"This is my daughter Yufen's house, but it's currently being occupied by that unreasonable old lady from her in-laws' family. I'd like to invite you to stay there for a few days."
Wu Er blinked.
"Me...I'm going to stay there? With the old lady?"
"Yes, you go and stay there, then kick the old lady out."
Su Jianguo explained.
"When you get there, just lie down on the kang (heated brick bed), and tell anyone who asks that you rented this house. This is the rental agreement; Yu Fen's signature is on it."
He unfolded the paper and pointed to the words on it.
"Look, it says here, 'Su Yufen rents house No. 42 Chang'an Street to Wu Ermaitai,' one-year lease, one yuan rent. Just put your fingerprint on it, and the house will legally be yours."
Wu Er nodded as if he understood, then suddenly remembered something and asked nervously.
"What if the old lady hits me?"
"She dares!"
Su Jianguo slammed his fist on the table.
"If she attacks, yell loudly to attract the attention of the neighbors, then call the police. Got it?"
Wu Er scratched his messy hair and suddenly chuckled.
"I know that. Like when I fought with Liu Laosi's big yellow dog over my steamed bun—I lay on the ground, rolled around, and howled? I can do that!"
Su Jianguo was amused by his analogy.
"Yes, that's how it is. But remember, don't actually fight them; just cheat."
"Don't worry, Brother Jianguo!"
Wu Er patted his chest and assured him, stirring up a cloud of dust.
"Even if I die, I'll die in that house!"
"Ptooey! Ptooey! Ptooey!"
Su Jianguo was so angry that he kicked him in the butt.
"Stop jinxing it! What do you mean by 'dying'? She's just going to stay for a few days. She'll leave once the old lady can't stand it anymore."
At this moment, Wang Xiulan walked in carrying two steaming bowls of noodles.
"Let's eat first, then we can talk about it slowly."
The noodles are topped with thick shredded meat and bright green scallions, and the aroma is irresistible.
Wu Er's eyes widened instantly, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.
"This...this is for me to eat?"
"Eat it while it's hot."
Wang Xiulan pushed the bowl in front of him and placed a plate of minced garlic on it.
"There's more in the pot if it's not enough."
Wu Er carefully picked up his chopsticks, first taking a shredded piece of meat and putting it in his mouth, then happily squinting his eyes.
He suddenly stopped and pushed the bowl towards Su Jianguo.
"Brother Jianguo, you eat first..."
Su Jianguo felt a surge of warmth in his heart and pushed the bowl back.
"You eat yours, I have some."
After the meal, Su Jianguo took out an inkpad and had Wu Ermaitai put his fingerprint on the rental contract.
He repeatedly reminded everyone of various details, patiently instructing them as if teaching a child.
"Remember, no matter who asks, say you rented this house. It's the contract, written in black and white."
What if that old lady scolds you?
"Just pretend you didn't hear that, eat and sleep as usual."
"Is she trying to kick you out?"
"I took a picture of the contract and said I had rented the house for a year and had the contract as proof."
Wu Ermaitai suddenly lowered his voice.
"Brother Jianguo, I... I smell bad, will it be okay if I sleep on someone else's kang (heated brick bed)..."
Su Jianguo patted him on the shoulder.
"That's exactly the effect I wanted. Don't worry, once it's done, I'll take you to the public bathhouse for a good wash and buy you some new clothes."
...
After everything was handed over, it was almost time to leave work. This was the busiest time for every household in the courtyard house.
Su Jianguo led Wu Erzai directly to his eldest daughter's house.
On the other side.
At Su Yufen's home.
Grandma Zhang sat at the head of the octagonal table, with a plate of braised pork and several side dishes in front of her, her greasy chopsticks moving deftly in her hands.
"Third son, serve your aunt another bowl of rice."
Grandma Zhang handed the empty bowl to her nephew beside her, her voice hoarse and shrill.
The burly young man, referred to as "San'er," quickly stood up, a fawning smile plastered on his face.
"Auntie, please eat more. This meat is stewed until very tender; I specially left the fatty parts for you."
The room was filled with smoke, and four burly men from the countryside sat around the table, wolfing down their food.
The ground was littered with clean bones and cigarette butts, and the air was filled with the mixed smell of cheap tobacco and food.
"Auntie, it's been five days already, and there's still no word from the Su family. Could they really be giving up on the house?"
A burly man with a face full of scars wiped the oil off his mouth, his eyes gleaming with greed.
Old Mrs. Zhang gave a cold laugh, her wrinkles crinkling into a tight knot.
"Bullshit! Would Su Yufen really part with this house? Her husband died, and she's counting on this house to raise her child!"
She spat.
"Her deadbeat father, Su Jianguo, is definitely up to no good. You all better be on your guard!"
"Auntie, don't worry!"
The oldest one patted his chest, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.
"With us brothers here, nobody can stop us! If that Su Jianguo dares to come, I'll make him leave lying down!"
Grandma Zhang squinted her triangular eyes and lowered her voice.
"I reckon they'll come under cover of darkness. You guys better not sleep too soundly tonight; grab your weapons the moment you hear a noise."
She pulled out a few iron bars from under the table and distributed them to the group.
"If you see any members of the Su family, put them in sacks and beat them up first. If you cripple them, it's on me!"
"Auntie, this... won't be a disaster, will it?"
The youngest one hesitated.
"Coward!"
Grandma Zhang slapped him on the back of the head.
"Have you forgotten how your brother Tiezhu died? If it weren't for that jinx Su Yufen, would my son have died? This house should be mine!"
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