B5SB -Chapter 33 Buying a House

These past few days, Gu Yihan had either been at the library or contemplating the feasibility of buying a house.

The main thing was that buying a house wasn’t a problem; after all, it wouldn’t be a loss in the future.

“I’m getting married soon.”

Gu Yihan looked at Zhou Tingmei, who was wearing a floral dress and fiddling with her freshly styled hair.

An Ruo exclaimed in surprise, “You’re getting married?”

Zhou Tingmei held out the watch on her wrist to An Ruo and said, “This is a Shanghai brand watch my fiancé bought me—120 yuan.”

“And my dress? He bought it too. He treats me really well. He said that after I graduate, he’ll arrange for me to work as an accountant at a textile factory.”

Zhou Tingmei looked at her proudly and said, “Gu Yihan, do you want me to introduce my fiancé to you? All the people he knows are well-connected.”

Gu Yihan was speechless. What kind of odd person was this?

She said expressionlessly, “I’m too young; I’m not considering marriage.”

An Ruo said curiously, “What’s going on with everyone? Su Nian suddenly got married, saying she followed her husband to the army, and it’s a remote, poor place too.”

Gu Yihan noticed a flicker in Zhou Tingmei’s eyes when she heard that Su Nian had married.

She asked in confusion, “So your fiancé is quite capable, huh?”

Zhou Tingmei straightened her back without realizing it, a smug smile on her lips. “Of course! He’s the head of the municipal party committee.”

An Ruo looked at Zhou Tingmei enviously. “And a leader too? Their power is huge these days—they can decide life and death with just a word.”

An Ruo then warmly tried to get closer to Zhou Tingmei.

The winter holiday was about to start, and Gu Yihan finally decided to buy a house through Teacher Shen.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Gu Yihan entered the office, where there was also a male teacher.

“Teacher Shen.”

Teacher Shen looked up at Gu Yihan. “Have you thought it through?”

Gu Yihan nodded seriously.

Teacher Shen stood and said, “Let’s go outside and talk.”

Gu Yihan knew the office wasn’t the place to discuss such matters, so she followed him out.

Once on the playground, Gu Yihan looked around to make sure no one was nearby and said, “Teacher Shen, my family agreed to buy the house and has already transferred the money. Can I see the house?”

Upon hearing that her family had transferred the money, Teacher Shen’s mood brightened even more. “Of course. I’ll take you there.”

After a fifteen-minute ride on the tram and a five-minute walk, they arrived at a small alley.

Teacher Shen walked and explained, “See that big willow tree at the alley entrance? It’s hundreds of years old, so the alley is called Willow Tree Alley.”

“This house is very close to the machinery factory—just a five-minute walk. The recommendation I gave you is for the machinery factory.”

Gu Yihan followed Teacher Shen to a house. She took a key from his pocket, opened the door, and she followed inside.

Teacher Shen introduced, “The house is rectangular. Three rooms in the middle, two rooms on the east side, a kitchen, and a storage room. The toilet and bathroom are on the west side.”

Gu Yihan was very pleased with the house. The backyard was spacious, and there was a well in the front yard.

“Teacher Shen, the house looks well maintained. Why is it for sale?” Gu Yihan asked curiously.

Teacher Shen replied, “The house was originally intended for my younger brother’s wedding, but now he’s serving in the army and doesn’t need it.”

Gu Yihan didn’t comment—she wasn’t really buying the explanation.

“Teacher Shen, I like the house very much. When can I transfer the title?”

“Anytime,” Teacher Shen said, increasingly pleased with Gu Yihan.

They went to the housing office to complete the transfer, and Gu Yihan gave Teacher Shen 800 yuan.

Holding the land and property certificate in her hands, Gu Yihan felt genuinely happy—this was her own house.

Teacher Shen then took a recommendation letter from her pocket and handed it to her. “After the New Year, in July during the summer break, you can take this recommendation letter for your internship.”

“Gu Yihan, you know that the vocational school is three years, but as long as your grades remain consistent, you can start your internship at the machinery factory early. I can provide a guarantee for you.”

Gu Yihan bowed to Teacher Shen in thanks. “Thank you so much, Teacher Shen.”

Teacher Shen patted her shoulder. “No need to thank me. I even thought of telling you to be my younger brother’s wife.”

Gu Yihan twitched her lips. She was only fifteen after the New Year; she treated Teacher Shen’s words as a joke.

At the Shen household, Teacher Shen hummed happily while returning home.

“What’s gotten you so happy?” asked Mrs. Shen, looking at her daughter. Outwardly gentle and composed, the daughter was actually very strong-willed at heart.

Teacher Shen said, “Mom, the house in Willow Tree Alley has been sold.”

Mrs. Shen was surprised. “That fast? Was it that female student you mentioned last time?”

Teacher Shen poured herself a glass of water, took a sip, and said, “Yes, it was her.”

“Wasn’t she from the countryside? She managed to come up with 800 yuan so quickly—that’s no small sum!” Mrs. Shen was shocked.

Her main concern was that, in her view, even if a rural family didn’t favor sons over daughters, they wouldn’t easily give their savings to buy a house for a daughter. She had originally had no hope when she saw her daughter fussing over it.

Teacher Shen rolled her eyes at her mother. “Mom, I’ve been observing her for a year and a half. You think finding a suitable daughter-in-law during this sensitive period is easy? If we’re unlucky, the whole family could lose out.”

Mrs. Shen was speechless. “But isn’t it too early to start arranging things? Couldn’t there be someone more suitable than your student?”

Teacher Shen thought seriously. “There really isn’t. She’s from far away, rural, alone in Jinyang City, has no connections or background—easy to handle. If not us, who else can she rely on?”

Mrs. Shen said, “I can’t argue with you. Aren’t you afraid it might be in vain? She could get married to someone else!” Then she went to the kitchen to serve food.

Mr. Shen, just entering the door, heard the last sentence. “What do you mean, ‘in vain’?”

Teacher Shen laughed. “Mom, you’re worrying for nothing. Why do I give the machinery factory recommendation slot? It’s not because my father is the deputy director of the factory.”

Then she looked at her father. “Dad, you won’t let someone else take my daughter-in-law away, right?”

Only then did Mr. Shen realize. “Your student bought the house?”

Teacher Shen took 800 yuan from her backpack and put it on the table. “See? After my younger brother gets married, the house comes back to our family. It’s a safe investment.”

Mr. Shen signaled Mrs. Shen to put the money away, then turned to his daughter. “You should also think about your own marriage. No need to worry only about your brother.”

Mrs. Shen added, “Yes, Zihan, you’re 23 now. You can’t delay anymore.”

“Mom, you know how I feel,” Teacher Shen said irritably.

Mr. Shen sighed. “Lu Huailin isn’t bad, but he doesn’t fancy you. And even if he did, could you follow him in the army?”

Teacher Shen put down her chopsticks. “You eat, I’m not eating.” And she slammed the door.

Mr. Shen looked at Mrs. Shen angrily. “See, that’s our daughter—never a moment’s peace.”

Mrs. Shen looked at Mr. Shen’s darkened face. “Did I give birth to her alone?”

She left her bowl and said, “You eat by yourself!”