Chapter 128: “city Housing Allocation”
Heng Bao was thinking about going roller skating, excitedly rubbing his hands, eyes sparkling, overflowing with intense interest, and asked: “When are we going roller skating?”
“You’re so eager, huh? Ask your mom and dad; we’ll go whenever they say.” Song Yunjin laughed heartily.
Heng Bao looked at Lin Zhao; he knew dad listened to mom. Yu Bao was also very curious about the roller skating that uncle mentioned, looking at it eagerly.
“No rush.” Lin Zhao slowly sipped her tea.
The dragon-phoenix twins were getting sleepy; they’d go after they fell asleep, play for an hour and come back, just right.
Yu Baoheng Bao were a bit disappointed but didn’t urge, sitting on the sofa eating mung bean cake, listening to the adults talk, relaxed and at ease.
After a while, they whispered in each other’s ears again.
“Brother, what do you think of the city?”
Yu Bao thought about it, looking serious, “The city is very convenient; the toilet doesn’t stink, there’s an electric light in the room, it’s easy to get ice cream… it’s great.”
Heng Bao strongly agreed, in a tiny voice: “Yeah, except there’s no yard, the room is small, no other problems.”
Uncle Song sat next to him, hearing everything clearly; he looked around the room—before he didn’t think the home was small, but now he felt it.
He reached out and ruffled Heng Bao’s head.
“It is a bit small. But the houses allocated in the city are all this size; ours is considered big.”
Heng Bao blinked, “Allocated houses?”
Yu Bao was also shocked, mouth forming a vertical O, “The city allocates houses too?!”
“Great uncle, our household registration is also in the city; why didn’t they allocate us a house?” Heng Bao loudly raised the question, secretly thinking in his heart whether their house had been snatched by someone; his little expression turned vigilant.
Uncle Song saw through his thoughts, laughing inwardly, “The prerequisite for allocating a house is having a job; allocating houses also requires queuing—some people queue for years without getting one; there are more people than houses, allocating isn’t simple.”
The factory was in turmoil every year over house allocation; the water there was deep.
“Oh, need a job.” Yu Bao got it, “My mom has a job, so Mom can get a house then?”
“Yes, but allocating houses also depends on seniority; seniority is work tenure, work tenure is how long your mom has been working; longer work time means queuing first.” Uncle Song patiently explained.
Song Yuncheng and Song Yunjin sat on small stools, thinking to themselves that their dad was really patient with the four cubs.
Yu Bao propped his chin, face squished out of shape, tone full of worry, “Mom’s work time is short; she’ll definitely be at the end of the queue.”
“It’s fine.” Lin Zhao’s voice carried a smile, “The allocated houses are small, some not even ventilated; toilet and kitchen are shared, very inconvenient. We have our own house, so don’t eye the allocated ones, okay.”
Yu Bao thought Mom meant the brigade’s yard, beaming, “Right, our house is especially big, with a yard, and we can grow vegetables.”
He remembered something, looking expectant, “Mom, when our house is built, can we raise a chicken?”
Raising chickens can lay eggs and provide meat.
Lin Zhao disliked the smell and didn’t really want to, but facing the cubs’ sparkling eyes, she yielded: “We can raise it, but you have to feed the chicken; you scoop the chicken poop, can’t make the home smelly.”
“I can!” Yu Bao puffed out his chest, thrilled.
Heng Bao loudly said: “I’ll help brother!”
“Alright then, we’ll raise it.” Lin Zhao said.
They already had the dog; before they wanted to raise a tabby cat, now chickens; what next?
“The house I just mentioned isn’t the brigade’s house; it’s the one in the county.” Lin Zhao steered the topic back, telling the cubs they had a yard in the county.
The twins’ eyes went perfectly round.
Their expressions full of disbelief.
“We have a house in the county?” Heng Bao’s little voice almost flew out the window.
Yu Bao couldn’t stay calm either, excitedly saying: “Where is it? Can we go see it?”
“Yes.” Lin Zhao smiled at the two cubs, first answering Heng Bao’s question, then Yu Bao’s, “On East Street; it’s messy there now, but if you want to see, sure—after the ice rink, I’ll take you.”
“I’ll go, I’ll go!” The twins said in unison.
While talking, Qian Bao and Yao Bao nestled in the sofa corner, heads together, asleep, empty milk bottle still clutched in their chubby hands.
Gu Chenghuai carefully took away the milk bottle; seeing Yao Bao move her mouth, he lightly patted his daughter’s back, gently soothing.
In just a few breaths, the little one slept more soundly.
Aunt Song lowered her voice, “Zhaozhao, take the children to the room; I just changed the bed sheet—sleeping on the bed is comfortable.”
She wanted to hold the little cubs but feared waking the two tiny ones, so didn’t dare.
Lin Zhao picked up Yao Bao and put her in aunt’s arms, “These two sleep soundly; won’t wake up from noise.”
While speaking, she picked up Qian Bao; just about to ask which room, Song Yunjin volunteered: “Sis, to our room, to our room.”
