Siheyuan: Starting from the driver

Chapter 669 A Union Between Two Families, One House as Witness

The next day, the weekend.

"Come, everyone, sit down."

"Today is the first time our two families have gathered together. Don't be shy, we'll be in-laws from now on."

The Cui family (3 members), the Liu family (4 members), plus Liu Huazhong, a total of 8 people gathered together.

The elders took their seats and looked at the shy Liu An and Cui Yuan. The two felt extremely uncomfortable, but they couldn't leave.

The two had been dating for a month and things were going very well; both sets of parents were satisfied with each other.

Taking advantage of the weekend, everyone gathered together to discuss the couple's wedding.

Liu Huazhong looked at the two people with joy and satisfaction; one was his apprentice, and the other was his niece.

The two of them being together is like a double blessing.

Liu Huazhong invited everyone to sit down and then got straight to the point: "I'll just say it directly, the two of them have been dating for more than a month, and everyone knows each other's character and such."

"Everyone is here today to sit down and discuss the future plans for the two children."

Liu Huazhong briefly went over the situation of the two men.

Both sets of parents had met each other's children some time ago and had a good impression of them.

Furthermore, given their deep affection for each other, their relationship is practically a done deal; otherwise, they wouldn't be sitting down to discuss this matter today.

Liu An's father, Liu Zhiqiang, said directly, "An'an is still studying. I think we should set the wedding date after she graduates. What do you think, Sister Cui?"

Everyone looked at Aunt Cui, who nodded and said, "I think it's a good idea. An'an is still in school, and we absolutely cannot let her studies be delayed."

When it comes to studying, Liu An becomes shy and ashamed, lowering her head.

Because of her poor grades, she focused on dating early on, especially during her recent relationship with Cui Yuan, and she has long since put her studies aside.

Study? Study what!

She now wishes she could be inseparable from Cui Yuan every day.

Although it wouldn't matter if she didn't study now, she felt frustrated with herself for not living up to Aunt Cui's expectations, wondering why she just couldn't learn well.

Seeing that Aunt Cui agreed, Liu Huazhong nodded: "Okay, then it's settled. The wedding will be after An'an graduates, which is more than three months away. We can take advantage of the free time to make some preparations."

As soon as the words were spoken, both sets of parents sat up straight.

The next step is the most important.

Liu Huazhong looked at Cui Yuan: "Xiao Yuan, you've all heard what we just said. Since everyone's here today, tell us what you're missing, and we'll get it for you."

At this point, Liu Zhiqiang couldn't help but glance at the two things in the very center.

The clock and radio were placed openly and conspicuously in the center of the living room, visible to anyone who entered the room.

With these two large items, the Cui family's financial situation couldn't be too bad, not to mention they also had a bicycle.

Ever since he got a bicycle, Cui Yuan has been riding it with Liu An on their way to their romantic dates.

This bicycle was bought from Bai Xiuwen for 100 yuan, which directly used up a small portion of the family's savings, causing them considerable financial strain.

Thus, the Cui family became the sixth family to own a bicycle, following the Li, Xu, Yan, Liu, and Bai families.

Cui Yuan waved his hand repeatedly, refusing: "No need, no need, I can do it myself, there's no need to go to so much trouble."

Liu Zhiqiang said seriously, "What trouble or not? It's not just for you. My An'an didn't marry you to suffer with you."

"We're here today to discuss something. If you need anything, just tell us, and we'll definitely help if we can."

Seemingly feeling that this was a bit vague, Liu Zhiqiang then stated his condition: "When An'an marries you, we will provide the furniture."

"We've prepared everything for you, including chairs, wardrobes, blankets, thermos flasks, and even a sewing machine. That's a bit of a hassle, but we'll try our best to get it for you both as well."

This whole set will cost at least 200 yuan.

Aunt Cui and Cui Yuan were shocked to hear this, as they hadn't expected the Liu family to be so generous. Liu Huazhong was also astounded.

It's just a daughter's wedding; it shouldn't be this lavish. Even getting a wife wouldn't cost this much.

Liu Zhiqiang didn't think that much about it. The Cui family had three major possessions, and he had to match them. He couldn't let his daughter suffer after marrying into the family.

"I only have one son and one daughter, but my only precious daughter is not one who can endure hardship after marriage. I'm marrying off my daughter, not selling her."

Seeing his younger brother being so generous, Liu Huazhong naturally spoke up for Dian Dian: "Xiao Yuan, your uncle is right. We're here to solve problems. Just say what's wrong, don't hold back."

"It's a rare opportunity to come here, so let's brainstorm together to solve this problem, so that you young people won't have to go through all this trouble later."

Upon hearing this, Cui Yuan nodded, opened his mouth as if to speak but then looked at Aunt Cui.

He nodded: "Your master is right."

Upon seeing this, Cui Yuan said directly, "Master, Uncle, Aunt, it's like this, you've seen my family's situation."

