Chapter 136: Pick Up the Car, Buy a House!

Jinjin and An'an each day look different, shedding the newborn red wrinkles, becoming white and plump, their lotus‑stalk‑like arms and calves waving, full of vigor.

Brother Jinjin still likes to knit his little eyebrows, but occasionally is made to grin his toothless little mouth by sister An'an's unconscious cooing.

An'an increasingly loves to laugh, her jet‑black big eyes like water‑soaked black grapes; anyone who teases her makes her giggle, becoming the family's joy.

Su Ruan's body recovered quickly under careful care, and with a pleasant mood her complexion was excellent, adding a few more notes of gentle, mature charm than before pregnancy.

Jiang Ran almost cradled her in his palm; aside from nursing, which he truly couldn't replace, he handled almost everything else, even rushing to soothe the child when they cried at night, fearing Su Ruan wouldn't get proper rest.

The sun was perfect that day, and Jinjin and An'an were held by Jiang Nainai and Great-grandmother in the courtyard to bask.

Jiang Ran, seeing Su Ruan's good recovery and the backlog of shop matters needing attention, suggested, "Wife, the weather's fine today; let's go pick up the car. And we can get some fresh air; staying cooped up at home isn't good."

The silver‑gray Shanghai‑plate sedan they had set their eyes on during Su Ruan's pregnancy had remained unclaimed because a series of later events kept them from picking it up.

Su Ruan thought it over, agreed it was indeed time to go out, and nodded, "Alright, let's also check the houses we were interested in earlier."

She had been keeping this matter in mind all along.

Relying on vague memory fragments, she vaguely recalled that during this time, a cluster of old dwellings in West City near the base of the old city wall was slated to be incorporated into municipal redevelopment, with fairly generous demolition compensation.

Previously she and Jiang Ran had quietly visited a few times, favoring several well‑located, relatively clear‑title small buildings, but at the time the funds were insufficient and, with her nearing delivery, they temporarily set them aside.

Now that the full month had passed and they had some spare cash, it was an ideal time to make a purchase.

"Fine! Whatever you say!"

Jiang Ran now admired Su Ruan's investment insight so deeply that he agreed without a second thought.

After greeting Li Huijuan and Jiang Nainai and lingeringly kissing their son and daughter's little cheeks, the young couple stepped out.

First they went to the Car Trading Market.

The paperwork had long been completed, leaving only the final vehicle handover.

When that silver‑gray, metallic‑sheen Shanghai‑plate sedan steadied in front of them, Jiang Ran was as excited as a child, circling the car several times, patting here, peeking there.

"Wife, look! Our car!"

He opened the door, carefully helped Su Ruan into the passenger seat, then made his way to the driver's seat, inhaled deeply, and gripped the steering wheel.

The engine started smoothly, a low, powerful rumble resonated.

Although Jiang Ran had previously learned from the factory's master craftsmen and had obtained his driver's license, this was his first time driving his brand‑new family car; his movements were a bit stiff, but his eyes were full of excitement and concentration.

"Drive slower, be careful."

Su Ruan fastened her seatbelt, looked at his tense, earnest profile, and couldn't help laughing as she reminded him.

"Don't worry, wife, it'll be smooth and steady!"

Jiang Ran grinned, slowly pressed the accelerator, and the car smoothly drove out of the market.

Sitting in their spacious, comfortable sedan and watching the street scene flash backward through the window, Su Ruan felt an indescribable surge of accomplishment.

From waking up in the novel with nothing and moving cautiously step by step, to now having an emerging career, a happy family, and even a private car that ordinary people of this era wouldn't dare imagine.

All of this felt like a dream beyond a dream.

The car headed toward West City.

The nearer they got to the base of the old city wall, the narrower the streets became, and the surrounding buildings grew increasingly aged—mostly old blue‑brick tiled houses or wooden shacks, their walls covered in mottled stains.

Following the address Su Ruan had previously noted, Jiang Ran parked the car in a relatively spacious open space.

The two got out and, familiar with the route, walked into the slightly chaotic residential district.

The three adjoining two‑story small buildings with independent titles were the ones they had previously favored.

The structures were slightly tilted, the wooden doors and windows rotted, the courtyard was piled with junk, and they appeared utterly dilapidated.

The original owners were all elderly people or families eager for cash, hoping to move in with their children.

When Su Ruan and Jiang Ran had previously inspected the houses, they were sincere, offered a fair price—slightly above market value but not enough to raise suspicion—and claimed they liked the tranquility and intended to purchase and gradually renovate.

Several owners already thought that just selling these rundown houses was good enough; seeing Jiang Ran and Su Ruan's straightforwardness, they basically agreed on the terms.

Today was the day to sign the contract and complete the paperwork.

The first owner they found was an elderly man surnamed Zhao.

When Zhao the elder saw Jiang Ran and Su Ruan arrive in their brand‑new sedan, he thought the young couple reliable and wealthy, and handling the paperwork became especially smooth.

"Jiang Comrade, Comrade Su, you really have an eye; don't let my old houses fool you—prime location, warm in winter, cool in summer…"

Zhao the elder led them to the housing bureau, cheerfully spouting compliments he himself barely believed.

Jiang Ran smiled in response, while Su Ruan quietly stayed by his side, calculating in her mind.

Insight? Perhaps.

She was betting on that uncertain memory and future planning.

At the housing bureau, the process proceeded fairly smoothly.

After paying, signing the thick contract, and stamping her hand, when the deep‑red booklet bearing the house ownership certificate was handed to Su Ruan, she felt her heartbeat skip a beat.

Warm.

The brand‑new paper seemed still to retain the warmth of the print, pressing heavily in her palm.

It clearly read Owner: Su Ruan. Location: West City District Qianggen Lu No. 23.

Done!

Suppressing the excitement in her heart, Su Ruan carefully slipped the deed into the cloth bag she carried.

Then came the second, then the third…

The process was much the same; the other two owners, also eager to receive their money, completed the paperwork swiftly.

When Su Ruan's cloth bag contained three equally heavy deeds, she felt her steps become somewhat light.

Those three small buildings had nearly exhausted most of the savings they had accumulated since opening their shop, and together with the money spent on the car, their liquid funds suddenly became tight.

On the way back, Jiang Ran was still driving.

Compared with the excitement on the way there, he now showed a few more notes of composure; occasionally glancing at Su Ruan, who clutched the cloth bag and stared pensively out the window, he couldn't help asking, "Wife, these houses… really have as much appreciation potential as you say?"

I think that place is very rundown, and I'm afraid even after another ten years it still won't develop.

He doesn't distrust Su Ruan; it's just that with such a large investment, his heart inevitably feels a bit insecure.