Although Lin Wan doesnât like this aunt, sheâs still family, and if she can help, she will. If only this aunt didnât speak so harshly, Lin Wan wouldnât mind losing twenty or thirty bucks today. But some people are just like thisâthey want you to be the big spender and act like itâs perfectly normal.
In recent days, Lin Wan has been staying at the shop quietly. She noticed Ye Qing hasnât contacted them or gone to see Mom, almost as if he vanished overnight.
Lin Wan couldnât be happier; as long as Ye Qing wasnât around bothering her, she felt at ease.
That day, Mom said Grandma Wang knows weâre planning to buy a house and mentioned thereâs a street-side one over on their side thatâs quite cheap, suggesting they go take a look.
Upon hearing this, Lin Wan rode over on a tricycle, taking Mom along.
Grandma Wang was talking about a house two streets away from their own, comprising three big tile-roofed rooms with a small courtyard. It looked quite nice, larger than their current place, and it was fairly new. Plus, it had indoor plumbing and a squat toilet.
"Mom, what do you think?" Lin Wan asked quietly to get Momâs opinion.
Liang Hongmei nodded, "Not bad."
"Hongmei, the owners are people we know. The elderly couple only passed not too long ago. Their four sons want to divide the estate, so they plan to sell this place for the money."
Liang Hongmei paused, "Did the old couple pass away naturally?" Buying a second-hand house often comes with taboos; you most fear a death, especially an unnatural one, as itâs considered unlucky.
"They were worked to death, alas. The couple had four sons but no daughters, working hard to raise their grandchildren. When it was finally time to rest, they couldnât work anymore, and the kids didnât care, pushing the responsibility onto each other. The old couple felt disheartened and didnât care for their ungrateful children, working themselves to death every day. They didnât last two years," Grandma Wang said, nearly in tears. (Iâve seen many elderly folks with many sons who donât take care of them; sons are often more indifferent than daughters-in-law. They say raising sons is preparing for old age, but I believe education is whatâs most crucial, regardless of gender.)
Lin Wan quickly stepped forward to console her, "This place isnât bad; I wonder how much theyâre asking for it,"
"Two thousand," Grandma Wang gestured with her fingers, saying, "This price is quite reasonable. A few days ago, someone was looking for a house here, saying it costs that much to go into the city," Grandma Wang held up three fingers again. "I think itâs fair, and your mom will probably like it, so I asked you to come over quickly and have a look."
"Hmm, it seems good. Maâam, could you speak with them? Could we schedule a time to discuss it?" Liang Hongmei nodded with satisfaction.
"Alright, letâs arrange for tomorrow. Iâll go back and talk to them,"
In the evening, after Lin Wan had dinner with her brother and mom, she went back.
They agreed that tomorrow, Mom and brother would meet with them to negotiate the price and see if they could lower it a bit.
The next day, Lin Wan didnât go to the shop until noon.
As soon as she got to the shop, Xiao Gu dragged her aside, saying someone came this morning to arrange a banquetâa grandsonâs one-month banquet.
"Twelve dishes, only offering a hundred bucks. I said we couldnât take it, but she insisted on having it here, giving me no choice but to balance the cost with the dishes."
Lin Wan took the menu and glanced at it, furrowing her brow. The five cold dishes were common; a stir-fried chicken dish but not whole chicken. The braised fish was made into fish soup. "She agreed?"
Xiao Gu nodded, "Yes, agreed. She paid a deposit of thirty bucks and will come over the day after tomorrow at noon."
Lin Wan scanned the account book and saw Zhang Huilanâs name, her eyelid twitching involuntarily.