Chapter 152

Morning sunlight shone into Xi Kua Yuan, Li Ping'an and his sister were having breakfast. Li Ping'le took small sips of porridge, then suddenly sighed.

Brother, yesterday evening they queued for an hour at the toilet again. Jia Zhangshi loitered inside for a while, saying her stomach was uncomfortable, she had diarrhea.

Li Ping'an picked a piece of preserved vegetable for his sister and said, 'How about we install a toilet at our home?'

Really? Li Ping'le's eyes lit up; she had long been tired of queuing morning and evening! Especially in winter, it made her shiver from the cold.

Getting water and electricity installed together, from now on it'll be convenient for you to do embroidery at home.

Brother, you're the best! Li Ping'le was so happy she almost knocked over her porridge bowl.

The next morning, Li Ping'an went to the street office. Director Wang was looking at documents; seeing him enter, he smiled and greeted, 'Comrade Ping'an, what wind blows you here?'

Director Wang, I want to renovate Xi Kua Yuan, build a toilet, and also install water and electricity for greater convenience.

What a coincidence! Director Wang slapped his thigh, saying the Government was preparing to bring water and electricity to each compound. You can just tap into it in the courtyard and install a separate meter; I'll issue you a note.

Saying this, he took out paper and wrote an approval slip: 'Anything else you need?'

During the renovation, my sister and I will need to find a place to stay...

You want an introduction letter to stay at a guesthouse, right? I'll take care of that as well. Director Wang said cheerfully, 'Right, if you need a renovation contractor, I recommend Master Lei from the Alley. I heard his ancestors participated in the construction of the Gugong; his skill is top-notch.'

Following the address given by Director Wang, Li Ping'an found a small Siheyuan with its own gate. He knocked on the door, and a man in his fifties, vigorous and spirited, poked his head out.

Who are you looking for?

Are you Master Lei? I was introduced by Director Wang of the street office.

Come in. Master Lei ushered Li Ping'an into the courtyard and asked, 'What's the matter, comrade?'

My family's Xi Kua Yuan in Compound 95; I want to install a toilet and hook up water and electricity.

Master Lei put down his plane and said, 'We need to inspect the site first.'

The two returned to Compound 95 and happened to see Yan Bu Gui watering flowers at the gate.

Ping'an, who is this? Yan Bu Gui pushed up his glasses and sized up Master Lei.

Master Lei, I've come to have my home renovated.

Yan Bu Gui curled his lip: 'We can't let just anyone of unknown background into the courtyard.'

Li Ping'an ignored him and directly brought Master Lei into the Xi Kua Yuan.

Master Lei looked around inside and out: the toilet can be built in the southwest corner, connecting to the external sewer pipe. Water and electricity will be more convenient—the main line is about to be laid in the courtyard; we just need to tap in and install a meter.

We should also renovate the house now, to avoid hassle later when we get married.

The host has thought it through well. Master Lei nodded and gave the quote: two options—either you provide the materials and I supply the labor, including lunch, for about 150; or I handle everything for 500, also including lunch.

Li Ping'an thought it over and chose the second option. I'll pay for lunch separately; you guys can sort it out yourselves.

The host agreed readily! Master Lei smiled, took a 300 Deposit, and said the Final Payment would be made after satisfactory completion and acceptance. Work starts tomorrow; today, tidy up your belongings.

Li Ping'le heard they would stay at a guesthouse, feeling both excited and worried: 'Brother, isn't staying at a guesthouse expensive?'

Just a few days; we'll move back once the renovation is done.

The siblings were packing their luggage when Sha Zhu came back from work, saw the scene, and asked curiously, 'Brother Ping'an, are you going on a long trip?'

Renovating the house, we'll stay at a guesthouse temporarily.

Just say if you need help! Sha Zhu said enthusiastically.

Jia Zhangshi muttered sarcastically at the gate: 'Being a leader means being extravagant, and still renovating the house. With that spare money, you should help the neighbors instead—so selfish!'

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong heard the commotion and came out. Liu Haizhong, belly protruding, said, 'Li Ping'an, did you get approval from the three senior elders for renovating the house? This is utterly disrespectful to the leaders!'

Li Ping'an almost laughed in anger: 'The duty of the three senior elders is to guard against spies and mediate disputes—when did they start managing renovations?'

Liu Haizhong declared emphatically, 'Everything in the courtyard, big or small, falls under our jurisdiction!'

Yi Zhonghai interjected, 'Ping'an, although you're a section chief, we have the final say on courtyard matters. If you want to renovate, you at least need to file a report. If everyone acted like you, how could we manage?'

The surrounding neighbors chimed in one after another, and Jia Dongxu shouted as well, 'My master is right!'

Li Ping'an looked around the crowd, slowly pulled out the approval slip from his pocket, and said, 'This is the approval slip from Director Wang of the street office. How so—do the three senior elders outrank the street office, or have you even given your consent?'

Yi Zhonghai's face changed, and he quickly shifted his tone: 'Since the street office has approved it, it must be a misunderstanding. But we are also thinking of the whole courtyard. Still, from now on, for any matters you should first come to us; the street office is busy, so don't keep bothering the leaders.'

After the crowd dispersed, Li Ping'an shook his head. This Yi Zhonghai is truly an Old Fox.

The next day, Master Lei brought his three apprentices and started work on time. The clinking of hammers and flying wood shavings stirred up the whole courtyard.

Jia Zhangshi covered her ears and shouted, 'Are you not going to let anyone have any peace?!'

Yan Bu Gui fiddled with the abacus, muttering, 'Building a toilet... installing water and electricity... how much will this cost...'

During the renovation, Jia Zhangshi and Yan Bu Gui were constantly loitering around. Today Jia Zhangshi pocketed a few scraps, saying she'd use them to prop up table legs at home; tomorrow Yan Bu Gui picked up some wood chips, saying they'd be for fire. Master Lei's apprentices muttered under their breath, 'What's with the people in this courtyard...'

Master Lei, however, took it in stride: 'Host, rest assured—I've calculated the material surplus; there's enough for them to take.'

One day, Jia Zhangshi took a fancy to a good piece of timber and insisted that Master Lei set it aside for her to make a stool. Master Lei politely declined: 'This is material the host bought with his own money; I can't make that decision.'

Jia Zhangshi immediately frowned: 'It's just a piece of wood—how stingy!'

Half a month later, the renovation was finally finished. The brand-new toilet was tiled with white ceramic, the Washbasin shone bright, and the indoor wiring ran neat and tidy, with every room fitted with electric lights.

Master Lei proudly displayed his work and said, 'Host, does this craftsmanship live up to the price?'

Thank you for your hard work, Master Lei. Li Ping'an happily paid the Final Payment.

On the day they moved back into the Xi Kua Yuan, Li Ping'le stayed in the brand-new toilet for half a day without coming out.

Brother, from now on we won't have to go out in the middle of the night to queue anymore!

That evening, Li Ping'an wrote a letter to Lin Xueqing by lamplight.

... The old rules in the courtyard still stand, but the new era has arrived. With a toilet installed and water and electricity connected, Ping'le is overjoyed as if it were New Year's. Sometimes I think that change perhaps begins with these small things...

Outside the window, moonlight spilled onto the newly repaired roof. Compound 95 is still Compound 95, but some things have already begun to change.