Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 196: Start Hoarding Houses

A month later, it was Chinese New Year. Yan Jiekuang found some time to call Lou Xiaoe. Lou Xiaoe told him that she would come to BJ after the Chinese New Year. This was the first time she had returned to Beijing in more than ten years.

The Spring Festival in 1977 and 1978 was very special. Yan Jiekuang was no longer working and felt particularly relaxed. Ji Lian would go to school after the holiday and he would take care of the baby by himself. It was a bit busy but very fulfilling, and he had more time to read and study.

The rumors about No. 95 Nanluoguxiang became more and more intense. Although Yan Bugui was a little tempted, he shook his head firmly whenever he saw the faces of Yan Yongchang and Yan Yongxin.

Shi Xiaoya was a little envious of Ji Lian, but there was nothing she could do. She hadn't even graduated from junior high school and could only work on the street. Ji Lian, on the other hand, graduated from a regular high school. This was related to Grandpa Ji's experience. Grandpa Ji attached great importance to cultural learning, which was the tradition of the Ji family.

Yan Jiekuang's plan took another small step forward. He didn't say it, but he was very happy in his heart. He was preparing for the future reform and opening up and accumulating talents. In his grand blueprint, Lou Xiao'e, Xu Jingli, Ji Lian, Yan Jiedi, Xiaodang and Huaihua all had a place.

But what he didn't expect was that Wang Qing came to his house first and said as soon as he entered the house, "Third brother, your place is really hard to find. Is this your own house and yard?"

"Yes, I came across this courtyard by chance. That was in the early 1960s. It's not the same now," said Yan Jiekuang.

Wang Qing didn't waste any words and went straight to the point. "Brother, I have a classmate who said he wants to go to the United States. He doesn't have enough money, so he wants to sell his yard and shop. He offers two thousand dollars. Do you want to buy it?"

"Yes, of course, but we have to sign a contract and go through the procedures, do you know?" Yan Jiekuang asked.

"Don't worry, Third Brother. I know this matter better than you do. I will definitely get it done. Just take care of it." Wang Qing promised.

Yan Jiekuang nodded and said, "The money is with me, you can come and get it anytime. Come and get it when you are done."

When Yan Jiekuang was in Hong Kong Island, he left the Hong Kong dollars as the bulk of the money to Lou Xiaoe, and he always carried the US dollars with him. He had nearly 80,000 US dollars. Wang Qing didn't know about it, but he was also surprised when he heard that Yan Jiekuang had US dollars.

Wang Qing left in a hurry. Yan Jiekuang was drinking tea in the study and thinking. Wang Qing thought of the upcoming wave of going abroad. This was an opportunity to stock up on houses. After thinking about it, he walked out of the house and ran to the courtyard. He had to find Yan Bugui for this matter.

When Yan Jiekuang entered the house, it was in a mess. It turned out that the old couple were discussing what to bring for their daughter. Yan Jiedi stood helplessly beside them because they had already packed two large bags.

Yan Jiekuang burst into laughter when he saw this and said, "Are you going to kick Yan Jiedi out?"

Yan Jiedi also said helplessly: "You are still laughing at me. I don't even know how to get to school."

"Mom, the school doesn't need so many things. Besides, my sister's school is only far from home. It only takes 20 minutes to get home. You can come home and get them if you need them." Yan Jiekuang advised.

At this time, the two of them suddenly realized that their daughter's school was not far from home. The two stopped, and Yan Jiedi relaxed and started to pack up.

Yang Ruiping asked: "Why are you here at this time?"

"I have something to talk to my dad about." Yan Jiekuang was not angry. After saying that, he pulled Yan Bugui out.

"Dad, you don't know, I have some US dollars. You are familiar with this area. If you see anyone who wants to sell a house abroad, please contact them and I will give you a commission." Yan Jiekuang said in a low voice.

"Really? I really do. Someone asked me this before. How much did you give?" Yan Bugui asked in a low voice.

"The first courtyard is 100, the second is 200, and so on." Yan Jiekuang said. "Dollar?" Yan Bugui asked at this time.

