1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

Chapter 127: The sky-high price for a good house directly scare Feng Jiayou!
Last time I asked Ge You to help me find a house, I didn't expect him to be so fast. He has already found three houses for me and is just waiting for Cheng Xuemin to go to the affiliated high school so that they can go house hunting together.

But who knew that since then, I haven't seen Cheng Xuemin at all. I also knew that his sister-in-law Feng Jiamo was also in the third year of high school in the affiliated high school, so I couldn't wait and ran over today!

I arrived just in time and got to enjoy a great meal with Cheng Xuemin!
"Is there a house in the Overseas Chinese Apartment?"

At the dinner table, Ge You mentioned that there were two two-entry courtyard houses and another one was an overseas Chinese apartment, both near Yanda University.

Cheng Xuemin and Feng Jiayou have already seen the courtyard houses near Yan University. They think they are just so-so and they are not too keen on buying them, so they are not considering them for the time being!

It was the Overseas Chinese Apartment that Ge You mentioned that attracted Cheng Xuemin's attention, and he asked a few more questions.

Regardless of whether it is overseas Chinese or not, just the word "apartment" is enough for Cheng Xuemin to take a look.

"Overseas Chinese Apartments? Are they the Overseas Chinese Apartments in Huayuan Village not far from Yanda?"

"I heard that the houses inside are very high-end. They were built in the early years for overseas Chinese who returned to China to live in. The house types and decoration styles are comparable to those in developed cities in Britain and the United States!"

“It should be very expensive, right?”

Ge You is an old Yanjing native, but Feng Jiayou is also an old Yanjing native. She grew up in Yanjing since she was a child!

She heard from her parents that the construction of the Overseas Chinese Apartments caused quite a stir.

Her mother dreamed of owning a house in the Overseas Chinese Apartments, but unfortunately they were not qualified at all because the apartments were bought for returned overseas Chinese.

Only returned overseas Chinese can buy houses there, so it is called Overseas Chinese Apartment.

Since it is an apartment for overseas Chinese, even if someone wants to sell it, the price will definitely not be low.

"I'm not sure about this. The landlord wants to talk in person, so I'll take you guys over there this afternoon to take a look!"

Ge You nodded. He had helped check out the house. It was damn good! The price of the house might not be low, but he wanted to ask for help, but the landlord didn't give in.

He had to say that he would wait until he met the buyer, which made Ge You very angry. Didn't he look down on people?

Ge You is not even worthy of knowing the price of a house?
So Ge You insisted on taking Cheng Xuemin over to have a look. He also wanted to know how much the old woman wanted to sell the house for!
"What about the other two courtyards?"

Feng Jiayou nodded, and then asked about the other two courtyards.

"Of those two courtyard houses, one is not very good. I find it shabby, dirty and messy. But the other one is probably next to the Overseas Chinese Apartment. I think it is OK. It is clean and tidy and not bad!"

Ge You said this while slurping the broth.

"Okay, wait for me after school this afternoon, and let's take a look at the Overseas Chinese Apartment first!"

Cheng Xuemin listened and nodded. He originally wanted to go there after dinner, but he had a manuscript to send to Ba Lao and could not delay.

"Old Cheng, don't you have time this afternoon? I'm ready to skip class, but you want me to go back and wait. How boring!"

Ge You was stunned. Doesn’t Old Cheng skip classes all day?
How come he skipped an afternoon of class and I was going to accompany him to look at houses, but he didn't have time?
"Who has so much free time like you? I have to deliver a manuscript this afternoon, let's talk about it when I get back!"

Cheng Xuemin told Ge You a few words and asked him to wait at the affiliated high school!

After finishing his meal, Cheng Xuemin sent Feng Jiayou to the dormitory to rest, and then went straight to the guard post to find Mr. Tang.

"coming!"

Seeing Cheng Xuemin pushing his bicycle over, Mr. Tang, who was basking in the sun, didn't even stand up. He pointed at the table and said, "I've read the manuscript. It's not bad!"

Cheng Xuemin nodded, parked his bicycle next to the desk, picked up the manuscript that was pressed by the chalk box, flipped through it, and asked in surprise: "Mr. Tang, didn't you say you would help me polish it? Why is it empty?"

Cheng Xuemin took a look at it and found no trace of polishing. There was not a single change in the entire article. Cheng Xuemin really doubted whether the old naughty boy had read it at all.

"You blame me?!"

"You didn't even leave a single typo for me to polish, and you're blaming me for not polishing it for you?"

