Xia Liang returned to the factory and resumed her daily work. That day, after work, she drove Zhou Xiaohui to the housing management bureau to see if there were any suitable apartments. After hearing Xia Liang's requirements, the bureau recommended four apartments. One was located in the east of the county town, with a rent of eight yuan per month and a floor area of about 200 square meters. It was too far from the factory, so Xia Liang didn't consider it. The other apartments were either too far away or too old and dilapidated, and Xia Liang hadn't had time to repair them. Seeing that she didn't like these apartments, the staff member said, "There's a large courtyard in the north of the town, near the garment factory. The houses aren't old, but the rent is quite expensive, twelve yuan a month. Including the yard, it's about 600 square meters." Xia Liang said, "Could we take a look first? Could you hold it for me? If it's suitable, I can come back to complete the formalities by tomorrow at the latest." Seeing Xia Liang's politeness, the staff member smiled and said, "Don't worry, many people have seen that apartment, but they all think it's too expensive. Otherwise, such a good apartment would have been rented out long ago."
After leaving the housing management bureau, Zhou Xiaohui, who had been holding back for a while, finally asked, "Xia Liang, why are you renting a place? Why not just get a separate apartment after you get married? Besides, can you even live in such a big yard?" Xia Liang explained, "My mother isn't in good health, and there aren't any decent doctors in the village. I want to bring her to the city for a checkup, and also have my brother come to the city to take care of her. Besides, Ma Xiuxiang has moved into the dormitory, and she and Li Xiuying are always arguing there, so I can't even get a good night's sleep." Zhou Xiaohui said, "Oh, no wonder. I was wondering why you rented such a big place; those two are really annoying."
The next day after get off work, the two went to the housing management bureau together. After getting the keys, they went to the courtyard near the garment factory. It had a vermilion gate and a blue brick wall. Inside, there was a courtyard of about 200 square meters. To the left was a well, next to several plots of wasteland. To the right were three side rooms, next to which was a cement washbasin with a water tap, presumably added later. The main building had five rooms: a main hall and two bedrooms on each side. Xia Liang was extremely satisfied. He rode his bicycle with Zhou Xiaohui to the housing management bureau, signed the contract, paid the money, and got the keys. Xia Liang then took Zhou Xiaohui home and went to clean the new house.
And so, Xia Liang went to the new house every few days to clean it and add household items. Before long, it looked like a home. One day, after Xia Liang finished cleaning the new house, she moved her things from the dormitory over. Zhou Xiaohui saw this and helped her tidy up, asking, "Are you moving over?" Xia Liang nodded and said, "Yes, it's all set up over there. Every day in the dormitory is torture." Zhou Xiaohui smiled and said, "Okay then." So Xia Liang moved into the courtyard and made a phone call to the village after going out. At this moment, in Dahe Village, the village head Xia Youshun's voice echoed from the loudspeaker: "Xia Dahe, Xia Dahe, your daughter Xia Liang wants you to answer the phone." He called three times, but by the time Xia Dahe ran to the village office, the call had already ended. The village head dialed the number that had just been called, and Xia Liang quickly answered, calling out, "Is this Second Grandfather?" Xia Youshun said, "It's me, Xia Liang. Your father is here, I asked him to answer the phone." He then handed the receiver to Xia Dahe, who took it and said, "Hello, A Liang, you called..." "Is there something you need?" Xia Liang said. "Dad, don't worry, it's nothing. I just want to bring Mom to the city for a medical checkup. You can take an oxcart to the town tomorrow, then buy tickets to the county seat. I'll come pick you up." Xia Dahe said, "Then let your mother go. I won't go. Going to the city will only cause you trouble." Xia Liang persuaded, "It's not trouble at all. You and my brother come along. I'll feel more at ease knowing you have someone to look after you on the way." Xia's mother, who arrived late, couldn't help but burst into tears when she heard her daughter's words on the phone. Xia Liang almost wore herself out trying to persuade Xia's mother and Xia Rong to agree to go to the city. Xia's father stayed at home to take care of the livestock. Since the household was separated, they had a quota for raising chickens, so Xia's mother went and got two chicks to raise. Although it wasn't many, they still needed someone to look after them. In fact, many families in the village raise more than two eggs. Otherwise, Er Gouzi's mother would not have been able to store so many eggs to sell to Xia Liang. Although most people in the village are surnamed Xia and no one would be bored enough to report it, Xia's parents are honest people who only dare to follow the quota.
The villagers who had been watching over the conversation said enviously to Xia's mother, "Danxiang, you're so lucky! Your daughter is so filial, she's going to take you to the city to enjoy a life of luxury!" Xia's mother replied, "A-Liang is indeed filial, but he's not going to live in the city permanently. He said he's taking me to see a doctor." Xia Rong, who was standing nearby, said, "Second Grandfather, could you please help us get a letter of introduction?" Xia Youshun nodded quickly, "Yes, yes, I almost forgot." He then went to get the letter of introduction and said, "Everyone, go home. Go do what you were doing." He waved his hand, signaling the villagers who had gathered to disperse.
The next day at noon, Xia Liang took leave as agreed and went to the county bus station. After waiting for about ten minutes, the bus slowly arrived. Xia Liang saw her mother and brother sitting by the window and went over to help them with their luggage. After picking them up, Xia Liang took her mother and brother to the courtyard she rented. Xia Liang's mother, who was visiting the city for the first time, was already stunned by the city's development. Seeing the large courtyard, she couldn't help but ask Xia Liang in surprise, "Ah Liang, what is this courtyard?" Xia Liang replied, "Mom, this is the courtyard I rented. You and your brother will live here. Dad can stay here when he comes. Just treat this as your own home."
Xia Liang usually eats at the canteen. Although her family has cooking utensils, she has never cooked a single meal. After running out to buy food for her mother and Xia Rong, she took her mother to the hospital. After seeing the doctor and undergoing a consultation, the doctor said, "It's not a big problem. The patient's congenital weakness is probably due to malnutrition in the mother's womb. In the future, she should avoid overexertion, get plenty of rest, and eat more nutritious food to replenish her body." Indeed, Xia Liang's maternal grandparents' family has never been wealthy. Xia Liang's mother weighed less than four pounds at birth, and Xia Liang's maternal grandmother was afraid that she wouldn't survive. Fortunately, Xia Liang's mother survived, but due to the family's poor conditions, Xia Liang's mother's health did not improve. In addition, she was severely depleted during the birth of Xia Rong and Xia Liang, so she could only rely on the village's barefoot doctor's folk remedies to survive.
The doctor prescribed some medicine and, because of the malnutrition, also a can of milk powder. After picking up the things, Xia Liang took her mother to a state-run restaurant, bought two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and ten steamed buns, and then went home. Her mother kept muttering, "Why waste money like this? We're practically half-buried already, it's not worth it." Xia Liang retorted angrily, "What are you saying? You're so young, you haven't even seen my brother get married yet!" Her mother sighed, "I wonder when I'll see your brother get married. If it weren't for me dragging him down, he'd probably already have children."
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