Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 112 Don't I understand you all? (5k)

In fact, repairing and renovating a house is something that must be done.

However, it's just a matter of sooner or later.

However, Li Hongbing had been busy with Li Hongmei's wedding and hadn't had time to attend to it.

In a few years, when we enter the planned economy era and need ration coupons to buy anything, it won't be as simple as just spending money to solve these problems.

Or rather, it would cost more money and be much more complicated than it is now.

Taking advantage of the current lack of restrictions, Li Hongbing quickly resolved the matter.

It saves time and money.

In addition to the bricklayers, Li Hongbing also specially hired a carpenter.

Replacing the furniture isn't the most important thing right now; the main focus is on the renovation of the kitchen and bathroom, where we'll build some cabinets and shelves for storage.

"Hongbing, what's wrong with you...?"

"Aunt Yan, I've called these workers over to come and fix up our house."

"Is it leaking or what?"

"Not yet, but this house is quite old. With some renovations, it will be more comfortable to live in."

"That is……"

"..."

When Li Hongbing brought back the carpenter and bricklayer, it naturally attracted the attention of the people in the courtyard. However, there was no point in hiding it, so he just spoke openly about it.

After letting the craftsmen take a look at the overall condition of his three houses, Li Hongbing discussed his plans for renovation and reconstruction with them, and communicated his ideas and actual construction.

There aren't many technical obstacles.

However, this raises a question.

To realize Li Hongbing's vision, especially to put the shower room into practice, the first step is to bring running water into the house.

There is running water in the courtyard, but it's for public use.

It's a shared facility within the compound, and the water company charges us every month.

For a long time, water supply has been a major problem for the people of Beijing, with the main sources and methods being well water and river water.

There are many wells in the city, but few are sweet water wells and many are bitter water wells. Most of the well water is bitter and astringent, so the people generally like to drink jasmine tea because the aroma of jasmine tea can mask the bitterness of the well water.

In the past, there were even people who made a living by selling water.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, in order to solve the problem of water supply for residents, the government vigorously built public water stations and promoted the popularization of tap water access to hospitals and households.

Last year, after discussing it together, the residents of their courtyard decided to join forces with several neighboring courtyards to install water pipes and officially bring tap water into their courtyard.

The main purpose is to further promote and popularize this policy. The water company previously formulated a preferential installation policy: if ten or more households install the pipes together, they can not only enjoy discounts, but also have twenty meters of pipe installed for free.

As for the charging methods for water, there are mainly two types.

One method is based on actual monthly water consumption, and the other is based on population.

Their courtyard is the latter type, belonging to the category of water supply without meters. The monthly water bill is calculated based on the number of residents in the courtyard.

The price is 7,500 yuan per four cubic meters. For up to five people, it is calculated as four cubic meters. For every additional five people, an additional four cubic meters are added. If there are fewer than five people, it is still calculated as five people.

There is one water tap in the front, middle and back yards, and they usually do not use water taps in different yards.

The monthly water bill for each household in the courtyard is further divided among themselves based on the number of people in each household.

For Li Hongbing, the most cost-effective and convenient solution at present is to lay water pipes at his own expense and divert the water from the pipes in the yard to his own home.

This will not affect the water bills of any individual household.

Currently, the water bill is fixed based on the number of people, so the amount of water used does not affect the monthly water bill each household should pay. However, disputes will definitely arise if the billing method and water price are adjusted later.

Life is full of trivial matters.

Especially when it comes to matters involving monetary interests.

If the cost is shared equally, no one will say anything if you use less water.

If it's used too much, naturally many people will have complaints.

Not to mention bringing tap water into the house, no one knows how much water is used, which will arouse suspicion.

To avoid future disputes, Li Hongbing would rather go through more trouble now, even if it costs more money.

After discussing the renovation plan for the house with the workers and seeing them off, Li Hongbing rode his bicycle to the water company to apply for tap water installation.

"Doesn't your facility already have running water? Why do you need to install another one?"

The water company staff were also puzzled by Li Hongbing's actions.

"I want to bring tap water into the house so that it will be more convenient to use water then."

Li Hongbing couldn't explain the reasons afterward, so this was the only answer he could give.

"Then why don't you just connect it directly to your building's tap water? There's no need to open another account."

The other party made this suggestion not only out of consideration for Li Hongbing, but also because they didn't want to cause any trouble.

