Buying a house in the city is easier said than done.
Su Xiaofeng and He Ximei went down to the city early in the morning to have a look first.
He Ximei had been to the city a few times, but each visit was a hurried round trip, leaving her with hardly any familiarity with the county town.
Su Xiaofeng was even less knowledgeable than He Ximei.
In that era, unlike the twenty-first century, real estate agencies weren’t ubiquitous; to buy a house, one simply went to any reputable agency and viewed properties.
After wandering aimlessly for half an hour like headless flies, Xiaofeng decided to ask around at a nearby department store.
A pretty young girl who had just bought some hair accessories looked at Su Xiaofeng, about to enter the store, and snorted, “Oh, isn’t that the country bumpkin from our family?”
Su Xiaofeng glanced at Lin Yue indifferently, “Are you the country bumpkin’s sister?”
“Pah, I don’t have a country bumpkin sister like you,” spat Lin Yue, her poor appearance making her unsuitable to be considered her sister.
Su Xiaofeng nodded as if taking note, “So your sister is the country bumpkin, I see.”
Just as Lin Yue was about to get angry, Lin Jing came over from behind, “Yueyue, let’s go.
Look at you, greeting everyone you meet.
In the future, if you see someone , don’t greet them first, you hear?”
Feeling validated by her sister, Lin Yue gave a contemptuous smile to Su Xiaofeng, her lips curving in a mocking but sweet response, “Sister, I understand.”
Lin Yue’s expression seemed to tell Su Xiaofeng, look, Lin Jing is my sister, not you.
Su Xiaofeng smiled, her smile as warm as the spring breeze.
Lin Yue recalled Su Xiaofeng’s words: so your sister is the country bumpkin.
She felt blocked inside, realizing that if she didn’t acknowledge Su Xiaofeng as her sister but recognized Lin Jing as her sister, she would be admitting that Lin Jing was the country bumpkin.
At that thought, she wiped off her smile and glared fiercely at Su Xiaofeng before departing arm in arm with Lin Jing.
Lin Yue had no feelings for her, and she had none for Lin Yue.
Whatever Lin Yue chose to do was none of her business, and conversely, whatever she chose to do was none of Lin Yue’s business either.
After giving ten yuan for the information, Su Xiaofeng finally got some leads and asked for the address, ready to view the house.
When they arrived, a middle-aged couple was just about to leave.
“Uncle, Auntie, hello,” Xiaofeng hastily called out to them, “Is it your house that’s for sale?”
The couple glanced at the newcomers, a mother and daughter, and stopped, “What, you want to see the house?”
Xiaofeng nodded, “Yes, is that okay?”
The woman took out the keys and unlocked the door, “Come in.”
It was a small courtyard with flowers and plants, a two-story building totaling four rooms.
The house seemed to be built in the eighties, as the outer walls were covered with small ceramic tiles, which looked quite new.
“My man is being transferred away from here, so we’re thinking of selling the house.
If you like it, you can have it for nine thousand yuan,” the woman said softly and amicably.
He Ximei was so pleased with the house; the price was even lower than expected.
She looked at Xiaofeng, clearly seeking her opinion.
Xiaofeng was satisfied too.
Including the yard and the building, the area was about one hundred and forty square meters.
Most importantly, this courtyard was not far from the city center, just a short walk down an alleyway.
“Auntie, we are quite happy with the house…” Xiaofeng was about to finalize the deal when another couple arrived at the door.
They greeted the male landlord with smiles, “Old Yuan, you see, selling your house and not even telling us?
My brother also wants to buy a place in the city.
If you’re thinking of selling, why not just sell it to us directly?”
The landlord seemed apologetic upon hearing this, “Lili, I’m really sorry, but I just sold it to this mother and daughter here for eight thousand five hundred yuan.”