Chapter 736 Planning a House 2
In the courtyard where the sun shines through the mottled leaves, several old neighbors are sitting under the old locust tree in the middle of the courtyard, chatting casually. The breeze blows gently, carrying the fragrance of locust flowers, but this cozy atmosphere is broken by Yan Bugui's words.
Yan Bugui looked curious and expectant, staring at Yi Zhonghai, and asked, "Old Yi, I heard that this courtyard house will have some big moves in the future. You are well-informed, tell me about it quickly."
After hearing what Yan Bugui said, Yi Zhonghai, who was originally holding the teacup and drinking tea slowly, paused slightly after hearing this. He was stunned at first, as if he was caught off guard by this sudden question.
But he quickly came to his senses, a faint smile appeared on his face, and he waved his hand lightly, with a casual and unrestrained gesture, and said: "Old Yan, I did hear about the follow-up plan of this courtyard by chance, but it is just a preliminary idea at present. The government is thinking about it, and now the renovation of this courtyard is beginning to show results. You can see that the ground of this courtyard has been re-paved with stone slabs, and the walls have been freshly painted. The living environment of the residents has improved a lot. But everyone knows that living space is still very tight. Many families have several generations squeezed into such a small house. So the government plans to build a new residential area so that everyone can live more spaciously."
When Yan Bugui heard this, his already big eyes instantly lit up, like two stars suddenly lighting up in the night sky.
He leaned forward unconsciously, his upper body almost close to Yi Zhonghai, his face full of anxiety, and asked rapidly: "New residential area? This is really great! How will the new residential area be built? Will it be high-rise buildings or bungalows? Has the location been determined? Will it be near us or somewhere else? Will we, the old residents, have a chance to get a new house?"
Yi Zhonghai looked at Yan Bugui's anxious look and couldn't help scratching his head. His slightly gray hair was particularly eye-catching in the sunlight.
He frowned slightly and thought for a moment, as if trying to recall the fragmentary information he had heard, and then slowly said: "I don't know the details. I just heard a general idea, and I only know that the approximate location is on the idle land behind the courtyard. That piece of land had been abandoned and overgrown with weeds before, and now the government plans to use it. The government's intention is to try to meet the needs of old residents. After all, everyone has lived in this courtyard for most of their lives and has feelings for this place. But how to allocate it specifically is not something I can decide, and it depends on subsequent policies and plans. I heard that the plan is still under discussion, and it is estimated that more detailed news will be released in a while. By then, we old neighbors will definitely be the first to know."
When Yan Bugui heard Yi Zhonghai talking about the possibility of building a new residential area in the courtyard house, he became like a torch that had been lit. His face turned red with excitement, and he rubbed his hands uncontrollably until his palms became slightly hot.
His eyes sparkled with excitement, and his voice trembled with excitement as he said, "This is a great thing! Lao Yi, think about it, our house is not very big to begin with, and now the whole family is crammed in it, and it's hard to turn around. The children are grown up, and they don't have their own rooms, so they can only put up a simple bed in the living room. If we can really get a new house, then our overcrowded situation will be completely solved, and the children will have their own little world in the future, and they won't have to live in such a cramped life anymore."
Yi Zhonghai looked at Yan Bugui's excited and anxious look, with a gentle smile on his face. He reached out and gently patted Yan Bugui's shoulder. His palm was broad and warm, as if conveying a kind of reassuring power. He said earnestly: "Okay, Old Yan, don't worry, if there is any news, I will definitely not hide it from you. We have been neighbors for so many years, and I will definitely think of you when there is good news. But this matter has not been decided yet. It is just a preliminary idea now. The follow-up depends on the government's planning and arrangements. Don't be too anxious, what is coming will come."
After leaving Yi Zhonghai's house, Yan Bugui's heart was like a little rabbit, he was in a state of anxiety, his mind was full of things about the new residential area. He hurriedly walked, not daring to delay for a moment, and rushed to Liu Haizhong's house without stopping. At this time, Liu Haizhong was sitting at the somewhat old eight-immortal table in the house, drinking tea slowly. The hot steam from the teacup rose up, blurring his face.