The excitement in his hushed voice clearly reached Lin Zhao’s ears.
The milky-scented little cuties sleeping on his bed—his bed would even absorb the milk fragrance.
Lin Zhao nodded obligingly, “Lead the way.”
“Sure thing!” Song Yunjin rushed forward and opened his room door.
The Song family house had a good layout; both rooms had windows, decent size, not too cramped; now with the window open, sunlight shone on the bed, adding a soft glow to the whole room.
“Pretty clean, huh; doesn’t look like you two’s room.”
Aunt Song chuckled; they’d just cleaned it.
She didn’t expose them, giving the two boys face.
Song Yunjin was smug, but kept his voice low, “Of course; knew you were coming, cleaned inside and out, even flushed the hallway with water, and that toilet—super clean; Mom even fumigated it with fragrance.”
The staff dormitory had a public toilet per floor; households took turns cleaning—since everyone used it, they cleaned diligently.
“Specifically cleaned it, no wonder it looks so clean.” Lin Zhao softly replied.
She put Qian Bao on the bed, took off his tiger head shoes, pulled a small blanket to cover his and his sister’s little bellies, then walked out with aunt.
“Uncle, aunt, if Qian Bao and Yao Bao wake up, trouble you to watch them for a bit; Chenghuai and I will take the twins out to play for a while.”
Aunt Song smiled, “Go on, have fun; your uncle and I will take care of them.”
Uncle Song waved his hand, “Watch Yu Baoheng Bao closely; don’t let them get hurt.”
Yu Bao’s little heart warmed; he smiled sweeter than honey, “Great uncle, Heng Bao and I will be careful; we won’t fall.”
“I know you two are good.” Uncle Song ruffled his hair top, eyes indulgent.
Song Yunjin couldn’t wait, knocking on the door to urge, “Going or not? Hurry.”
Lin Zhao held the twins’ hands heading out; Gu Chenghuai grabbed the camera and followed.
They reached the hallway; Song Yunjin saw the black bag in Gu Chenghuai’s hand, eyes lighting up, excitedly saying: “Brother-in-law, is that a camera in your hand?”
Gu Chenghuai nodded.
Thinking Song Yunjin wanted a few photos taken, “I’ll take some of you later.”
But unexpectedly, Song Yunjin blurted: “Brother-in-law, can I touch the camera?”
Gu Chenghuai knew his wife; she was close to the Song brothers, treating them like her own younger brothers; if it were Zhaozhao holding the camera, let alone letting Yunjin touch it, even giving it to him… she wouldn’t hesitate.
“Touch it.” He handed over the camera.
Lin Zhao smiled at Gu Chenghuai.
Song Yunjin took the little black bag, examining it from all sides, eyes full of excitement.
“Awesome, I’m someone who’s touched a camera now!”
“Big shot!” Lin Zhao teased verbally, then switched tone: “Take it out and look.”
“Can I?” The instant Song Yunjin asked, his hand was already on the bag’s zipper, fingers pulling hard; zipper opened, he took out the black brand-new camera, holding it like a treasure.
Lin Zhao couldn’t watch.
So that “can I” was just polite lip service?
So typical of Song Yunjin!
“When we get to the rink, have your brother-in-law teach you how to use it!” Lin Zhao said.
Their family of four just needed someone to take photos.
Song Yunjin bounced in place excitedly a few times, “Great, sis; once I learn, I’ll take a group photo of you all.”
Lin Zhao didn’t hold back: “Of course you’ll take it; learn well, make it look good.”
Song Yunjin’s mouth was exceptionally sweet, “You and brother-in-law are good-looking; Yu Bao and Heng Bao have the best of both of you—how could the photos turn out bad.”
Remembering the film his sis asked him to drop off at the photo studio for developing, he asked: “Sis, did you pick up the photos?”
“First batch yes, second they said ready today; after playing, we’ll swing by to get them.” Lin Zhao said.
“Great!”
While talking, the group arrived at the roller rink.
Song Yuncheng rented a few pairs of roller skates and led the way with Song Yunjin into the stadium.
“Years since I’ve been here; it’s changed a lot.” Lin Zhao looked around, a bit sentimental.
Her first time here was after watching the 1959《 Ice Sisters》 movie. Back then, she and Yuncheng Yunjin were crazy about roller skating, sneaking here even if it meant spending all their lucky money.
Too bad, by next year at latest, this place would definitely be shut down.
But…
Coming to play once before closure, Lin Zhao was satisfied.
Song Yuncheng glanced around, seeing no one, then said: “It used to be even livelier than now, with soda and sugar figures for sale; after closing a few days ago, everything’s gone; everyone’s scared witless. We don’t care; play as much as we can now, before it’s completely shut and we can’t anymore!”
Really, he didn’t get it—what was wrong with keeping a place for people to relax in spare time? How was that extravagance!
Closing here meant one less place to take dates.