According to Li Hongbing's plan, although Li Hongbing would have to spend a lot more money, they would also have to lay additional water pipes, which would require more effort.

“If the pipes in the courtyard are connected directly, and water is used at the same time, the tap water will be split. Over time, this will affect other people in the courtyard and may cause them to complain.”

Li Hongbing thought for a moment, but still insisted.

After the water billing method is adjusted, I can install another water meter in my home. Although this will solve the cost problem, it will still have some impact on actual water usage.

Money was saved, but more trouble was added.

Never underestimate the pettiness of some people.

Moreover, Li Hongbing never intended to take advantage of others for his own convenience.

Opening a separate account for installation now would simply mean laying an additional section of independent pipe.

"That's okay!"

Seeing that Li Hongbing insisted, the other party stopped trying to persuade him.

Anyway, it's not his money that's being spent.

soon.

The water company arranged for dedicated staff to accompany Li Hongbing to his home to inspect the situation on-site in order to prepare for the commencement of construction.

"Red Soldier, what is this again..."

Li Hongbing had just seen off the bricklayers and carpenters in the afternoon, and now he brought other people over again, which naturally attracted the attention of the people in the courtyard once again.

"Aunt Yang, these are people from the water company. Taking advantage of this opportunity to renovate the house, I plan to lay water pipes into the house so that tap water can be brought into the home."

Li Hongbing explained.

"Oh dear, aren't you just wasting your money?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Yang couldn't hold back any longer and complained to her face, "The faucet is right in the yard, only a few steps away, yet you went out of your way to install it inside the house. Isn't this just a waste of money?"

Li Hongbing's reputation as a spendthrift has been known in the courtyard for quite some time now, and seeing him pull off this latest "outrageous" stunt, Aunt Yang doesn't know what to say to him.

If Li Hongbing were my own child, seeing him messing around like this, I'd tie him up and beat him.

"Hey! Aunt Yang, this is so convenient. And in the future, when it's cold in winter, we won't have to leave the house. We can fetch water to wash our faces and cook meals right inside."

Li Hongbing smiled as he recounted these benefits.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Yang was even more speechless.

Just for this?

Even if you can wash your face and cook your meals indoors in winter, you still have to go out. You can't just stay indoors and never go to work, right?

In Aunt Yang's opinion, Li Hongbing's actions were completely pointless and unnecessary.

If Li Hongmei were still in the courtyard...

Thinking about this, Aunt Yang realized that even if Li Hongmei hadn't gotten married yet, she probably wouldn't have stopped him; she was spoiling her younger brother too much.

Seeing this, Li Hongbing smiled and offered no further explanation.

Everyone has different ideas, and Li Hongbing doesn't necessarily need to gain the approval and affirmation of outsiders to do these things.

As long as it doesn't bother others, do whatever makes you comfortable.

After the water company staff finished inspecting the situation, Li Hongbing arranged with him to send a professional installer to lay water pipes into the house on his day off, and then the other party left.

As Li Hongbing returned to his house, the women left behind in the front yard who knew about the incident began to discuss it privately.

slowly.

Li Hongbing's actions in the afternoon were all reported to the middle and back courtyards.

"This Li Hongbing, he's always showing off when he has a little money. Now that his sister Li Hongmei is married, there's no one at home to keep an eye on him and let him do whatever he wants. No matter how much wealth he has, he'll squander it all sooner or later!"

Upon hearing these events, Jia Zhangshi's tone was filled with jealousy and schadenfreude.

She was more than happy for Li Hongbing to mess around like this, so that he would squander all his wealth and she could see him make a fool of himself.

"Mom, has Li Hongbing always been like this?"

Qin Huairu, who had just returned from visiting her parents' home with Jia Dongxu, couldn't help but ask curiously.

After marrying into the Jia family, she gained a better understanding of the people and things in the courtyard, but she still didn't fully understand them.

Qin Huairu was clearly very curious about Li Hongbing in the front yard.

After all, she had her eye on him before, but he was too young and currently had no interest in that area, so Qin Huairu had no chance.

If she had had the chance back then, she might not have married into the Jia family now, and might have become a member of the Li family in the future.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs." Now that she's a member of the Jia family, Qin Huairu had long since given up on the idea after realizing it was impossible. However, she couldn't help but pay a little more attention to Li Hongbing.

"That's not true."

