Li Long did not return to the mountains that day. He browsed the Free Market, then went to Xinhua Bookstore and bought a box of ammunition for his Small-Caliber Rifle to keep in reserve.
The next day, he went to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy fishing nets and stopped by to see Li Xiangqian, who promptly kept him there.
"Come over this afternoon to do the paperwork. They've already moved out of that courtyard. That official was actually prepared to negotiate the price, but when he heard you'd agreed so readily, he left some of the larger pieces of furniture and such behind. We can get the paperwork done this afternoon."
"That's great." Li Long smiled. "I'm not really in any hurry, but of course it's good if we can get the paperwork done now."
There were no property certificates at the time, just a written document. Li Xiangqian took Li Long over by bicycle to take possession of the courtyard, and they handled the paperwork at the neighborhood office along the way.
The other party had not left anyone there; Li Xiangqian had been entrusted to handle the transaction. The neighborhood office knew about it too and readily changed the name of the courtyard's owner.
"Go take a look at the courtyard yourself. I still have things to do at work. Oh, come see me again in a couple of days. There have been a few odd jobs lately. See whether you can take them on."
"Sure." Li Long agreed with a smile.
After watching Li Xiangqian leave, Li Long pushed his bicycle to the courtyard, carrying the ring of keys Li Xiangqian had given him.
The courtyard stood south of Wuyi Road, its rear wall a dozen or so meters from the road. Li Long remembered