Dong Qiangqiang's Story of Leaving Germany

Chapter 1119. New Neighbor
The landlord's unexpected change made Dong Qiangqiang confused for a moment. Was he moved by his decision not to move to the student dormitory? But he also said that he didn't move because of selfishness. Anyway, since the landlord asked him to install the Internet, it was a good thing after all. Even if he didn't understand something, he would ask later. Zheng Chunhua was still waiting outside in the rain.

After thanking the landlord, Dong Qiangqiang went to the tool shed in the backyard.

Dong Qiangqiang knew that the landlord had many tool rooms, some of which were locked and some of which were always ajar. Dong Qiangqiang was well aware of the importance Germans attached to privacy, so he usually used tools for cleaning the yard or occasional maintenance in one of the tool rooms, and he only went to this one room. He had no interest or curiosity in other tool rooms, thinking that they were just more guys doing farm work. He was just a tenant, so there was no need for him to find out everything about them.

This time the landlord gave him the right to use the relief supplies, so he dared to enter. Only then did he discover that the tool shed, which he had never set foot in, was actually a rich treasure trove.

What he cherished most was a set of Swiss multifunctional survival tools with reasonable size, powerful functions and high-quality workmanship, including various magic weapons, such as window-breaking safety hammer, seat belt cutter, hand-cranked buzzer alarm, whistle, portable flashlight, warning light, car jumper wire, emergency medical rescue kit, etc. Others such as steel tow rope and traction rope, hand-held loudspeaker, vehicle emergency generator, life jacket, swimming ring, floating rescue rope, water rescue net, waterproof headlight were also available. The most exaggerated thing was a set of brand new unopened self-contained diving equipment in a wooden box in the corner. The oxygen cylinder was heavier than expected. Except for the rubber boat, the tool room had all kinds of treasures. He was amazed and exclaimed that it was comprehensive.

Rummaging through boxes and cabinets gave Dong Qiangqiang a sense of unknown and novelty as if he was opening a blind box. He deeply and immersively experienced the excitement of the male protagonist in the game "Fallout 2" who entered a stranger's house and rummaged around.

When the excitement receded like a tide, Dong Qiangqiang gradually calmed down. There were indeed abundant rescue equipment, but they could basically not use it this time. Zheng Chunhua was going to collect water, not to rescue people. Even if she was going to rescue people, if Dong Qiangqiang didn't drive, Zheng Chunhua alone would not be able to get anything.

Besides, the old man lived in such a unique location halfway up the mountain, why did he store so many rescue equipment? Was it to prevent flash floods? But he had never heard the old man or anyone else say that there would be flash floods on the mountain behind his house. Even if there was, the halfway up the mountain could not hold the water at all, and the water would only flow to lower places. Dong Qiangqiang thought about it and guessed that the old man was probably frightened by the natural disaster in Hamburg when he was young, leaving an indelible psychological trauma.

Dong Qiangqiang handed the water pump to Zheng Chunhua, taught her how to use it, and then wanted to go down the mountain with her. However, Zheng Chunhua did not hand him the helmet like she did in Wasserbillig.

"You saved people and drank alcohol. You must be tired. Rest early today. I won't take you down the mountain." Zheng Chunhua waved the water pump in her hand. "I can handle it."

"Aren't you just destroying your bridges?" Dong Qiangqiang was already upset because he broke his promise. When he heard that Zheng Chunhua would not take him down the mountain, he became even more unhappy. "I only drank a few cents, less than one or two ounces. It evaporated long ago."

"Dong Qiangqiang, you can't be too selfish."

Hearing Zheng Chunhua's serious tone, Dong Qiangqiang was stunned: "I went to help without asking for money, why am I accused of such a serious crime?"

"Think about it. It's so late now. If I take you down, there are not many buses. By the time we're done, the buses will have stopped. Do I have to take you back? Don't say you can walk back by yourself. I can take you back to Wasserbilich. How can I not take you on these two trails in the city? If you insist on going down the mountain, will it increase my workload? Is it selfish?"

This made sense, and Dong Qiangqiang could only admit that she was right.

"Don't worry, with such a heavy drink, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to work hard next week. Go to bed early and don't drink any more at night."

"I'm not a drunkard. Be careful when you go down. No matter how good your off-road is, it's still a motorcycle. It can only wade through water to a certain extent. You must not drive on high-water roads for a long time. If anything happens, call me. I'll be there to support you at any time." Dong Qiangqiang patted his chest and assured, "(Alcohol) won't be a problem."

"Don't worry, this is not the first day I got my driver's license," Zheng Chunhua put away the water pump, put down the goggles, and was about to set off when Dong Qiangqiang suddenly pressed his hand on the dashboard.

"Anything else?"

"It's true that you have to make a trip. There's someone inside that I need you to take away." Dong Qiangqiang let go of his hand and gestured to the house behind him. "Who?"

"Li Lei, have you forgotten or did you introduce him to come here today?"

"He's here too? Wow, it's raining so hard, it's really hard for him. He's really worried, just like you were at that time."

"We've been talking for quite some time, and there hasn't been a single bus going in any direction down the mountain. There must be no more buses. If you don't send him away, he'll have to stay here tonight. To be honest, I'm not mentally prepared to accept a new neighbor."

"You mean Li Lei?" Zheng Chunhua pushed up her goggles again and asked curiously, "Aren't you two college classmates?"

"Yes, but the relationship is average, not much."

"Okay, no problem for me. Do you think he's done talking? How long will it take? I can't wait too long."

As soon as he entered the door, Dong Qiangqiang saw Li Lei standing alone in the corridor with a sad face. When he heard Dong Qiangqiang say that Zheng Chunhua could take him down the mountain, his brows immediately relaxed and he walked to the door, muttering "It would be fine if you can take me to the train station". As soon as his hand touched the door handle, he suddenly turned around and came to Dong Qiangqiang.

Dong Qiangqiang was eager for him to leave quickly, but when he saw him coming back, he thought he had changed his mind and asked suspiciously, "Did you forget something?"

Li Lei stood at the door, with a hint of cowardice in his eyes.

"Well," Li Lei stammered, "thank you."

"It wasn't me who sent you there, it was Zheng Chunhua. If you want to thank someone, you should thank her. She was the one who recommended the house to you. You should treat her to a good meal later."

"I'll treat both of you. What I mean by thank you is, Mr. Dong, I know I'm not as good as you in academics and you've always looked down on me, but I hope you can put aside the past grudges for the sake of our long-time classmates. I've never seen such a cheap house before. I haven't worked much since I came to Germany, and my savings are almost gone. I really want to settle down as soon as possible so that I don't have to worry about finding a house and can concentrate on preparing for the interview for exemption from class."

"Look at what you said, what's wrong with us?"

Dong Qiangqiang knew clearly that Li Lei was being so servile because he was worried that Li Lei would trip him up behind his back. He hoped that he would not stop him. Even though it had not been too long since the real example of Lao Bai happened, Dong Qiangqiang was actually conflicted. He didn't want the other party to move in, but he also felt that he shouldn't be too heartless to his old classmate. Li Lei's words softened his heart to some extent.

"That's good, that's good," Li Lei repeated mechanically, bent down, and slipped out the door.

The motorcycle disappeared in the rain and fog.