Chapter 150: The Siheyuan in Nanluoguxiang That night, Ning Weidong did not go home after get off work. After sending Zhao Ruyu back home, he went directly to the restaurant outside Fuchengmen. Liu Yun and his wife were already waiting at the door. It was just getting dark at this time. Ning Weidong stored his bicycle and arrived at the door of the hotel. Only then did the two people see him and immediately jogged down the stairs. Liu Yun took the lead and said with a hearty laugh: "Old classmate, you are really full of vigor and vitality!" Ning Weidong laughed, shook hands with Liu Yun, looked behind her, called out "Lao Yang", and the two shook hands warmly. Yang Zhengdong held his hands and said, "Chief Ning, I apologize for the intrusive invitation." Ning Weidong waved his hand and said, "What section chief? Please don't look down on me. You call me Lao Ning and I call you Lao Yang." Yang Zhengdong quickly responded and the three of them walked inside. Liu Yun and his wife had already booked a private room. After the host and guest sat down, Yang Zhengdong poured tea and asked, "Lao Ning, this is our first meal together. Is there anything we should avoid eating?" Ning Weidong waved his hand: "No, anyone who is picky can't grow to my physique."
The three of them laughed again. Liu Yun is very good at adjusting the atmosphere. Although there were only three people and Yang Zhengdong was a stranger, there was no dull moment. After three rounds of drinks, Liu Yun finally started talking and asked, "Lao Ning, when you were sent to work in the Northeast, do you have any connections there that can be used?" Ning Weidong smiled. Although he had spoken vaguely on the phone before, he had roughly guessed Liu Yun's purpose, otherwise he would not have come here tonight. He laughed and said, "The Northeast is very big. The place where I went to work is just outside Shanhaiguan, and there are young people from all over the place..." Liu Yun was embarrassed for a moment: "The Great Northern Wilderness in Heilongjiang Province." Ning Weidong frowned, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "I say, you are kidding. The place where I went to work in the countryside is more than a thousand kilometers away from the Great Northern Wilderness, which is farther than the capital. You came to me for your Great Northern Wilderness affairs. You..." Liu Yun looked helpless and said with a sad face: "Weidong, I really have no other choice, so I came to you. I know you have a wide network of contacts, can you help me think of a solution?" Ning Weidong looked at Yang Zhengdong and said, "You've confused me. It's hard to explain what's going on over the phone. Please tell me in detail. Is it your elder brother Liu Guangzhi? Is he in Heilongjiang Province?" Liu Yun immediately repeated it in detail. It was her eldest brother, Liu Guangzhi, who went to Heilongjiang Province to work in the countryside and stayed there for six or seven years. Originally according to the current policy, Liu Guangzhi could come back. But the problem was that Liu Guangzhi was already married there and had a formal job. If I come back directly, what will happen to my wife and children? What will happen to my work relationships? So Liu Yun wanted to bring Liu Guangzhi and his entire family back to the capital at once and also get the job done. As for why they looked for Ning Weidong, it’s not because Ning Weidong himself is so powerful. In fact, strictly speaking, although Liu Yun's lover Yang Zhengdong's position in the Housing Management Office is not as high as Ning Weidong's, Yang Zhengdong's actual power is more practical than Ning Weidong's and its scope of influence is also wider. After all, no matter how powerful Ning Weidong, the deputy section chief, is, he can only be powerful within the Red Star Factory. But the last time, when they met by chance during the barbecue season, the couple saw Ning Weidong and Zhao Ruyu together. The intimacy between the two of them clearly showed that they had a special relationship. Although Liu Yun and his wife did not know Zhao Ruyu, the leader who had dinner with them that day vaguely remembered where he had seen him.
