Chapter 41: Renting an Apartment

“All right, all right, Captain, rest assured, I’ll make proper arrangements for them,” Hu Changming readily agreed to the task assigned by Wang Facai, his gaze sweeping over Xu Lin and the others. When his eyes fell on Qin Fang, they lit up.

This new comrade is quite a sight: fair skin, beautiful face, long legs—her attire and bearing mark her as someone from a wealthy background. The only flaw is her face shape, a bit too long, but that’s nothing a longer fringe can’t fix.

His look unsettled Qin Fang and angered Su Liang, who stepped forward, about to confront him, when Wang Facai turned and said, “By the way, at the youth point, the house has a big communal bed for several people. If you want a private room, you need to pay extra to rent it.”

“Yes, yes, our youth point has excellent conditions. To accommodate some comrades’ living habits, the brigade built two rows of single rooms for rent—two yuan a month. You can rent one for yourself or share with a partner,” Hu Changming explained, his eyes flicking between Xu Lin and Qin Fang before warmly addressing Qin Fang, “Comrade, would you like to rent one?”

Qin Fang did not reply but looked to Su Liang for help. Ignoring Hu Changming, Su Liang turned to Wang Facai and asked, “Do we rent from you?”

Wang Facai nodded. “You can come to me, or hand the money to Captain Hu, who’ll submit it to the team.”

“We’ll rent from you. Please handle the procedure,” Su Liang said, chin raised, with an air of bestowing favor.

Wang Facai could only grit his teeth and endure. Those with connections are formidable—he couldn’t afford to offend them. He’d just have to placate them. Turning to Xu Lin and the others, he asked, “Do any of you want to rent a room?”

When the first batch of youth arrived in the countryside, Wang Facai hadn’t thought of building single rooms for rent. It was only after the youth caused trouble living in villagers’ homes, which led to incidents, that he decided to construct two rows of large single rooms. Aside from generating revenue, he hoped to reduce the trouble caused by the youth. Looking back, he thought his decision was wise—the construction costs were long recovered, and now all the rental income was pure profit. Even if the youth returned to the city, the houses remained with the team—a winning strategy.

“I want to rent,” Xu Lin raised her hand. She had many secrets, and living alone would be ideal. She had even considered building her own house, but this was much simpler.

“So do I,” said another.

“Me too,” Han Hong and Zhang Qiang chimed in; both had plenty of money.

Wang Facai’s mood improved visibly as all five wanted to rent. He said, “Good, I’ll process your paperwork together. The rent is two yuan a month, payable monthly. Today is February fourteenth, this month has only twenty-eight days, so there are fourteen days left—just pay one yuan for now. Next month, pay your rent to Hu Changming, who will hand it over to the accountant.”

He stretched out his hand. “Once you’ve paid, follow Hu Changming to find your rooms.”

Xu Lin blinked, thinking the procedure was rather simple and rough—was it any different from having Hu Changming handle it? Han Hong and Zhang Qiang felt the same; the captain’s approach seemed to slap Su Liang in the face, making his earlier behavior appear laughable.

Hu Changming, arms crossed and wearing a cold smile, had expected this. The captain had no interest in the youth’s affairs. Sooner or later, these people would fall under his authority.

Qin Fang tugged at Su Liang’s sleeve, signaling him to stop talking—saying more would only offend people. This was not the capital; people here would not grant them any special face.

Clever as Qin Fang was, she didn’t want Su Liang to make enemies right upon arrival. She decided to observe the situation before making her next move.

Soon, Wang Facai had five yuan in his hand and felt much better. With five more renters, the team would earn ten yuan a month—very nice. Even his gaze at Su Liang softened; so be it, he thought, let the young master be treated specially, as long as he paid.

After seeing the captain off, Hu Changming smiled and began, “Let me introduce myself. I’m Hu Changming, captain of the youth point, from Jin City. I’m twenty-three and have been a youth here for five years. If you need anything, come to me first. If I can’t handle it, then go to the captain.”

Having introduced himself, Hu Changming’s gaze fell on Qin Fang. Qin Fang stepped forward with a polite smile and began her introduction. “I am Qin Fang, from the capital, sixteen years old. This is my first time traveling far from home. If I am lacking in any regard, I hope you will forgive me. I also hope we live happily together, help each other, and work together to build the countryside.”

She finished with a graceful smile, radiant as spring sunshine, so much so that Hu Changming nearly lost himself.

Su Liang, seeing Hu Changming’s look, was displeased and promptly stepped in front of Qin Fang, chin raised, and introduced himself. “I am Su Liang, from the capital, eighteen years old. I’ve practiced martial arts since childhood—taking on three at once is no problem.”

He raised his fist in a show of demonstration, giving Hu Changming a threatening look, leaving Hu Changming speechless.

“I’m Han Hong, from the capital, eighteen years old.” Han Hong’s lips curled with a faint sneer, his gaze fixed on empty space during his introduction. His manner annoyed Su Liang and made Hu Changming uneasy; coming from the capital and with such arrogance, he must have a complicated background.

The thought that the youth point now had people he couldn’t afford to provoke made Hu Changming unhappy. These young scions were useless at farm work but excelled at causing trouble—and, most importantly, they were experts at snatching academy slots. Most of the places at the Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers University ended up in their hands, and Hu Changming worried about his own future.

“I am Zhang Qiang, from East Province, nineteen years old. My calligraphy is excellent—come to me if you need anything written,” Zhang Qiang said, his gaze falling on Xu Lin, curious about her origins.