"There are only two rooms. My grandma lives in one room, and my brother and I live in the other room. Neither room is very big. After An'an and I got married, it was not convenient for us to live in the house."

“I plan to buy another room as our marital home. I’ve found a house in the back building, which is close to home and has enough space for the two of us to live in.”

Hearing this, Liu Huazhong, Liu Zhiqiang, and Tian Hua nodded with satisfaction, their impression of Cui Yuan improving even more; he was already planning for the future before even getting married.

Liu Zhiqiang couldn't help but interrupt: "Do you have enough money to buy a house? If not, our family can help out. If you two don't want to buy, you can rent a house. Renting is fine too."

"A rent of three or four yuan a month isn't expensive. I can save up enough money to buy a place later."

Renting is cheap and cost-effective now, and steel mills even offer rental subsidies. Compared to buying a house, renting is a better option.

The main issue is that the houses are not managed by individual homeowners who can choose not to rent them out; instead, they are managed and controlled by the neighborhood committee or various factories.

Furthermore, Cui Yuan's abilities and money-making skills meant they didn't have to worry about buying a house.

"No need, no need, I have enough money myself." Cui Yuan waved his hand again, knowing that his family's savings were not enough to buy a house.

But there's still plenty of time. I can earn some extra money in the next three months and make up for it.

Liu Zhiqiang was somewhat displeased: "Why are you being so polite, kid? No need for that. I'm not doing this for you alone. It would be impolite to be so polite."

“That’s right, we’ll all be family from now on, why be so formal? Just tell us if you have any difficulties,” Tian Hua chimed in.

Seeing the two questioning their disciple, Liu Huazhong stepped forward and said, "Alright, you two. My disciple is a bit too proud. He doesn't want to trouble others with things he can do himself. Isn't that a good thing?"

"Where can you find a good son-in-law who can support himself these days? You two don't know what's good for him, or you'll kick my apprentice out."

After saying a few words to his younger brother and sister-in-law, Liu Huazhong looked at Cui Yuan again: "Xiao Yuan, it's not that your master is criticizing you, but this self-reliance is indeed a good thing."

"But, it's a fool not to take advantage of a bargain, right? While they're both out of their minds, let's quickly ask for a thousand or eight hundred."

"Brother, how can you say that?" his sister-in-law, Tian Hua, said reproachfully.

"Haha, just kidding, just kidding, don't take it seriously."

After the joke, the atmosphere lightened considerably: "Xiao Yuan, please continue."

Cui Yuan paused for a moment: "It's like this, I applied to the neighborhood office for a house, but they said that our family already has two rooms and that housing is in short supply, so they didn't arrange one for me."

"I have no idea what to do. I wonder if my master, uncles, or aunts have any suggestions?"

"Applying for housing? That's going to be troublesome."

Liu Huazhong had a headache. He hadn't thought about this when he was talking earlier. The prerequisite for renting or buying a house is to get a house first.

"Are these two rooms yours, or Sister Cui's?"

“They all belong to my grandmother.” “Okay, that’s easy to handle. You’re applying for a house with a reverse side, right? I’ll try and see if I can buy it. If not, we can rent it for now.”

"Master, do you have a way?" Cui Yuan and Liu Zhiqiang looked at him expectantly, and to their surprise, he really did have a solution.

"Don't worry, I'll risk my reputation to win you over!" Liu Huazhong replied through gritted teeth.

He himself wasn't entirely confident, but for the sake of his apprentice and niece's happiness, he had to do it, even if it wasn't possible.

Liu Huazhong didn't want to talk about this topic anymore: "Tell me everything else at the same time."

Next, the families discussed some minor details.

After the matter was settled, the families went back to prepare.

"Phew~" After seeing the person off, Cui Yuan felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders.

The next day.

Early in the morning, Liu Huazhong went straight to the logistics department of the steel rolling mill.

"Director Wu."

Wu Yang, the director of the logistics department, looked at Liu Huazhong, who never showed up unless he had something important to say.

As directors, but in charge of different departments, neither of them is afraid of the other.

He's a Level 6 electrician, so he has a lot of influence in the factory and can speak to Director Yang. It's best not to offend him if you can avoid it.

Secondly, Liu Huazhong is the head of the electrical engineering department, managing a group of electricians. If the power goes out in the office, it will be a hassle for them.

If they offend them, and the power lines break in the summer, they won't be able to get repaired, and the workers will die of heatstroke.

Thinking of this, Wu Yang forced a smile and said, "Director Liu, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Can't I come to you for no reason?" Liu Huazhong said with a smile, offering a cigarette.

Wu Yang smiled and accepted the gift, but immediately avoided Liu Huazhong when Liu tried to light his cigarette for him.

"Director Liu, what brings you here so early in the morning? Let's get down to business."

They're all old foxes; petty tricks won't work.

Liu Huazhong didn't want to beat around the bush, so he went straight to the point: "Director Wu, I'd like to apply for a house in courtyard number 95, and it would be best if I could buy it."

