It was already lunchtime, and Third Uncle didn’t want to trouble his in-laws, so he asked Jiang Si to find a well-established state-owned restaurant.
After lunch, when Huo Tingzhou was about to drive them back to the Western Hills compound to rest, Third Uncle suddenly gave an address.
"Xiao Huo, take us here instead. We won’t be staying at the Western Hills compound these next few days."
Huo Tingzhou assumed the old man was worried about the hassle of entering the military district.
"Third Uncle, the security post has already been notified. You won’t have any trouble coming and going these days."
"Wouldn’t it be more convenient to stay at the Western Hills compound?"
"No need, no need. I’ve already made arrangements," Third Uncle insisted.
Jiang Si knew Third Uncle had extensive connections. Since he’d made up his mind, she decided to let it be.
Besides, the address he’d given was also in the Western District, just a street away from the Huo family’s old residence, so it was still quite convenient.
However, when they arrived at their destination, Jiang Si was still slightly surprised.
She had assumed Third Uncle had borrowed a small flat or a unit in a residential compound, but it turned out to be a siheyuan—a traditional courtyard house.
After a brief glance, she averted her eyes.
Since it was just a short walk, she didn’t let Huo Tingzhou escort her further and instead gave him a task.
"Later, go back and pack a few sets of clothes for me. Don’t forget the things on the dressing table."
"Oh, and there’s a suitcase in the wardrobe—bring that over too."
The suitcase had a combination lock, so Huo Tingzhou had no idea what was inside.
If she needed anything else, she could always retrieve it from her space later.
Third Uncle was about to say it wasn’t necessary—everything they needed was already here—but then he remembered the surprise he had in store for the young lady and held his tongue.
Having spent every day together recently, Huo Tingzhou wasn’t quite used to the idea of being apart for a few days.
But it was an old tradition that the bride and groom shouldn’t see each other before the wedding.
No matter how reluctant he felt, Huo Tingzhou kept it to himself.
"Go ahead and rest for now. I’ll bring your things over later once I’ve packed them."
Jiang Si nodded and watched until Huo Tingzhou’s car disappeared at the end of the alley before finally turning away.
By then, Uncle Zhong had already opened the courtyard gate.
Just as they were about to carry their luggage inside, the sound of a horn suddenly blared behind them.
Soon after, two Liberation-brand trucks pulled over to the side.
The doors swung open, and over a dozen burly men stepped out.
When Jiang Si saw the man leading them, she froze.
It was none other than the branch leader who had helped capture Third Master Yan last time.
Noticing Jiang Si’s gaze, Ninth Master teased with a grin.
"What’s the matter, little girl? Don’t recognize me?"
"Ninth Master, you jest. How could I forget you? I owe you thanks for your help last time."
Hearing this, Ninth Master laughed heartily. "No need for formalities—we’re all family here. Don’t be so polite next time."
He then turned to Third Uncle and performed a formal gang salute, only to be cut off midway by a sharp glare.
"Not out in the open like this! I don’t care about appearances, but don’t let it affect my Si girl."
"Enough standing around. Come inside."
"Yes, yes, of course!"
Ninth Master cheerfully agreed and immediately barked orders at his men.
"Be careful when moving the stuff—don’t let anything get damaged."
At his command, the men quickly climbed onto the truck beds and removed the tarps covering the cargo.
When Jiang Si saw what was inside, her mind went blank.
"Third Uncle… what is all this?"
"This," Third Uncle said, pulling her toward the courtyard, "is your dowry."
"Let them handle the moving. Come take a look at the courtyard first—do you like it?"
What did he mean?
Why was he asking if she liked the courtyard?
"Third Uncle… did you buy this place?"
Third Uncle gave a proud hum.
"You mentioned before that Xiao Huo would be transferred back to Capital City in a few years, so I picked out this two-courtyard house for you."
"It’s not far from the Huo family’s old residence, so it’ll be convenient for visits."
"And when you have children later, there’ll be plenty of space."