After going back and doing some quick research, I found out that she was indeed a girl from the Zhao family. Afterwards, I specifically asked Yang Zhengdong about their relationship with Ning Weidong. That's how Liu Yun and her husband found out that Ning Weidong was actually living off the daughter of a big boss. Only after several setbacks did he think of asking Ning Weidong for help, as a last-ditch effort. Ning Weidong pondered and said, "In other words, if you want to bring your eldest brother and his family of three to Beijing, you have to transfer your work relationship back..." Liu Yun said with a bitter face: "I know it's difficult, but my parents at home worry about it every day. Especially my mother's health has not been very good. She has been hospitalized twice for heart disease in the past two years. I think that if I can call my eldest brother back, maybe she can live two more years..." Then she sighed helplessly again. Ning Weidong sighed and expressed deep sympathy for Liu Yun's family situation, but the situation was really difficult to deal with. If he relies on himself alone, there is no way this thing can be accomplished. If you really want to accomplish it, you must borrow the power of the Wang family or the Zhao family. But why? Ning Weidong's relationship with his 'old classmate' Liu Yun is not enough for him to use this relationship. I believe Liu Yun and Yang Zhengdong also understand this in their hearts. Therefore, Liu Yun and Yang Zhengdong also put out attractive chips. Liu Yun said: "Weidong, you also know our Lao Yang's unit~" At this point she lowered her voice: "It's more or less... convenient." Ning Weidong heard that she wanted to say "some power", but changed her words in the end. Ning Weidong raised his eyebrows. Liu Yun continued: "Weidong, I heard that you are planning to get married next year?" Ning Weidong and Zhao Ruyu's marriage is settled, but the marriage certificate and wedding ceremony will have to wait until next year. Ning Weidong will be 22 years old next year, which is the legal age for marriage. Ning Weidong nodded and waited for her to continue. Liu Yun said, "It just so happens that there is a nice house in Lao Yang's office." Then she looked at Yang Zhengdong. Yang Zhengdong quickly took over the conversation: "Lao Ning, that is indeed a rare good house, right next to Nanluoguxiang, with three courtyards in the main house, straight and neat. The most important thing is that it was originally a dormitory for the Material Bureau. Later, the Material Bureau built a staff building, and this side was vacant. Originally, they wanted to divide it and rent it out, but it was spotted by someone else and renovated..." Ning Weidong's heart moved and he knew what was going on with this house. In fact, this kind of house is not uncommon in Beijing in the past two years. As the old saying goes, things change over time. Those people who were very successful in previous years have all fallen into disuse in the past two years. The positions, houses and treatment originally occupied by them will naturally be vacated. These vacated spaces will be redistributed soon. But some special cases are inevitable, such as this courtyard house. Ning Weidong asked: "What's the situation in this yard?"
Yang Zhengdong said: "There is nothing wrong with the yard. The property rights are very clear. The owner has not appeared for more than ten years." Ning Weidong frowned: "The landlord? Didn't you say it was the dormitory of the Material Bureau?" Yang Zhengdong said: "The Material Bureau also rented a house from someone else. This house has been passed down since the Qing Dynasty. However, the original owner had a problem with his family background. He ran away in the 1960s and has not been heard from since then. There has been no news for more than ten years." Ning Weidong nodded, understanding what Yang Zhengdong meant. This is to "give" him this yard. It is said to be a gift, but in fact it is a sale. There are many tricks involved, which cannot be told to outsiders. If an ordinary person wants to find such a yard, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Not to mention now, even in the future, with the Internet, one will be trapped in a sea of true and false information. But Yang Zhengdong is an insider who has direct access to first-hand information, so he can seize this resource. As Yang Zhengdong spoke, he looked at Ning Weidong's expression and asked tentatively, "Old Ning, how about we go over there after dinner? It's not too far, we can get there in a short ride." Ning Weidong thought about it and nodded, "Let's take a look." When they heard him give in, Yang Zhengdong and Liu Yun both breathed a sigh of relief. Especially Liu Yun, who couldn't control the expression of joy on her face. As long as Ning Weidong agreed to go, it would mean there was hope. If he didn't even go, it would mean there was no hope, and no matter how hard they tried, it would be useless, and she would have completely given up. Ning Weidong had other plans in mind. This courtyard house must not fall into his hands, and he will never live there. No matter how good it is, it's a bit too eye-catching. As long as it is a good thing, there will definitely be a lot of people watching it, either openly or secretly. Yang Zhengdong is not the only smart person in the Housing Management Office. There must be many others who know this information. But this does not prevent the yard from being registered under the name of a certain collective. It just so happened that after the last meeting with the Li siblings, the two sides reached a preliminary agreement and were preparing to work together to get the approval documents. On the surface, Li Yuanchao already has a trading company, so Ning Weidong and Zhao Ruyu also have to set up a team. Even if it is a makeshift team, it has to look good. It seems like it would be embarrassing for them to work for Li Yuanchao. In addition, Zhao Ruyu could no longer continue to work at the Red Star Factory. Ning Weidong thought about this as he left the restaurant with Liu Yun and his wife. As for Brother Liu Yun's matter, Ning Weidong really didn't take it too seriously. There is nothing wrong with this in principle, but due to the reality, it is simply impossible to implement. For Liu Yun and her friends, the situation was extremely difficult and they encountered obstacles at every turn. But in Ning Weidong's opinion, it was not a problem at all. He could just let Zhao Ruyu go and it would be done in a few days.
