CHAPTER 242: 242 LEAVE ALONE

Thinking back, she found it quite funny, an eighteen-year-old unmarried mother, and the child’s father now in uncertain life or death.

Upon hearing the station announcement, she could board the train, found the sleeper carriage, and got on.

She found her berth, still put on her own bedsheet, alone here, still quite lucky.

Then took out a bag of milk and drank it, lying on the bed, slept.

Got up in the morning, went out to wash up, her bag had been packed up, leaving only one holding the lunchbox and things like that. Not worried about theft.

After returning, she carried the lunchbox to the dining car, had millet porridge for breakfast, also bought an egg, and got some free pickles, only a few strands.

After eating, went back to continue lying down. Still twenty days to go, quite a long wait, it’s really hot, but with the window open there’s still a breeze. Not unbearable.

No one came in the first day, really great, she even thought about buying four sleeper tickets, but felt she’d get criticized. Just herself, much more convenient.

Weather getting hotter, had to shower twice a day, no choice or she’d feel rotten.

Even after getting off the train, still alone, Jiang Xinyu was thankful to the heavens, really treated her well this time.

After alighting, Jiang Xinyu felt scorched. Carrying her bag, she left the train station, knowing nothing about the place, had to return to the station, not trusting asking outsiders. Anyway, couldn’t understand the local dialect.

Found a staff member, took out her admission letter, "Comrade, I’m here for school, do you know how to get to X University?"

"I do, do you see the tallest building outside? That’s the place, it’s about a fifteen-minute walk."

"Thank you, comrade. May I ask where the police station is?"

"What’s wrong?"

"I want to rent a house, or buying is fine too."

"The precinct is just ahead."

Jiang Xinyu thanked them, then left the station, still decided to go to the police station.

After gesturing quite a while at the gate, she finally got in.

Saw an office with several people, Jiang Xinyu coughed outside.

"Comrade, I’m from T City, here’s my introduction letter, and my admission letter."

She handed over her documents to a middle-aged police officer around forty.

"Comrade, what do you need?"

Hearing the accented Mandarin, Jiang Xinyu almost teared up.

"Comrade, I need a place near the university, I’m seven months pregnant now, really inconvenient to stay in the dormitory, but I just got off the train, clueless, and can’t understand the dialect here, so I trust the police, came to ask for your help."

"Alright. No problem, but we don’t know where to rent houses, though the Housing Authority does, I’ll take you there."

"Thank you, comrade. How should I address you?"

"I’m Zhang Hongxuan from criminal investigation."

"Troubling Mr. Zhang."

"No trouble, serving the people. Shall I carry your luggage?"

"Thank you, no need, just some toiletries, not heavy."

The two walked for over ten minutes, arriving at the city government’s compound, directly entered the Housing Authority.

"Xiao Li, are there any rentals near the university?"

"What’s the matter?" This person spoke Mandarin too, but clearly a local.

"This comrade is here for university, it’s inconvenient," she needs a rental outside."

"I can’t say for sure, try asking at the community office."

"Alright, Ms. Jiang, I’ll take you to the community office."

"Too much trouble for Mr. Zhang."

After another twenty-minute walk, Zhang Hongxuan brought Jiang Xinyu to the community office.

Most here were female comrades, but there were some who spoke Mandarin.

After hearing Jiang Xinyu’s request.

"Ms. Jiang, there are rentals here, I’ll take you to see them."

"Thank you, Aunt Wang."

"No need, your situation coming alone here is not easy, if any difficulties arise, come to us."

"Mr. Zhang, you’ve been helpful, and now Aunt Wang is here."

Following Wang Qing, Jiang Xinyu saw several houses, all unsatisfactory, those typical two-story block buildings. The last one was a courtyard, an old estate. Seemed like a wealthy family’s.

"Aunt Wang, is this house for rent or sale?"

"Both, rent is three yuan a month, selling for a thousand, and not negotiable."

"Aunt Wang, I don’t know about these things, does the house seem okay?" Like after graduating, it could be a place for our textile factory staff to stay."

"This house is excellent, that’s why the selling price is high. You saw, all brick and tile.

Six main rooms, plus side rooms, woodshed, kitchen, bathroom, even roofed toilet."

"Can the title transfer?"

"Of course."

"Alright, here it is, I’m buying."

"Ha, comrade has boldness, this house has been up for two years, hasn’t sold."

"I just consider it having more space, when colleagues come to collect cotton, they’ll have a place."

"Getting late today, you should stay at the guesthouse first, tomorrow I’ll wait here, and tonight notify the owner to come.

Ms. Jiang, buying this house is a smart move, it’s just five minutes to the school, that’s peace of mind."

"Yes, that’s why I chose this. Thanks a lot, Aunt Wang. I’ll go to the guesthouse now, five days until registration rush, using the time to settle the house, won’t be frantic."

"Come, I’ll take you to the guesthouse. Xiao Jiang, how come with such a big belly, you’re here for school?"

"Aunt Wang, finally got into university, can’t bear to lose it, had to come."

"Child’s father agrees?"

"Agrees, his work is extremely busy, can’t tend to me."

"How to attend classes after the child’s born?"

"I don’t know, unfamiliar here, even if wanting someone to take care of the child I wouldn’t dare." Jiang Xinyu spoke this sincerely, she’s worried about the child too.

"Indeed, but if you need to hire someone later, I’ll help. I can find reliable people, locals, you’ll know where they live, much safer."

"Great, when I buy the house, please help find a few for tidying up, and I’ll see who feels right. I wonder if that’s okay? Allowed?"

"Yes, not so particular here."