The next morning, sunlight shone through the window onto the bed. Liu Yanran slowly opened her eyes, stretched, and got up to wash.
After breakfast, Liu Yanran instructed her fourth brother, Liu Guoxing, and Gao Zhonghua to clean the shop inside and out, ensuring it was tidy and spotless. She herself planned to go out and look for a suitable house. After all, they needed a stable place to live, and Gu Shimiao and Li Hua would also need a place to stay when they came over later.
Liu Yanran knew that although housing prices had risen due to factors such as the resumption of the college entrance examination and the return of educated youth, they were still relatively low compared to later generations. Moreover, as a 21st-century resident, she possessed a unique insight into the real estate market and was able to accurately determine which properties offered the highest investment value.
Since both she and Liu Guoxing had their registered residences transferred to Peking University, purchasing housing fully complied with policy requirements. Liu Yanran planned to purchase several courtyard houses. Any number of courtyards, as long as the property ownership was clear and unequivocal, was worth considering. As for properties with disputes or disputes, she would not touch them, no matter how low the price.
Liu Yanran first set her sights on the hutongs near Peking University. Many former professors and their families lived here. However, over the past decade, the country had experienced a catastrophe, and many talented people had been persecuted and unable to return home safely. Some families even chose to sell their ancestral homes to avoid being reminded of the past.
Liu Yanran walked into the alley, carefully observing each courtyard. She found that some, though slightly dated in appearance, were structurally sound and could be revitalized with just a little renovation. Others, however, had long been neglected and were in a state of disrepair.
Just as Liu Yanran was hesitating, she saw a white-haired old man standing in front of a courtyard, looking out. His eyes revealed a hint of longing and reluctance. Liu Yanran walked over and struck up a conversation with the old man.
During my conversation with the old man, I learned that he was the owner of this courtyard house. His children all lived abroad, while he and his wife were former professors at Kyoto University. Because of their family's overseas connections, they were labeled "capitalists."
To make matters worse, his wife, a foreign language teacher, was reported by students, which led to the two of them being exiled to the northwest, where they were forced to live in a cowshed and do the most arduous labor.
Despite this, they always supported and encouraged each other, and firmly believed that they would be reunited with their families one day. However, fate played a cruel joke on them - his wife, having endured long-term hardships, was already physically exhausted and ultimately did not wait for the day to return with him.
This courtyard was given to him by his grandfather when they got married. His grandfather was once a famous local squire in the surrounding area, and he left this courtyard to his only grandson. This courtyard witnessed countless beautiful moments between the couple and also carried the deep emotions between them.
Here, they welcomed the birth of their first son, heard him call out "Dad" and "Mom" for the first time, and witnessed him take his first steps in life; afterwards, they welcomed their second and third children, and their most beloved youngest daughter.
Every corner was filled with their shared memories, but now, these memories had become an unbearable pain in his heart.
Faced with all this, he could no longer stay here, so he decided to sell the courtyard house and return to his hometown to retire. At this moment, his only hope was to see his children again. Since their separation, more than ten years have passed, and they have never seen each other again...
Liu Yanran felt a pang of sadness after hearing the old man's story. She decided to buy the courtyard house not only for its investment value, but also to preserve this precious memory for the old man.
"Old sir, I am willing to buy your courtyard house." Liu Yanran said softly.
A hint of surprise flashed in the old man's eyes, and then he showed a grateful smile, "Thank you, little girl. But I'm in a hurry to sell it, so I only accept cash." Although the little girl looked well-dressed, this courtyard house was not cheap after all.
Liu Yanran felt a surge of mixed emotions as she entered this well-preserved three-story courtyard house. The former prosperity and bustle were gone, leaving only empty rooms and damaged or removed furniture.
She strolled through the courtyard, her gaze sweeping over every corner. The once exquisitely carved doors and windows now looked somewhat dilapidated, and the murals on the walls had lost their former luster. However, what distressed her most were the pearwood furniture.
She gently stroked a pearwood table, feeling its delicate grain and smooth texture. These pieces of furniture, once the pride of this courtyard, had now been haphazardly destroyed or removed, leaving only a mess.
Liu Yanran couldn't help but think of the people who once lived here. Perhaps they had spent good times here, or perhaps they experienced ups and downs here. Now, this courtyard has become a witness to history, and those stories can only be found in people's memories.
She sighed and turned to leave the courtyard. Although it is no longer what it once was, she hopes that it can be properly protected and restored so that future generations can appreciate its historical and cultural value.
Liu Yanran smiled and nodded. The courtyard house was in good condition. Although many things had been emptied out, she was generally satisfied. "Please name a price. If it's suitable, I'll go get the money. Don't worry, my brother and I are both freshmen at Peking University, and my family might want to come over soon, so I need a house. I'll take good care of it and won't make any major changes. If you want to come and see the house again in the future, just let me know."
The old man felt very relieved after hearing what Liu Yanran said. He originally thought that this courtyard house would be demolished or converted for other uses, but he didn't expect to meet someone who knew how to cherish it.
"Little girl, I believe you will treat this courtyard well. Let me put it this way, I don't ask for much, just give me 35,000 yuan." The old man said a number.
Liu Yanran was a little surprised. Thirty-five thousand yuan was not a small sum of money at that time, but she understood that even now the value of this courtyard house was far more than this price.
"Okay, old man, I'll go get the money right away." Liu Yanran agreed without hesitation.
Not long after, Liu Yanran returned to the courtyard with the money. She handed the money to the old man, who took it with a lot of emotion.
"Thank you, little girl. This courtyard has found a good home." The old man said, holding Liu Yanran's hand.
Liu Yanran smiled and said, "This is what you deserve, old man. I hope you live a happy and healthy life in your hometown."
Then, the old man and Liu Yanran successfully completed the house transfer procedures. In this way, Liu Yanran owned the first courtyard house in her life.
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