Chapter 450| Chapter 451| Chapter 452
Chapter 450: Inspecting the Property
“It’s not that I’m uncomfortable living at home,” Gu Tingxiao clarified, his tone steady. “But it’s not good for Yiyi’s development to be separated from her parents at this stage. Besides, if we buy a courtyard house, Wanyan won’t have to live in the university dorms, meaning she won’t be restricted to seeing Yiyi just once a week.”
Grandpa Gu fell silent, turning the matter over in his mind. Mother Gu opened her mouth to interject, but the old patriarch raised a hand, cutting her off.
“The decision is entirely up to the two of you,” Grandpa Gu said. “However, you need to think carefully about placing Yiyi in a nursery school. Peking University is out in the suburbs. A local daycare there might not match the safety and quality of the military compound. The camp has its own nursery, and your grandma and I are still spry enough to handle the daily drop-offs and pickups.”
Gu Tingxiao nodded. He needed to discuss the logistics with his wife; the paramount concern was whether Yiyi could handle being away from them. Securing the real estate was the first step; as for the actual living arrangements, they would decide together.
Since the family patriarch had given his blessing, the rest of the household naturally raised no further objections.
When Sheng Wanyan brought Yiyi downstairs a little later, Mother Gu immediately pulled her aside, her face full of lingering worry. “Wanyan, be honest with me. Are you moving out because you’re worried your sister-in-law will have an issue with you staying here?”
Mother Gu assumed that domestic friction was driving the move, desperate to keep her granddaughter close by.
“Mom, it’s not that at all,” Sheng Wanyan replied, caught between amusement and tenderness. “It’s simply that Peking University is too far a commute from the compound. I don’t want Yiyi to be separated from us at such a tender age. Besides, we’ll be back at the estate every single weekend.” She smiled warmly, wondering why the family spoke as if they were migrating to another province. “We’re all living in the Capital, aren’t we? We can see each other whenever we like. I’ll even set aside a dedicated guest room for you, Dad, and Grandma so you can stay over whenever you please.”
Hearing this, Mother Gu’s anxieties finally eased. When framed that way, the physical distance truly didn’t change anything.
“Yiyi and I are both anchored in the capital now anyway, so the exact neighborhood doesn’t matter,” Sheng Wanyan continued gently. “Moreover, Sister-in-law is expecting now, and their household expenses will naturally increase in the future. Tingxiao and I are perfectly capable of funding our own roof; there’s no reason to continually impose on Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law.”
Mother Gu found herself completely silenced by her daughter-in-law’s flawless practicality. The main estate only had a fixed number of bedrooms, and Yiyi would eventually grow up and require her own private space. Furthermore, little Jingjing was already occupying a room, and with a new infant on the way, the house would soon reach its physical capacity. Shoving too many people under one roof was a textbook recipe for domestic friction, which would ultimately damage the harmony between the sisters-in-law.
“But Yiyi is still so tiny,” Mother Gu sighed, her compliance signaling her ultimate agreement with the move. “Where will you find a proper, trustworthy nursery for her out there?”
“We can cross that bridge when the time comes, Mom. We’ll consult Yiyi and see how she feels about it,” Sheng Wanyan replied smoothly.
In truth, she had zero intention of leaving her daughter behind at the compound. Since she was living in the Capital, there was absolutely no reason to separate herself from her child. Yiyi was a highly perceptive, emotionally sensitive toddler; prolonged separation could easily foster an unhealthy, anxious attachment style.
Recognizing that her third son was a man of resolute action and immense capability, Mother Gu relented. There was no sense in playing the villain who forced a mother and daughter apart. Besides, the household demographics were shifting; over time, even the most patient eldest daughter-in-law would find the cramped quarters draining. They had already established their own independent branch years ago, so maintaining a permanent residence at the ancestral estate made little sense.
After finishing her breakfast, Sheng Wanyan handed Yiyi over to Mother Gu’s care. The toddler’s face immediately puckered when she realized her parents were preparing to step out without her.
“Mommy and Daddy have to handle some official business today, sweetheart. It’s going to be a long, exhausting day of walking,” Sheng Wanyan explained, kneeling to her level. “If you come along, you’ll miss your afternoon nap entirely.”
Yiyi pondered the explanation, her lower lip tucked in. She had initially assumed they were sneaking off to a bustling market or an amusement park, but the mention of a missed nap changed her perspective entirely.
“Tell you what: once Mommy and Daddy finalize our business today, I will take you on a grand shopping trip tomorrow, okay?”
Ever since they had arrived in the Capital, the toddler hadn’t set foot outside the military gates. With the Spring Festival a mere two days away, tomorrow would be the perfect opportunity to purchase holiday treats and New Year goods. They could save the grand outdoor excursions for when the bitter winter weather finally broke.
