Chapter Seventeen: Room Assignments

“Comrade Qin, you’re being too polite!” Gao Changming said, “We mustn’t fall into bureaucratic habits nowadays. I’m just an ordinary person serving the people.”

“Yes, yes, Director Gao makes a good point,” Qin Jiuhong realized her earlier words had sounded a bit out of place in this era.

“Now, I’ll take Comrade Qin to complete the onboarding procedures and then we’ll go see the apartment,” Gao Changming said, leading them confidently to the Caiflower Street Office.

Upon arrival, they smoothly entered Director Cai’s office.

“Is this the comrade you want to assign to our street office?” Director Cai looked favorably upon Qin Jiuhong, whose beauty bore a subtle charm of southern elegance.

“Yes,” Director Gao replied, “Old Cai, this is Comrade Qin Jiuhong. Please help arrange her work here.”

“Hello, Director Cai,” Qin Jiuhong greeted promptly.

“No problem at all. Our street office just happens to need someone like her,” Director Cai said, calling over an officer. “Xiao Chen, please assist Comrade Qin with the onboarding, the grain ration book, and transfer her household registration.”

“Will do, Director Cai,” Officer Chen responded eagerly.

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“Old Gao, how about you join me for a cup of tea later?” Director Cai smiled at his old comrade.

“Tea sounds good. I’ll treat you to dinner tonight—you’ve really helped me out a lot,” Gao Changming said, handing the keys from his pocket to Officer Chen.

“Xiao Chen, this is the apartment I’ve chosen for Comrade Su Dawei. It’s right over at No. 3 Caiflower Alley, in the large courtyard there. Please take Comrade Qin to complete the onboarding, then show them the place.”

“Got it, Director Gao.”

After receiving the keys, Officer Chen immediately helped Qin Jiuhong and Su Yanchu with the onboarding, grain ration book, and household registration transfer.

With the essentials done, Officer Chen led them to Caiflower Alley.

Along the way, Su Dawei offered him a Da Qianmen cigarette. Chen took it, wanting to ask about their relationship with Director Gao but hesitated and said nothing.

After about ten minutes, they arrived in front of a large courtyard.

Inside, Officer Chen took them directly to the east wing.

“Comrade Su, Comrade Qin, this large courtyard assigned by Director Gao has two courtyards in depth. Your apartment is in the east wing of the front courtyard, three rooms totaling over sixty square meters. It’s the best unit here.”

“It was originally occupied by an engineer from the Machinery Factory. They moved to a building recently due to a job transfer.”

As Officer Chen was about to unlock the door, a middle-aged woman across the hall asked, “What’s going on here?”

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“I’m from the street office,” Officer Chen replied. “We’re here to take over the apartment, which has already been assigned.”

“Oh, it’s Officer Chen!”

The woman smiled and asked, “Are these folks from the Machinery Factory?”

“This is Comrade Su Dawei, and beside him are his wife and daughter. You’ll be neighbors from now on,” Officer Chen introduced.

“Hello, Mrs. Tan,” Su Dawei smiled warmly. “I’m Su Dawei, this is my wife Qin Jiuhong, and our daughter Su Yanchu.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tan Yuhua. My husband teaches at the Machinery Factory’s affiliated elementary school,” the woman replied with a smile and added, “You three are quite a good-looking family!”

“Mrs. Tan, we look forward to your kindness,” Su Dawei said with a smile. “Chen and I will go check out the apartment first.”