"Mom, you’re finally here, let’s head back first; it’s too hot outside," Lin Yinghui, carrying a large bag in each hand, grinned as he let Lin Wan and Liang Hongmei pull on his sleeves and walk out. After leaving the station, Lin Yinghui hired a tricycle and maneuvered through the streets and alleys of S City for over an hour before reaching the rented place.
"It’s hard to find a house. This one was recommended by a local classmate of mine. It’s two rooms with a small courtyard. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but it’s a standalone unit."
"Ah Hui, how much is the rent for this house?" Liang Hongmei walked around the yard, finding it much better than the house they rented in Huai Town.
"Twelve a month. They originally asked for fifteen, but we got a three-dollar discount thanks to my classmate."
"That’s so expensive."
Lin Yinghui felt a bit troubled; finding a house with a yard in S City is indeed a rare find. If the family hadn’t been in a rush to leave S City, it probably wouldn’t have been available to them.
"Mom, a house with a small courtyard is already very cheap. Brother, you’re amazing," Lin Wan comforted Mom and took a moment to praise her brother.
She liked the courtyard. Although it was a bit secluded, having a standalone courtyard with a toilet was much better than living in a cluttered, sewage-ridden tubular building.
Lin Hui smiled, "You all rest for a bit; I’ll go buy some food and come back."
"Brother, I’ll go with you. I should familiarize myself with the area," Lin Wan said after putting down her luggage and quickly washing her face.
"Alright, let’s go. I’ll show you around."
"Don’t spend money recklessly when you’re out; buy some oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar," Liang Hongmei reminded them while tidying up the room.
In a place where everything is unfamiliar, there are many things to spend money on.
When she first arrived here, everything felt unfamiliar. After circling around, she started to recognize the area and remembered this place.
The place they were staying wasn’t too secluded, located on the third ring of S City. Not far away, there was a street market selling vegetables, dried goods, and fruits. The vendors are usually there only in the morning and pack up before noon.
To the west, there was a state-owned shoe factory. A little further south was the S City Military Region General Hospital. The hospital building had three floors, not as grand as the S City Central Hospital, but most doctors at the military hospital were specialists known throughout S Province, attracting many people to come here for treatments.
She and her brother bought rice, flour, basic cooking ingredients, and other supplies from the nearby market, making two trips to get enough.
They spent ten dollars altogether, which made Liang Hongmei quite concerned.
"Mom, Xiao Wan, should we continue running the dumpling shop? It’s hard to find a storefront here. We’ll need to pay attention early. There aren’t many businesses here; most people sell from pushcarts."
"Let’s take a look first. In the next couple of days, Mom and I will check out the nearby area for any suitable places," Lin Wan also noticed there were hardly any individual restaurants here, even after working for a morning.
"Okay, I have class tomorrow, but I’ll come over on Sunday to help. We shouldn’t rush."
"Focus on your studies, and Xiao Wan and I will handle the rest. Is it far from your school?"
"It’s a bit of a distance, about seven or eight stops. I’ll leave after eating; otherwise, I’ll miss the bus."
Liang Hongmei didn’t quite understand how far seven or eight stops was; their hometown didn’t have buses or bus stops. From her son’s words, she knew it meant taking a vehicle, so in her understanding, it was far if it required transportation.
Liang Hongmei quickly urged Lin Yinghui to eat so he wouldn’t be late getting back.