Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Chapter 79 The Bad Guy in the Class

The captain nodded again, "That works too, but you need to sign a statement for renting the house, so there won't be any disputes later. Never mind, I'll take care of it for you. Once it's done, I'll have Qingxiang call you back to get it stamped."

"Okay, okay, then I'll trouble you, Captain." Lin Yi grinned from ear to ear.

Lin Zhi said with a long face and a sarcastic tone, "It seems that the eldest brother is determined not to acknowledge his two nephews. Then we have nothing to say. Don't come looking for us if anything happens in the future."

After uttering those harsh words, Lin Zhi dragged the reluctant Li Lian away.

As soon as they left, the captain gave Lin Yi a helpless look. "Why did you get so angry with them? If you really rent out the house, where will Lin Ying stay when she brings her family back for the New Year?"

Chen Wenjun chuckled, “Stay at my place. My house has seven rooms. I’ll try to finish renovating both floors this year so there’ll be enough room.”

The captain finally took a good look at Chen Wenjun and handed him a cigarette. "Qingxiang has been saying that you bought an island and built a house there. When you have time, go to Nanxi and visit your place."

"Okay! Go when you have the chance. When you get to the river, shout loudly a few times. If I hear you, I'll come to pick you up. If I don't come, go to the port and call a boat to take you there. It's very close."

Seeing Chen Wenjun's sincerity and enthusiasm, the captain's worries dissipated.

I talked to them for a while and then left.

Lin Yi and Chen Wenjun loaded their belongings onto the borrowed cart and left Shanglin Village.

After returning home, Lin Zhi and his wife gave Lin Yi a severe scolding.

When Lin Jianqiang returned from doing odd jobs, he learned that Lin Yi had rented out the house. Without thinking, he hurriedly said, "I'll go ask Uncle how much the house is rented for. We're relatives, so if anyone's going to rent, they should rent to us first."

Li Lian immediately flew into a rage, "Are you stupid! Your uncle has no sons, so the house and land originally belonged to you brothers. Why should you pay for living in your own house? You're not allowed to go!"

Lin Jianqiang pursed his lips and said expressionlessly, "What will happen to my new house after my wedding if I don't go?"

The couple immediately fell silent.

Lin Zhi was furious and began to scold him in an unfriendly tone, "It's already so hard for us to save money for your wedding, can't you find a way to solve it yourself? You expect us to do everything!"

Disappointed, Lin Jianqiang turned and left his house, then went to the brigade leader to talk about renting a house.

The captain was clearly shocked. "Your parents have come to their senses?"

He found it particularly strange that Lin Zhi and his wife were willing to spend this money. Could it be that the sun rose in the west?

Lin Jianqiang rubbed his hands awkwardly, "They said there's nothing they can do, I'll just rent one myself. How much is the rent for my uncle's house?"

The brigade leader sighed inwardly and couldn't help but mutter, "Jianqiang! I'll say something you won't like to hear, but your uncle is actually very easy to talk to. It's your parents who are too outrageous. It's not like they don't have children. They keep thinking about your uncle's house and land. Who can stand that?"

If your parents hadn't gone so far, your uncle might have actually lent you the house for free, but to put an end to your parents' intentions, he would definitely have charged rent.

I originally wanted to set the rent at 3.5 yuan per month, but if you rent it, it'll be 3 yuan, 36 yuan a year. Is that okay with you?

Lin Yi's house actually has two bedrooms and a living room, which is enough for a couple. Even if they have children, they can still squeeze in for another ten years or so. The annual rent of only thirty-six yuan is already very reasonable.

Lin Jianqiang nodded immediately, "Uncle, I'll rent this house, but I can't raise the rent all at once. Could you give me a portion first?"

The captain agreed.

When Lin Jianqiang got home, he told Lin Zhi and Li Lian about it.

Li Lian was so angry that she scolded Lin Yi again, and finally reprimanded Lin Jianqiang for spending money recklessly.

Having just finished scolding her eldest son, she saw her younger son returning in the dark, and, still furious, started scolding him too. Lin Jianguo didn't like it, ate a few bites of rice, and went out to find someone to hang out with, almost making Li Lian very angry.

The chaos at Lin Zhi's house became a laughing stock in the village, and Lin Qingxiang would bring it up every day when he went to work in Nanyu.

When Lin Yi learned that Lin Jianqiang was willing to pay thirty-six yuan a year to rent his house, he couldn't help but sigh, "Jianqiang is more decent than his parents."

Lin Qingxiang sneered, "What can you do if it's outrageous? Lin Zhi and his wife don't care about your house since they can't get it. Lin Jianqiang has to find his own way to get married. If you ask me, your nephew is also a ruthless and selfish person."

He knew you were injured before, but he never even came to visit you once. When it comes to his own affairs, he runs away as fast as he can. He's also secretly saving money on the side; otherwise, we wouldn't be able to pay the rent.

Lin Yi thought about it and realized it was true, and immediately lost interest.

While they were talking, the two of them finished laying all the floor tiles on the second floor.

At this time, Chen Wenjun bought the first batch of latex paint.

Lin Qingxiang also knew how to paint, so he did the first job for him, and Chen Wenjun and Lin Yi learned from him.

After they finish the first round, they can do the remaining two rounds themselves.

We were busy until National Day, and the renovation of the second floor was finally completed.

There was still some latex paint left, and Chen Wenjun could use the money he had saved up to finish the stairs.

So Zhang Yongquan and his apprentice were invited to renovate the staircase again.

Zhang Yongquan suggested that Chen Wenjun lay marble on the stair steps. The price of marble wouldn't be much more expensive than floor tiles, and more importantly, it wouldn't break easily. The walls could be tiled, which is durable and the cost wouldn't be much more expensive than painting.

After discussing it, Chen Wenjun and Lin Qin realized they were still short of money. In order to solve the problem once and for all, they decided to take on debt and renovate the staircase.

When Lin Yi found out, he was worried about them and worked even harder to clear the land.

The two children, eager to help their parents, went to the stream every day to collect snails, and even ran into classmates from Anshan Society during that time.

When the children saw Chen Ruiyu and Chen Xinyue picking up snails, they threw stones into the water from the shore, splashing them with water.

Upon seeing this, Lin Qin's face immediately darkened, and she roared, "What are you doing? Bullying my child, do you want a beating?"

The mischievous boys were startled by Lin Qin, made faces, and ran away.

Lin Qin approached the two children. "Who are they?"

Chen Xinyue replied obediently, "His name is An Yijie. He's in the same class as us. He's a real jerk. He always makes fun of my brother in class, calling us 'boat people' and saying that we can't go to school when there's a typhoon because the boats are blown over by the wind."

Lin Qin grew increasingly agitated as she listened, "They bullied you, didn't you tell the teacher?"

The two children looked at each other and silently lowered their heads.

Lin Qin felt a pang of anxiety and went back to tell Chen Wenjun and Lin Yi what had happened.

Lin Yi was also worried, "I'll talk to the teacher when I take them to school after the National Day holiday."

Lin Qin had no other choice but to nod in agreement.

After the seven-day National Day holiday, the house staircase was renovated. The marble steps and the solid wood handrails painted white made the staircase look like a high-end villa.

(End of this chapter)