The two of them were choosing a house together, but with only one being the best, it was bound to be troublesome.
Wu Minghui glanced at Pei Zhengnian, then at Liu Bing.
If Pei Zhengnian also had his eye on this one, he’d be in real trouble.
"Regiment Commander Pei, what do you think?"
What?
Regiment Commander Pei?
Pei Zhengnian got promoted?!
Liu Bing felt as if he’d been struck by lightning.
If Pei Zhengnian was now a regiment commander, then competing with him for the house wasn’t just about losing the place—it would mean offending Pei Zhengnian, and that was the last thing he wanted.
Back when they were of the same rank, even though Liu Bing was only a deputy, he’d had the guts to be bold.
But now, Pei Zhengnian was a regiment commander, while he was just a deputy company commander.
He’d have to be insane to act as arrogantly as before.
"Sorry, wife," Liu Bing thought.
He forced a stiff smile, one that looked more like a grimace.
"Regiment Commander Pei, if you also like the first one..."
Liu Bing had originally planned to say they could compete fairly.
But before he could finish, Pei Zhengnian cut him off.
"I don’t like the first one. If Deputy Company Commander Liu wants it, it’s yours."
Pei Zhengnian’s words made both Liu Bing and Wu Minghui sigh in relief.
Liu Bing: "Thank goodness, the house is mine."
Wu Minghui: "Thank goodness, they didn’t argue—I don’t have to play mediator."
"Then, Regiment Commander Pei, which one would you like?" Wu Minghui asked.
Liu Bing chimed in belatedly, "Regiment Commander Pei, if you really like the first one, you don’t have to give it up for me. We can compete fairly."
Pei Zhengnian’s lips twitched slightly.
What kind of impression had he given them?
Did they really think he’d insist on the apartment building?
"I’d like to look at this area."
Pei Zhengnian pointed directly to a spot on the map.
"Are there any vacant houses in this section?"
Wu Minghui and Liu Bing were so shocked their jaws nearly hit the floor.
Pei Zhengnian was pointing at the bungalow district.
These bungalows were quite old, while the family housing units were newly built just last year.
Which was better?
The answer was obvious.
"Are you sure about this?" Wu Minghui asked.
"Yes."
Pei Zhengnian nodded.
He figured Shen Nanchu would prefer a standalone house with a yard over a cramped apartment.
Liu Bing suddenly felt a little guilty.
He realized he’d been judging Pei Zhengnian by his own petty standards.
"Regiment Commander Pei, you really don’t have to give way to me."
"..." Pei Zhengnian was speechless. "I’m not giving way to you."
Wu Minghui had assumed that since Pei Zhengnian’s family was from the capital, he’d naturally choose the apartment. He never expected Pei Zhengnian to go for the bungalow.
Still, he proceeded to explain the bungalow’s condition.
"Right now, there are only two vacant houses here..."
Even Liu Bing thought they were terrible.
Wasn’t this just like the houses back in his hometown?
What was the difference?
"Regiment Commander Pei, you should really pick the apartment instead."
"If you truly prefer the first one, I can give it up for you."
Liu Bing gritted his teeth, ready to take the hit.
At worst, he’d apologize to his wife and kneel on the washboard once.
But just as he braced himself, Pei Zhengnian refused outright.
"No need. Neither my wife nor I like apartments."
"We’ll take this one."
Wu Minghui stared at the spot Pei Zhengnian had pointed to, his expression incredulous.
"You’re sure?"
"I’m sure."
Pei Zhengnian thought the location was perfect.
No neighbors meant fewer headaches.
Plus, it had a spacious yard facing distant green hills—the scenery was lovely.
Once he fixed up the yard, planted some flowers, and set up a little pavilion with a table and chairs, Shen Nanchu would definitely love it.
As for the house itself, it needed some work.
Pei Zhengnian already had a rough plan in mind.
"Don’t just look at the big yard—the facilities here can’t compare to the apartments."
"No running water, and the public toilet is quite a walk away."
Wu Minghui laid out the bungalow’s shortcomings, trying to be helpful.
Liu Bing also chimed in,
"You should really pick the apartment."
"It’s brand new, everything’s modern."
"Your wife would love it for sure."
Pei Zhengnian politely declined their advice.
"Thank you, but I’ll take this one."
What they saw as problems, Pei Zhengnian didn’t consider issues at all.
He could pay to install a toilet and running water himself.
You can’t save someone determined to walk their own path.
Seeing how firm Pei Zhengnian was, Wu Minghui didn’t push further.
"Alright, if this is what you want, then it’s yours."
"Both of you, fill out the paperwork, and the houses will be assigned to you."
Wu Minghui pulled two documents from his drawer and handed one each to Pei Zhengnian and Liu Bing.
"Thank you, Minister."
"Thank you, Minister."
Pei Zhengnian and Liu Bing quickly signed.
Once everything was settled, Pei Zhengnian turned to Wu Minghui.
"Minister Wu, could I trouble the logistics department to help me buy some renovation materials?"
"Sure, no problem. Make a list and take it to Old Wu in procurement—he’ll get it for you."
Wu Minghui waved a hand, agreeing without hesitation.
Such a small favor was nothing.
"Then I’ll shamelessly borrow your pen and paper for a moment."
"Go ahead."
Pei Zhengnian picked up a sheet of paper and began scribbling down the materials he needed.
Liu Bing lingered, curious about Pei Zhengnian’s plans. He leaned in subtly, trying to peek.
Suddenly, his eyes widened in shock.
Wu Minghui, having nothing better to do, also sidled over to look.
And what he saw stunned him.
10,000 red bricks, 1 ton of lime, 2 tons of sand...
Good grief, was he rebuilding the entire house?
Wu Minghui’s heart ached just thinking about the cost—this would be expensive!
"Kid, you’re not planning to build a toilet in the yard, are you?"
"Exactly."
Pei Zhengnian set down the pen and double-checked his list.
"I’m also adding a small kitchen."
"As for water, I’ll just run a pipe to the house."
Liu Bing swallowed hard.
"Have you calculated the cost?"
"This’ll run you two or three hundred yuan!"
Pei Zhengnian nodded.
"I know. It’s fine—I’ve been in the military long enough to have some savings."
Liu Bing felt a pang of bitterness.
He’d also served for years, yet he had no savings to speak of. If he wasn’t in debt by the end of each month, it was a miracle.
Wu Minghui, however, nodded approvingly.
He knew a thing or two about Pei Zhengnian’s situation.
Pei Zhengnian had been single for years, with no family to support—he’d saved up quite a bit.
For him, two or three hundred yuan was manageable.
Besides, once the yard had a proper toilet and running water, who could say it wasn’t a great place to live?
Wu Minghui mentally gave Pei Zhengnian a thumbs-up—this was a man who knew what he wanted.
Liu Bing, on the other hand, winced internally—this was a man who spent money like water.
...
