“Comrade Shu, I’m sorry. I never expected a household like this to move in here either.”
The two of them walked out through the courtyard gate, and Xiao Fan scratched his head awkwardly.
“It’s fine. What kind of neighbors we run into isn’t something we can decide.”
“Isn’t there still one room left? Let’s go take a look.”
This residence on Liuya'er Hutong faced the street. The house as a whole was not very large, but the courtyard was extremely clean and tidy.
The mistress of the household was gluing matchboxes at home. Upon seeing the two of them, she quickly put down her work.
“Comrades, you’re here! You’re the female comrade looking to rent a room, right?”
“My surname is Cai. You can call me comrade Cai or Auntie Cai.”
Auntie Cai spoke with a strong Capital City accent, and her face carried the characteristic warmth of the people from the Capital City.
“Let me show you the room.”
The West Room was unlocked. It was narrow and long, about twelve or thirteen square meters, without a speck of dust, and very clean.
“These cabinets and trunks may look old, but everything inside is in good condition.”
Auntie Cai opened them for the two of them to see.
“There’s a small utility room next door. You can buy a stove and cook simple meals in there, and you can also wash up there.”
It really was a small utility room. With three people inside, it was difficult even to turn around. But aside from a flat wooden rack fixed to the wall, there was nothing else inside, making it quite convenient for washing up and cooking.
The toilet was a little far away. It was a public toilet with a green-brick floor. The floor itself could be considered clean, but the excrement piled up inside the pit like a mountain, and the smell was extremely strong.
Shu Yao: ...
She had never used a toilet like this in her entire life.
Fortunately, she had her golden finger. Otherwise, how could she possibly get by?!
“Comrade, how many people will be living here?”
“Me and a two-month-old child.”
“How is the monthly rent calculated here?”
“There’s a well in our courtyard. The water we use comes from the well and is free. The electricity fee is calculated by the number of light bulbs.”
Auntie Cai counted on her fingers.
“The monthly rent is four yuan and twenty-seven cents.”
“Shu Yao” had never been good at studying. After graduating from middle school, she went to work at the Food Factory. She had now completed her three-year apprenticeship, and her monthly salary was thirty-six yuan.
Even without touching those savings, this salary was enough to support her and Shen Huaiyu.
Oh, provided that the Storage Space came with a Spatial Marketplace, so she did not need to buy milk powder outside.
“That works.”
Shu Yao nodded.
Once her residence was settled, Shu Yao did not delay. She immediately returned to the compound to move.
When she passed the Shen Family, she glanced over. The main door was tightly shut, and no one was outside anymore, but ferocious big-character posters covered the courtyard walls.
She did not know that behind the glass window on the second floor, someone was also watching her through a gap in the curtains.
Shu Yao did not have many things, but having an infant made up for that.
Shu Zhenzhong had Xiao Fan drive the car over and personally brought the child to Liuya'er Hutong.
Although the room was clean and tidy, these conditions were definitely inferior to the small foreign-style house in the compound.
The Old Master was somewhat displeased.
“Tell me, wouldn’t it be better at home? No matter what, living outside is not as convenient as being at home. There’s no kitchen or bathroom...”
“Grandfather, housing is so scarce nowadays. Auntie Cai’s place is already quite good. There are few people and fewer complications.”
“You don’t know about that place on Xiping Street...”
Without realizing it, Shu Yao adopted the coquettish tone she had used when speaking to her grandfather in the past.
Shu Zhenzhong was clearly delighted by it.
“All right, all right, your Grandfather can’t argue with you.”
“Yaoyao, if you’re living outside by yourself and ever suffer any wrongs, you must come find your Grandfather. Your Grandfather will stand up for you!”
“Come back and visit your Grandfather more often. Don’t be such a heartless Little Brat like before.”
“Keep this money, and here are some milk powder coupons too. From now on, your Grandfather will save all his milk powder coupons for you.”