“Deal~” Yiyi chirped, her compliance instantly restored as she trotted off toward her grandmother.
With the logistics settled, Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao made a clean exit. To maximize their time, Gu Tingxiao had borrowed Grandpa Gu’s private military vehicle, and the landlord was already waiting for them at the city-center property.
The drive to the prime two-story commercial building took a mere thirty minutes. Rather than parking right in front of the estate’s main gates and drawing unnecessary attention, Gu Tingxiao strategically left the vehicle at the mouth of the intersection. They traveled the remainder of the distance on foot, navigating the narrow alleys until the address materialized before them.
“This is the place,” Sheng Wanyan noted, scanning the exterior. The perimeter brickwork was structurally sound, and the heavy wooden courtyard gates were completely intact.
Gu Tingxiao delivered a firm knock, and the gate swung open to reveal an elderly gentleman with a weary expression.
“Are you the buyers looking to inspect the courtyard?” the old man asked.
“Yes, we are,” Gu Tingxiao replied.
Before granting them entry, the elderly landlord paused on the threshold, a heavy sigh escaping his lips as he explained the hidden complications of the property. When the municipal government had officially returned the historic estate to his name, several families who had been assigned to live there during the previous decade flatly refused to vacate the premises. Discovering that he was currently attempting to liquidate the real estate, the tenants had dug their heels in, initiating loud, disruptive shouting matches every single day.
Sheng Wanyan understood the social dynamic perfectly. In the late 1970s, countless historic properties faced this exact legal quagmire; tenants who had occupied a space for a decade frequently developed a misplaced sense of ownership, completely rejecting the state’s mandates regarding original property deeds.
“My baseline valuation for the estate was originally six thousand yuan,” the landlord explained tiredly. “But because of these stubborn holdouts, the property has stalled on the market. If you are capable of clearing the residents out on your own, I am willing to drop the price to a flat five thousand yuan. The structures themselves are in excellent condition. I can show you the layout if you like.”
Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao exchanged a brief glance. Gu Tingxiao instantly read the unyielding spark of acquisition in his wife’s eyes. He offered a concise nod, understanding her desire in a fraction of a second. As for a few stubborn squatter households—he possessed a vast arsenal of military and legal strategies to handle them.
“Alright,” Gu Tingxiao stated firmly. “Show us the courtyard.”
The elderly landlord blinked, wondering if his hearing was failing him. Because of the hostile tenants, multiple prospective buyers had fled the premises the moment they discovered the quagmire. He had dropped his valuation out of sheer desperation to rid himself of the administrative headache.
“Excellent. Follow me,” the old man said, leading the way inside.
He hadn’t exaggerated the property’s merits; the foundational pillars were pristine, the roofing tiles were secure, and the individual chambers required nothing more than a thorough scrubbing to be perfectly habitable.
The moment the three squatter families spotted the landlord guiding prospective buyers through the central courtyard, they instantly swarmed out of their respective quarters like hornets, initiating an immediate, loud confrontation.
“Don’t you dare think about selling this place! This is our home! By what right do you think you can sell the roof over our heads?!”
The holdouts shouted aggressively, waving their fists. The elderly landlord didn’t waste his breath arguing with them; the legal deeds were stamped under his name, and his right to liquidate his own property was absolute. He turned toward the young couple, shouting over the din, “This is the situation. Are you still willing to purchase the deed?”
The squatters shot a cautious, nervous glance toward Gu Tingxiao. His sharp, imposing military posture and commanding aura made them instinctively hesitant to push their luck too far. Yet the fear of being displaced back to their rural hometowns drove them to maintain their fierce front.
“If you are ready to move forward, we can march directly to the municipal land bureau to execute the title transfer immediately,” the landlord stated.
Realizing the transaction was on the verge of completion, the holdout families panicked completely. Once the state officially stamped the deed over to a new owner, their leverage would vanish entirely.
“You are legally prohibited from selling this estate!” one shouted.
“Exactly! This is our registered residence! We never consented to this sale!”
“Go ahead and buy the deed if you like—we flatly refuse to move a single inch!”
Chapter 451: Buying a Courtyard
Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan were completely unfazed by the residents’ threats. Gu Tingxiao had a dozens of ways to resolve this kind of complication.
Sheng Wanyan lightly tugged the edge of his sleeve and whispered, “This courtyard is easily worth five thousand yuan. It has twenty-five rooms, and both the front and back yards are massive.”
The property spanned five hundred square meters, which provided more than enough space for their family to live comfortably while still leaving room to run a small business. Right now, historic courtyard houses were as cheap as cabbages, but she knew that in just a few months, they would never be found at this price again.
