Jiang Mengxue didn't expect that it could be operated in this way. She had seen this small yard before and there was nothing planted in it. She thought it was public.

After thinking for a while, he said, "Master Xu, why don't you connect the yard and the corridor and put the toilet and bathroom in the small yard? Separate the bathroom and the toilet. The empty space can be used to store firewood and coal briquettes. If you can dig a cellar in the small yard, it will be more convenient to store vegetables in winter.

Please calculate the approximate cost of materials and your renovation labor costs."

Don't let it happen that she doesn't have enough money in the end, otherwise she will really have to go to the black market a few more times.

Master Xu wrote and drew on the notebook, calculating the materials needed for each aspect.

"The partition in the middle of your house can be removed and reused, but do you plan to use wooden boards or bricks?"

Jiang Mengxue didn't hesitate: "Of course it would be best to use bricks, so the sound insulation effect will be better."

"So, the materials and everything else will cost 250 yuan. I'll also have to install glass windows, and build the kang with bricks and slate. As for the laborers, the three of us will be working for half a month, so 80 yuan will be enough. I have to include lunch."

"A drainage hole will be dug in the bathroom, leading directly to the sewer outside.

The outside corridor is also built with bricks, and a window is left at the stove location so that you can see inside when the weather outside is bad.

I've also made a sturdy and durable door for you. You only need to close the door in the hallway. It doesn't matter whether the door to the room is closed or not."

This is also the thing Jiang Mengxue dislikes the most. If the door is not opened, she feels suffocated in the house, but if the door is opened, she feels uncomfortable in the house. Anyone who walks outside will take a look inside the house.

"Okay, let's do as you say. I have to work during the week, so I won't provide meals. I'll give each of you ten yuan for meals. How long will it take to get it ready?"

Xu Dashan thought for a moment, "Actually, the project isn't complicated. The main thing is the floor slab between the two floors. Everything else is simple. I estimate it will take at most two weeks to complete."

"Okay, then when do we start work? I'll move everything out of the house and give you a key. I'm alone and have to go to work, so you can go out to eat, or I'll leave my pots and pans here and you can take care of it yourself.

In fact, most of the money was spent on windows, including glass windows in five rooms and two windows inside and outside the kitchen.

This is essential. Without windows outside, you won't be able to see any light when cooking in the kitchen. Jiang Mengxue doesn't want to save that little bit of money and make things difficult for herself.

Besides, there were no windows in the room and there was no light at all, and she didn't want to paste paper on the windows.

Not only does it need to be replaced every year, it is also not as bright as glass.

"Tomorrow is Mid-Autumn Festival, so let's start work the day after tomorrow. We'll try to finish it as early as possible."

After all the details were discussed, Jiang Mengxue paid 250 yuan for materials and 30 yuan for meals, and the remaining 80 yuan for wages would be paid at the end.

"Director Gu, is there any house nearby that I can rent for a while? I'll let you live here and renovate it. Don't worry, I won't pay less rent than you should."

"No problem. Aren't the two east-facing rooms in your yard unoccupied? The owner told me that if someone wants to rent it short-term, they can rent it. Long-term, they won't. Just two dollars for half a month will be fine. Come with me back to get the keys."

"Thank you, Director Gu. You've helped me solve so many problems today. It's really troublesome for you. Please wait a moment. I'll go back to the house to get my things."

Jiang Mengxue followed Gu Huaijue back to the Housing Authority, paid the rent, and got the key to the east wing of the main house.

"Today, thanks to Director Gu, I would have been in vain if I had relied on myself to designate it."

She took out a bag of mooncakes and a bag of fruit candies from her messenger bag and placed them on Gu Huaiju's desk.

"Thanks to Director Gu for taking me with me, otherwise I don't know what I would have done on my own. Please accept this holiday gift for you."

"Doctor Jiang, what are you doing? I'm helping you, and that's what I should do. Take it back quickly. I don't accept gifts. You're making me make a mistake."

Jiang Mengxue pursed her lips and smiled: "Sister Gu, you were like my sister when I first met you. I always asked you to take care of me. Didn't we have a good chat today? I thought you treated me as one of your own. I treated you as my sister, and you are still polite to me."

Gu Huaijue was helpless. That was not what he said.

"Okay, forget it this time, but don't do it again next time. I just wanted to take extra care of you because you're so kind. You don't have to be estranged from me in the future. Just come here and find me if you have any problems."

"Thank you, Sister Gu. I'll be leaving first. I still want to go to school to see my teacher, and I have to go back in the afternoon to move all the furniture out."

"Do you need my help? You can't move it all by yourself."

Jiang Mengxue quickly waved her hand and refused: "No need, Sister Gu, I'll ask the people in the courtyard for help. Besides, there's not much furniture in my room, just a bed and a table, not even a big wardrobe. It won't take long to move it."