Daffodil Street No. 2, No. 4, and No. 6 were terraced buildings with polygonal roofs. The overall appearance was grayish-blue, with three striking chimneys.
Of course, there were no lawns, gardens, or porches. The entrance faced the street.
Tingen Housing Improvement Company's Scarter held a bunch of copper keys and opened the door as he introduced, "Our terraced houses don't have a lobby.
Once you enter, you'll be in the living room. There's an oriel window that faces Daffodil Street, and the lighting is pretty good … "
Reflected in Klein, Baansen, and Melissa's eyes was a sofa bathed in golden sunlight and a spacious space comparable to their previous two-bedroom apartment.
"This living room can also be used as a living room. To its right is the dining room, and on the left is a large fireplace for you to keep warm in the winter," Scarter pointed out with great familiarity.
Klein scanned the place and confirmed that it was a crude, open-style layout. There were no partitions between the dining room and the living room, but it was far from the oriel window, making it look rather dim.
There was a small, red, rectangular wooden table with six upholstered hardwood chairs surrounding it. The fireplace on the left wall was the same as the ones Klein had seen in foreign movies and television series.
"Behind the dining room is the kitchen, but we don't provide any utensils. Opposite the living room is a small guest room and bathroom …" Scarter took a step forward and explained the layout of the first floor in detail.
The bathroom was divided into an inner and outer room. The outer room was for washing, while the inner room was the toilet, separated by a folding door. The guest room was said to be small, but it was as big as the cubicle Melissa was currently staying in. She was a little stunned.
After looking around the first floor, Scarter led the siblings to the staircase beside the bathroom.
"Down there is an underground storage room. The air inside is very stuffy. Remember to ventilate it before you enter."
Baansen nodded without batting an eyelid and followed Scarter up the stairs to the second floor.
"On my left is a bathroom, and there are two bedrooms on the same side. It's the same layout on my right, but the bathroom is near the small balcony."
As he spoke, Scarter opened the bathroom door and turned his body so that Klein, Baansen, and Melissa could look at him without any obstruction.
This bathroom had one more bathtub than the one on the first floor, and there was also a folding door next to the toilet. Although there was some dust, there was no other dirty place, and it was not smelly or crowded.
Melissa stared at him blankly until Scarter walked to the bedroom next door. Then she withdrew her gaze and slowly followed him.
After a few steps, she looked back again.
Klein, who had seen the world, was also quite happy and looking forward to it. Even though Mr. Landlord often supervised everyone's cleaning, the public bathroom was still not clean enough. People often had the urge to vomit, not to mention that they would easily encounter a queue when they were in a hurry.
The other bathroom was the same as this one. Out of the four bedrooms, only one was slightly bigger and had a bookshelf. The rest were about the same size, with a bed, a table, and a wardrobe.
"The balcony is very small, and we can't dry too many clothes at a time." Scarter stood at the end of the corridor and pointed to the area separated by a door and lock. "There's a complete sewer, gas pipe, and meter here. It's very suitable for gentlemen and ladies like you. It only costs 13 soli a week for rent and 5 pence for the use of the furniture. In addition, there's a two-week deposit."
Without waiting for Baansen to speak, Klein looked around curiously.
"If I want to buy this house, how many pounds would it cost?"
As a transmigrator from a foodie country, the desire to buy a house had always existed in his heart.
Upon hearing this question, Benson and Melissa jumped in fright. They looked at Klein as though they were looking at a monster, but Scarter answered firmly, "I'm not sure.
Scarter replied firmly, "Buy? No, we won't sell the property. We only provide a lease. "
"I just want to understand, understand? Understand, "Klein explained awkwardly.
Scarter hesitated for a few seconds.
"Last month, the owner of No. 11 Daffodil Street sold a house similar to this one. It was sold for 300 pounds for 15 years, which is much cheaper than renting it directly, but not everyone can afford such a large sum of money at once. If you want to buy it completely, the owner's price is 850 pounds."
850 pounds? Klein quickly began to do the math in his mind.
My weekly salary is 3 pounds, and Baansen's is 1 pound and 10 soli … The rent is 13 soli, and if I eat well every day, I'll need about 2 pounds a week. There's also the cost of clothes, transportation, social expenses, and so on. I can only save about 10 soli a week. A year is about 35 pounds a year, so 850 pounds will take about 20 years … Even if it's just the 300 pounds with the lease, it'll take at least eight or nine years … This doesn't take into account future marriage, separation, children, travel, and so on …
In this World, where there's no housing loan, most people can only choose to rent …
Having come to a realization, he took a step back and glanced at his brother, Baansen, gesturing for him to negotiate the rent.
As for Melissa's wishes, it was obvious from her sparkling eyes!
At that moment, Klein had the illusion of "closing the door and letting Baansen go."
Baansen pointed with his cane that wasn't inlaid with silver, looked around, and said, "We should look at other houses.
The lighting in the dining room is too bad, and the balcony is too small. Look, only that bedroom has a fireplace, and the furniture is too old. We'll have to replace more than half of it if we move in … "
He spoke unhurriedly and picked out a bunch of faults. In ten minutes, he successfully "convinced" Scarter to reduce the price to 12 soli for rent and 3 pence for the use of the furniture. The deposit was also rounded up to 2 pounds.
Without wasting any more time, the siblings followed Scarter back to the Tingen Housing Improvement Company. They signed two copies of the contract and went to the Tingen Notary Office to have it notarized.
After paying the deposit and the first week's rent, Klein and Baansen had a total of 9 pounds, 2 soli, and 8 pence.
