisfied. The house was very large, with two main rooms, two side rooms, a separate kitchen at the back of the house, and a firewood room specifically for storing firewood. Both were quite large, and it was obvious that the occupant of this house had been well-off in the past.

There were kangs in both main rooms, but unfortunately they had collapsed.

After a round of searching, only the woodshed at the back of the house could be tidied up and still be habitable. The rest of the houses either had collapsed kangs or large holes in the roofs, making them completely uninhabitable.

Song Yun had a plan in mind and said to Captain Liu, "I'll rent this room. I'll go with you to the brigade headquarters to sign the lease later. But I'll have to trouble you with the renovations. Can you help me figure out how much it will cost? I'll leave it all to you. Is that okay with you?"

Captain Liu thought that the wheat had been harvested, and there was not much work to be done in the fields. It would free up some manpower to work here, and there would be money to be made, which was a good job for those villagers who were short of money.

"Okay, I'll help you with this. I'll make sure it's beautifully done and I'll try to get you into this house as soon as possible." Captain Liu glanced at the weeds growing in the yard, then thought of the few remaining beds at the educated youth center. He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "This place isn't habitable right now. I'm afraid you won't be able to move into the educated youth center. How about this? You and your sister can move in with me until the house is built. You can squeeze in with my little girl, and this kid can sleep in my room."

Song Yun was very grateful in her heart, "Thank you, I understand if you agree, but I want to live here with Ziyi."

"How can we live here? There's not even a roof to shelter us from the wind and rain." Captain Liu said with a look of disapproval.

Song Yun pointed to the backyard. "Ziyi and I can just stay in the woodshed for now. I just checked it out. It's quite big, with a solid roof, doors, and windows. It's a little drafty, but that's okay. We can handle it."

Captain Liu of the firewood room had also checked it out and found it to be habitable, though it would certainly be cold at night. However, considering the luggage that the brother and sister brought, judging by the large bags, they must have brought quilts. Besides, the weather wasn't really cold yet, so it should be fine.

"Well, you're a successful person, so this is fine."

After agreeing on this, Song Yun followed Captain Liu to the brigade headquarters, signed a lease, and paid a lump sum of 24 yuan. Captain Liu also calculated the cost of repairing the house. Since there were no blue bricks available, they couldn't buy them. He could only use adobe bricks, which every household had. He could simply exchange them for items or money, and he would then arrange for someone to do the work.

We also need materials to repair the roof, which must be purchased from the supply and marketing department. The winter here is very long and it snows heavily continuously, so the roof and windows cannot be sloppy and special materials are needed. The most important expenses are here.