“Mom, don’t worry just yet.”
Aunt was a woman of immediate action. She took off her apron and declared she was leaving right away: “I’m going to Director Zhang’s house at the neighborhood committee to get to the bottom of this.”
“Elder sister, wait for me. I’ll go with you.”
Seeing her head out the door, Uncle grabbed a flashlight from the inner room, lifted the curtain, and hurried after her.
The house fell quiet, the atmosphere growing heavy.
The younger generation didn’t dare make any more noise. They helped clear the dishes and sat side by side on small stools, quietly watching television.
Director Zhang of Donghua Street Neighborhood Committee was a warm-hearted elderly woman around the same age as Aunt.
Aunt worked as an accountant at the county’s Zixiang Supply and Marketing Cooperative, so she had frequent dealings with the neighborhood committee. The two women got along quite well and could talk easily.
Visiting someone’s home late at night empty-handed felt inappropriate.
After discussing it, Aunt and Uncle bought two bottles of Erguotou liquor on their way.
The siblings didn’t make a wasted trip—Director Zhang was home, having finished dinner and now sitting at her doorway fanning herself with a large palm-leaf fan to cool off.
“You two didn’t need to bring anything when visiting!”
As Aunt and Uncle entered carrying the Erguotou, Director Zhang—being sharp—immediately understood their purpose without needing to ask. She continued fanning herself while cheerfully inviting them inside.
“Director Zhang,”
Aunt began pouring out her troubles as soon as she stepped in: “You know our situation best. Back then, we followed the neighborhood committee’s arrangement and moved to Donghua Street…”
“Ah, this matter is quite difficult to handle.”
Director Zhang’s smile faded as she sighed with genuine concern. “This demolition explicitly states that only public housing and private homes with property deeds qualify for resettlement. Moreover, from demolition to reconstruction will take at least two years, during which every household must find their own temporary housing. The neighborhood simply can’t accommodate so many people.”
“Only public housing qualifies? Then what about our family?”
Aunt grew agitated upon hearing this: “We’ve lived on Donghua Street for over thirty years! Are they really going to sweep us homeless people out onto the streets because of this demolition?”
“Of course that won’t happen…”
Director Zhang, ever the skilled neighborhood committee director, knew how to handle such conversations diplomatically: “Even if you wanted to sleep on the streets, I wouldn’t allow it! Given our relationship, how could I stand by and let you become homeless?”
Aunt’s spirits lifted: “Then what do you suggest we do?”
“The key lies with Uncle Huang.”
Director Zhang leaned forward confidentially, adopting an intimate tone as she shared her advice: “Resettlement housing is allocated based on actual living area. Uncle Huang’s house has many rooms, so he’ll definitely receive more than one unit. If you want to keep living there, you just need Uncle Huang’s agreement to continue renting from him.”
“But there’s something I must clarify in advance: privately-owned homes with property deeds differ from public housing. Private homes receive demolition subsidies—a hundred yuan per month—while public housing doesn’t…”
“Also, Uncle Huang is elderly and in poor health. At his age, anything could happen. If the old man really passes away in two years, given his son’s character, it’s hard to say whether he’ll let you continue renting.”
“So really, the safest approach would be for you to purchase the property rights. That way, you’d not only receive demolition subsidies but also permanently resolve your housing situation.”
“Buy the house?”
Aunt looked troubled: “How much would that cost? Our family has no money.”
“If you don’t buy, you can only rent.”
Director Zhang thought for a moment, then added: “Then we must take advantage of Uncle Huang still being in good health to finalize the rental arrangement. It would be best to draft a written contract to prevent any future changes.”