Chapter 6: Settling the House and Registering Her Cousin for the Countryside

Ming Dai quietly followed him and only called out when they reached the corner. “Brother Ma Liu, Brother Ma Liu.”

Hearing a young girl’s voice calling him, Ma Liu stopped and turned around in surprise. However, when he saw it was Ming Dai, his excitement faded into disappointment.

Just a scrawny girl.

Crossing his arms, his face still holding traces of anger, he snapped impatiently, “Who the hell are you? What do you want from me?”

Ming Dai lowered her head slightly and stepped forward. “I’m from the courtyard next door. Brother Ma Liu, are you looking to buy a house?”

At the mention of a house, Ma Liu hesitated, his urge to leave suddenly gone.

He eyed the thin, frail-looking girl suspiciously. “You have a house?”

Ming Dai quickly summarized her situation—an orphan girl being oppressed by her uncle’s family, about to be sent to the countryside, with her house on the verge of being taken away.

Although Ma Liu was a troublemaker, he was also someone who valued loyalty.

At 26, he was still unmarried—not because he didn’t want to be, but because his family was too poor. With seven sons in the family, he was the sixth, and there simply wasn’t enough space for everyone.

Buying a house was nearly impossible. Not only were prices high, but no one was selling.

In this era, people were desperately trying to move into the city, and even if a house was available, he couldn’t outbid others.

Now, hearing the girl’s story, he realized this was the perfect opportunity for him.

If he had a house, Fangfang would definitely agree to marry him!

“That uncle of yours is a real bastard. How do you plan to sell the house?”

A good house these days started at a minimum of 300 yuan, and Ming Dai’s home could easily sell for 500.

She warned Ma Liu, “My uncle won’t let this slide easily. He’ll definitely come after you. I need to tell you that upfront.”

Ma Liu waved dismissively and sneered, “Let him come! You think I’m scared of that old bastard?”

Ming Dai was very satisfied with his attitude. “Alright, then. I’ll sell you the house for 400 yuan. I won’t ask for more—just make sure to teach my uncle’s family a lesson for me.”

Ma Liu’s eyes lit up—400 yuan for a house like that? He was getting a steal!

“Deal, little sister! Don’t worry, I’ll take care of your uncle’s family real good!”

Ming Dai nodded with a smile. “I’m leaving early the day after tomorrow, so we’d better go to the housing bureau tomorrow to finalize everything.”

Ma Liu was eager to get it done quickly, too. The struggles of being a bachelor for so long—who would understand his pain?

Ming Dai was equally pleased. Only a scoundrel could handle another scoundrel. She was looking forward to seeing her uncle’s reaction when he found out she had sold the house.

They agreed to meet at the housing bureau the next morning.

After parting ways, Ming Dai wandered leisurely along the river embankment, gazing at this city that felt both familiar and foreign. Everything seemed so new and exciting.

She was really about to start a completely different life.

“Hey! Young lady, come down! Don’t do anything foolish!”

Lost in thought, Ming Dai was suddenly yanked off the embankment by an elderly woman wearing a red armband.

“Oh, you young people! So young, yet already full of worries. Always thinking about throwing your lives away. I, an old lady, haven’t had enough of life yet!”

Ming Dai finally understood—she had been mistaken for someone about to jump into the river! She could only listen helplessly as the old woman lectured her all the way home.

When they arrived at the courtyard, the neighbors immediately gathered around again.

The old lady dramatically recounted how she heroically saved a young girl from taking her own life by the river.

The surrounding neighbors gasped in shock, adding their own commentary about Ming Dai’s unfortunate situation.

The old woman sighed along with them, deeply moved.

Amidst all the murmuring and sighing, Ming Dai quietly slipped back home.

That night, she had another restful sleep.

The Next Morning…

At dawn, Ming Dai set out early.

When she arrived at the housing bureau, there was no one there yet, and the doors were still closed.

She found a sheltered spot away from the wind, took out a coconut pastry from her space, and began eating. After finishing, she discreetly pulled out a bottle of milk from her sleeve and drank it.

Just as she tidied up, Ma Liu arrived.

Seeing him looking around for her, Ming Dai called out to him.

Ma Liu shivered as he walked over.

The morning air was still quite chilly, and his cotton-padded jacket was too thin to keep him warm. His legs trembled as he spoke, “You’re really early, little sister!”