Jia Zhangshi began to think for once.

It seems that Li Hongbing started to change when he said he was possessed by a water ghost.

Thinking of this, Jia Zhangshi felt a lot more resentful.

When she returned, she learned that the reason Li Hongbing came back soaking wet and fell ill that day was because he had gone into the water to save someone.

Moreover, the person they saved was Lou Bancheng's daughter.

Not only did they get in touch with the Lou family, they also received a lot of benefits.

Everything is connected.

Their family was plagued by bad luck, but Li Hongbing was incredibly lucky. He not only managed to curry favor with Lou Bancheng, but also later became an apprentice of Guo Youzhong, the head chef of Fengzeyuan Restaurant.

With good fortune on his side, Li Hongbing became incredibly wealthy.

After explaining everything from her own perspective, Jia Zhangshi advised Jia Dongxu, "Dongxu, if you ever become successful, never follow in Li Hongbing's footsteps."

Li Hongbing is the kind of person who spends money like water, without any sense of thrift, and can't hold onto his wealth!

Putting everything else aside, just for Li Hongmei's wedding, Li Hongbing almost emptied his family's savings just to show off.

As the saying goes, the daughter you marry is the water you throw away.

Once Li Hongmei gets married, she is no longer a member of the Li family.

Li Hongbing has probably lost his mind to throw so much of his fortune into this for an outsider.

This stroke of luck is only temporary; the real trouble is yet to come!

Hearing Jia Zhangshi's words, Jia Dongxu was quite dissatisfied and retorted, "Mom, what are you saying! Comparing me to Li Hongbing? Do you think I'm that stupid?"

Not only did he belittle Li Hongbing, he also managed to elevate himself in the process.

"Mom, you're right!"

Qin Huairu wholeheartedly agreed with her mother-in-law's remarks.

Qin Huairu had actually learned some of what Li Hongbing was going on about in the past two days, but it wasn't all in a coherent way.

After Jia Zhangshi's explanation, she understood everything.

Li Hongbing got involved with the Lou family, known as the "Half-City Lou Family," and benefited from it, especially the five million yuan. In addition, he was taken in as an apprentice by Guo Youzhong, which made people extremely envious, including Qin Huairu.

Knowing about the Li family's assets, including the savings left by Li Fushun and the compensation from the factory, makes it even more tempting.

However, Qin Huairu changed her mind when she thought about how much money Li Hongbing had spent on his sister Li Hongmei's dowry, including buying her a sewing machine and preparing a bicycle.

Qin Huairu was incredibly envious of Li Hongmei for having a younger brother like Li Hongbing.

However, she couldn't accept that Li Hongbing had given all his savings to his aunt, Li Hongmei, who was an outsider, if he were to marry Li Hongbing.

Especially what Jia Zhangshi just said.

The Li family has a fortune, but Li Hongbing can't hold onto it; he'll squander it all sooner or later.

Think about it this way.

Qin Huairu felt incredibly fortunate that the Li family hadn't intervened.

Qin Huairu's "obedient" acceptance made Jia Zhangshi look at this daughter-in-law with more favor.

Jia Zhangshi still harbored resentment over the fact that Qin Huairu was a rural woman.

Her only advantage was that he was quick-witted, obedient, and good at serving others, which made her very satisfied.

……

Li Hongbing knew that what happened in the afternoon would definitely attract the attention and discussion of everyone in the courtyard, so he didn't care and didn't pay special attention to it.

However, not long after dinner, Yan Bugui came to his door, which was unexpected.

"Uncle Yan, is something the matter?"

"I'd like to talk to you, is that convenient?"

"convenient."

"That……"

"Oh, Uncle Yan, come in!"

"..."

Li Hongbing invited Yan Bugui into the house and poured him a cup of hot water, handing it to him: "Uncle Yan, have some water!"

"Thank you!"

With a smile, Yan Bugui accepted the cup, but upon seeing that it was indeed just plain water, he felt somewhat depressed.

He knew that Li Hongbing had good tea.

Not only did they not offer these as hospitality, but they also couldn't bear to part with Gao Mo.

It's no wonder Yan Bugui, who likes to take advantage of others and is concerned about saving face, couldn't possibly be happy.

Li Hongbing took in Yan Bugui's reaction but didn't pay it any mind.

He wasn't stingy, nor could he not afford the tea; he just knew that Yan Bugui liked to take advantage of others, and if he was too nice or polite to him, he would easily take advantage of him.

