It wasn't until the sharp, piercing sound of the kettle came that Liu Zi was awakened again.
Liu Zi poured hot water into the basin, mixed the bathwater, and then the mother and daughter took a refreshing bath.
Although the room was flooded, Liu Zi felt refreshed and relaxed.
Liu Zi sealed the stove, moved it into the south room, checked the doors and windows again, and then went to bed to sleep with her daughter in her arms.
She was absolutely exhausted today.
The next morning, Liu Zi was woken up by her daughter.
"Mom, I need to go to the toilet," Zhao Qi said, sounding aggrieved.
Liu Zi then realized that she had her daughter wrapped tightly in her arms, and Zhao Qi had no way to get out.
"Okay, get dressed first, then Mommy will carry you to the toilet."
Liu Zi sat up, rubbing her hair. She hadn't expected to sleep so soundly. She picked up her watch and saw that it was already 9 o'clock.
These days, 9 o'clock is already very late; people who went to work in the fields in the morning are already going home to have breakfast.
After taking her daughter to the toilet, Liu Zi immediately went to the south room to check on the stove.
The stove was really well-sealed; there was still embers. She immediately replaced the coal and prepared to cook a meal later.
For breakfast, Liu Zi made milk powder and heated up some steamed buns for Zhao Qi. Both mother and daughter ate with great satisfaction.
Liu Zi had just finished washing the dishes when she heard a knock on the door.
"Liu Zi, are you home?" It was Song Yan's voice.
"Yes! Coming right away." Liu Zi responded immediately, wiped her hands, and went to open the door.
"Sister Yan, what brings you here? Come inside quickly."
"Hey girl, how did you sleep last night?" Song Yan followed Liu Zi inside. Compared to yesterday, the courtyard looked like it had been filled with many new things.
"It's very quiet around here, I slept really well, I even overslept this morning and just finished eating." Liu Zi's praise made Song Yan especially happy.
"You don't know, when my dad was building the house, he invited a master to come and take a look. Although it wasn't encouraged back then, the older generation believed in it. The layout of this house was all based on the master's guidance," Song Yan happily told Liu Zi.
"No wonder I slept so well. It seems this master must know something about the Five Elements and the Eight Trigrams." Liu Zi knew that in her past life, Song Yan's family would invite a master to advise on the fortune of their hotel during renovations. She didn't expect that this was also a "family tradition"!
"That master is incredibly skilled. When you're building a house in the future, I'll arrange for him to come and give you some pointers," Song Yan assured him, patting her chest.
"Thank you in advance, Sister Yan," Liu Zi replied with a smile.
"Sis, you still haven't told me why you came over so early this morning?"
"Hey! I almost forgot about the important matter. My wife came back yesterday and said she found someone who can help keep watch, and she wants you to come over and talk to them when you have time." Song Yan rushed over early in the morning, just in case Liu Zi missed the news.
"Really?" Liu Zi's eyes lit up.
"Does he have time now?" Liu Zi grabbed Song Yan's hand and asked impatiently.
"He's in the shop, we can go there right now," Song Yan said immediately.
"Okay, sis, wait for me." Liu Zi said, then immediately turned around and went back into the house, bringing Zhao Qi out with her and picking up a basket that was in the corner.
Seeing that Liu Zi was anxious, Song Yan didn't linger and went back to the shop with them.
Liu Zi met Shi Jianjun, who was more than 20 years younger than her, in the store. He hadn't gained weight yet, and perhaps because he hadn't been out of the army for long, he still had a strong military presence.
"Brother Jun, this is Liu Zi, the girl I told you about renting our house." Song Yan immediately went over to her husband, grabbed his arm, and pointed at Liu Zi.
Liu Zi was already used to this. In her previous life, Song Yan was a shrewd and capable businesswoman outside, but at home she was a typical little bird clinging to her husband.
"Girl, this is my husband, Shi Jianjun."
Shi Jianjun nodded to Liu Zi, who politely addressed him as "Brother Shi."
"I heard from Yanmei that you wanted to find someone to ask about something." Shi Jianjun was subtly sizing up Liu Zi. His wife was kind-hearted, and he was afraid that she would be taken advantage of.
"Yes, Brother Shi, thank you and Sister Yan for your help. To be honest, I'd like to have someone investigate my husband," Liu Zi replied directly.
Shi Jianjun gestured for her to stop, then called out to the back, and immediately a little girl ran out.
"My cousin-in-law?"
"Take that little girl to the back to pick apples and eat them."
Shi Jianjun was very careful. Knowing who Liu Zi was investigating, he wanted to separate the child to prevent her from hearing anything she shouldn't hear.
Liu Zi was very grateful. Zhao Qi was still beside her. She squatted down and said to her daughter, "Sweetie, Mommy bought some delicious candy in the basket. Can you help me share it with the other older brothers and sisters?"
"……able!"
Zhao Qi's tone was somewhat uncertain.
"Thank you, sweetheart. You and your sister go to the back first, and Mommy will come find you in a bit, okay?" Liu Zi pointed to the little girl who was walking over.
"Okay, Mom, you have to come quickly!" Zhao Qi obediently agreed.
"good!"
Zhao Qi was led away, looking back every few steps.
"Sit down and talk!"
Seeing that the person was being taken away, Shi Jianjun pointed to the sofa next to him and told her to sit down.
"I wonder who Brother Shi found to help me investigate?" Liu Zi asked anxiously as soon as she sat down.
"He's the younger brother of one of my comrades-in-arms. He opened a studio in Beijing last year, doing favors for people, and I heard his business is doing quite well."
Shi Jianjun explained that whether or not to use it is up to Liu Zi to decide.
"studio?"
Liu Zizhen had no idea that Beijing had such an agency so early on!
"Yes, I've met the boss. He's quick-witted, reliable, has a wide network of connections, and most importantly, he's tight-lipped." Shi Jianjun spoke highly of his comrade's younger brother.
"I trust Sister Yan, and of course I trust Brother Shi's judgment." Liu Zi had met Shi Jianjun in her previous life and still trusted his character.
"but……"
"Brother Shi, you can speak frankly," Liu Zi said.
"He charges a lot."
When Shi Jianjun first heard the quote, he almost didn't want to work with this guy. This industry must be too lucrative!
That being said, it's not that Shi Jianjun looks down on Liu Zi, but the price is just too high for her to afford. Even if she can afford it for the time being, what about her future livelihood?
Shi Jianjun had actually given up and was preparing to find someone else for her.
"How much?" Liu Zi's heart skipped a beat. Would the money be enough?
"The starting price is 10,000, and the price may increase depending on the situation."
"My God! They're robbing us!" Before Liu Zi could even react, Song Yan, who was standing nearby, exclaimed and stood up.
"Yanmei, there are many things here that you don't understand," Shi Jianjun said gently to his wife.
"But this is too much." Song Yan shook his arm in protest. If she didn't know her man well, she would have thought he had been deceived.
Keep in mind that the average annual salary in Beijing in 1998 was only 12,000 yuan. They asked for 10,000 yuan right off the bat. What else could it be but robbery?
Liu Zi was silent for two seconds, then asked, "Brother Shi, are you sure they're really that good?"
Shi Jianjun nodded with slight surprise, but still nodded affirmatively.
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