"What are you thinking about, RMB?" Yan Jiekuang was a little angry with his father.

Yan Bugui didn't care at all and said, "I know. Why are you in such a hurry? Okay, I'll ask."

After breaking up with Yan Bugui, Yan Jiekuang went to see Director Wang again. After hearing about Yan Jiekuang's idea, Director Wang said, "Okay, I'll pay attention to it if there is any, but you must keep the US dollar matter confidential. If it gets out, it will be a big deal."

Yan Jiekuang said, "Don't worry, Aunt Wang. Including you, there are only three people who know about this, and they are all my relatives."

Director Wang nodded with satisfaction, and Yan Jiekuang said goodbye and went back.

Not long after, Yan Jiekuang received good news from Wang Qing that his classmate's house had been settled for two thousand US dollars, but only in US dollars. Because his classmate's procedures for going abroad had been completed, Yan Jiekuang agreed.

The next day, Yan Jiekuang followed Wang Qing to a courtyard house near Chong'anmen to see the house. The house was very straight and orderly as soon as you entered the courtyard. But unfortunately, Wang Qing's classmates might not know that there was a secret basement under the courtyard.

Yan Jiekuang discovered it as soon as he came in, but did not say anything. After a smooth handover, the two went to the street office to go through the transfer procedures. Nowadays, only two people in a loan relationship can go through the house transfer procedures. Although it is cumbersome, it is very much in line with the regulations at the time.

After the two of them had completed all the formalities, the person who was going abroad said, "The store is now at the front door, on the second floor, more than 200 square meters. I won't take you there. Here are the keys. Go and see it yourself."

Now there are shops but they cannot be opened, so everyone regards them as a burden. Since nothing is wrong now, Yan Jiekuang took the key and ran to the front door, with Wang Qing accompanying him excitedly.

The two men came to the street in Qianmen and found the shop according to the name of the alley. The shop was located at a three-way intersection, which was a good location, but there were only residential areas and the street office nearby, and there were not many people doing business.

Two people opened the door and entered the house. The house had been closed for a long time and was full of dust. The two people took a look and then walked out. If they wanted to open this house for business, they really had to renovate it.

Yan Jiekuang directly told Wang Qing that he wanted to entrust the decoration to him. Wang Qing knew Yan Jiekuang's idea and agreed to do the decoration. Yan Jiekuang was very happy. He took out 200 yuan and handed it to Wang Qing, saying: "This 100 yuan is the commission for the introduction. You can hire someone to decorate the house first. When the total cost is determined, I will pay you again."

Wang Qing took the money and said, "Don't worry, Third Brother, I will make it beautiful for you."

Seeing that things here were settled, Yan Jiekuang said goodbye to Wang Qing and went home. As soon as he got home, Yan Bugui came to his house and told him that there was a courtyard house with two entrances that he wanted to see. Yan Jiekuang was overwhelmed when he heard this. He had just returned and had not even had a sip of water. But looking at his father, he didn't know what to say, so he said, "Dad, don't I trust you to do things? Just decide everything. The owner's name will be Ji Lian. You can ask Ji Lian to handle the formalities. You will get the commission."

When Yan Bugui heard this, he was overjoyed and said, "Okay, your dad will take care of it." Then he turned around and left.

In just two months, Yan Jiekuang acquired seven courtyards and four shops, but none of them were operating normally. Yan Jiekuang knew very well that this was a benefit brought to him by the trend of going abroad, so he asked Yan Bugui not to make it public. At that time, private buying and selling of houses was still not allowed.

Yan Bugui was a man who knew his own limits. When he received his share of the remuneration, he listened to his son and told no one about buying a house. However, he was puzzled by his son's behavior and asked him secretly. Yan Jiekuang told him about the development trend in recent years and said that in the future, even if you have money, you will not be able to buy this house.

Yan Bugui thought his son was exaggerating, but as the years went by, his thoughts slowly changed. He believed what his third brother said and secretly bought himself a courtyard house, which was the west wing. He was worried about the basement in the west wing, so now it was really his.

(End of this chapter)