Chapter 17 Renting a Single Room

Sun Wenwen didn’t care what kind of person Peng Zhigang was; she would just keep her distance. As long as he didn’t interfere with her plans, everything was fine. Peng Zhigang introduced himself and continued, “Let me explain the living arrangements. You can choose to live in a dormitory with other educated youth or rent a private room. Dormitories are free; private rooms cost two yuan a month.

” He then showed them the living conditions. Dormitories housed three to five people, like factory or school dormitories.  Private rooms were more convenient, but many educated youth couldn’t afford the rent.

Five private rooms had been added to the educated youth center, but only one was rented; most educated youth chose the dormitory. 

Two yuan could buy a lot of grain. A kilogram of rice or flour cost around eight to ten cents. Two yuan could buy twenty to thirty kilograms of grain, which was more cost-effective than renting a room. Liu Yulan wanted a private room but didn’t have much money. Although her mother said she would send her more money, their family’s financial situation was limited.

 She chose the free dormitory. Mu Jingxun and Bai Ziyong said, “We’ll rent a private room together.”  They were childhood friends and had no problem sharing a room.  Renting two rooms would be wasteful and expensive. Peng Zhigang felt more hostile towards Mu Jingxun and Bai Ziyong. 

They were better-looking and richer than him; what if the village girls were attracted to them? Mu Jingxun and Bai Ziyong felt Peng Zhigang’s hostility; they thought he was strange. Did he hate the rich? Did he resent them for renting a house? Jiang Li had money and wouldn’t share a dormitory.  She needed privacy for cultivation. She told Peng Zhigang, “I’ll rent a room too.” Peng Zhigang looked at Jiang Li; she was rich and beautiful.

He thought he could pursue her. He wasn’t young and was being pressured to marry. He didn’t like the village women; he was a city person and a high school graduate; he needed someone of equal status.  He worried that marrying a village woman would affect his chances of returning to the city.

 Therefore, he hoped to find a well-off educated youth. Jiang Li was beautiful and rich; she was perfect. Jiang Li didn’t know Peng Zhigang’s thoughts; if she did, she would have mocked him. Was he dreaming?  Liu Yulan was jealous that Jiang Li could afford a private room.

Sun Wenwen felt threatened; if Jiang Li and Mu Jingxun lived close, they would have more opportunities to interact.  She wouldn’t allow that! Mu Jingxun was hers! Although Sun Wenwen didn’t have much money, she decided to rent a private room.  She would become an official’s wife. 

She gritted her teeth and told Peng Zhigang, “I’ll rent a private room too.” Four of the five new educated youth rented private rooms; Peng Zhigang felt resentful. They were all rich. “Choose your rooms; I’ll take you to the brigade leader to pay the rent later.” Peng Zhigang told Liu Yulan, “Liu Zhiqing, go to the dormitory and coordinate with the other educated youth.” Liu Yulan went to the dormitory.

Jiang Li chose a room on the west side.  Next to her were Mu Jingxun and Bai Ziyong, and next to them was Sun Wenwen. Jiang Li chose her room, and Peng Zhigang let them move in. They had to buy their own locks.  Jiang Li put her luggage down. The room was dirty; she would clean it later. It was lunchtime; she would eat first.

Peng Zhigang told the new educated youth to eat with the other educated youth. Li Changping had sent some grain so they would have enough food for the new arrivals. Jiang Li and the others went to the dining area. The other educated youth were already seated. They weren’t interested in the new arrivals, but Mu Jingxun, Bai Ziyong, and Jiang Li attracted their attention.