Chapter 00109: Lechun Lane
# Lechun Lane
Chapter 109
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 109: Lechun Lane
"Mom, what brings you here?" Chen Qi was surprised.
It was the first time his parents had come to the Beijing Film Studio to find him.
"I came to tell you that your dad and I have finally found a suitable place for you. When you have time, come home, and we'll take you to see it."
"Finding a place can't wait! I have time now. Wait for me, I'll grab my bike!" He dashed back and soon returned, riding his old bicycle.
Yu Xiuli didn't waste any time either and immediately set off.
The Beijing Film Studio was located in the northern part of the city.
They headed south, passing through the universities in Haidian District, then turned east at the Second Ring Road, crossing Shichahai, and finally stopped at the southern bank of Shichahai.
From there, they entered a maze of alleyways.
Shichahai was a historic area where many famous figures had lived, including Zhang Zhidong, Feng Youlan, Wenxiu (Puyi's concubine), Guo Moruo, Marshal Hua, and Hou Baolin.
Old residents often reminisced about seeing Marshal Hua strolling by the lake.
As Chen Qi entered the alley, he first saw the famous "Baimi Xie Street" sign.
Turning south from there, he suddenly found himself in a small lane.
At the entrance of the lane was a sign: Lechun Lane!
"Back in the Ming Dynasty, a southern scholar bought this land and built a garden, imitating the scenic beauty of Jiangnan. Many literati gathered here, and they named it Lechun Lane. By the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China era, a bathhouse was opened here. After the founding of the People's Republic, a small factory was set up, but it eventually went under. Now, it's just a dilapidated place."
Chen Qi's expression was subtle.
In his previous life, he had lived in Beijing and often visited Shichahai.
He knew this Lechun Lane was just an ordinary little alley.
The location was excellent, right next to Shichahai, and only about two miles from Beihai and the Forbidden City.
The lane was about a hundred meters long and four meters wide, running north-south with a slight curve.
There were only six courtyards in total.
This area was under the jurisdiction of the Shichahai neighborhood committee.
Yu Xiuli had first contacted a local official to accompany them for the viewing.
"This house used to be a neighborhood factory, but later it was divided among the residents. It's a centuries-old building, and a few years ago, there was a fire, so the residents were relocated. Now, there's a policy to return the property, but we can't find the original owner. So, we're thinking of either renovating it for dormitories or reopening a factory. If it weren't for my connection with Xiao Yu, I wouldn't even consider selling it!"
The neighborhood committee lady rambled on.
"Thank you so much!" Chen Qi rolled his eyes internally.
His mom's version was clearly: the house is too damaged, the government doesn't have the money to fix it, and since the higher-ups are allowing private purchases, they're trying to offload it!
The three of them arrived at the innermost courtyard, number six, which was also the largest.
At the entrance were three steps, a peeling vermilion wooden door, and stone drums on either side.
The gray bricks and tiles were covered in dust, far from any semblance of grandeur.
The lady opened the door, the creak sounding like it was pushing open the years of her youth.
Chen Qi looked inside.
It was a two-courtyard house, a rather elaborate one at that.
Normally, the north wing could have seven rooms: three main rooms and two side rooms on each side.
There could also be an outer corridor, connected by a winding walkway, forming a circular path in the inner courtyard.
But now, there was nothing left.
The screen wall, the hanging flower gate—all had been torn down, replaced by a few irregularly built small houses, turning it into a chaotic mess.
Except for the north wing, which was barely intact, the rest was a ruin, with charred marks on the walls.
Saying it was severely damaged would be an understatement.
Chen Qi walked around and quickly assessed the situation.
If it were truly a centuries-old house, he wouldn't dare live in it—too much negative energy!
What he needed was the land.
Land was hard to come by, and here was this rundown courtyard, perfect for tearing down and rebuilding from scratch.
Otherwise, he would have considered the large plot of land south of Beihai and west of the Forbidden City, surrounded by high walls...
"How big is this courtyard?"