Seeing Yan Bugui rushing in, Liu Haizhong was stunned for a moment, then a warm smile appeared on his face. He stood up and greeted him, "Old Yan, you are a rare guest. Come in and sit down. How come you have time to come to my place today?" As he spoke, he pointed to the chair next to him.
Yan Bugui was not polite either. He sat down on the chair. As soon as his butt touched the chair, he couldn't wait to say, "Old Liu, I heard that a new residential area is going to be built in the courtyard house. Did you know about this?" His eyes were fixed on Liu Haizhong, his eyes full of expectation, hoping to get more accurate information from Liu Haizhong.
After hearing what Yan Bugui said, Liu Haizhong showed a proud smile on his face, and that smile was like a blooming chrysanthemum. He slowly put down the teacup in his hand, and the cup collided with the table with a light "click". He cleared his throat and deliberately dragged out his voice and said: "I have heard about this a long time ago, and I have participated in some of the early discussions. The government feels that the population of courtyard houses is increasing, like a balloon that is constantly expanding, and housing shortage is a big problem. Everyone is crowded in such a small space, and life is inconvenient. So the government plans to build a new residential area to relieve the pressure so that everyone can live more spacious and comfortable."
When Yan Bugui heard Liu Haizhong mention that he participated in the preliminary discussions of the new residential area, his eyes, which were already bright, instantly shone, and the light was as bright as the brightest stars in the night sky. He leaned forward unconsciously, and his upper body was almost close to Liu Haizhong. He clenched the corners of his clothes with both hands, and his knuckles turned white because of the force. His face was full of anxiety and expectation, and he asked quickly: "Old Liu, then tell me quickly, what will this new residential area look like? Is it a traditional courtyard like the one we live in now, or is there something new? When can it be started? My heart is itching like a cat scratching, and I am looking forward to knowing the exact news as soon as possible."
Liu Haizhong looked at Yan Bugui's anxious expression, raised his chin slightly, and cleared his throat. The sound was deliberately drawn out, as if he was keeping someone in suspense. He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of tea, moistened his throat, and then said slowly: "It is said that this new residential area will be built in the style of a modern courtyard house. Think about it, it must retain the charm of our traditional courtyard house, and the characteristics of blue bricks, gray tiles, carved beams and painted buildings must all be there, so that people can feel the cultural heritage of old Beijing as soon as they walk in. But it is not just a simple retro style, it also has to incorporate modern living facilities. For example, a separate bathroom, in the future, people no longer have to run a long way to the public toilet in the cold weather, they can solve it at home, how convenient. There is also central heating, in winter, the house will be warm, and you no longer have to light the stove yourself like now, which is dirty and troublesome, and you also have to worry about gas poisoning." As he spoke, Liu Haizhong stretched out his hand to gesture, as if the new residential area had already appeared vividly in front of him.
"As for the start time, it depends on many factors. We probably have to wait until the plan is finalized and the funds are in place. However, I heard that the government attaches great importance to this matter, and the progress should be fast. Maybe it won't be long before we can see the workers starting construction in full swing." Liu Haizhong said while observing Yan Bugui's reaction.
The more Yan Bugui listened, the more excited he became, with a smile on his face that almost reached his ears. He stood up suddenly, and held Liu Haizhong's hand tightly with both hands, with such strength that it seemed as if he wanted to crush Liu Haizhong's hand. His voice trembled with excitement: "Old Liu, you have to pay attention to this matter. Think about it, if we can get a house in the new residential area, our future life will be much more comfortable. We have to take care of each other. You have a wide network of contacts, you are well-informed, and you know a lot of people. You can help your brother if you have any way. When the time comes to distribute the houses, help inquire about the information and see how to get a house with a good orientation and a large area."
Liu Haizhong was moved by Yan Bugui's earnest eyes. He patted his chest vigorously, and his voice was as loud as an oath: "Old Yan, don't worry, we are old neighbors of the Siheyuan, and our friendship has lasted for so many years. I will definitely think of you if something good happens, and I will never forget you. But you have to fight for this matter yourself. When the allocation plan comes out, we have to actively cooperate, prepare the necessary materials in advance, and follow the necessary procedures. Only in this way can we strive to get a good house and live comfortably in the future."