"Go, go, go, hurry up and deliver it to Mr. Ba! There's nothing wrong with this manuscript, Mr. Ba can't find any fault with it, go, go, go!"

Mr. Tang waved his hand impatiently and drove Cheng Xuemin away!
“…Did you see it or not?!”

Cheng Xuemin was also dumbfounded. Wasn't there even a single typo?

That’s not right either!

You are a retired professor from Yan University, a senior figure, and you help a junior to polish his work just to find some typos?

"I didn't watch it, I didn't watch it? I watched it three times, how else can I watch it?"

Uh!
Cheng Xuemin didn't expect that what he muttered was actually heard by the old man. He was so scared that he put away the manuscript, pushed his bicycle, and quickly left.

"This kid, the manuscript is indeed well written, but it's a little stupid!"

Old Tang looked at Cheng Xuemin who was fleeing from famine, squinted his eyes, shook his head and smiled.

Cheng Xuemin rode his bicycle towards the city center. The place where Ba Lao stayed was not a guesthouse, but Qianmen Hotel!

Qianmen Hotel was the second-ranked international guesthouse among the eight major hotels in Yanjing before the reform and opening up, second only to Yanjing Hotel. It is located near Hufangqiao, the most prosperous area in old Yanjing.

Many talented people from all over the world gather here, and it is also the birthplace of Liyuan Peking Opera. The Liyuan Theater, the quintessence of Chinese culture in the hotel, is internationally famous for its colorful Peking Opera art and has a long history.

Ba Lao liked to listen to operas, so he stayed here nearby.

When Cheng Xuemin arrived at Qianmen Hotel and found a room, Li Xiaolin was already packing her luggage and preparing to return to Shanghai!
"Xuemin, I'm just waiting for your manuscript. I guess you should be here by now!"

When Li Xiaolin saw Cheng Xuemin coming over, she greeted him with a smile on her face.

"Sister Xiaolin, it should have been delivered this morning, but it was delayed!"

Cheng Xuemin nodded angrily, explained to Li Xiaolin, and then asked, "Sister Xiaolin, isn't Mr. Ba here?"

"He should be at the Liyuan right now. We'll set out from there later!" Li Xiaolin nodded and asked, "How about I take you, Xuemin, to meet him?"

"No, no, I won't go over to disturb Mr. Ba's fun!"

"Sister Xiaolin, please take a look at the manuscript. If there are any revisions, I'll make them here. I'm pretty fast!"

Cheng Xuemin was in a hurry to go back and look at the house, so he didn't have much time to think about this. If he hadn't known that Ba Lao and his family would be taking a train tonight, he would have just sent it over tomorrow.

"Okay, then, Xuemin, please sit down for a while. Please forgive me for not being able to entertain you well. When you and your children go to Shanghai, I will definitely give you a warm welcome!"

"Okay, okay, you're welcome, Sister Xiaolin!"

Li Xiaolin did not bother to be polite with Cheng Xuemin. After asking him to sit wherever he wanted, she sat down as well and concentrated on reading the manuscript in her hand.

The manuscript was not very long. She had already read the almost 5,000-word beginning, and the rest was only a little over 10,000 words. It didn't take Li Xiaolin much time.

Cheng Xuemin did not sit down, but looked around at the suite layout of Qianmen Hotel, which was known as the second of the eight major hotels in Yanjing at that time.

really not bad!
In fact, the conditions are not much different from those of five-star hotels in later generations.

The only difference may be the high-tech features that are limited by the times. The rest of the hardware is completely in line with the decoration configurations of developed foreign cities. Therefore, Cheng Xuemin is increasingly looking forward to the Overseas Chinese Apartment that Lao Ge mentioned to him!
The decoration style of the houses in developed countries abroad is also benchmarked against that of other countries, so the house must have everything that should be there, such as a separate bathroom, flush toilet, etc. This is what Cheng Xuemin and his wife care about the most!
"Yes, Xuemin, you are really a quick-witted person. You have written so much in such a short time, and it is written so well!"

"Just like what my dad said, you really have the style of Huanzhu Louzhu who wrote 30,000 words a day!"

After reading the manuscript, Li Xiaolin really couldn't find any faults and could only praise it.

"No, no ...

Cheng Xuemin waved his hands modestly. The master of Huanzhu Lou had a very fast brain and could speak fluently. How could he compare with what he could write by hand?
"Xuemin, don't be so modest. I heard Jiayou mention it before, and I know when you started creating!"

