How big was Grandma Johnson’s house?
There were five rooms, plus a small courtyard. The house’s area was over 300 square meters.
A lonely old lady living in a 300-square-meter “mansion”—what a shock to the neighbors who didn’t have enough housing! Many people had their eyes on this house, but it seemed some leader was secretly looking after Grandma Johnson. Without her nod, no one could take this house away.
Grandma Johnson was still in good health, with a street cleaning job that allowed her to maintain her daily life.
However, a lonely old woman living alone in a large empty house could get quite lonely. Because attempts to acquire her property had failed, her neighbors were quite ostracizing her. Hughes Lawrence’s family barely had enough space, and Hughes Lawrence was a man who cared about his reputation.
There was no conflict between the Hughes family and Grandma Johnson. Hughes Lawrence’s wife, after receiving the sweater Whitaker Scarlett had given her, plucked up the courage to ask Grandma Johnson if she could rent the house.
Grandma Johnson sized up Hughes Lawrence’s wife with her upturned eyes for a long time, making the latter’s heart pound. She almost said she wouldn’t rent it, but Grandma Johnson relented:
“A country girl? Bring her over for me to see first!”
So Hughes Lawrence brought Whitaker Scarlett to see the house today. Not only did he need to see if Whitaker Scarlett was satisfied, but the landlord, Grandma Johnson, also had her own considerations.
Whitaker Scarlett was very satisfied with the house.
She was going to do business, and renting a tube building wouldn’t be convenient. This house had square rooms and a neat courtyard. The gate was large enough for not only bicycles but also a three-wheeled cart for loading goods. The walls were particularly high, the gate was sturdy, and the surrounding houses were single-story buildings.
While not as grand as Grandma Johnson’s house, the high walls ensured some privacy and provided a sense of security… She fell in love with the house at first sight and nodded slightly to Hughes Lawrence.
Grandma Johnson had been openly observing Whitaker Scarlett since she entered the house.
To other older women, Whitaker Scarlett’s appearance might not make a good first impression. But Grandma Johnson, a lonely old woman, didn’t have a man in her house, not even a male dog. Grandma Johnson didn’t have to worry about Whitaker Scarlett getting involved with anyone. Without this concern, Grandma Johnson found Whitaker Scarlett’s beauty pleasing to the eye.
In the old society, the Johnson family was a wealthy household in the commercial city, and Grandma Johnson had enjoyed a life of luxury, with concubines and maidservants. She had never seen anyone more beautiful than Whitaker Scarlett… But what good is beauty? If you don’t have the ability, beauty is a burden.
“Big sister, look at this coincidence, my sister-in-law likes your house and wants to rent it. As for the price, let’s discuss it?”
Hughes Lawrence was the middleman, so he had to speak.
Grandma Johnson raised an eyebrow. “Hughes Lawrence, this girl isn’t a relative of yours, is she? You’re lying to this old woman. What’s her background? Let her speak for herself!”
Nonsense about relatives! They must have received some benefit, so the couple were busy running around.
Hughes Lawrence laughed awkwardly, but Whitaker Scarlett wasn’t embarrassed. Grandma Johnson wasn’t easy to fool, so she clearly stated her background. She hadn’t thrown away her introduction letter yet. She was from Wellwater Village, Greenfield County, and Whitaker Scarlett wasn’t a fugitive:
“I just want to find a place to settle down in Harborfield City. Your house is convenient for me to store some goods. If it’s suitable, I’d like to rent two rooms and occasionally use your courtyard.”
The Johnson family had five rooms. The middle one was the main hall, and the others were bedrooms. Besides these five rooms, there was a small, low, red-brick kitchen and a toilet with white tiles, an old-fashioned flush toilet… This alone made Whitaker Scarlett want to rent this house. She had become a rural girl in the 1980s, and she could tolerate most things, but not the flies swarming around the dry toilets in the countryside.
A few wooden stakes, some oiled cloth or straw mats, and that’s a toilet. The footrests in the dry toilets were also made of wood. Whitaker Scarlett felt that every time she needed to relieve herself, it was like a battle. She couldn’t tolerate the terrible environment, and she was also afraid of falling!
However, she couldn’t say that.
She had suddenly changed her mind. If she said it, the previous “Whitaker Scarlett” could tolerate it, so why couldn’t she?
She was truly satisfied with Grandma Johnson’s house. Grandma Johnson stared at her for a long time:
“You can have two rooms, but let’s make it clear. You’ll pay me 20 dollars a month in rent. You can use the courtyard and kitchen freely, but you’re responsible for your own food and drink. The rent must be paid in advance for half a year. Most importantly, you can’t bring any men to live here!”
Too expensive!
20 dollars a month for two rooms, and half a year’s rent in advance?
