Reborn in 2006, I met Mr. Zhou from the past.

"How much does it cost?" Wen Xiaozhou asked.

The agent gestured: "10 yuan a day, 300 yuan a month."

Wen Xiaozhou and Su Fengnan exchanged a glance, thinking to themselves: It's a bit expensive.

"Isn't there another warehouse? Take us to see it now, and we can compare them before we decide," Su Fengnan said calmly.

"Okay, let's go."

Upon arriving at the warehouse, the agent explained, "The warehouse is on the basement level. Although it's underground, it has excellent natural light. The semi-open-air structure is 200 square meters. There used to be an internet cafe here for a while."

Su Fengnan and Wen Xiaozhou followed them inside and looked around. It was indeed as the agent had said, spacious and bright.

"How much is it here?"

"It's 6 yuan a day, 180 yuan a month. But the landlord has one requirement: no mechanical noise."

After viewing the warehouse, the two went to see two apartments. Su Fengnan's requirements were clear: a two-bedroom apartment with a private bathroom. After viewing the apartments, the real estate agent enthusiastically asked, "Which one are you planning to choose? If you can decide today, I can help you negotiate the rent with the landlord."

The real estate agent was running around all morning, with a good attitude and clear explanations. Su Fengnan was very satisfied with his service.

"Wait a moment." After saying that, Su Fengnan pulled Wen Xiaozhou aside and began to discuss it in a low voice.

The real estate agent was perceptive; seeing this, he automatically stepped back a bit: "Okay, you two can discuss it slowly, and let me know when you've decided."

A few minutes later, Wen Xiaozhou stepped in to negotiate with the agent. In the end, they settled on the small factory building they had initially looked at, with a price of 270 yuan per month and a two-year contract; for housing, they chose a two-bedroom apartment on the second floor not far from the factory, with a monthly rent of 150 yuan and a one-year contract.

The biggest advantage of this apartment is that it has a private bathroom, so I no longer have to queue at public bathhouses or boil water to wash myself and run to public toilets outside every day.

Su Fengnan was decisive and efficient, with a strong sense of purpose. After settling everything regarding the house, it was past noon. She and Wen Xiaozhou ate a bowl of noodles at a roadside restaurant and then rode their bicycles home.

On the way, Su Fengnan was in a great mood: "Uncle, it's my treat tonight, so you and Auntie should come early!"

Wen Xiaozhou readily agreed: "Okay, I'll do as you say."

Back home, finding no one there, Wen Xiaozhou began tidying up the toys his child had scattered. As he did so, his mind raced. This niece was truly formidable. Throughout the house-hunting trip, although she hadn't said much to the real estate agent, she clearly knew what she was doing. When discussing things with him, she focused on the key points, decisive and efficient. She was smart, assertive, and generous with money. She let him, her elder, negotiate the price without any fanfare, unlike the naive and innocent girls her age.

Last night, Su Guoyuan mentioned his next plans to him, saying that Su Fengnan would take the lead. At the time, he was still half-believing and half-doubting, but now he is really interested.

Just as I finished tidying up, my wife, Jian Qun, came back carrying our child. "Hey, Zhou-ge, you're back so soon? How did it go? Did you find a place?"

"Yes, it's found. It seems their business is really good; they've rented new space." Wen Xiaozhou paused, then continued, "By the way, you mentioned last time that Xiaonan asked you to help out. I think you can go now."

Jian Qun put the child down to play by himself, then sat down next to Wen Xiaozhou and smiled, "Great! I thought that online store was pretty good when Xiaonan introduced it last time. Shall I go talk to her about it tomorrow?"

"No need for tomorrow," Wen Xiaozhou waved his hand, "We'll go over for dinner tonight, and you can tell me then."

Jian Qun smiled and gently nudged him, "You too, why wait until evening to eat? We live so close by, let's go buy groceries now, take them over and cook with them, it'll be more lively!"

Upon hearing his wife's reminder, Wen Xiaozhou slapped his thigh and stood up, saying, "That's right! Let's go then."

When Wen Xiaozhou and his wife arrived at Su Fengnan's house carrying large bags and small packages, Su Fengnan was already busy at the kitchen counter. She was preparing to make cold pot skewers; all kinds of meat and vegetable ingredients had been washed and chopped, and all that was left was the final broth and seasoning.

"Uncle, Aunt, come and sit down!" Su Fengxia greeted them warmly.

Seeing that they had arrived early, Su Fengnan quickly brought out the prepared crystal grapes: "Uncle, Aunt, please sit down for a while and have some grapes. They were just bought and are very fresh."

Su Fengxia teased her younger cousin, "Yu Yu, come here, let your older cousin give you a hug."

Little Yu Yu giggled, but clung to his mother tightly.

"Oh dear, don't be shy!" Jian Qun said with a smile while holding the child.

Taking the opportunity, Su Fengxia said, "Auntie, I'll take Yuyu to see 'Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf'."

Jian Qun gently coaxed, "How about you go see a cartoon with your cousin?"

Little Yu Yu seemed to understand, and with a kick of his little legs, he tried to get down. Just as Jian Qun let go, Su Fengxia took his little hand and they went upstairs.

Wen Xiaozhou placed the dishes on the table, rolled up his sleeves, and went to the kitchen counter: "Xiaonan, do you need any help?"

Su Fengnan smiled and pointed to the dishes prepared on the kitchen counter: "Hey, Uncle, I've got everything ready. Just wait and enjoy!"

With all the ingredients ready and the soup broth still simmering, there's really no way to get involved.

Seeing the neatly folded new clothes on the shelf, Jian Qun asked curiously, "Xiao Nan, did you get new stock again?"

Su Fengnan poured a glass of water and handed it to her: "Yes, Auntie, take a look and see if there are any suitable ones for you. I'll pick out a couple for you to wear."

"Oh, never mind, these are the goods you sell." Jian Qun said somewhat embarrassedly.

Ignoring her refusals, Su Fengnan picked out a few items and pulled her upstairs, saying, "Try them on, it's free."

As she went upstairs, she turned back and called out, "Uncle, I'm not going to bother with you anymore. You're free to do whatever you want."

"You guys chat, I'm going out for a walk." Wen Xiaozhou was happy to have some free time.

Upstairs, Su Fengnan helped Jian Qun try on several items, and finally settled on a dress and a shirt paired with a mid-length pleated skirt.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Su Fengnan exclaimed sincerely, "Auntie, you have such a great figure! You can't tell you've ever given birth at all; you don't even have stretch marks on your stomach. I'm so envious!"

Upon hearing this, Jian Qun blushed and became too shy to say anything.

In fact, Jian Qun was only two years older than Su Fengnan and started working after graduating from junior high school. She was a full ten years younger than Wen Xiaozhou, and Su Fengnan sometimes wondered what her aunt had seen in her uncle back then. Was it really just his looks?

However, to be fair, none of the Wen family members were unattractive. Su Fengnan often heard her mother, Wen Xiaofen, say when she was little that although she and her sisters were not bad-looking, they were still inferior to their grandmother.

Her mother, Wen Xiaofen, recalled the past, saying that her grandmother was a famous beauty in the surrounding villages when she was young, and the number of suitors almost broke down at her door. In the end, her grandmother took a liking to her grandfather, who worked as an accountant in the village, not for any other reason than that he was a reliable and honest man.