“Alright,” Gu Tingxiao stated firmly. “We’ll buy it.”
His decisive response caught the elderly landlord by surprise. The old man hadn’t expected the young couple to take on such a chaotic mess so willingly.
“No! You can’t buy it!”
The three holdout families panicked, rushing forward in a desperate attempt to block the transaction.
“The deed is under my name, and I have every legal right to sell it!” the landlord snapped. He turned back to the couple. “We can head to the municipal bureau to execute the title transfer and sign the bill of sale right now.”
Without wasting another moment, the old man led them away to legalize the transfer. The property had become nothing but a stressful burden to him, and he wanted it off his hands as quickly as possible. This wasn’t his only courtyard house in the Capital anyway, and at his advanced age, he had absolutely no desire to engage in a prolonged confrontation with stubborn squatters.
The old gentleman was incredibly straightforward and efficient. No matter how frantically the three holdout families tried to obstruct them, their efforts were entirely in vain.
Before long, the title was officially registered under Sheng Wanyan’s name. To prevent any future disputes or sudden changes of heart, both parties signed a ironclad sales contract. Sheng Wanyan had initially intended to ask any of the old man’s living relatives to co-sign the documents as an extra precaution against future drama. However, through their conversation, she learned a heartbreaking truth: the old man was the sole survivor of his lineage, his entire family having perished during the decade of social turmoil.
He was a university professor and a native of the Capital. Years ago, he had been falsely reported, and his entire family had suffered under the consequences, eventually passing away in the rural countryside. Now that the state had rehabilitated his name, he had been brought back to the capital to resume his teaching post, completely unburdened by dependents. He already owned a smaller courtyard house closer to the university campus, which provided more than enough space for his solitary life.
Once the legal title transfer was finalized and the funds were exchanged, the three of them returned to the property.
“The estate has been legally sold,” the old gentleman announced to the residents. “You all need to pack your things and vacate the premises immediately.”
His words instantly incited another loud uproar from the squatters. But since Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan had officially assumed ownership of the property, the responsibility of clearing it out now rested on their shoulders.
Seeing the hostile tenants crowd around the elderly professor, their gestures growing so aggressive that a physical altercation seemed imminent, Gu Tingxiao strode forward. He deftly used his powerful frame to shield the old man and guide him out of the huddle. The moment the tenants caught sight of the crisp military uniform he wore, a wave of nervous apprehension rippled through them.
“This property now belongs to us,” Gu Tingxiao announced, his commanding voice echoing across the courtyard. “You are granted exactly twenty-four hours to move out.”
“We… we refuse to move!” one of them blustered, trying to maintain a brave front.
“Exactly! By what right are you forcing us out?!”
“If you refuse to vacate the premises by tomorrow, I will settle this through the public security bureau,” Gu Tingxiao replied coldly. “You have occupied a military officer’s private residence without legal authorization. I have every reason to formally suspect that you are operating as enemy spies.”
His sharp, precise words struck absolute terror into the hearts of the squatters. In this era, no one dared to underestimate such a severe accusation; being branded an enemy spy was a capital offense that could cost a person their life.
“Professor, you may head home now,” Gu Tingxiao said, turning to the old man.
The elderly professor nodded, seeing clearly that the young couple possessed the authority and grit to handle the situation. “Here are the keys to the main gates,” he said, handing over the brass ring. With the funds secured and the property delivered, he took his leave with peace of mind.
The squatters watched him depart, their anxiety reaching a fever pitch. They had only dared to occupy the estate because the owner was a solitary, defenseless old man whom they could easily bully. But now that the deed belonged to a high-ranking military officer, their bravado evaporated. To make matters worse, he had just threatened to report them as enemy spies for trespassing on military property.
“I will have a locksmith change every lock on these doors tomorrow morning,” Gu Tingxiao added, his expression unyielding. “If you are still on the property when the locks are swapped, you will be escorted directly to the public security bureau.”
He had zero intention of wasting his time bargaining with them. If they refused to comply with the law, he would show absolutely no mercy.
Gu Tingxiao guided Sheng Wanyan out of the courtyard, leaving the three holdout families standing in the center of the yard, staring at one another in stunned silence.
“This… what are we supposed to do now?”
“Boss, what’s the plan?”
“What plan could we possibly have?!” the leader snapped, his face pale. “We pack our bags and get out!”
“But where can we go? Do we really have to pack up and return to our rural village?”
They had occupied the capital city for so long that they had almost forgotten they weren’t true natives of the Capital.
“If you don’t leave, are you planning to wait around until the military locks you up?” the leader barked. “If you get branded a spy, your entire extended family will be ruined!”
Meanwhile, Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan climbed back into the vehicle and drove toward the southern district to inspect the second property.