After Yan Bugui came out of Liu Haizhong's house, he felt that the sky was particularly blue, and the white clouds were floating leisurely like clouds, as if even the air was filled with a sweet smell. He was in a particularly good mood, and the excitement was like a flood that broke through the dam, rushing wantonly in his heart. The scene of himself living in the new house kept emerging in his mind: a spacious and bright living room, with sunlight shining through the window onto the brand new floor, forming patches of golden light; a warm and comfortable bedroom, with a soft big bed that makes people not want to get up once they lie down; and a fully equipped kitchen, where he can fully display his cooking skills and cook sumptuous meals for his family. As he thought about it, he couldn't help humming a little tune, the tune was light and melodious, echoing in the quiet alley.
He put his hands behind his back, walked home slowly and briskly as if he was walking on clouds. Along the way, he greeted the neighbors he met from time to time, with a bright smile on his face, as if he wanted to pass on this joy to everyone.
When she got home, Third Aunt was sitting on a small stool in the house, sewing clothes with needle and thread in her hand. She heard the door open, looked up, and saw Yan Bugui walking in with a smile on his face. That smile was like a blooming sunflower, so bright that people couldn't take their eyes off it. Third Aunt was muttering in her heart, and curiously put down the needle and thread in her hand, stood up and asked: "Old Yan, you look like this, do you have any good news? Look at your mouth corners almost grinning to your ears, tell me quickly."
Yan Bugui sat down on a chair beside him, crossed his legs, and looked as proud as if he had won a prize. He cleared his throat and began to tell the third aunt everything he had learned from Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong.
As he spoke, he gestured from time to time, as if he wanted to show the new residential area vividly to the three aunts. "Let me tell you, this new residential area is amazing. It is a modern courtyard style. It not only retains the charm of our traditional courtyard, but also has modern facilities such as independent toilets and central heating. In the future, we don't have to go to the public toilet in the cold weather, and we don't have to light the stove to keep warm. It's so convenient. Moreover, the government intends to meet the needs of old residents as much as possible. Maybe our family can be allocated a set." Yan Bugui said with saliva flying, his eyes flashing with excitement.
After hearing this, the third aunt was also very happy, and the wrinkles on her face seemed to be smoothed out. She clapped her hands and said excitedly: "This is really great! If we can really get a new house, our future life will be much better. Look at our current house, it is small and old, it leaks when it rains, it is as cold as an ice cellar in winter and as hot as a steamer in summer. If we can live in the new house, it will be a blessing. When the children come back, they will have a spacious place to live, and we old couple can enjoy a peaceful life."
As she spoke, a longing smile appeared on the third aunt's face, as if she had already seen the beautiful life in the future.
However, after a while, the smile on the third aunt's face gradually faded, her brows slightly wrinkled, and a trace of worry appeared in her eyes. She sighed softly and said hesitantly: "Old Yan, although this new residential area sounds good, can we get a house? My family doesn't have any special background. We are just an ordinary family in this courtyard. There must be a lot of people watching this matter of dividing the house, and the competition must be fierce. What qualifications do we have to get a new house? Don't be happy for nothing."
Yan Bugui was originally immersed in a beautiful vision, but when he heard what the third aunt said, the smugness on his face instantly dissipated a lot. He was slightly stunned, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes, and then he pretended to be calm and said: "Oh, why are you worried about this. Didn't the government say that it would try its best to meet the needs of old residents. I have lived in this courtyard for so many years, so I can be considered an old resident, so there must be a chance. Besides, Lao Yi and Lao Liu said that this matter is still in the planning stage, and maybe the policy will be in our favor by then."
The third aunt was still frowning. She walked to Yan Bugui, took his hand, and said worriedly: "Old Yan, I know you are looking forward to this, but we have to be realistic. Look at this courtyard, how many families are looking forward to being allocated a new house. Some families have a large population, and some families have some connections with the government. What can we use to compare with them? What if the allocation plan comes out and our family does not meet the requirements? We have to be mentally prepared in advance, so that we will not be unable to accept it when the time comes."