Chapter 9: Settling Down in the County Town

The July sunshine remained brilliant, though not yet as scorching as it would become in later years. A gentle breeze stirred, carrying a faint coolness. This rare mild summer day felt like a gift from heaven bestowed upon the Li family.

In his previous life, Li Yifei had lost his way amid the surging tides of the real estate market. Back then, harboring dreams of a bright future, he had bitten the bullet to buy a house at the peak of soaring prices, believing wholeheartedly it marked the beginning of a happy life. Yet, a nightmare soon followed. Within two short years, housing prices plummeted like a cliff’s edge, wiping out his hard-earned down payment and sinking him deep into the quagmire of mortgage debt.

The misfortune of layoffs came one after another, plunging his life into despair. During those dark days, he keenly felt the bitterness and helplessness of a mortgage slave and saw clearly the merciless nature of the property market.

But now, reborn with memories of his past life and accumulated wealth, Li Yifei was buying a home ahead of time. He knew well that in this era, a house was not just shelter from the elements—it was the key to securing his family’s stability. Thus, he brought his parents to the sales office of the Lido Community to begin their purchase.

Upon entering the sales office, bright lights illuminated a meticulously arranged scale model. Various building models were thoughtfully placed, creating a warm yet professional atmosphere.

Unlike the arrogant and rude sales agents from novels, the saleswoman here smiled sweetly, her eyes sincere. She greeted them warmly and asked softly, “Good day, sir. What kind of floor plan are you interested in? I’d be happy to provide you with a detailed introduction.”

Li Yifei stood tall and upright—six feet tall and weighing around 140 pounds, his sturdy build and composed demeanor made it hard to imagine he was anything but an adult.

Naturally, he took the lead in the negotiations. Fixing the saleswoman with a steady gaze, he asked politely yet professionally, “What discounts are currently available for purchasing a home?”

A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes; clearly, this young yet mature client piqued her curiosity. She quickly replied, “If you choose to pay in full, we will not only gift you a smaller garage but also some exquisite presents. Moreover, you can enjoy a 3% discount on the total price.”

Li Yifei nodded slightly and continued, “Are there any move-in ready units available? We’d like to inspect the actual property.”

“Absolutely! I’ll take you there right away,” she answered enthusiastically, leading the Li family toward the property.

They first visited a third-floor unit. Opening the door, the 130-square-meter space unfolded brightly before them. The north-south ventilation allowed sunlight to flood in freely, while the breeze danced through the rooms, refreshing the air.

The layout was thoughtful; every corner seemed to whisper tales of a beautiful life. Yet, Li Yifei had loftier plans—he hoped to find something more spacious.

Next, they visited a first-floor unit, larger at a full 150 square meters, with an attached garage below. Li Yifei’s eyes lit up as he examined it carefully.

The ground-level garage was spacious; with some modifications, it could easily become a practical room. The saleswoman explained, “The complimentary garage is a smaller one beneath the first floor, located on the shaded side; the sun-facing garages are the truly convenient parking spots. The smaller garage is about six square meters.”

Li Yifei paced thoughtfully inside, already envisioning future scenes of family life. He whispered plans to his parents. Though they didn’t fully understand his insistence on this particular unit, seeing the determination in his eyes, they chose to trust him. In the end, the family decided to buy this first-floor home.

When discussing the garage purchase, Li Yifei decisively opted to buy two adjacent car garages. The saleswoman was somewhat surprised: “Sir, the combined price for these two garages is 6,000 yuan. Although they lie beneath your unit, purchasing two at once is a considerable expense for many families.” Li Yifei smiled confidently, “Money isn’t the issue. I simply don’t want other people’s garages under my home.”

At the final payment, the roughly 170,000-yuan property was reduced to 164,000 after discounts. Besides funds in his stock portfolio, Li Yifei’s available cash flow was just enough to settle the payment in full.

When he swiped his bank card and completed the payment with effortless grace, the saleswoman’s eyes brightened instantly, filled with admiration and envy. In an era where the average wage hovered around 1,350 yuan, few could muster over a hundred thousand yuan for a one-time home purchase. Li Yifei’s generosity left her with newfound respect for this young client.

Signing the contract and receiving the keys brought Li Yifei a profound sense of accomplishment. He knew this was more than just a house—it was the first step toward changing his family’s fate.

Stepping out of the sales office, the sunshine remained radiant. Clutching the keys tightly, Li Yifei turned to his parents and said, “Mom, Dad, this will be our new home. I promise to give you a good life.” Seeing the resolute gleam in their son’s eyes, tears of relief and joy welled in their own.

Next came the renovation phase. Li Yifei understood that people’s tastes in home decoration remained rather outdated—mostly plain whitewashed walls, lacking both beauty and practicality, and with no regard for environmental health. But he refused to settle. He decided to hire a reputable company to create a comfortable, eco-friendly, and safe home.

After careful inquiries and meticulous selection, he finally chose a well-regarded renovation firm. In discussions with the project manager, Li Yifei displayed professionalism and attention to detail far beyond his years.

“I want materials that are absolutely formaldehyde-free,” he said earnestly. “My family’s health comes first. Avoid the currently popular rosewood furniture and flooring—they’re expensive and high-maintenance. The lights should be ceiling-mounted; hanging fixtures are unsafe and collect dust easily. Windows must open both inward and outward, as sliding windows don’t seal well.”

He paused, then continued with precise demands: “The two floors need to be connected by knocking down walls. One door on the lower floor must be sealed and converted into a window. Secure burglar-proof windows should be installed upstairs and downstairs, no exceptions. Doors must be thick steel for soundproofing. Waterproofing and moisture barriers are essential. The floor should be slightly elevated compared to outside to prevent rainwater backflow. The construction period is three months, with payments made only after each phase passes inspection.”

At first, the renovation manager was somewhat dismissive, thinking this young man’s demands excessive. But after tallying the requests and estimating costs, he quickly grew enthusiastic, confidently assuring, “Rest assured, sir, we will meet your standards and deliver quality work!”

Watching the renovation crew begin their work, Li Yifei felt a heavy weight lift from his heart. He knew this summer, he must not only oversee the renovation’s progress but also plan for a longer-term future for his parents.

He intended to purchase several commercial storefronts next year, enabling his parents to run small businesses and completely escape the harsh fate of working hard into their sixties like before.

Standing before the soon-to-be-renovated home, Li Yifei gazed up at the blue sky and white clouds, his heart brimming with hope.

He firmly believed that with his efforts and the lessons of his past life, he could create a happy and beautiful future for his family—and this house was only the beginning of their new life.