He got away with it this time, and he'll definitely keep finding excuses to come over and try to freeload his tea.

Li Hongbing found it annoying.

"Uncle Yan, what brings you here?"

Yan Bugui's visit was obviously not without reason, so Li Hongbing asked directly.

After taking a sip of hot water, Yan Bugui put down his cup and tentatively asked Li Hongbing, "Hongbing, I heard you're planning to renovate your house and even install running water?"

"That's what happened."

Li Hongbing nodded.

This was no secret; everyone in the courtyard had already heard about it. It would be strange if Yan Bugui didn't know.

Li Hongbing was simply curious about Yan Bugui's purpose in coming to his door.

I don't think what I'm doing is bothering them, is it?
“Hongbing, listen to my advice. Repairing the house is a good thing, but I don’t think it’s necessary to get running water. It’s such a waste of money!”

Yan Bugui smiled and "kindly" offered his advice.

Without much thought, Li Hongbing replied directly, "Uncle Yan, thank you for thinking of me, but I'm a lazy person. If running water is installed in my home, it will be much more convenient in the future, and I don't mind spending some money."

Upon hearing Li Hongbing's words, Yan Bugui quickly advised, "Hongbing, the water tap in this yard is only a short walk from your house. It's just a matter of two steps. Why insist on it?"

Li Hongbing was puzzled by Yan Bugui's words and asked, "Uncle Yan, the water pipes are being installed at my own expense, not at the expense of the courtyard. Why are you so concerned?"

Li Hongbing was puzzled by Yan Bugui's continued persuasion, even though he himself had said he didn't mind spending money.

Seeing Li Hongbing's attitude, Yan Bugui had no choice but to lay his cards on the table: "Hongbing, let me be frank with you. It wasn't my own idea to come here. It was all arranged by the other families in the courtyard, and they asked me to come and talk to you."

"What to talk about?"

Yan Bugui's explanation can be described as a blatant attempt to cover up his misdeeds.

If he didn't want to come, no one could force him with a knife.

They were simply making excuses because they were afraid of offending Li Hongbing.

"I heard you're planning to bring running water into your house. Just now, all the households in the courtyard got together to discuss it and felt that it wasn't appropriate..."

At this point, Yan Bugui paused again, clearly thinking about how to organize his thoughts.

"Why is it inappropriate?"

After hearing Yan Bugui's explanation, Li Hongbing roughly guessed his purpose.

"Here's the thing, although the tap water in the courtyard was opened with funds from all of us, including your family, you should have discussed with us beforehand the idea of ​​connecting the water pipes from the courtyard to your home separately."

Yan Bugui was also somewhat dissatisfied with Li Hongbing's unauthorized decision, and quickly added, "Even if you pay for the pipe laying yourself, the tap water in the courtyard is shared by everyone."

If you go outside, no matter how you use it or how much you use it, no one can say anything.

But it's definitely not appropriate for you to connect a separate pipe into your own house.

If you and everyone else use water at the same time, and the water flow decreases, it will affect everyone.

We all paid the water bill, but by doing this, it's inconvenient for everyone.

We're all neighbors; you can't just save yourself trouble without considering others..."

Yan Bugui didn't want to offend Li Hongbing, but no one else was willing to step in. If they didn't handle the matter and let Li Hongbing do whatever he wanted, it would be too late to regret it later.

He likes to take advantage of others and is less willing to suffer losses than others, so he had no choice but to be the one to stick his neck out.

Upon discovering that Yan Bugui had indeed come for this reason, Li Hongbing couldn't help but smile.

If he doesn't understand others, doesn't he understand the people in this courtyard?

Normally everyone's on good terms, but when it comes to their own interests, they'll jump the gun like crazy.

By opening a separate account with the water company and applying for tap water installation, the person in question had anticipated their prediction.

“Uncle Yan, you’re overthinking this. I do plan to have tap water installed in my house, but I don’t intend to connect it to the water pipes in our yard.”

After saying this, Li Hongbing shook his head and clarified, "I went to the water company this afternoon to apply for my own independent account, which will not affect the water supply in the courtyard. However, starting next month, the courtyard will not need to include me in the water bill."

Upon hearing Li Hongbing's words, Yan Bugui was completely dumbfounded and stood there stunned.

(End of this chapter)