When he returned home in November, Tan Jincheng had a broadband connection installed for his family.
With the telephone line connected to an external ADSL modem, internet access and calls didn't interfere with each other.
He had originally planned to buy a computer, but since no one at home knew how to use one, he dropped the idea.
The broadband fee wasn't very expensive, but for individual households, getting one installed didn't seem that easy.
It seemed that in Yicheng in those days, everything required some connections.
As for the speed of the internet, honestly, Tan Jincheng didn't feel much about it.
Internet speeds in any era are adapted to that era.
Playing games from later generations or scrolling through short videos with current internet speeds naturally wouldn't work, but in the present day, whether for gaming, social media, or work, it was sufficient.
Tan Jincheng said he still had work to do at night, and Zhang Suzhi then understood why he had refused to sleep in the same bed as Old Tan earlier – he was afraid of disturbing his father's rest.
"Don't work so hard. Rest well during the New Year. Our family isn't so poor that we can't get by without your earnings,"
Zhang Suzhi said with a pained heart.
"It's fine. I'll just check emails and reply to messages, it won't take long; Mom, get some rest early. We still have to go look at houses tomorrow."
The night passed without incident.
The next day was the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, Xiao Nian (Little New Year).
The New Year's atmosphere grew stronger by the day.
Many small shops on the streets had already closed, and the high school classmate chat group also became livelier each day, with university students on winter break, with nowhere to vent their energy, chatting idly in the group.
Some who didn't get into university also mentioned in the group which day they would be returning home and arranged a time for a get-together.
It had been a year and a half since high school graduation, and some differentiation had already appeared in the class group.
Those studying hung out with others who were studying, and those working chatted with others who were working.
Only Tan Jincheng, this anomaly, had never spoken in the class group, not even responding when tagged.
"Little Tan, why don't you chat in the classmate group?"
Zhang Xupeng asked, a little curious.
This guy, having nothing to do today, insisted on coming with Tan Jincheng to look at houses.
"I don't know what to talk about. I feel a bit disconnected from everyone,"
Tan Jincheng chuckled.
"You're right. Sometimes I just run out of things to say while chatting,"
Zhang Xupeng also sighed, remarking that it seemed difficult to retrieve those memories.
Little Tan was right.
Ever since they parted ways after high school, as time passed and each began a new life, only memories remained.
Sitting in the back seat, Zhang Suzhi looked at the two of them.
Their youthful appearances contrasted with the slightly mature words coming from their mouths, which she found a little amusing.
Perhaps it was an unspoken understanding between mothers, but today, both Zhang Suzhi and Liu Huiru had simultaneously asked Tan Jincheng and Zhang Xupeng to change into brighter clothes so they would look more their actual age.
Before, when he was in Beicang, Tan Jincheng often mingled with middle-aged men, and his clothing choices leaned towards a mature style.
Zhang Xupeng was similarly influenced.
With the New Year approaching, still having to work was a very painful thing.
But if it was taking a client to view a house, especially a client who had already seen it and had a definite intention to buy, then it was a very happy occasion.
Li Mengjie was in just such a mood now.
Commercial housing in small cities these days was truly difficult to sell, especially larger units.
"Auntie Zhang, you're here. Come in and have a cup of water,"
Li Mengjie enthusiastically welcomed Zhang Suzhi and her party.
"We won't drink water for now. Today I'm taking my son to look at houses over there. If my son likes it, we'll finalize it today,"
Zhang Suzhi said, evidently having no experience and revealing her intentions right away.
"Yes, yes, please have a seat first, all three of you. On such a cold day, a cup of water to warm yourselves up is still necessary."
As Li Mengjie spoke, she sized up Tan Jincheng and Zhang Xupeng.
These two didn't look like brothers; their appearances were too different.
Judging by their looks, the fair-skinned, handsome young man standing close to Auntie Zhang should be more like Auntie Zhang's son.
And he was quite trendy, to boot.
Today, Tan Jincheng was wearing an orange down jacket on top, with the zipper open, revealing a creamy white hoodie underneath.
His bottom half consisted of jeans paired with sneakers, giving him a look of full vitality.
However, Li Mengjie didn't dare to make a hasty judgment, as it would be quite embarrassing if she called out the wrong person.
"I wonder, which of you two young men is Auntie Zhang's son?"
Li Mengjie asked with a smile, handing a water cup to each of the three in turn.
"I am," Tan Jincheng nodded.
"And this gentleman is?"
Li Mengjie looked at Zhang Xupeng.
"Oh, I'm his friend, just came along for the fun of it. You don't need to mind me,"
Zhang Xupeng said casually.
Li Mengjie: "Young man, do you want to see the floor plans again? The one Auntie Zhang and Uncle Tan saw last time, or we can provide viewing services for other units too."
"No need, Big Sister. Please get ready and take us directly to see the house,"
Tan Jincheng smiled.
This house, besides preventing his uncle from going to the Northeast this year, was actually more about improving his parents' living conditions.
He himself was often in Beicang and wouldn't live there many times, so as long as his parents were satisfied, there was no need to look at other floor plans.
"Alright then, Auntie Zhang and you two young men, please wait a moment. I'll go get the keys and take you there now."
Soon, Li Mengjie returned and smiled at Zhang Suzhi:
"Auntie Zhang, let's head over now. How about we four take two taxis?"
The sales office was some distance from the residential compound; it would take about 15 minutes to walk there, and taking a bus meant not knowing how long they'd have to wait in the cold wind.
To secure the deal, Li Mengjie gritted her teeth and made this decision.
"No need. My son drove here. Let's go,"
Zhang Suzhi smiled.
Li Mengjie looked at Tan Jincheng with some surprise, but quickly reacted:
"Oh? Is that so? Young Tan is truly promising, Auntie Zhang, you are truly blessed."
"He's just fooling around, let's go,"
Zhang Suzhi said out loud, but inwardly, she was secretly pleased.
Which family's son buys a car with his own ability at 19?
How could parents not be proud?
"A Passat, that would be nearly 300,000 yuan, and an out-of-town license plate. What kind of business does Auntie Zhang's son do? He doesn't look the age for it."
Li Mengjie immediately cheered up again:
"Never mind what he does, having money is good. It looks like there's a very high chance of making a deal today."
There wasn't much to see about the house: a three-bedroom, two-living room layout, and the orientation was good.
As for the quality, although there were also instances of cutting corners at the time, developers were still much more conscientious than in later generations, and the soundproofing was much better.
In later generations, ordinary residential complexes or apartments had atrocious soundproofing.
Standing by the window, Tan Jincheng smiled at Zhang Xupeng:
"What do you think? This one's alright, isn't it? It's just a few steps to Linghu Park."
"Not bad, the lighting and everything is pretty good, and the soundproofing is also excellent,"
Zhang Xupeng nodded.
"How about it? You buy one in the second half of the year, and when we're old, we can come back and be neighbors, then go to the park together to sing Huangmei Opera and chat up old ladies."
"That's not a bad idea, haha."
Standing not far behind the two, Li Mengjie was dumbfounded, and Zhang Suzhi didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Li Mengjie was surprised by Tan Jincheng's tone—that calm and relaxed tone and expression.
From her experience as an agent, it definitely didn't seem fake, and the expression of the young man next to him also made it seem like he was talking about something very ordinary.
(End of Chapter)
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