"Really, Xuemin, you have a terrifying talent. Even my dad admires you to death!"

Li Xiaolin praised generously, and then said to Cheng Xuemin: "Xuemin, the manuscript is very good, basically no need to revise it. Anyway, with my level, I can't find any problems!"

"So, I'll take the manuscript back to Shanghai and send you a sample copy and a bill for the manuscript fee. Is that okay?"

"No problem, no problem, Sister Xiaolin, whatever you say is fine!" Cheng Xuemin also nodded quickly. It didn't matter whether there was a payment slip or not. But how much could he get for a short story of just over 15,000 words?
The main thing is that I didn't get Mr. Ba to visit me in person to ask for the manuscript, so I went back disappointed!

"Okay! Then there will be a manuscript later..."

Without waiting for Li Xiaolin to follow up and ask for an article, Cheng Xuemin quickly shook his head and said, "Maybe I really won't have time later!"

"I understand, I understand! My mother-in-law is urging me to submit my manuscripts and is keeping a close eye on them, right?!"

"Then let's make an appointment next year for the new manuscript. Try to give me a novella or a novel, okay?"

The short story is indeed not very impressive, as it is too short. After all, their main focus of "Harvest" is long novellas. If it weren't for the tight time and heavy tasks, Li Xiaolin really wanted to wait for Cheng Xuemin's novella.

Instead of choosing this short story of just over 15,000 words just to complete the above political task.

"No no!"

"Okay, okay, okay. Then I wish Sister Xiaolin and Mr. Ba a safe journey. Remember to look for me and Jiayou next time you come to Yanjing!"

The mother-in-law is watching the manuscript. Has this spread in the circle?

Seeing that Li Xiaolin was joking like this, Cheng Xuemin waved his hands to deny it, and then continued to speak.

"Okay, next time I come to Yanjing, I will definitely look for you again. Then, you must give me a long novella!"

This is what it means to be an editor!
"Then I'll try my best!"

After a few more polite words, Cheng Xuemin chose to take his leave so as not to delay others from packing their luggage and catching the evening train.

After leaving Qianmen Hotel, Cheng Xuemin had to pedal his bicycle back home again, which took another hour!

Tired!

I'm starting to miss the electric cars from my previous life.

Unfortunately, motorcycles of this era will have to wait several years before they are released, and private cars will also have to wait several years.

Nowadays, bicycles are considered "luxury cars" for ordinary people!

Anyway, Cheng Xuemin and his family in Chengjiawan had only one bicycle for transportation, and the old man treasured it very much. Cheng Xuemin had only borrowed it twice.

When I returned to Yanda, it was already past four o'clock. I picked up Feng Jiayou who had been waiting for me, and then rushed to Yanda High School!
"Old Cheng, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you all afternoon!"

Seeing Ge You rushing out from nearby, Cheng Xuemin asked in confusion: "Didn't you go to class this afternoon?"

"What the hell, I don't want to go to class, it's boring, I might as well go back to feeding the pigs!"

Ge You pushed his bicycle over and complained to Cheng Xuemin!

"You still want to go back to feed the pigs?!"

Cheng Xuemin's mouth twitched. Uncle Ge must have gotten used to feeding pigs, right? He had been a sent-down youth in Xingshou Commune, Changping County, outside Beijing. The commune saw that he was skinny and had no strength, so they sent him to feed pigs!

He just returned to the city and studied for only two days, and he's already missing his stupid teammates?
"Anyway, I just don't want to go. My dad is trying to find a way for me to join the Federation of Trade Unions' Art Troupe. What do you think, Old Cheng?"

Ge You might not be good at studying. I don’t know how he got into the repeat class of Yanda High School. But he definitely didn’t get in based on his real ability!

However, he mentioned the Art Troupe of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, which is exactly the future path for Mr. Ge!
Uncle Ge started out in an art troupe, slowly made his debut, and eventually became one of the core members of the Beijing circle!

"That's fine!"

"It just so happens that you have a good talent for acting, Old Ge. You can definitely try out for the art troupe!"

At that moment, Cheng Xuemin and his friends were riding their bicycles and chatting nonsense.

"I have a talent for performing arts. If studying wasn't so boring, I really wouldn't want to join that ridiculous cultural troupe!"

"Oh, Lao Cheng, this way! In the direction of the Overseas Chinese Apartments!"

While complaining, he did not forget to lead the way. When they reached the fork in the road, Uncle Ge pointed to the right and said.