Standing at the entrance of 2 Daffodil Street, they each held a string of copper keys. They couldn't move their eyes away as all sorts of emotions surged through them.
After a while, Melissa raised her head and looked at the Moretti house behind her. Her voice was soft and airy as she said, "It feels like a dream …"
Baansen exhaled and smiled.
"Then don't wake up."
Klein wasn't as emotional as them. He nodded and said, "That's right.
He nodded and said, "We have to change the locks on the main door and balcony door as soon as possible."
"There's no need to rush. The Tingen Housing Improvement Company has a good reputation. The rest is for your formal wear. But before that, we have to go to Mr. Franky's place. "Baansen pointed in the direction of the apartment.
…
After returning home and making do with some rye bread, the siblings headed for the townhouse on Iron Cross Street and knocked on the landlord's door.
"You should know my principles. You are not allowed to default on your rent!" the short Mr. Franky announced as he sat on the sofa.
Baansen leaned forward and smiled.
"Mr. Franky, we are here to cancel our rent."
So direct? Is it really appropriate to negotiate like this? Klein was surprised when he heard that.
On the way here, Baansen had mentioned that his bottom line was 12 soli.
"Cancel your rent? No! We have a contract. There's still half a year left! "Franky glared at Baansen and waved his arms.
Benson looked at him seriously and waited for him to calm down before saying in a deep voice,
After he calmed down, he said, "Mr. Franky, you should know very well that you should earn more."
"Earn more?" Franky touched his thin face and asked with great interest.
Baansen sat up straight and explained with a smile.
"Renting a two-bedroom apartment to the three of us costs five soli and six pence. But if you rent it to a family with five or six people, with two or even three of them working and getting paid, I believe they would be willing to pay more than that to a place with poor security like Lower Street. Five soli and ten pence, or six soli, I think is a reasonable price."
Seeing Franky's eyes light up and his throat move, he continued.
"Besides, you must know that the rent has been rising in recent years. The longer we stay, the more you will lose."
"But … I need time to find a new tenant." Mr. Franky, who had inherited the apartment, was clearly tempted.
"I believe that you will be able to find it very soon. You have the ability and resources. Maybe in two days, maybe in three days … We will compensate you for your losses during this period of time. Just use the deposit we paid, three soli. That's very fair!" Benson immediately made the decision.
Franky nodded in satisfaction.
"Baansen, you really are a conscientious and honest young man. Alright, let's sign the termination contract."
Klein watched from the side in a daze. He completely understood how easily Mr. Franky could be "persuaded."
That's way too easy to convince …
After resolving the issue of the contract, the three siblings first helped Klein buy a suit before they busied themselves with moving.
They didn't have any heavy or bulky items as they belonged to the landlord. Therefore, Baansen and Melissa jointly "rejected" Klein's idea of hiring a carriage. They did it themselves and went back and forth between Daffodil Street and Iron Cross Street.
Outside the window, the scorching sun was setting in the west. The golden sun with the smell of fire shone through the oriel window and onto the surface of the desk. Klein looked at the books and notes that were neatly arranged on the shelf and gently placed the ink and fountain pen on the desk that had been wiped clean.
I'm finally done … He exhaled and felt his stomach growl. He rolled down his sleeves and walked to the door.
He had a bed that belonged only to him. The bedsheets and quilt were white, old but clean.
Klein turned the doorknob and walked out of the bedroom. Just as he was about to speak, he saw the two doors opposite him open, revealing Baansen and Melissa.
Looking at the dust and dirt on each other's faces, Klein and Baansen suddenly laughed in an unusually carefree manner.
Melissa bit her lips lightly, and was gradually infected by them, as she giggled softly.
…
The next morning.
Klein stood in front of the full-length mirror that had no cracks. He carefully adjusted the collar and cuffs of his shirt.
The set of white shirt, black tuxedo, half top hat, black vest and pants, leather boots, and bow tie cost him a total of eight pounds. It made his heart ache.
However, the effect was good. Klein felt that his scholarly aura in the mirror was stronger and he seemed to be a little more handsome.
Click!
He closed his pocket watch and placed it in his inner pocket. Then, he took his cane, hid his revolver, and took the public carriage to Zouteland Street.
Just as he was about to enter the Blackthorn Security Company, he realized that he had gotten used to his previous lifestyle. He hadn't given Melissa any extra money this morning and allowed her to continue walking to school.
Shaking his head and making a mental note of it, Klein stepped into the Blackthorn Security Company. He saw the brown-haired girl, Roshan, brewing coffee. The aroma of the coffee wafted through the air.
"Good morning, Klein. Nice weather today." Roshan greeted him with a smile. "To be honest, I've always been curious. Don't you men feel hot in formal wear in such weather? I know that Tingen's summer can't be compared to the south. It's not hot enough, but it's still summer. "
"That's the price of poise," Klein replied humorously. "Good morning, Miss Roshan. Where's Mr. Captain?"
"Same old place." Roshan pointed inside.
Klein nodded indiscernibly. He passed through the partition and knocked on Dunn Smith's office door.
"Come in." Dunn's voice and tone were as gentle as ever.
Seeing that Klein had indeed changed into a decent formal suit, he nodded slightly and said with a smile in his gray eyes,
"Have you made up your mind?"
Klein took a deep breath and answered solemnly, "Yes.
I've made my choice. "
Dunn slowly sat up straight, his expression quickly turning solemn. His gray eyes remained deep and unchanging.
His gray eyes remained deep and said, "Tell me your answer."
Klein answered without hesitation,
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