The three of them rode their bicycles from outside Fuchengmen to Nanluoguxiang. It was a late May evening. Riding a bicycle with the breeze blowing on your face is quite comfortable. In less than half an hour, the three of them had arrived near Nanluo. This place is far less lively than in later generations. Follow the road and turn into the alley. It’s the third house in front. The alley in front of the door is quite spacious and can accommodate about two cars. Some people were chatting in the alley, and when they saw the three people stopped in front of the gate of that house, they couldn't help but take a second look. Most of the yards around here are large compound and very few are empty. When they arrived at the door, Liu Yun and his wife were prepared, and Yang Zhengdong took out the key from his pocket. With a "click" sound, the big black padlock hanging on the door opened. With a creaky sound, the door opened, accompanied by the sound of door hinges rubbing against each other. The door was a bright one, but it was pitch black inside. Yang Zhengdong took two familiar steps forward and reached out to turn on the power switch. There was a "pop" sound, a spark was produced, and then the light in front of the door came on. The three of them walked inside. When you enter the courtyard, you will see lights on the second hanging flower gate, illuminating the area around it. Ning Weidong took a quick look and found that Liu Yun had not lied just now. This place had indeed just been renovated. The cement bricks on the floor are newly laid, and the hanging flower gate is also painted. The doorposts on both sides are painted bright vermilion. The back house opposite the Chuihua Gate also has new doors and windows. It is not very visible from the outside, but it is a different world inside. This was not the first time Yang Zhengdong came here. He stood by and smiled. Rong Ning Weidong looked around and raised his hand to gesture towards the door: "Shall we go inside and take a look?" Ning Weidong nodded and took the lead in pushing open the hanging flower door. There is a winding corridor inside the hanging flower gate, and there are east and west wing rooms on the left and right. There is a green screen door in the front. This place is usually closed and is only opened when distinguished guests come to the house. Ning Weidong and the other two walked around the screen door and entered the central courtyard. The area of the central courtyard is not small, and because only the hanging flower gate has lights, the courtyard looks a bit eerie. Yang Zhengdong and Liu Yun hurriedly lit the lights in each room.
Soon white fluorescent lights came on in the windows, brightening the yard. The whole yard suddenly felt different. Ning Weidong couldn't help but nod secretly. The yard was indeed nice and had a good foundation. It must have cost a lot to build the house in the first place. The north room in the middle and the left and right wing rooms were all built very high. Later, a master craftsman was hired to do the renovation and the work was done very meticulously. He walked around the rooms again. The north house and the east wing were both empty, and it was obvious that no one had lived there since they were renovated. Only in the west wing, there are a lot of furniture, all of which are old mahogany furniture. Ning Weidong didn't know much about mahogany furniture, but he could tell that everything piled up in the house was unusual. Yang Zhengdong followed beside him and said without losing any time: "Chief Ning, all the furniture here will also go with the house..." Although Ning Weidong just said that he didn't want to call him "Section Chief Ning, Section Chief Ning", Yang Zhengdong still acted according to the situation. Ning Weidong just said "hmm" and didn't say much. Coming out of the west wing, Liu Yun asked again: "Let's go take a look in the backyard?" Ning Weidong waved his hand and said, "No need." The essence of the entire courtyard is in the middle yard. As for the back room, it is just a bonus. Judging from the conditions of the front and back yards, it must not be too bad. Ning Weidong stood in the courtyard and said after a moment of hesitation: "Liu Yun, Lao Yang, I know the situation, but we are thousands of miles apart, so I dare not promise you two. Wait until I get back and ask." Liu Yun was overjoyed, and Yang Zhengdong also breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly said, "Chief Ning, don't worry, find someone you trust for this house, and I will help you with the formalities right away." Ning Weidong said, "Don't worry about the house yet. Wait until I figure things out. I'll eat one bite at a time and do one thing at a time." Yang Zhengdong quickly responded without saying anything more. Then the three of them went out of the yard and went their separate ways. Liu Yun and his wife stood on the side of the road, watching Ning Weidong ride away on his bike, and they both breathed a sigh of relief. Liu Yun suppressed her joy and whispered, "Old Yang, what do you think he meant? He agreed to our request, but he's not in a hurry to get the house?" Yang Zhengdong said, "What could that mean? He was afraid that something might happen inside, so he took it hastily and it would get too hot. We must investigate what exactly happened." Liu Yun frowned. In her impression, Ning Weidong was a reckless person and didn't have that many thoughts. But then she thought, she and Ning Weidong have not had much contact for several years since graduating from junior high school. (End of this chapter)