After about ten minutes, Ge You pointed to an alley in front of him and said, "The better yard is in here!"

"But let's go and see the Overseas Chinese Apartments first. The environment there is really good. If my old man didn't have a house for me to live in, I would also like to buy a house here!"

Anyway, bragging isn't against the law, so is it okay to brag a little to satisfy your craving for bragging?

Cheng Xuemin took a quick look and did not expose Ge You's bragging on the spot. He rode forward for a while and arrived at the gate of the Overseas Chinese Apartment, but did not let him in directly.

Instead, you have to register at the security office at the door first, and after asking which house you are visiting, the security office will call the owner of the house and only let you in after confirmation!

"Is it so strict?" Feng Jiayou muttered softly. To enter, you have to make an appointment and contact the owner, otherwise you won't be allowed in!

This is no harder to get into than those ministerial compounds!

"The management of Overseas Chinese Apartments is so strict. I heard that they learned it from abroad. There is no property management at all. I have to pay 7 or 8 yuan in property fees to the property management every month. It's so expensive!"

Ge You had already gone to the front station and asked for Cheng Xuemin and the others, so he started to act cool and said, "Did you see the phone call they just made? I heard that every household in there has a phone installed!"

"This... that won't be very expensive!?"

Feng Jiayou originally had a small fortune of ten thousand yuan, and he thought that there was no house in Yanjing City that he could not look at.
But when I heard Ge You next to me say this, I suddenly felt unsure!

"I'm not sure about that. Anyway, if it was just started more than ten years ago, it would have been worth hundreds of thousands according to what Kanye said!"

Ge You said uncertainly again, anyway, he really didn't know the specific market price.

I just know that the houses here are good, and Lao Cheng asked me to find a good one, so I brought it here to have a look!
"How much? Hundreds of thousands?"

This didn't scare Feng Jiayou off his bicycle. The house costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, and it was a pity that Xuemin dared to bring them to see it!
They quickly pulled Cheng Xuemin's waist and said, "Don't look, don't look. This house is not something they can afford!"
"It shouldn't be that exaggerated!" Cheng Xuemin was also surprised when he heard it. Hundreds of thousands of people must be crazy, right?

And it was only hundreds of thousands from more than a decade ago. Do you really think those overseas Chinese are the ones who are being ripped off and ripped off?

But they were somewhat unsure. Even if it wasn't hundreds of thousands, at least tens of thousands was not something they could afford right now!
Even if you can afford it, there is no need to be a sucker and buy an apartment with little land or foundation.

With those tens of thousands of dollars, you can buy a dozen courtyard houses. Such a large piece of land and foundation will be worth hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars in the future. Isn’t that great?

In any case, Cheng Xuemin estimated that he would never buy it for more than ten thousand!

Of course, if it’s ten thousand dollars, you also have to look at the conditions inside to see if it’s worth the price.

After all, it is their first house, so they don’t worry about how much its value will appreciate in the future. Now, he and Feng Jiayou are happy just living comfortably.

"Since we're here, it's free for you to go in and take a look, sister-in-law!"

Seeing that Feng Jiayou was about to back out, Ge You said carelessly!
"Old Ge is right. You're here and you don't even take a look!?"

Cheng Xuemin also nodded and led the way directly into the yard. The environment inside was really good, no worse than that of Yan University. It was quiet, clean and tidy, and very comfortable to look at.

When they found the place, which was Unit 3 in Building 2, the house was on the third floor. Cheng Xuemin and other two went upstairs and met the owner!

She was a young lesbian in her early thirties who was a combination of Chinese and Western. When she saw that it was someone brought by Ge You, she spoke directly and frankly:

"I'm in a hurry to sell this house. You can take a look, but I've already said that I only want foreign exchange coupons for the rent. Do you have any?"

Obviously, she saw that Cheng Xuemin and the other two were too young and were not her targets!
"Only foreign exchange coupons?!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xuemin and Feng Jiayou were all dumbfounded. They originally wanted to hear the landlord name an offer to see if there was any room for bargaining!
But the other party asked directly and only wanted foreign exchange coupons, so there was no need to bargain!
"Yes, only foreign exchange coupons!"

"My mother spent 10,000 US dollars to buy this house. I don't want more now. Just give me 8,000 foreign exchange coupons and the house will be yours!"

hiss!
Cheng Xuemin gasped again on the spot. What the hell is this?

The starting price of a foreign exchange coupon is 8,000. Where can you get so many foreign exchange coupons? It’s totally not practical!
……

(End of this chapter)