He was quite satisfied with the location and the condition of the house—the only downside was that the two-courtyard layout was still too small.
It wasn’t even as big as the Jiang family’s garden!
"Ninth, keep an eye out for any three-courtyard houses in the area."
"This…"
Ninth Master hesitated. He could handle most requests, but this one truly stumped him.
"Third Uncle, don’t make things difficult for Ninth Master."
Having been in Capital City for a while, Jiang Si was familiar with some of its policies.
Seeing Third Uncle’s confusion, she explained briefly.
"Third Uncle, Capital City isn’t like Hu City. They implemented a private housing reform policy back in ’58."
"Private housing reform?"
"Mm. If a property has more than 15 rooms or a combined area exceeding 225 square meters, it must be handed over to the housing bureau for state-managed rentals."
And that was the better outcome—most properties were outright confiscated.
This was news to Third Uncle. Though Hu City had similar policies, enforcement wasn’t as strict.
Jiang Si added, "The Eastern and Western Districts are already crowded with limited housing. For Ninth Master to find such a good place in such a short time must’ve taken a lot of effort."
"Think about it—greasing palms at the housing bureau, compensating the tenants, handling the property transfer… Money is one thing, but connections are everything."
Third Uncle shot Ninth Master a look. "Is that how it was?"
After a pause, Ninth Master nodded.
"Tough to manage, huh? Why didn’t you say so earlier?"
"Uncle Zhong, make sure to account for all these expenses when settling the bill later."
Ninth Master hastily waved his hands. "No, no—it really didn’t cost much. Consider it our tribute to you."
"Business is business."
Third Uncle was firm. Then, remembering the property deed, he asked,
"Ninth, are all the paperwork and procedures settled? No issues?"
"None at all. Everything’s in order."
Ninth Master quickly pulled out a stack of documents from his bag.
"Here’s the transfer contract—signed and thumbprinted by the previous owner and all tenants."
"We’ve already smoothed things over at the housing bureau. Once Miss Jiang Si has time, she can just go and finalize the transfer."
Private property sales weren’t officially allowed these days, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.
With enough money and the right connections, anything could be arranged.
"And what’s this stack underneath?"
"Those are the new tenant contracts. Don’t worry—they’re all under trusted names. These people won’t actually live here."
Ninth Master explained, "We had to do it this way. Otherwise, the authorities would assign random tenants."
Just looking at this thick stack of paperwork, one could tell how difficult it was to buy a house.
Seeing this, Third Uncle, who rarely gave praise, remarked, "Ninth Master, you’ve put in a lot of effort."
"Now, now, that’s only natural. Miss Jiang Si’s wedding is a joyous occasion," Ninth Master replied with a smile, handing over another list.
"This is the dowry list for Miss Jiang Si. Please take a look."
Third Uncle didn’t take it, instead gesturing for Jiang Si to review it herself.
"All of this is prepared for you. See if there’s anything missing."
Jiang Si had no choice but to take the list and glance at it.
What was called a "list" might as well have been a small booklet.
Because there were so many items, Ninth Master had thoughtfully categorized them—furniture, appliances, seasonal clothing, daily necessities, bedding and textiles…
Jiang Si skimmed through it and saw that nearly every category was filled with a long list of items.
No wonder it had taken two trucks to deliver everything today.
"Third Uncle, you’ve prepared way too much!"
"Too much? This isn’t even a fraction of what your mother had in her dowry when she married. It’s just the way things are these days… Never mind, let’s not dwell on that."
Third Uncle waved his hand, as if recalling something.
"Ninth Master, how’s the matter I asked you to handle the other day coming along?"
"Don’t you worry, sir."
Ninth Master nodded with utmost seriousness, then clapped his hands firmly.
"Come, all of you, gather around."
At his words, the dozen or so men who had been efficiently moving the items immediately lined up in a row.
Before Jiang Si could figure out what was happening, Ninth Master turned to her with a cheerful smile.
"Miss Jiang Si, take your pick."
"Choose whichever one you like—"