The Old Master pulled out a tightly wrapped handkerchief containing a thick stack.
“No, Grandfather. Those were issued to you to nourish your health. Keep them and drink the milk powder yourself. I have milk powder coupons; the Shen Family gave me some.”
Shu Yao pouted, and her tears nearly spilled over.
“Your Grandfather is perfectly healthy, and I don’t even like drinking milk. Yaoyao, be a good girl and take them.”
How many milk powder coupons could the Shen Family save up, anyway? Would they be enough for that infant to drink for several months?
They still had to rely on him!
“Senior Commander, the food has been bought.”
Xiao Fan walked in carrying two Lunch Boxes.
As Shu Zhenzhong told him to set them on the table, he said to Shu Yao:
“You just moved today, so you’ll certainly have plenty to clean up. Go to bed early once you’re done, and don’t trouble yourself with cooking.”
“Your Grandfather is leaving first.”
After saying that, he teased Shen Huaiyu in Shu Yao’s arms.
“Kid, your Great-Grandfather is leaving. Don’t cry or make a fuss. Listen to your mother, or your Great-Grandfather will spank you next time.”
Shen Huaiyu kicked his little feet and blew another huge bubble.
“Grandfather, he’s still so young.”
Shu Yao was helpless.
After Shu Zhenzhong left, Shu Yao placed the Little Brat on the neatly made bed and let out a deep breath, as if trying to release all the sourness and fullness in her heart.
This Grandfather of hers was truly wonderful. She suddenly found herself rather fond of this era.
“Ah, ah, mm.”
She had just finished putting everything away and sat down when Shen Huaiyu, who had been perfectly quiet moments ago, suddenly began making noises. His body twisted, his little legs kicked wildly, and his complexion flushed red.
The newly initiated Old Mom immediately panicked at the sight.
“Hey, hey, wait a moment, don’t...”
“Pfft—brrt-brrt-brrt.”
A long, foul-smelling fart burst out at once.
Shen Huaiyu was comfortable now. He contentedly moved his arms and legs, then looked at Shu Yao and gave her a toothless smile.
Shu Yao remained frozen in her stopping gesture. After a long while, she said dryly:
“That smells awful. You didn’t poop, did you?”
“Ah~”
The little chatterbox responded to every sentence, staring at her with a pair of innocent eyes, seemingly a little puzzled.
Why hadn’t she come change his diaper yet?
Shu Yao did not have the courage to go over. She was nearly breaking down herself.
She rolled up two pieces of facial tissue and stuffed them into her nose, then took out a pair of disposable gloves and put them on.
Only then, extremely unwilling and full of resistance, did she undo the Little Brat’s diaper and take a look.
The good news: he had not pooped.
The bad news: he had peed.
Shu Yao hurriedly purchased a baby washing machine from the Spatial Marketplace, fiddled with it for a while, and installed it in the large flat’s laundry room.
She directly pinched the diaper between two fingers and tossed it inside.
Then she used baby wipes to clean his bottom and changed him into disposable diapers.
Only then did she collapse onto the bed as if completely drained.
“Ah, mm, ah.”
After Shen Huaiyu had comfortably waited for them to serve him, he started making noises again less than two minutes later.
“Okay, okay, I understand. Little Ancestor, you’re hungry.”
“Just wait, just wait. Your servant will present your rations right away.”
She brought out the health-preserving kettle and poured in mineral water. What temperature was milk powder supposed to be mixed at again?
Never mind. She would heat it to forty-five degrees first.
She still had to scald the baby bottle.
By the time she finally finished the frantic process, the Little Ancestor was already sucking on his fingers with wronged, tearful eyes, drool stretching a long way down.
As soon as the nipple was placed in his mouth, he eagerly began sucking in great gulps.
This little thing was actually quite adorable after looking at him for a while.
He was soft and warm, like a freshly proofed ball of dough, and carried a milky fragrance.
If only he did not poop and pee, it would be even better!