Chapter Eighteen: Buying Furniture

After opening the door to the house, Officer Chen led Su Dawei, Qin Jiuhong, and Su Yanchu inside.

The house was empty; it seemed the previous occupants had moved out completely.

There wasn’t much to see. The local community office had recently whitewashed the walls, but the place still lacked furniture. Officer Chen said, “This set of rooms has attracted a lot of attention. I didn’t expect it would end up with you.”

“As for furniture, Comrade Su, you can have a set made or pick out some secondhand pieces at the trust store.”

“Officer Chen, thank you for your hard work.” Su Dawei handed him a cigarette. “We still need to buy some things, so we won’t be heading back to the community office. Please convey our regards to Director Gao and Director Cai.”

“All right, all right. I’ll head back to the community office first. If you need anything, just come to us. After all, Comrade Qin will be my colleague from now on!”

“Please look after Officer Chen in the future,” Qin Jiuhong smiled warmly.

“Mutual help,” Officer Chen replied with a nod before departing.

Qin Jiuhong was quite satisfied with her job. Becoming an official at the community office and securing three rooms—what was there to complain about?

“Dad, Mom, shall we go to the trust store to buy furniture?” Su Yanchu was pleased with the house; now they truly had a home in the city.

The three of them headed to the trust store.

Inside, there were plenty of secondhand furniture items. Su Dawei and Qin Jiuhong weren’t particular, so they randomly chose a set for just over a hundred yuan.

After purchasing the furniture, Su Dawei paid for a human-powered tricycle to transport the items to No. 3, Cauliflower Alley, their courtyard.

Next, the three went to the department store to buy thermos flasks and other daily necessities typical of the era.

With their shopping done, the family returned to their courtyard.

When they arrived at the gate, the tricycle also showed up. Su Dawei handed the driver two cigarettes.

“Thank you for your hard work, driver.”

“You’re welcome, comrades.”

Seeing the cigarettes were from the Daqianmen brand, the driver quickly lit one and tucked the other behind his ear.

“I’ll help you bring the furniture inside,” he offered.

“Thank you, driver,” Su Dawei replied and began moving the furniture.

Su Yanchu helped too, feeling stronger since passing through the time.

“Comrade Su, do you want my husband to help with the furniture?” Tan Yuhua, watering flowers nearby, put down her work and asked.

“No, thank you, Auntie Tan,” Qin Jiuhong smiled and waved her off.

After moving the furniture inside, the tricycle driver left.

Then Tan Yuhua stepped inside and said, “Sister Qin, now that your family has moved into such a fine courtyard, don’t you plan to hold a housewarming ceremony or get to know the neighbors properly?”

“Maybe in a couple of days,” Qin Jiuhong replied, understanding her meaning. She and Su Dawei had the same plan. After all, it was important to establish good relations with neighbors.

“How many tables will you have for the housewarming?” Tan Yuhua asked with a calculating look.

“If you help, we’ll pay you three yuan a day,” she added with a smile.

When Qin Jiuhong first met this kind and friendly aunt, she had a good impression. But now, with her demanding such a high price and looking so calculating, Qin Jiuhong felt a certain distaste.

“Our family used to earn a little through village work points, and our daughter still needs to study. We don’t have money to host a big feast.”

“Auntie Tan, I like your flowers. Could you give us a pot? I want to take it home and care for it,” Su Yanchu said, also a bit annoyed. Social exchanges were normal, but such exorbitant demands were not acceptable.

No matter, she would return the favor in kind.

Tan Yuhua was silent for a moment before saying, “Comrade Su, Comrade Qin, I have other things to attend to, so I’ll leave now.”

Those flowers cost five yuan a pot, grown for trading. She certainly wouldn’t give them away freely.

“Good thing you’ve got her,” Su Dawei gave Su Yanchu a thumbs-up.

“Dad, Mom, let’s finish tidying up and eat. I’m starving,” Su Yanchu said.

It was already afternoon. Later, they planned to eat some meat buns and snacks inside their private space.

“Let your mother and me clean up. You go ahead and eat,” Su Dawei said, already thinking about inviting Su Yunzhi’s family over for the housewarming. The menu for tomorrow needed planning.

“No rush,” Su Yanchu replied.

Instead of going straight into the room, Su Yanchu helped tidy up before they all entered the space to heat some canned beef and prepare braised lamb chops.

After dinner, Su Yanchu went to his room to do homework.

The furniture they bought included two beds and a wardrobe.

All that was left was to bring out the quilts from the space, and they could sleep comfortably that night.

...

“Old man, there are people at our doorstep,” Tan Yuhua told her husband as soon as she returned home.

“You know about it?”

“I saw it too. There was some activity today, but I didn’t see who they were.”

Yang Yuangui pushed up his glasses, holding an old newspaper.

“What’s the matter? Did you see them?”

“Yes, their whole family is troublemakers,” Tan Yuhua said. “Not easy to deal with.”

“Tell me more,” Yang Yuangui took the matter seriously.

“Today, I thought I’d lend a hand. Guess what happened?”

“What?”

“Their daughter actually wanted to take the flowers I’m growing!”

Tan Yuhua told the whole story, still fuming.

“And the parents didn’t even reprimand her. They actually agreed.”

“That’s outrageous. Such people truly lack manners,” Yang Yuangui said, putting down the newspaper. “They all need a stern warning.”

“Why don’t you talk to Old Liang and Old Liu? Maybe we can petition the community office together to have their family driven out.”

Tan Yuhua thought that if they couldn’t benefit from that family and their own flowers were at risk, it was better to strike first and get rid of them.

Her husband, along with Old Liang and Old Liu, were respected figures in the courtyard. If they united with the neighbors to report the newcomers, it might succeed.

“All right, I’ll go find them now,” Yang Yuangui said.

“I’ll await your news,” Tan Yuhua replied, thinking it best to have them coordinate.

Yang Yuangui left immediately.

.