"No need to buy rice, we have some at home, I'll bring some next time." Hua Qingyi's first thought was always how to avoid spending money.
"That's fine too. Anyway, from now on, Grandpa and Grandma won't be able to take a single pound of our family's grain." Hua Kai thought that since her family's grain wouldn't be exploited and they couldn't even finish eating it all, it was okay for them to bring some from home.
“Kaikai, it’s strange, isn’t it? Before, our family relied on that little bit of land. When Grandma came to our house to ask for grain, Mom and Dad didn’t dare say no. A few days ago, you weren’t home, and Grandma saw that we had bought two bags of flour, so she came to our house to take one. But Mom refused outright, saying that it was on credit and could only be paid off after selling the pancakes. If Grandma took it, then the debt collector would have to go to Uncle’s house to get the money. Grandma didn’t get anything out of it, so she left angrily.” Hua Qingyi laughed as he spoke, “Why didn’t Mom dare to do that before?”
Hua Kai laughed as she listened: "Mom was actually quite bold, but after marrying Dad, her personality was worn down and she lost all her edge. Dad was instilled with some servile ideas by his stepmother from a young age, so he was used to being oppressed. You see, he's not as outspoken as Mom now, but fortunately, Dad has a sense of right and wrong, so we don't have to worry."
Hua Qingyi nodded after hearing his sister's words: "Yes, you mean that in our family, Mom will probably have to take the lead in the future. Dad's personality is not as good as Mom's."
“Dad has had a hard life. He was suppressed by his stepmother since he was a child. When we become successful, we will gradually help him regain his confidence. People will change when they have status, wealth, and knowledge.”
"I understand what you're saying. I used to be timid too, but now I'm confident."
"Brother, wash your hands. I'll teach you how to use the kitchen and bathroom first, then we'll cook some noodles. This is our first meal here, so let's eat together."
Hua Qingyi followed Hua Kai into the bathroom, where Hua Kai taught him how to use the faucet and how to flush the toilet.
Then he took Hua Qingyi to the kitchen and taught him how to use the gas canister and other kitchen utensils.
Hua Qingyi learned very quickly. He asked Hua Kai to watch while he started cooking noodles.
The brother and sister ate their first simple and cozy meal: boiled noodles, poached eggs, and some pickled vegetables they brought from home.
After finishing their meal, it was still early, so Hua Kai took out the sketches from Meng Ming's house and explained them to Hua Qingyi, telling him to take a good look at them tonight and that she would take him to Meng Ming's house tomorrow at noon to discuss the plans with the workers.
Hua Qingyi carefully memorized every key point Hua Kai mentioned, and only went back to class when it was time for evening self-study.
The next day at noon, Hua Kai still went to eat lunch early, and then went back to the rented house to find Hua Qingyi. The two siblings went to Meng Ming's place together. Today, Hua Kai still brought those sample drawings. After meeting with the workers, she still had to take her older brother to find new clients.
When the two of them arrived, Meng Ming and the workers were already there.
Hua Kai introduced Hua Qingyi to Meng Ming: "Meng Ming, this is my older brother. He came here to learn design from me. He can come and check on the progress from time to time."
Hua Qingyi politely greeted Meng Ming, "Hello, Comrade Meng."
Meng Ming smiled and said, "Hua Kai and I are friends. We're about the same age, so you can just call me by my name. Whatever you like."
Hua Qingyi agreed, "Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony."
Meng Ming then introduced the lead decorator to Hua Kai. After Hua Kai discussed the blueprints with the decorator, he easily understood her meaning. However, the decorator was worried that some materials might not be as accurate as those drawn on the blueprints. Hua Kai said that these minor differences were acceptable and could be compensated for later with some soft furnishings.
The construction schedule was quickly set. Since Meng Ming wasn't superstitious, there was no need to choose an auspicious date; construction would begin tomorrow.
Hua Qingyi listened attentively and took notes on Hua Kai's words, while also noting down some key points about the workers.
Everything was settled in half an hour. After saying goodbye to Meng Ming, Hua Kai wanted to go see Section Chief Cheng. However, as soon as she got down to the first floor, she saw that the door was open and knocked on it.
The woman who came out was an elderly lady with gray hair. She was wearing a beige thin wool cardigan, plaid trousers, and black leather shoes. She looked very intellectual and was clearly an intellectual.
Hua Kai greeted the old woman, saying, "Hello, Grandma. I do design work for the upstairs neighbors. I noticed your door is open, so I thought I'd show you my design and see if you're interested."
The old man laughed as he listened: "Design? Interior design?"
Hua Kai was surprised that an elderly woman of this age knew this, and quickly nodded: "It's interior design, Grandma knows this?"
The old man smiled and said, "Come in. My youngest son is in the United States, and his girlfriend does this kind of work, so I know a little about it."
Hua Kai and Hua Qingyi entered the old man's house. Since the layout was the same as Meng Ming's house, they didn't need to look at it much.
So Hua Kai directly took out her design drawings: "Grandma, take a look at these designs of mine. Are there any that interest you?"
The old man quickly flipped through the European and Japanese styles, but smiled when he saw the Chinese style: "I still prefer the traditional style, but fewer and fewer people understand these elements now, so it doesn't feel right when you try to imitate it."
Hua Kai said, "If Grandma trusts me, I'll design something for you first and draw some small drafts. If you're satisfied, we can discuss it further. If you're not satisfied, consider it an attempt, and there's nothing to lose. Is that alright?"
The old man nodded: "Okay, let's give it a try. What do we need to prepare?"
Hua Kai said, "No need to prepare anything. There's an apartment with the same layout upstairs. I have the exact dimensions of your apartment, so I can draw up a plan when I get back. If it's convenient for you, I'll come over again on Wednesday at noon."
The old man agreed: "Okay, I'm retired and don't have much to do. You can do it whenever you have time."
Hua Kai could tell that this old lady was well-off and had good taste. As long as she was satisfied, the deal would be done.
She then asked the elderly person about their requirements for the kitchen and bathroom, how many people lived there, their living habits, and so on, and wrote them all down.
During the conversation, it was learned that the old man's surname was Fang, and that he had been a soldier who became paralyzed due to his duty, which is why he chose the first floor.
Hua Kai still admires them very much, so she said that in the design, she will try her best to make the house flat so that it is convenient for the old man to move around.
After they finished talking, Hua Kai and Hua Qingyi left the residential area. As they walked, Hua Kai talked to her older brother about the house. When they arrived at school, it was time for class, so she went straight back to school and told her older brother to go home by himself.
During the afternoon self-study period, Hua Kai had already drawn some sketches.
After school that evening, she and Zhang Miao went out for dinner together, and then she took Zhang Miao to the rented apartment. Although she and Zhang Miao hadn't known each other for long, they got along very well. Zhang Miao was different from Li Jing, who was the original owner's childhood friend and she felt a sense of responsibility towards her. But with Zhang Miao, she felt more like a kindred spirit.
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