Lin Zhao shook her head, expression serious, “Don’t talk about this; don’t mention it in public anymore.”
She remembered clearly—in the original book, Yuncheng lost his newly permanent technician job because of loose lips, betrayed by someone close!
Gu Chenghuai’s expression turned stern, seriously saying: “Listen to your sis.”
Song Yuncheng wanted to say was it necessary, but facing his sister and brother-in-law’s unyielding serious gazes, his heart jumped heavily.
“Okay.” He truly took it to heart, “Got it.”
“Good as long as you remember.” Lin Zhao said.
Yu Baoheng Bao’s first time in such a place; seeing many people gliding quickly, their eyes couldn’t look away.
“Brother, look, they’re so fast.” Heng Bao pulled Yu Bao’s hand, pointing at people in the rink, tone excited.
“The shoes under their feet have little wheels, of course they’re fast.” Song Yunjin said, “Your mom is great at skating; back then crowds watched her; super popular.”
Even attracting some bad boys’ attention; their dad took them to give those guys a lesson, killing the chicken to warn the monkey, so his sis wasn’t pestered.
“Wow!” Yu Bao looked at Lin Zhao admiringly, “Mom, can you teach me?”
“I want Mom to teach me too!” Heng Bao said loudly.
Lin Zhao and Gu Chenghuai changed shoes for the twins.
She smilingly agreed, “Sure. Don’t stand up yet; careful not to fall—wait till I’m ready, I’ll hold you.”
The twins nodded obediently.
The two little brothers simultaneously lifted their feet, looking at the strange shoes, extremely curious.
Lin Zhao changed her shoes, lightly gripped Gu Chenghuai’s arm to stand, glided in place to get the feel, then let go and pushed off, body gliding backward several meters.
Seeing this, Yu Baoheng Bao clapped hard.
“Mom is so awesome!!” The little voices full of pride and joy.
Lin Zhao’s mouth curved in a smile; she turned and glided back, reaching out to the two cubs, “Come, I’ll teach you.”
Glancing at Gu Chenghuai about to speak, she said: “I’ll teach the cubs; you take photos for us.”
Gu Chenghuai smiled helplessly, stepped back half a pace, took out the camera, stood not far away capturing the scene, ready to photograph wife and kids anytime.
Looking closely, his position was clever—no matter what, he could immediately… protect Lin Zhao and the two children.
Yu Bao and Heng Bao unconditionally trusted Mom, reaching out to grab Lin Zhao’s arms.
Feet just touched ground—the shoes slid and slid, totally out of their control; bodies leaned forward, they panicked and grabbed Mom’s arms to steady their little bodies; the more anxious, the more they were about to fall forward.
“Mom, I’m gonna fall.” Heng Bao urgently shouted.
Click from nearby.
Gu Chenghuai captured the son’s embarrassing moment.
Heng Bao hung on Lin Zhao’s arm, incredulously looking at Dad, “Dad!” His voice nearly cracking, embarrassed and annoyed enough to scratch someone.
“Dad, I wasn’t ready yet!” He emphasized, looking puffed up.
Lin Zhao steadied the twins, got the two little brothers standing properly, softly said: “Heng Bao, don’t be so fierce to Dad; Dad definitely took it because… Heng Bao’s clumsy skating look is so cute.”
“Mom thinks it’s cute too.”
Heng Bao was instantly coaxed, his fair little face breaking into a smile; he apologized to Gu Chenghuai, “Sorry Dad, I shouldn’t have yelled.”
After apologizing, he made a request like begging, “Dad, can you take photos of me looking good, like…”
The little friend thought a moment, then said: “Looking super awesome kind.”
Gu Chenghuai: “…” Asking the impossible!
He couldn’t say soft coaxing words for kids; his stern brows knitted together.
Lin Zhao smiled lightly, “In Dad and Mom’s hearts, our own cubs are awesome no matter what.”
Heng Bao was completely fooled by Mom, grinning, “Okay then… Dad, just take however you see!”
Gu Chenghuai raised his hand to pinch his brow.
Wasn’t the little guy too easy to fool?
Still need to send them to school soon!
Lin Zhao handled two cubs alone; Song Yuncheng changed shoes and came up to help his sis teach Yu Baoheng Bao to skate.
The two little friends experiencing roller skating for the first time were thrilled, faces smiling till sore.
“Hahaha, so fun!” Heng Bao was super bold; once slightly adapted to the shoes underfoot, he was like a wild horse off the reins.
“Sis, Heng Bao is just like you!” Song Yuncheng praised.
His sis first time skating wasn’t scared either; after a couple falls, she was steady!
Heng Bao’s smile was brilliant.
Lin Zhao didn’t forget the oldest cub, “Yu Bao is great too.”
Light filled Yu Bao’s eyes.
Nearby, Song Yunjin learned photographing from Gu Chenghuai; once barely able to use it, he took the camera following the gliding Lin Zhao, clicking away.
Clearly his first time touching a camera, yet like a pro, knowing angles, knowing lighting…
