I, Yan Jiefang, will live to 2025 in this courtyard house.

At the end of February, homeroom teacher Zhao Hongying called Yan Jiefang to her office and took out a test paper:

"Yan Jiefang, I have a professional course exam paper here. Please take a look at it."

"Okay, Teacher Zhao."

Yan Jiefang took the test paper and began writing in the empty space next to him.

He looked at the questions while writing the exam.

It was discovered that this was a test paper for the radio technology major, and the content was basically based on the textbook on radio receiving equipment.

Fortunately, he had already finished reading both volumes of the book during his winter break.

He has a personal control panel, and he knows all its contents.

In addition, his radio skills had unknowingly improved to over 50, so this test paper was really no challenge for him.

Yan Jiefang finished the questions very quickly, and handed in his paper in less than half an hour.

The next day, school was out for the holidays, and Yan Jiefang returned to the courtyard house.

He had barely stepped into the courtyard, and before he could even get his footing, the eldest brother, Yan Jiecheng, jumped out and stood in front of him with a broad smile:

"Jiefang, my wedding with Yu Li is in a couple of days. Could you lend me a few dozen yuan to tide me over?"

Yan Jiefang stopped and stared blankly into his eyes:

"Yan Jiecheng, are you out of your mind? Don't you know who's the richest person in our family?"

He pointed to Yan Bugui, who was pretending to water the flowers.

"Besides, I don't have any money right now. I'm planning to renovate the house in Dongmianhua Hutong, and that's exactly when I'm short of cash."

Now you come to me asking for money? How can you be so clueless?

Yan Jiecheng's breath hitched, but he persisted relentlessly:

"You have seventy or eighty yuan a month now, right? How much will it cost to renovate your house?"

Besides, what's the big deal if the house renovation is delayed by a month or two?

Yan Jiefang glanced at him sideways, thinking to himself: Yan Jiecheng, did you install a surveillance camera next to me?

My royalties have only increased to 75 yuan, how do you know that?

Although I have some money, it's impossible for me to lend it to anyone. I would never lend money to my boss in my entire life!

This guy is pretty much like a Pixiu, much like Jia Zhangshi.

Lending him money is easy, but expecting him to repay it is wishful thinking.

His thoughts were probably similar to those of the Jia family: I borrowed the money through my own abilities, why should I pay it back?

Yan Jiefang left after saying just one sentence:

"I don't have any money. You'd better think of another way!"

Yan Jiecheng watched the second brother's retreating figure and stopped pressing him.

He knew that his second brother looked down on him, and that he was just trying his luck by asking to borrow money.

It would be best if it could work out, but it doesn't matter if it doesn't.

When Yan Bugui heard that his second son wanted to renovate the house, his eyes lit up immediately.

He stood directly in front of Yan Jiefang, carrying a water bottle, his old face beaming with joy.

"Jiefang, didn't you want to repair the house?"

You're usually at school and don't have time to manage it. Why don't you leave this to me? It'll only cost 50 yuan, and I guarantee I'll find a craftsman to fix it perfectly!

Yan Jiefang didn't believe a word the abacus expert said.

Given his personality, the so-called cutting corners is just normal practice.

How could I possibly let him do the renovation of my own home?

"No need!"

He was dismissed with just two simple words.

While there was still time, Yan Jiefang rushed to the neighborhood committee, found the relevant staff member, registered the matter, and obtained a "Private House Repair Certificate".

Then, through the neighborhood committee, they contacted a street-level tile and wood repair cooperative.

Yan Jiefang led the experienced craftsmen from the street's tile and wood repair cooperative to a private house in Dongmianhua Hutong and took out the key to open the door.

The main structure of the house is intact, with no damage or collapse issues.

However, it has been vacant and unmaintained for many years, with peeling paint on the walls, broken glass in several windows, and old and loose wood for the doors and windows, making it look dilapidated and in disrepair.

There are several small holes left by leaking roofs on the ground.

Yan Jiefang looked around and directly stated the renovation plan:

"The roof tiles will be completely renovated, the walls will be painted white, and all doors and windows will be replaced with new ones. All windows will be fitted with double glazing to ensure warmth in winter."

The experienced craftsman silently took out his pen and paper and carefully recorded each item.

After the master craftsman stopped writing, Yan Jiefang asked about the price.

"Master, how much will it cost in total, including labor and materials, to do all this work?"

The experienced craftsman quickly lowered his head to calculate the material and labor costs one by one, and after a moment looked up to give a truthful quote.

"The total price, including labor and materials, is 85.20 yuan." (This price has been verified multiple times and should not have any major discrepancies.)

85.20 yuan is not a small amount; it is equivalent to three months' salary for an ordinary full-time employee.

However, the entire renovation was completed in one go, so it's worry-free to live here in the future, without having to make repeated repairs and renovations.

After a moment's consideration, Yan Jiefang immediately nodded in agreement:

"Okay. I'll pay a deposit of sixty yuan first, and I'll settle the remaining balance when I come back from my next holiday and after the inspection is completed."

The experienced craftsman readily agreed.

"Okay, I'll do it your way, and get it done quickly and efficiently, with guaranteed quality."

"When will construction begin? How long will it take to complete?"

The experienced craftsman pondered for a moment, then replied:

"As you know, supplies are tight right now, and some materials need approval, so it might take about a week to start work."

In addition, your workload is quite substantial, and the project will likely take about a week as well.

If there are no unforeseen circumstances, it should be completed in about two weeks.

Yan Jiefang was fairly satisfied with the time.

He was lenient about the timeframe, as long as it could be completed within a month.

Moreover, he won't move in immediately after the renovation is completed; he'll leave it for at least two or three months.

The two returned to the Wamu Repair Cooperative in the street, where they placed an order and paid a deposit.

The renovation project was thus finalized.

The renovation of the entire house, plus the 400-plus yuan I paid for the house before, has cost over 500 yuan, which is about the same price as those better side rooms.

But his renovation should be better, after all, it has double-glazed windows, which are rare in ordinary residential buildings.

Yan Jiefang left a key and then departed.

Back at the courtyard house, Yan Jiedi immediately rushed up and hugged his leg:

"Erguo, I want candy!"

Yan Jiefang looked at the little one, smiled, and took out two fruit candies from his spatial storage and placed them in her palm.

The child immediately let go of his leg, peeled off the candy coating, and stuffed a piece into his mouth.

She hid the other piece deep inside her pocket.

After she finished, she looked up at Yan Jiefang and chuckled.

"Erguo is still the best!"

Back in the room, the third brother was reading a book. Hearing the noise, he looked up and saw Yan Jiefang.

He stood up, a slight smile appearing on his previously stern face:

"Second brother, you're back."

Yan Jiefang nodded to him:

"Jie Kuang, the food at home hasn't gotten worse lately, has it?"

Yan Jiekuang shook his head:

"No, it's just that I've noticed Dad's been getting up much earlier than usual lately. Several times he's left before dawn. I wonder what he's doing."