manynovel Chapter 42 Liu Su'e, a Good Environment
Chapter 42 Liu Su'e, a Good Environment
"Is there something you need?"
The middle-aged woman, holding a newspaper, stared blankly at the police officer standing at the door.
No matter the era, it's never a good thing when the police come knocking.
Especially in the French Concession today, the police have a lot of negative reputation.
His face was full of confusion and panic, as if he hadn't expected the police to come to his door, and wondered if he had done something wrong.
Shen Lang smiled politely and said, "Hello, Auntie. I heard you have attic rooms for rent?"
He was very polite and well-mannered in every word and deed; he was practically a model young man. If an acquaintance saw him like this, they would be absolutely astonished.
Even small vendors in the alleyways of his jurisdiction would shrink back in fear upon seeing him.
Fortunately, the police usually target small vendors and don't bother ordinary people, which is why the landlord was unaware of "Brother Lang's" notorious reputation. Otherwise, he would have been too scared to leave long ago.
"My name is Liu Su'e, you can just call me Aunt Liu. Young man, are you looking to rent a small room?"
When Liu Su'e heard that she wanted to rent a house, a warm smile immediately appeared on her face.
She came from a wealthy family and received a good education, eventually marrying and having a son.
The family was originally harmonious, but unfortunately, her husband died young in an accident while doing business abroad, and her son went to Guangdong a few years ago, leaving her all alone at home.
Although her family's savings were enough for her to live a quality life, she thought of renting out the vacant house to earn some living expenses.
So, I advertised the rental of the booth two weeks ago, with a monthly rent of 15 yuan.
Unfortunately, very few people came to see the house after the advertisement was published, and even those who did came left because they thought it was too expensive.
After all, for the same price, you could rent a room next door, so why stay in a small room?
A monthly rent of 15 yuan (Chinese currency) is enough for a family of five to live on for a month.
A female worker in a yarn factory earns only 9 yuan a month after a hard month's work, while a rickshaw puller works day and night and earns only a few yuan a month after deducting his share of the profits.
Lian Huabu's salary is only about ten yuan a month.
These people's hard-earned monthly income isn't even enough to cover a month's rent!
No wonder there are very few people looking at the house, and those who do come only glance at it and leave.
The situation is relatively stable now. Although people from other places have fled to the concession, the number is not too large, and houses are not in short supply.
Moreover, the refugees were mostly poor people living in shantytowns along the river.
The shantytowns where refugees lived were quite different from the shantytowns of later generations, which consisted of old buildings and bungalows.
The refugees gathered by the river and rolled up bamboo mats into a boat-shaped arch, with rags at both ends to make curtains, like a boat awning, which served as their dwelling.
In summer, it can't shield you from the scorching sun, and in winter, it can't keep out the cold wind; it's truly cold in winter and hot in summer.
They can't even afford to eat, how can they afford to rent a house?
Even those with decent living conditions only rent ordinary small rooms, which cost only 6-9 yuan per month, half the price.
Shen Lang turned his head to look around and was very satisfied with the courtyard and flower bed at the entrance.
She smiled and said, "Aunt Liu, may I take a look at the attic room first?"
Since we're going to be staying here long-term, it's essential to check out the living environment.
Otherwise, if you look glamorous on the outside but live in a terrible room, you'll suffer.
"Okay, okay, come here!" Liu Su'e smiled broadly and waved enthusiastically to lead the way.
Besides wanting to rent out the house as soon as possible, I also had a good impression of the young police officer.
Shen Lang usually walks with his hips swaying and his nonchalant demeanor gives him a roguish and cunning air.
But if he puts away the deliberately cultivated roguish air, coupled with his fairly handsome face and polite manners, he still gives people a good impression of a sunny, boyish guy.
In addition, the black leather shoes he was wearing undoubtedly had a deterrent effect.
For a middle-aged woman living alone, having a police officer living in her home definitely has a protective effect.
The French Concession is now plagued by disorder and theft is rampant.
It's actually quite dangerous for a woman to live alone in a big house.
If someone with malicious intent targets you, you might be lucky enough to be a thief sneaking in at night to steal something, or you might be unlucky enough to encounter a ruthless person who simply breaks in and robs you.
There were so many opium dens in the concession, and the streets were full of smokers who were addicted to cigarettes. These people would do anything to get a couple of puffs.
Renting out the house also gives them courage, letting thieves know that there are many people in the house and they won't dare to steal from them.
Therefore, renting to a polite and well-mannered police officer would be the most suitable tenant.
He was even secretly thinking about whether he should give him a discount on the rent or other fees.
When faced with the most suitable tenant, who is also the rarest person to show up for the apartment, one's attitude is naturally very good.
He explained the situation along the way.
Passing through the courtyard leads to the living room, and passing through the kitchen leads to the staircase to the second floor.
Go up the stairs to the corner on the second floor, and you'll find the pavilion room.
It is located above the kitchen and below the drying platform.
Further up are the front, middle, and back rooms, which are the bedrooms for the master and his children.
When the door to the pavilion was opened, Shen Lang's eyes lit up.
A typical pavilion room is about 6 square meters, but this pavilion room is at least 10 square meters.
What he was most satisfied with was the three-meter ceiling height, which made the whole space feel more spacious and not oppressive.
It's worth noting that there are also small rental booths nearby, but their ceiling height is only 2 meters.
I'm worried about bumping my head if I walk even slightly uphill.
Moreover, the coal used for cooking and heating, the latest model flush toilet in the bathroom, and the kerosene water heater that allows for showering at any time make the overall facilities very complete.
For people who are used to enjoying life, this environment is already quite good.
No wonder the price in the concession area was twice that of other small rooms, but considering the overall facilities and living environment, it was worth the money.
The living environment is nice yet understated, and the alleyways provide easy access to all parts of the city, making it the dream home of my dreams.
Liu Su'e noticed that the other party seemed quite satisfied. After several unsuccessful attempts to view properties, she quickly weighed the options in her mind.
He gritted his teeth and said, "The rent is 15 yuan per month, which includes coal for cooking and kerosene for showering. What do you think?"
This was only because the other party was wearing a police uniform, which was supposed to have a protective effect on the house.
Otherwise, we would have to pay an extra 5 cents for water, electricity, kerosene and oil every month.
Shen Lang was also very satisfied with the environment and said generously, "Okay, then I'll pay a year's rent first."
This isn't about being foolish because you have money; it's about thinking about the future.
With the outbreak of war, a large number of refugees will flood into the concessions, making it difficult to rent a house.
So why not pay a year's rent upfront and sign a one-year agreement? Even if the rent increases a few months later, you can still live in the house, right?
Otherwise, if you want to rent a better place, you'll have to go to Rue Pétain, a wealthy area.
"Sign it!" Liu Su'e raised an eyebrow and immediately took out the rental contract she had prepared beforehand.