Chapter 180 - 182: Showing Off_1
The courtyard was roughly fifty square meters, devoid of any furniture, with a monthly rent of three yuan and six jiao, no deposit required. The landlord would come to collect the rent on the third of each month.
Qin Jin wasn’t satisfied and decided to look further. Li Qiao surveyed the surrounding environment, where a row of brand-new red brick buildings stood in front. Those who could afford to live in such buildings must be wealthy. "What kind of residence is that in front?"
"It’s the Political Commissar’s Compound. Don’t even think about those houses; even if you have the money, you can’t rent them. You might as well rent this one. There’s electric light and heating in the house, although you’ll have to pay for the electricity and heating yourself."
Li Qiao thought it was good—security must be reliable near the large compound. She mentioned it to Qin Jin.
Qin Jin agreed, but the house was completely empty. Furnishing it would cost at least thirty or forty yuan, which didn’t seem very economical.
Li Qiao said, "Actually, it is economical. If we spend forty yuan to furnish the place, we’re going to live here for four years. That’s ten yuan a year, eighty-three fen a month, less than three li a day, and three li is practically nothing."
Qin Jin was convinced. He requested to see the landlord’s residence registration booklet, and after confirming everything was in order, Li Qiao drafted a contract-like agreement, which both parties signed and each kept a copy.
Qin Jin paid the first month’s rent, and the landlord left with the money.
Li Qiao stayed to clean the house, while Qin Jin went out to purchase supplies.
The neighbor from next door, a middle-aged auntie, came over and said, "Young lady, renting the house, huh? Is it expensive?"
Li Qiao replied, "Three yuan and six jiao, not expensive." She initially thought it would be at least seven or eight yuan because even in her hometown’s county city, renting a house for a month would cost three or four yuan.