Gu Weiwen said gently, "This lady just gave me directions."
Hou Yongxian's smile deepened, and he chatted with the other party for a few more minutes.
After they left the gate and walked a distance, Hou Yongxian continued, "The woman's surname is Feng. Her father-in-law is the one in charge of this courtyard. Whenever there's a big or small matter, a neighborhood dispute, a wedding, or a funeral, people usually go to that old man."
Gu Wei nodded knowingly, "Then this old man is quite prestigious and capable of organizing things."
"Yes," Hou Yongxian said with emotion. "Last year, when the accident happened, it was thanks to this old man's help that my old friend was able to get into trouble.
The two walked and talked.
Gu Wei also kept an eye on some of the courtyard houses he passed by.
Hou Yongxian noticed this and assumed that the man was curious because he hadn't seen many courtyard houses before, so he started talking about the history and origins of these courtyards.
Gu Wei was indeed curious, and also wanted to buy it.
After listening patiently for a while, he said directly, "Grandpa Hou, I came here on a whim this time. Besides taking care of some things, I also wanted you to help me find out if there are any suitable courtyard houses I could buy."
Hou Yongxian looked at him with some incomprehension. They had no choice but to live in this kind of tenement, but Gu Wei was different.
"What's the point of buying this dilapidated courtyard? The water taps are public, and you have to go to the public toilet outside. Besides, after it was confiscated, many tenants moved in. Even if you get the property deeds back, you can't kick them out. If you spend money to buy it, you'll have a lot of trouble."
Gu Wei knew, of course, that what Hou Yongxian said was true, and that this was why few people bought courtyard houses in this era.
Many people have had enough of living in traditional courtyard houses and would much rather live in apartment buildings with running water and sewage systems.
“Grandpa Hou, if I want to buy, I will definitely buy the kind with only one household and clear property rights. I won’t consider the kind where many people live in the same courtyard. It’s also a kind of investment in advance. Maybe one day I will come here to do business and live.”
Hou Yongxian originally wanted to persuade Gu Wei to give up the idea, but after hearing what he said next, he changed his mind.
After all, the Northeast can't compare to Beijing in any way.
People strive for higher positions, while water flows downhill.
"Since you've already made up your mind, I won't say anything more. I'll definitely have someone help you look for one. But in this case, we have to take our time and find the right courtyard house."
Gu Wei wasn't in a hurry to buy the courtyard house at all. "I know, Grandpa Hou, then I'll leave it to you."
Hou Yongxian waved his hand, "Why be so polite? We're not strangers, and it's just something I said in passing. But I have to give you a heads-up, the kind you mentioned probably isn't cheap."
Gu Wei said confidently, "I have no problem with money."
"That's good." Hou Yongxian also knew that Gu Wei's business was thriving, with several ways to make money.
They walked out of the alley, waited at the bus stop for a while, and then boarded the bus.
When we arrived at Donglaishun, it was lunchtime.
Although the wages are not high now, business here is booming, and luckily there are still seats available.
Speaking of Donglaishun, it is a famous restaurant in Beijing that started from a pushcart stall.
At first, he sold douzhi (fermented mung bean juice) and tiaobing (sticky rice cakes) from a cart in Dong'an Market. Unexpectedly, his business grew bigger and bigger, and later he rented a house and opened a shop.
After opening the shop, they sold fresh mutton, and later opened a hot pot restaurant.
The mutton has neither a gamey nor a muttony smell, and it's especially tender when cooked in hot pot.
The dipping sauce for hot pot is meticulously prepared.
The two ordered three catties of mutton, a plate of sesame flatbread, some cabbage and vermicelli, and a bottle of wine. The total bill came to 15 yuan and 5 mao.
In an era when workers' monthly wages were only a few dozen yuan, this meal was certainly not cheap.
Gu Wei wanted to rush to pay the bill.
Hou Yongxian grabbed his hand to stop him, saying, "If you take out this money, you're disrespecting this old man."
At the same time, I felt that Gu Wei was a truly considerate and kind young man, and I didn't want him to spend money.
Gu Wei had no choice but to stop arguing.
Hou Yongxian originally intended to take Gu Wei back the way they came and then stay at his home.
But when I heard that he had already booked a room at a guesthouse near the train station and had other things to do, I had no choice but to give up.
However, they agreed to meet tomorrow.
Gu Wei did indeed book a room as a cover.
But he did not go back.
Because at this time of year, it's common to encounter situations where people are asked to provide their letters of introduction or have their rooms checked when they're out and about.
If he returns to the modern world from his room, and someone knocks on the door but finds no one home, it could easily arouse suspicion and cause trouble.
Back at the villa, Gu Wei felt a strong smell of mutton and alcohol on his body and in his mouth, and immediately went to brush his teeth and take a shower.
Once I came out feeling refreshed, my sleepiness was gone.
He thought about it and realized that he had only been in contact with Zhou Wenyi by phone these past two days, without meeting or going on dates, so he sent her a message.
"Girlfriend, are you free after get off work?"
Zhou Wenyi replied almost instantly.
Of course! Where would you like to eat?
Then she sent a cute emoji.
The two of them had Western food last time.
This time, we'll definitely be ordering different food.
But Gu Wei didn't make a decision and still passed the ball to Zhou Wenyi.
What would you like to eat?
"I'm fine with anything."
Gu Wei felt that things couldn't continue like this.
He made the call directly.
Zhou Wenyi clearly didn't expect Gu Wei to call, and answered instantly, her gentle voice filled with laughter.
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