Chapter 32 – A New Beginning and a Big Deal
The first night in their new "home" was one of the most restful sleeps Yang Wendong and his team had had in months.
Despite the fact that they were still sleeping on thin bedding and cardboard sheets placed on the hard concrete floor, everyone felt more comfortable and safer.
They were now on the sixth floor, which meant fewer mosquitoes. The few that did find their way in had already been dealt with beforehand.
For Yang, waking up on this cement floor, in a quiet room with solid walls, felt like a dream.
He woke early, stretched, and looked over at the other two curled up beside him: Zhao Liming and Lin Haoyu.
They groaned and got up groggily, folding up their cardboard mats. A few tattered blankets were rolled away neatly.
After washing up in the small bathroom, the three of them were already in a great mood.
The office space they had rented was only about 300 square feet, but it had one important feature that made it worth every cent: a private, 25-square-foot bathroom.
No porcelain toilet, but there was a squat toilet, a faucet, and tiled floors. For this time and place, it was a godsend.
No more fighting for space at the well. No more waiting in line or arguing over buckets.
When Su Yiyi and Aunt Guo awoke in the adjacent room, they too looked refreshed.
"What's for breakfast?" Su Yiyi asked cheerfully, emerging with a big yawn.
"Liming, go downstairs and grab some buns," Yang said. "And later, we'll need to buy some kitchenware. Eating out every day is too expensive—we need a gas stove so we can start cooking."
Before renting the place, Yang had already walked around the area to scout prices. A bowl of plain wonton noodles cost 30 cents—and any extras drove the price up quickly.
With five people to feed, eating out every day was unsustainable. Sure, they could sometimes get lunch at the warehouses, but breakfast and dinner would add up fast. And they were all doing hard labor—they needed real food.
Aunt Guo asked, "Is it safe to use a gas stove in here?"
"Yes," Yang replied. "The ones from China Gas Company are reliable. I already spoke to the landlord about it—it's approved."
Yang had originally wanted to buy an electric stove. It would've been safer and easier, even if the electric bills ran higher.
But he had gone to several appliance shops and asked around, only to discover that electric stoves weren't even a thing yet—or at least not in Hong Kong. Most shop owners hadn't even heard of them.
In this semi-industrial society, coal, firewood, and gas were still king.
"Alright then," Aunt Guo said. "Once you bring it back, I'll handle the cooking, shopping, and cleaning."
At first, she had resisted quitting her textile factory job, afraid that she'd never find another one if things didn't work out.
But a few days ago, Yang had taken her to Liu Chong Hing Bank and showed her the business account: almost 1,000 dollars in savings.
He explained how the business was growing and how he needed someone trustworthy to handle household logistics.
That was enough to convince her.
"Summer's coming," Yang said. "Don't buy too many vegetables. Stick to dry goods—rice, noodles, oil. Without a fridge, fresh food won't last."
"Got it," Aunt Guo nodded.
Shortly after, Zhao Liming returned with a bundle of steamed buns. Only three were meat-filled—the rest were plain.
Yang frowned. "Why'd you skimp on the meat buns? And if you're buying plain ones, just get all plain!"
Liming laughed awkwardly. "Brother Dong, we all depend on you now. You need to eat well. A few months ago, we couldn't even afford these plain buns."
Su Yiyi took the buns and handed them out. "Don't blame him. I told him to do it. We figured you wouldn't agree if we asked."
Yang sighed. "Buns are buns. We eat together."
He picked up one of the meat buns and tore it in half. "There's three buns—we'll each get half. Aunt Guo gets a full one because she's older."
Aunt Guo protested, "No, you take a whole one. I'll have half."
But Yang didn't argue. He simply popped half a bun into his mouth and washed it down with tap water.
Delicious.
"Alright, Liming, let's head out and buy supplies," Yang said. "Haoyu, take the new recruits and get to work on the warehouse sites."
For Yang, the current standard of living was already luxurious compared to what they had endured in the shantytown.
A bit of bland food, a clean floor to sleep on, and a private faucet for washing—that was more than enough for now.
He had, after all, spent the last three months adjusting to this era. What once seemed unthinkable had become the norm.
…
The nearest China Gas Company sales point was over a kilometer away.
Yang and Zhao Liming walked the distance and purchased a 10kg gas cylinder, which they carried back on their shoulders, followed by a small single-burner stove and some basic cookware.
All told, they spent nearly 100 dollars.
Hong Kong's economy at the time was high-cost, low-wage. Most goods were imported, and industrial manufacturing was still in its infancy.
By the time they returned and set everything up, it was already noon.
Aunt Guo began preparing their first home-cooked meal in the new space.
Zhao Liming looked at Yang and said, "After lunch, I need to go back for a bit."
Yang nodded. "I know we can't bring your or Haoyu's parents here just yet. Give it some time."
Both Liming and Haoyu had always been loyal to him. They'd stood by him when they had nothing. They had literally defended each other's lives in the shantytown more than once.
Yang had invited them to move in not just because they were helpful—but because they were brothers.
Unfortunately, the space was too small to bring their families too. At best, he could help support them with some money and supplies.
"Thanks, Brother Dong," Liming said with a smile. "With your ability, that day isn't far off."
"Just don't be late. We have a lot to do tomorrow," Yang grinned.
"Don't worry. I'll be back tonight," Liming said, his voice full of conviction.
He didn't want to leave anyway—not after experiencing this kind of living. Compared to the shack he had grown up in, this place was heaven.
Back then, they'd do anything just to sleep overnight in a warehouse.
…
Now that his living situation was stabilized, Yang felt his spirits lift.
A good night's sleep in a quiet, safe place gave him energy he hadn't felt in weeks.
Soon, even the newer recruits were getting the hang of things.
Rat extermination was hard at first—but once systems were in place, it became easier and easier.
Then, one evening, someone knocked at the door.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
Yang looked up, surprised. "Who could that be?"
He opened the door to see Wang Zhixian standing outside with a grin on his face.
"Mr. Wang? What brings you here?"
Wang smiled. "I heard you finally got an office. Figured I'd drop by for a visit."
He stepped in, then added, "And… I brought you a big deal."
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