Chapter 28

So the suspension of the self-service porridge shop was extended from one day to two days, and the father and daughter went to the Real Estate Bureau early the next morning while there were still few people.

This housing reform has been ongoing, and many employees have moved into the newly built dormitory buildings of their units. In the era of housing allocation, very few people would engage in private transactions.

So when they went to the office to explain their situation, the young girl sitting behind the desk was stunned for a moment, asked them to wait a moment, and then ran to find the leader.

The director of the office received them and asked them in detail about their housing situation and personal information, filling out a form.

"So, you're the only family living in the yard you're living in now?"

Su Yuanzheng nodded: "Yes, there were a few families here before, but they all moved away for some reasons."

The director laughed and said, "Then why bother buying it? It's just your family anyway, so why not just live in it?"

"this……"

"Uncle, it's precisely because our family owns it that we have to buy it!" Su Miao said from the side.

The director was puzzled and asked, "Oh? What do you mean?"

"We were originally allocated only two rooms, but now that there are no other residents, we're using the other rooms as well. My dad and I think this isn't a good idea; it's like taking up public resources. So why don't we just buy them and pay the government? We can't fleece socialism!"

Seeing Su Miao's serious expression, several employees in the office laughed.

An aunt with curly hair said, "What a clever little girl! I've only seen girls complaining about getting a good deal, but I've never seen girls trying to pass it on."

Su Miao said to the director, "Uncle, several of my classmates' families have already obtained marriage certificates. Can you help mine as well?"

Nowadays, many aspects are still in the trial stage and there are no very strict operating procedures. People at levels like office director have a lot of autonomy in handling matters.

He tapped the form with his index finger and thought to himself: He had heard that this yard was haunted!

Over the years, we have been trying to arrange for someone to move in, but the locals refused, and the ones from other places asked to change rooms after living there for a few days.

It is better to collect some money from the company than to let this house sit empty. Anyway, the trend of public-to-private ownership has been on the rise in recent years.

He agreed in his heart, but did not say it immediately. After all, he did not want to take on the responsibility himself, so he said to Su Yuanzheng.

"I understand you want to buy the yard, but your family was originally allocated only two rooms, so buying the whole thing doesn't meet the criteria for a public-to-private transfer. So, go get a certificate from the neighborhood office. If the district agrees to let you buy the whole yard, I'll process it for you. But you have to know the price will be different than a typical public-to-private transfer."

"Can you help me estimate how much money it will cost so we can prepare it?" Su Miao asked.

"We can't confirm this yet. You should go get the certificate and hand it in first. We'll have to send someone to measure the land so that the area of the house can be calculated. Then we'll have to get the certificate for both the land and the house separately."

It seems that buying a house is not that easy now. You have to go to multiple departments to get it done. However, if you get the confirmation that it can be done, it is worth making a few more trips.

The street office in their area was in the alley next to their home. On the way back, Su Miao asked his father to buy some fruit.

Their local fruit variety is rich. A large bag of lychees and kumquats costs less than two yuan. They are all grown by farmers themselves and brought to the county town to sell.

Su Yuanzheng walked into the street office. He didn't rush to talk about things. He distributed the fruits first. No matter whether everyone was there or not, he gave some to every table.

Several staff members of the street office had some general understanding of the situation in the area. Moreover, the Su family had caused a big fuss not long ago, so they naturally recognized the father and daughter.

The director of the street office said that there was no need to be so polite and that if there was anything I needed help with, I could just say it.

When he finished listening to Su Yuanzheng's request, an embarrassment appeared on his face.

"Xiao Su, I can't easily give you this certificate. Look, this yard is public property, and I can't represent everyone's opinions."

"Director, the courtyard where I live now had housing available to the public a few years ago, allowing employees who needed housing to apply on their own, but no one wanted to live there. Instead of that, I'd rather pay the government to buy it."

"No one wants to live here, and that's because... that reason. This is really hard to deal with."

"You can see what procedures or conditions are required. My family will work hard to solve them!"

"I can't answer you right now. How about you go home and wait for the news? I need to consult with the public."

…

Su Yuanzheng tried to persuade the director of the street office for a long time but failed to get it done. In the end, he had no choice but to take Su Miao back and wait for news.

When he got home, he looked at his daughter, who had rarely been silent, and said, "Miaomiao, I'm afraid we can't buy this yard. It doesn't matter. We'll take the gold. When you go to Yongcheng to study, Dad will buy a room in the city to accompany you."

He learned the term "accompanying study" at his workplace. The daughter of the deputy director of the watch factory was studying at Yongcheng No. 1 Middle School.

The deputy factory director bought a two-bedroom apartment next to the school. His wife resigned from her job as a teacher at the second primary school and followed her daughter to Yongcheng to accompany her studies.

He takes full care of his daughter's food, clothing, housing and transportation, allowing her to concentrate on her studies. The deputy factory director also goes to the city to visit his wife and daughter every weekend.

This year, his daughter was admitted to a good school in Beijing, which shows that accompanying her to study is very effective.

Anyway, he doesn't have a job now, so he can set up the stall anywhere. Everything revolves around his daughter. He will go wherever his daughter goes!

Su Miao said sternly, "Both the Real Estate Bureau and the Subdistrict Office are playing Tai Chi. Ultimately, there are no clear regulations, and they simply don't want to take responsibility for this."

Su Yuanzheng also sighed: "Yeah, we have no connection with them, and buying a house won't benefit them, so it's understandable that they won't help."

"What if there are benefits? And they are huge benefits."

"You mean..."

"Dad! Before it's too late, go to the bank and withdraw 1,600 yuan. Go tonight and ask Mr. Wang for an introduction to the two directors' homes."

Su Yuanzheng lowered his voice and asked, "Does this count as bribery?"

Su Miao said righteously, "Asking them to help do something bad is called bribery. We are just asking them to do a small favor and giving them a little hard work fee. Besides, the money we used to buy the house is actually going to be handed over to the country, not just for free."

"Sixteen thousand... eight hundred per person? Isn't that too much? I don't know how much money this yard will cost. I wonder if what we have left is enough."

"If that's not enough, we still have gold! Besides, we can slowly make it back by setting up a stall. The two directors will each get 500 yuan, and Mr. Wang will get 600 yuan."