Even many years later, whenever anyone mentioned the Jun Ning of this era, they would surely praise and admire her as a kind, beautiful, intelligent, and capable girl. Her brief life could truly be considered worthwhile!
Although no one knew that the current Jun Ning was now inhabited by a powerful soul, the transmigrated Jun Ning saw everything clearly. She knew exactly when their praises were meant for the original owner and when they were meant for her.
Recalling the business she had come out to handle, Jun Ning quickly pulled her wandering thoughts back to the present.
She smiled and asked the Old Branch Secretary, “Old Branch Secretary, I wanted to ask—could the village rent Uncle Liang’s house to me?”
Upon hearing this, the Old Branch Secretary frowned in disapproval. “Isn’t there a dormitory at the Youth Point? Why do you want to move out all of a sudden? It isn’t safe for a girl like you to live alone outside!”
Jun Ning sighed softly and explained, “Old Branch Secretary, I’m currently sharing a dormitory with Lin Qingqing. In the past, I didn’t mind and let her take advantage of many of the things my family sent me. But what angers me is that even so, she still finds me an eyesore.”
“Take just now, for example,” she continued. “I was trying to sleep, but she purposely made a racket, slamming things around to wake me up. She speaks with such sarcasm and even acts as if she’s my great savior, calling me heartless and ungrateful. I simply can’t stand it anymore. As for the safety issue, you don’t need to worry; I am more than capable of protecting myself.”
The Old Branch Secretary knew this group of educated youths very well. He had never liked Lin Qingqing; he felt she was far too pretentious, always dragging her feet during work and constantly making the male youths do her chores for her. He had little respect for such “spoiled lady” behavior.
Even if one truly came from a wealthy family, they were here in the countryside to receive re-education from the poor and lower-middle-class peasants. If one refused to work hard and spent all day making a scene, it was no wonder people had a poor impression of them. To these old farmers, the most likable people were those like Jun Ning: someone who wasn’t afraid of hardship or exhaustion, and was both down-to-earth and capable.
Precisely because he understood Lin Qingqing’s selfish nature, the Old Branch Secretary particularly understood Jun Ning’s desire to move out. He had heard rumors from the villagers before about Lin Qingqing taking advantage of Jun Ning, but since Jun Ning herself hadn’t complained and seemed not to care, he hadn’t been in a position to say much.
Now that Jun Ning had proposed moving out and renting a house, the Old Branch Secretary was naturally supportive. However, he still asked out of concern, “Moving out on your own involves rent and buying furniture. It will cost quite a bit—do you have enough money?”
Jun Ning nodded repeatedly. “I do, I do. As you know, my family sends me money and coupons every month. In the past, whenever people asked to borrow money, I would lend it. Now that I’m renting, I just won’t lend it out and will use it for myself instead. I can even collect some of the money I’ve already lent out. I won’t have any problems living comfortably.”
Hearing this, the Old Branch Secretary finally agreed. “Alright then. Since you feel safety and living expenses won’t be an issue, I can make the decision to rent Uncle Liang’s house to you. Let’s set the rent at two yuan a month. Is that acceptable?”
Surprised by the low price, Jun Ning asked, “Old Branch Secretary, isn’t two yuan a bit too little?”
The Old Branch Secretary smiled. “It’s not little. That house is just sitting there anyway. If we rent it to you, the village can collect two yuan a month; isn’t that a good thing?”
Jun Ning still shook her head. “Old Branch Secretary, I know you have a good heart and want to look out for me, but I can’t let people gossip about you. How about this: I’ll give the village three yuan a month. Let’s leave it at that, or I won’t rent it.”
Two yuan was too low; she feared people like Lin Qingqing would start wagging their tongues again. By paying a bit more, she made things easier for the Old Branch Secretary and ensured her own peace of mind without leaving any room for criticism. After all, among these villagers and educated youths, few were willing to part with three yuan a month for rent. Once she paid that price, they would have nothing left to say.
Seeing how insistent she was, the Old Branch Secretary laughed helplessly. “You silly girl, you really have more money than you know what to do with. Fine, since you’ve put it that way, I’ll fulfill your wish. A’Ning, when do you plan to start the lease?”
Thinking of Lin Qingqing, Jun Ning didn’t want to spend another moment with her. She replied directly, “I’d like to move in today or tomorrow. Old Branch Secretary, if you aren’t busy, can we go to the brigade headquarters to handle the paperwork now?”
The Old Branch Secretary gestured at her with a smile. “You really are an impatient one. Fine, come with me!”
Jun Ning followed him to the headquarters and signed a simple rental agreement. She didn’t have any cash on her, so she told the Old Branch Secretary she would bring it to him later. Trusting her completely, the Old Branch Secretary handed over the keys to Uncle Liang’s house immediately.
With the keys in hand, Jun Ning happily said goodbye and ran toward Uncle Liang’s house at the foot of the mountain.
Since Uncle Liang had only passed away a month ago, the two rooms were still in good condition. Many people in the village had eyes on this house, but every household was tight on cash. Unable to afford the purchase price, they were waiting to see how much grain and money they would receive after the autumn harvest.
Jun Ning opened one of the rooms and found that the furniture was still inside, untouched. However, because these were items Uncle Liang had used, Jun Ning felt a bit uncomfortable using them. She planned to ask the Old Branch Secretary to send someone to haul these things away so she could furnish the place herself.
She had plenty of materials in her spatial storage, along with a team of high-tech robots from the post-apocalyptic era. Whatever furniture or household items she needed, she could simply have the robots manufacture them, age the colors to look authentic, and then bring them out for use.
After inspecting both rooms, Jun Ning had a general plan in mind. She ran back to the Old Branch Secretary and asked him to send people to move Uncle Liang’s belongings out.
He immediately replied, “Sure thing. Once the shift ends and they finish work, I’ll send some people over to move them.”
Jun Ning gave a sweet smile. “Thank you, Old Branch Secretary! I’ll leave the keys with you for now. I’m heading back to the Youth Point.”
When Jun Ning returned to the Youth Point, she saw Fu Jingwei in the courtyard slaughtering a chicken.
Fu Jingwei looked up and was shocked to see her. “A’Ning, where did you go? Weren’t you sleeping in your room? Why are you running around?”
Jun Ning noticed Lin Qingqing opening her door and walking out. She turned to Fu Jingwei and said, “I had some business and went to see the Old Branch Secretary. Fu Jingwei, you really went and bought an old hen? How much did it cost? Let me pay you back!”
Fu Jingwei looked at her with a serious expression and said, “A’Ning, today is your birthday. This hen is my birthday gift to you.”
Hearing his words, Jun Ning suddenly remembered—today really was the original owner’s birthday! She had completely forgotten.
Touched by his thoughtfulness, she smiled at him. “I actually forgot. Fu Jingwei, thank you! I’ll accept this gift then. When it’s your birthday, I’ll return the favor with a gift of my own.”