Ming Dai smiled. Fortunately, she had layered up with thermal underwear and a down jacket underneath—otherwise, she would have been freezing just like him.

Ma Liu sniffled and said, “The doors will open soon. Have you had breakfast yet? If not, big brother will treat you!”

Ming Dai shook her head with a smile. “I already ate, Brother Ma Liu.”

Not one to dwell on formalities, Ma Liu lifted the hem of his cotton jacket and pulled out a sewn cloth pouch from his waistband.

Opening it, he revealed a thick stack of banknotes.

Ming Dai: Thank goodness he didn’t keep it in his underwear!

“Here, little sister, count it—exactly 400!”

Ming Dai took the money, turned her back to the wind, and carefully counted it.

Ma Liu chuckled but didn’t rush her.

It was exactly 400, not a cent more or less. Ming Dai carefully tucked it into her bag, then discreetly transferred it into her space before pulling out a key from her bag.

“This is the key to my house, but I suggest you change the lock. I’m not sure if my uncle’s family has a copy.”

Ma Liu grinned as he took the key. “Don’t worry, little sister.”

Seeing that he understood the situation, Ming Dai didn’t say anything more. They waited a little longer until the housing bureau opened.

Half an hour later, they walked out, both smiling.

“Brother Ma Liu, I’m leaving early tomorrow morning. You can go over and take possession of the house anytime. I’ve already packed everything up.”

Ma Liu nodded in satisfaction. He had secretly asked around and confirmed that everything the girl said was true, so he had no concerns about being tricked.

After parting ways, Ming Dai set off to handle one last task.

Using her memory, she made her way to the Educated Youth Office.

The train for the countryside was departing tomorrow, but there was still one vacant slot that hadn’t been filled.

Director Qi, who was in charge of the relocation, was so anxious that he had sores at the corners of his mouth. If no one volunteered, he would have to personally go to people’s homes and drag someone off to the countryside.

“Hello, comrade,” Ming Dai greeted.

A delicate female voice rang out.

Director Qi looked up and saw a timid-looking young girl standing before him.

His eyes lit up. “Are you here to sign up for the countryside relocation?”

Ming Dai smiled. “I’ve already registered. I just wanted to ask if I could change my assigned location.”

Director Qi’s excitement faded instantly. His face turned cold. “Once assigned, locations cannot be changed.”

Ming Dai wasn’t discouraged and continued speaking calmly. “My family signed me up for a commune near the capital, but I don’t like it. I’d rather go to Hei Province to contribute my efforts there. Would that be possible?”

A commune near the capital?

Director Qi’s eyes flickered. Coincidentally, there was someone in Hei Province who wanted to transfer to a closer location.

“It’s not impossible, but only if someone is willing to swap with you.”

Ming Dai smiled again. “Director, is it still possible to register for the countryside program? My cousin was supposed to go, but he forgot to sign up. I’d like to register on his behalf.”

Director Qi’s eyes widened. “Really?!”

Ming Dai nodded. “If you don’t believe me, you can check. The Ming family from Liuer Hutong—two children, one 20, the other 18—neither of them has been sent to the countryside yet.”

Director Qi quickly rummaged through a stack of documents. After a thorough check, he found the records—what she said was true.

However, the current list already included one Ming family member: Ming Dai.

He looked up at the young girl before him, sensing there was more to this story than she was letting on.

But what did it have to do with him?

This household was supposed to have one child sent to the countryside.

It was truly a case of a pillow being delivered right when he needed to sleep—he happened to be short of one quota!

Although the household registration book wasn’t brought over, this was a special situation, so special measures could be taken.

Completing the task was the most important thing!

So, he cleared his throat and looked at Ming Dai with a warm expression.

“Ming Yaozu, right? Where is he being sent?”

Ming Dai thought for a moment. “The Northwest, I suppose. My cousin has a strong sense of duty.”

Director Qi’s mouth twitched. This little girl had quite a sharp mind. But if he could fill a Northwest quota, he was all for it.

“Alright then, I’ll reassign Ming Dai to the Hongqi Commune in Hei Province. There’s someone who wants to switch back anyway.”

Ming Dai smiled in satisfaction.

Before leaving, she reminded him, “Director, if someone comes asking who signed Ming Yaozu up, please say it was Ming Yanhong.”

Since she had helped him solve a problem, Director Qi decided to agree.

Besides, he had no intention of notifying anyone today. He planned to go directly and take the person tomorrow to avoid any unnecessary complications.