"About eight hundred square meters, but we don't sell by area. We sell by the number of rooms. Each room costs 500 yuan, so..."
Chen Qi turned and walked away!
"Hey, hey, don't leave! We can negotiate!"
"Auntie, do you think I'm a fool? This place is a wreck, and you can't even count the rooms properly. You're asking for 500 yuan per room? Go find Sihanouk, he's got money!"
"If Sihanouk were in Beijing, I would!"
"Just tell me, how many rooms were there originally in this courtyard?"
"At least twenty! It's a big courtyard!"
"Five thousand yuan, take it or leave it... And don't say anything yet. Have you sorted out the property rights? I don't want to build a new house only to have someone pop up later claiming it's theirs! Or you coming back and saying you want to take it back. I'm not going to be the sucker here!"
"I have a good relationship with your mom. I wouldn't do something like that!"
"Let's keep things separate. We'll go to the housing bureau, the district office, and the notary public. We need to make sure the property rights are clear and that it's mine before I pay."
Chen Qi handled the entire negotiation himself, while Yu Xiuli watched from the side, beaming with pride.
This kid takes after me—he doesn't let himself get taken advantage of!
The neighborhood committee lady sighed, muttering about how "socialist values are fading" and "where has the trust between people gone?" Her ramblings made the mother and son chuckle, filling Lechun Lane with a lighthearted atmosphere.
After viewing the house, Chen Qi headed back.
Honestly, he wasn't too concerned.
If the price was right, he'd buy it as a sort of investment.
Even if he lived there, it wouldn't be forever.
At most, he'd stay for a few years.
He dreamed of the grand mansions of the future—traditional courtyard houses weren't exactly comfortable.
But he could renovate it.
He already had a plan in mind.
First, he'd rebuild the walls, then plant some greenery for privacy—anyone who's been in a relationship knows how important that is.
In the future, staying in a hotel could be risky.
You might end up as the male lead in a certain kind of video.
And that's not even the worst part—the worst would be finding out your girlfriend is the female lead, and you're not the guy in the video...
---
Morning, cafeteria.
Gong Xue was in line to get her meal.
She wore a plain white short-sleeved shirt and a long, simple skirt that reached her ankles, paired with low-heeled leather sandals.
Her hair was pinned back with a small clip.
It was an outfit that caught the eye without being flashy.
If she had worn a red dress, it would have been a disaster—too provocative, too bourgeois!
The three golden flowers of the Beijing Film Studio—Liu Xiaoqing, Zhang Jinling, and Li Xiuming—were big names, their combined fame covering a square meter.
The bachelors at the studio, used to plain fare, couldn't handle the refined charm of this "Shanghai delicacy."
And now, this delicacy had landed right in their midst—she was their colleague!
"Comrade Gong Xue, why don't we switch places? You can go ahead of me."
"No, no, it's almost my turn."
"Comrade Gong Xue, you look hot. Here, take my handkerchief to wipe your sweat."
"No need, thank you!"
"I have to criticize you now. We're colleagues. You shouldn't be so formal. We should be united and help each other!"
"No, really, I have my own handkerchief."
Gong Xue reluctantly pulled out her handkerchief and wiped away nonexistent sweat, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
The guys in front and behind her were trying to strike up awkward conversations.
Awkward, very awkward, and they thought they were being funny.
"I've got my food. No need to trouble yourselves!"
She finally got her meal and, seeing that the two men were still hovering, wondered where to sit.
Suddenly, Zhang Jinling waved her over.
"Xiao Gong, come sit with us!"
"Okay!"
She quickly walked over and sat down across from Zhang Jinling, only to realize that Liu Xiaoqing and Li Xiuming were also at the table.
Well, well!
Everyone's eyes turned toward them, filled with meaning.
Though Gong Xue wasn't famous yet, the four women sitting together created a subtle, intriguing atmosphere.
The three golden flowers were about to become four.
Cai Ming: Hmmm!
(End of Chapter)