Wu Yang smiled and said, "Director Liu, you can't joke like that. The houses all belong to the government, and no one can sell them. I can't help with this."

"Look at my mouth, I misspoke, I misspoke." Liu Huazhong pretended to slap his mouth a few times.

He's just taking it one step at a time, hoping to get something he can.

"Rent! Renting a place is fine."

Wu Yang smiled again: "Renting a house is fine, but where should we rent it? Who wants to rent it? And what is the reason for renting it?"

"Director Liu, as you know, renting a place is not easy these days?"

Liu Huazhong said directly, "My apprentice is getting married, and his house is really too cramped. He doesn't have his own house either, just that back room in courtyard number 95. Can you make an exception for him?"

"Director Liu's apprentice is getting married? Congratulations in advance!" Wu Yang said, clasping his hands in greeting.

"It's still a long way off, it will be two months before I can rent a place."

"Yes, of course I can. Director Liu asked me for help with such a small matter, how could I refuse?"

Wu Yang felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders, thinking to himself, "It's just renting a small room in the back row of a house. I thought it was something serious. There are plenty of cheap, low-rise rooms."

The steel mill had many courtyards, and the rear-facing rooms and the back-facing rooms were the least popular room types.

Whether or not to grant access to the front, middle, and back courtyards is another matter, but there's no need to think much about the rear-facing rooms.

"Director Liu, which room would you like?"

Wu Yang invited Liu Huazhong in and had someone bring out the apartment layout for courtyard number 95.

The front, middle, and back courtyards, as well as the rear building, were all labeled with names, except for the rear building, which still had five or six rooms without an owner.

"Let's take this one in the far corner. I don't know if either of these two rooms is okay."

Following Cui Yuan's suggestion, Liu Huazhong directly selected the corner house closest to the Yan family.

This was also the residence of Yan Jiecheng and Yu Li in the drama, but now Cui Yuan has taken one of them away.

The layout of this house is the same as Zhang Fen's house, with a moon gate blocking the view from the outside.

If I could have both rooms, I might be able to do what Zhang Fen did.

Wu Yang smiled and said, "Director Liu, this is against the rules. I've already broken the rules by choosing a house for you. It wouldn't be appropriate to choose a second one after I've already chosen one."

"Can't you be flexible?"

Wu Yang smiled and said, "Director Liu, this house is not small, a little over 20 square meters. It has a moon gate and can be considered as having half a small courtyard. This is quite good for a house with a reverse-facing roof."

Seeing that things were beyond their control, Liu Huazhong backed down, saying, "Yes, yes, I was greedy. Thanks, Director Wu. Let's have a drink sometime."

"No problem, no problem. I'll be troubling Director Liu a lot in the future. The office has been having frequent power outages lately, and I don't know what's going on."

Liu Huazhong exclaimed in surprise, "How could this happen? How could such an important place as our logistics department lose power? Don't worry, I'll have someone come and check it in a bit."

"If something is broken, we'll fix it; if it can't be fixed, we'll replace it. We'll make sure there won't be any more power outages."

"I'll have my apprentice set up a dedicated line for your logistics department later—the circuit breaker won't trip when you turn on the fan in the summer."

Wu Yang raised an eyebrow: "Sigh, this matter has become quite a commotion. I'll have to trouble Director Liu."

"Not at all, it's what we electricians should do."

After a heartfelt exchange, Wu Yang promptly processed the paperwork for Cui Yuan, and from then on, the room in the back row belonged to Cui Yuan.

The rent is 2 yuan per month, which will be deducted from my salary. Utilities are paid together with the rent for the yard.

"Thanks." Liu Huazhong happily handed the certificate to Cui Yuan.

"Thank you, Master!" Cui Yuan said gratefully.

"Don't mention it. I'm giving you the day off today. Go tell your grandma, and also tell your mother-in-law's family."

"Now that you've got the house, you should start preparing. I'm an old guy and I don't know much about this. Decorate it however you want, and if you need money, just come to me."

"Master has done such a big favor, and it's still causing you to spend money. Don't worry, Master, I have money."

There's no need to buy a house; Cui Yuan's savings are enough, and he can even save two or three hundred yuan after the renovation, without needing to borrow money.

He had originally planned to borrow money, but now he doesn't need to.

"Alright, hurry back and check on things."

Cui Yuan couldn't sit still. He grabbed the rental certificate and ran home immediately to share his joy with his grandmother. Finally, he didn't forget to run to Liu An's house to tell his mother-in-law, Tian Hua.

"Okay, okay, it's good that the house is rented." Tianhua said happily.

Now that we have a house, we're just waiting to renovate it, get married, and move in after graduation. The headache now is figuring out who to hire for the renovation and how to renovate it.

"My head hurts~"

At this moment, Cui Yuan was experiencing both pain and happiness.

(End of this chapter)