Chapter 212: Coaxing in the Courtyard

After eating, Yang Qing came to look for Second Aunt.

Second Aunt was sitting in front of He Yuzhu's door, chatting with a group of old women.

Liu Shumin and Lou Xiao'e were among them.

"Second Aunt."

Yang Qing chuckled and came over.

Second Aunt looked at Yang Qing doubtfully.

"Yang Qing, do you have something?"

Yang Qing nodded.

"Second Aunt, I came to ask: do you want to renovate your home?"

Second Aunt said doubtfully.

"Renovation? Renovate what?"

Yang Qing took out his blueprint.

"Second Aunt, look, it's an interior renovation like the public housing."

Second Aunt glanced at his blueprint, then lost interest and shook her head.

"Not interested, we don't need it now."

Yang Qing also shook his head.

"No, you do need it."

"Second Aunt, look, your family of four lives in two side rooms, which seems fine."

"But what if Guangqi comes back? Where would the couple live?"

"And if they have a child, where would they live when they return?"

Second Aunt said irritably.

"They haven't shown up in ages—why would they come back?"

Yang Qing continued to chuckle.

"That's because he knows there's literally no place for him at home."

"So he doesn't want to come back and bother you."

"If this year you tidy up your home, then at New Year's, you say, could they not come back to see you?"

Second Aunt felt a bit tempted by what he said.

"Our house is only this big—how could renovating it make it larger?"

Yang Qing slapped open a page.

"Second Aunt, you've hit the nail on the head."

"We really can expand the house."

"Look at our renovation plan… like this, like this, like this—don't you think we could carve out several rooms?"

"This way, you and your spouse take one room, Guangtian and his brother each get one, and we still have one left."

"This room can be a study when idle, and a guest room when visitors come."

"The kitchen is on this side of the living room, connected to it, so the living room doesn't feel small, and it's convenient for meals."

"Not bad, huh?"

Yang Qing's words gradually drew the surrounding women over.

Because the design was so clever, it instantly eased the housing shortage and made things more spacious.

"Really good—this renovation completely changes the place."

"Yeah, Jia Zhangshi, Qin Huairu's room could be renovated like that, so when Bang Geng grows up he'll have his own place—can't keep having him share a kang with his mother and two sisters forever."

Jia Zhangshi rolled her eyes.

"What's it to me? We've split households."

"But looking at her blueprint, she was filled with envy—it's just too well done."

"Thinking of her own nest and then looking at their blueprint, it's like a doghouse."

She couldn't help but ask.

"Yang Qing, how much would this renovation cost?"

Yang Qing saw it was Jia Zhangshi; he actually didn't want to bother with her, but since she asked, he couldn't stay silent.

"The cheap ones cost a few dozen, the expensive ones a few hundred."

"How much for my side room?"

Yang Qing did a quick mental calculation.

"For a simple renovation, the minimum starts at 30; look at this effect—it's the simple style of our public housing, and 80 can get it done."

"Look at this: medium renovation within 120, major renovation within 160."

Jia Zhangshi glanced at it, her mouth almost watering—if she could live in a house like this, how wonderful that would be.

Second Aunt took a look and asked.

"Yang Qing, if we were to do our home, how much would it cost?"

"Just follow the plan you just mentioned."

Yang Qing happily flipped the blueprint back.

"Second Aunt, look, yours falls into the major renovation range, and you have two side rooms."

"So the full package would be around 550."

"If you don't want furniture, you could spend a bit less—about over a hundred."

We can freely choose.

If it's just a shell, with nothing inside the house, it would probably need about 350.

Upon hearing this, Second Aunt instantly sucked in a breath of cold air.

At this price, it's enough to rent two Long-term Rentals.

Yang Qing shook his head.

No, no, a Long-term Rental is public housing, to be reclaimed; our own house is private property, to be used for a lifetime.

Second Aunt glanced at him.

Our house is also part of the factory.

Yang Qing continued shaking his head.

You say this house belongs to the factory—can they still take it back? Even if you live there a lifetime, no one will come to reclaim it; how is it different from your own?

This is a one-time renovation for lifelong happiness—why not do it?

Second Aunt, think again: a whole family together, enjoying family bliss—how much money can buy that?

You say, isn't that so?

Liu Guang Qi is a thorn in her heart; being able to bring Liu Guang Qi back is something she and her husband have always dreamed of.

Second Aunt hesitated for a moment, then said.

Wait until your Second Uncle comes back, then we'll discuss it further.

Yang Qing smiled and nodded.

Okay.

He felt there was a chance.

Jia Zhangshi grabbed Yang Qing at this moment.

Yang Qing, if I renovate, where would I live?

Yang Qing spread his hands.

Then you'll have to settle it yourself.

You can stay as a guest, or go to the Jiedao for a short-term rental.

Jia Shen'er, you could squeeze in with your well-behaved grandchild.

Jia Zhangshi stuck out her neck.

I wouldn't go near that lowly person's house.

As if thinking of something infuriating, she made up her mind.

Yang Qing, as long as you solve my housing problem, I'll renovate this house.

Yang Qing thought for a moment; he didn't want to renovate for this old lady because it would be too cheap for her.

But thinking of spending her money, he felt he could do it; ideally, after ten years he could scare her once—if the renovation is done well, it will bring disaster.

He pointed to the side room west of Sha Zhu.

You can rent that room from the Jiedao for one month.

Now that the weather is warm, one month is enough for you to move back.

Jia Zhangshi looked at the mocking gazes around, gritted her teeth, and nodded.

Renovate, I'll renovate—following the medium-grade finish.

Also, I know your room has a water facility; I want that too.

Yang Qing nodded.

The medium-grade finish itself includes it.

Jia Shen'er, have you really decided?

Jia Zhangshi nodded; she had been too suppressed by this crowd lately, she wants to live better, to spite them to death.

She glanced at Yi Da Ma, especially Yi Da Ma—best to spite them to death.

She has a heart condition; if aggravated, she might be scared to death.

Anyway, she wants to live well, to be envied by everyone in the compound, and to have Bang Geng willingly get close to her.

As long as she achieves her goal, this money will be well spent.

Confirmed, let's renovate.

Yang Qing reached out his hand.

A 100 yuan deposit, with refunds for excess and supplements for shortage.

Jia Zhangshi's expression stalled.

Do you need the money now?

Yang Qing nodded.

Of course, materials aren't free, are they?

Jia Zhangshi's expression kept changing; finally she gritted her teeth and nodded.

Wait here, I'll go get the money for you.

Yang Qing never expected his first customer to be Jia Zhangshi.

Could this Old Qian Po be acting this way because her wealth has been exposed, so she no longer hides it?