Qin Ge watched the girl run back happily, then looked at the mother and her three daughters, nodding slightly.
The mother and daughters also nodded back at him. Then, Qin Ge carried his things back to the Siheyuan.
In this era, he had only just found a place to stay and really didn't have the ability to help them much. He only hoped they could live in peace.
As soon as Qin Ge walked into the Siheyuan, his path was blocked by the three Aunts.
Qin Ge greeted them politely, "Hello, Aunts."
One of the Aunts said, "You must be young Qin Ge, right? I'm your First Aunt, this is your Second Aunt, and that's your Third Aunt."
"Our Old Yi told us that if you need any help, just say the word."
Qin Ge sized up the three Aunts. Fortunately, he had seen the original plot and knew that among the three, First Aunt was relatively better.
Third Aunt was just like Yan Fugui, adhering to the philosophy: 'One won't be poor from eating or drinking, but one will be poor for a lifetime without calculating.'
"Second Aunt followed Second Uncle's lead; whatever Second Uncle said went. If there were any good people in this courtyard, First Aunt would be one of them."
"Alright, First Aunt. I've just arrived at the Siheyuan and don't know anything. I'll surely be bothering you three in the future."
Aunt Yi replied with a smile, "No problem, just give us a shout if you need anything. We won't bother you anymore, young Qin Ge."
Qin Ge returned to his own courtyard, and two people arrived.
One of them asked, "Hello, are you Comrade Qin Ge? I'm the renovation master introduced by Director Wang. My surname is Wang."
"Hello, Master Wang. I'm Qin Ge."
"Comrade Qin Ge, do you have any ideas for the house renovation? I brought tools today. How about we measure the area first, and then I'll listen to your suggestions on how to renovate?"
Qin Ge said, "Master Wang, I want to convert these four rooms into one."
Master Wang asked, "A major structural change?"
Qin Ge asked, "Master Wang, do you have a pen and paper?"
Master Wang replied, "Yes."
Qin Ge took the pen and paper and began to draw on it.
Half an hour later, Master Wang took the drawings and said in surprise, "Comrade Qin Ge, you draw beautifully! This design is so advanced; I've never done anything like it before."
Qin Ge said, "Master Wang, I'm not in a hurry. You can take your time. Just repair the room at the entrance of the courtyard first so I can move in."
Master Wang reminded him, "Comrade Qin Ge, winters in Sijiucheng are very cold."
Qin Ge said, "Calculate what materials are needed and how much the labor will cost."
Master Wang said, "My apprentice and I will measure the house area first, then calculate the materials needed."
Two hours later, Master Wang and his young apprentice finished measuring the area.
Master Wang said, "Comrade Qin Ge, I just did the math. If we finish the entire renovation, the materials and labor will cost about 900 yuan."
"It's called a renovation, but it's really no different from a reconstruction, so it's quite expensive. Most of the money is for materials. We'll see about the specifics later," Master Wang explained, fearing Qin Ge might misunderstand.
"I'll need you to pay 400 yuan upfront for materials. If you buy the materials yourself, just give me a 50 yuan deposit."
Qin Ge took out 450 yuan and handed it to Master Wang. "Master Wang, please count it."
Master Wang declined, "400 yuan is enough."
Qin Ge said, "Master Wang, we have a custom in my hometown. When renovating a house, we provide lunch every day. I'm not sure if that's the rule here."
Master Wang replied, "Workers going home for lunch delays the work. Some families provide a meal; we eat whatever the employer makes."
"I'm alone here and can't cook for you. This 30 yuan is for the brothers' lunch every day."
Master Wang hurriedly said, "Comrade Qin Ge, you're being too polite. We can just go home and eat."
Qin Ge insisted, "It's fine, Master Wang. I'll have to trouble you later. Just have a simple meal here every lunch or go back to eat; it's up to you."
"I'll provide this until the house is repaired. If the lunch money isn't enough, let me know. Thank you for your hard work."
Master Wang said gratefully, "It's what we should do, Comrade Qin Ge. You're too kind."
His parents' generation had said that one must never skimp on food, drink, or money for the builders. A house is a family's lifelong fortune. Some masters might use 'Yansheng techniques'—he didn't know if it was true.
Qin Ge asked, "Master Wang, let's leave it at that for today. When do you think you can start?"
Master Wang said, "I'll go back now and get my apprentice and fellow workers. We'll clean up that small room today so you can move in tonight."
"We'll officially start tomorrow, clear the trash, demolish what needs to be demolished, and I'll help you buy the materials."
After Master Wang left, Qin Ge sat on the steps and reached into his pocket, only to realize he had forgotten to buy cigarettes. For a smoker of over ten years in his past life, the feeling of wanting to smoke but having no cigarettes was unpleasant.
He decided to go out for another stroll. After just a few steps, heavy snow began to fall.
The snow came suddenly; it would surely be very cold tonight. He wondered how those four—the mother and daughters—would spend the night and if they could make it through this winter.
Forget it, he'd go back and take a look. If he ran into them, he'd help if he could; if not, so be it. Qin Ge stepped out of the Siheyuan.
Before he had gone far, he reached the intersection and looked to see if the mother and daughters were still there. He saw the four of them huddling together. It wasn't too cold yet, so they leaned against each other.
They probably hadn't eaten, and with the cold weather and thin clothes, they looked miserable. Qin Ge slowly walked over.
Qin Ge asked, "Ma'am, you're still here?"
The middle-aged woman looked up. "Hello, young man. Out buying things again?"
Qin Ge replied, "Yes, I just found workers to help with the renovation, so I'm out to buy some things. It's snowing now, and it will be very cold at night. Do you have a place to stay?"
The woman shook her head helplessly. "We've just arrived in Sijiucheng. We're strangers in a strange land with no relatives or friends. I was just worrying about how we'll get through the night.
It doesn't matter for someone my age, but I'm worried about my three daughters. I'm afraid they won't survive tonight."
"Even if we survive tonight, what about tomorrow and the day after..." As she spoke, the woman's tears began to flow.
Qin Ge's heart softened instantly. "Ma'am, if you don't mind, I have a place where you can take shelter from the snow, though it might be a bit cold."
The woman waved her hands hurriedly. "I don't mind, I don't mind. Young man, will it be too much trouble for you?"
Qin Ge said, "No trouble at all, Ma'am. Please wait a moment. I'll go buy some things and then take you there."
After saying that, Qin Ge walked towards the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Entering the cooperative, he ran into the same salesclerk from before.
The salesclerk asked warmly, "Oh, you're back for more, young man? What are you missing this time?"
Qin Ge asked, "What kind of cigarettes do you have here?"
The salesclerk replied, "We have Daqianmen and Hongshuangxi."
Qin Ge said, "Then give me some Daqianmen."
Qin Ge bought quite a lot of things. Just as he walked out of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative carrying several bags, he saw the mother and three daughters standing at the entrance, also carrying bags.
The tall girl was slightly hunched over with her head down, making it impossible to see her face. Two long ponytails hung down her back.
There were also two twin little girls about fourteen or fifteen years old, blinking their large eyes. Their scarves covered half their faces, which were covered in soot, making it hard to see their features.
Qin Ge said, "Ma'am, I've finished shopping. Follow me."
"Alright, thank you."