“Do you think they will actually vacate the premises?” Sheng Wanyan asked, a hint of concern in her voice. After all, those families had proven themselves to be thoroughly shameless, deliberately preying on an isolated old man.
“Don’t worry, wife,” Gu Tingxiao reassured her, a calm smile playing on his lips. “If they haven’t cleared out by tomorrow morning, I’ll simply invite a few of my military brothers who couldn’t travel home for the Lunar New Year to lodge here for a few weeks.”
Sheng Wanyan instantly burst into laughter, giving him a firm thumbs-up. This man was truly a ruthless strategist. How could a few civilian squatters possibly stand their ground when a squad of formidable, disciplined soldiers moved into the adjoining rooms? Furthermore, if they tried to linger in a nest of active-duty soldiers, it would only validate the claim that they were enemy spies trying to gather intelligence. Anyone looking at the situation would assume there was something deeply sinister about them.
“You are brilliant,” she praised.
Hearing his wife’s genuine compliment, the corners of Gu Tingxiao’s mouth curled upward, his chest swelling with profound satisfaction. He cleared his throat, trying to adopt a modest tone. “Well, it’s nothing compared to having a brilliant wife.”
Seeing that he was on the verge of turning smug, Sheng Wanyan immediately cut off the praise. “Just focus on the road and drive.” This man truly couldn’t handle a shred of flattery; give him a tiny bit of sunshine and he would think he owned the sky.
Gu Tingxiao stole a glance at her, noting that she had turned her head to stare out the window, completely ignoring him. A quiet amusement tugged at his heart. Ah, I’ve managed to tease her into a corner again. He focused entirely on navigating the streets, not daring to push his luck any further.
When they arrived in the southern district, they successfully located the second courtyard house using the address provided by his contacts. Sheng Wanyan scanned the exterior brickwork, noting that the perimeter wall was heavily pitted and covered in craters, with a massive structural chunk missing entirely near the eastern corner.
Gu Tingxiao stepped forward to deliver a firm knock, and the gates were opened by a middle-aged couple. The moment Sheng Wanyan observed their overly eager expressions, she knew exactly what kind of people they were dealing with.
“Are you the prospective buyers here to look at the house?” the husband asked warmly, gesturing for them to enter.
The couple put on an incredibly welcoming front, escorting them across the threshold. However, the moment Sheng Wanyan stepped into the central courtyard, she noticed that the layout was poorly designed; not a single residential chamber enjoyed a proper view or decent sunlight. She could tell the sellers were dishonest; they were intentionally setting an exorbitant price, viewing the young couple as wealthy targets ripe for the slaughter.
“Our asking price for this courtyard is twenty-five hundred yuan, and the location is absolutely premier,” the wife boasted enthusiastically. “It’s a mere thirty-minute stroll to the central supply and marketing cooperatives, and there’s an excellent primary school just down the avenue.”
“Yes, exactly,” the husband chimed in, nodding vigorously.
The couple traded off introducing the surrounding neighborhood amenities, deliberately omitting any mention of the structural integrity of the house itself.
“The neighborhood amenities are irrelevant to us,” Sheng Wanyan interrupted smoothly, cutting through their sales pitch. “Tell me about the structural condition of the house.”
The couple exchanged a brief, uneasy glance, before the husband cleared his throat to regain his composure. “Our baseline valuation is twenty-five hundred yuan. The location is the finest in this district, so we are absolutely not overcharging you.”
“Since you clearly have no intention of conducting an honest negotiation, we will take our leave,” Sheng Wanyan stated evenly. She had absolutely zero tolerance for a rip-off. She was looking to purchase a sound structural courtyard, not the surrounding public infrastructure.
Gu Tingxiao turned on his heel, seamlessly matching her stride as they headed back toward the gates. Seeing their prime buyers walking away without a single backward glance, the middle-aged couple panicked and rushed forward to block their exit.
Chapter 452: The Yard Delivered to Your Door
“No, no, no, wait… we can discuss this,” the husband said, stepping quickly into their path.
“Yes, of course, we’re open to negotiation,” his wife added nervously.
Sheng Wanyan shot them an unimpressed glance. Wouldn’t it have been better if you had just been straightforward from the start? What was the point of playing games?
“There is absolutely nothing structurally sound about this property. Don’t you feel the least bit ashamed asking for two thousand five hundred yuan?”
In the current economy, two thousand five hundred yuan was enough to build seven or eight brand-new red brick houses in the countryside. Only a fool would agree to be ripped off so blatantly.
The couple flushed with embarrassment. They had assumed the young couple would be inexperienced and easy to fool.
“Hehe… well, while the house itself might need a little work, the location is undeniably the best in the southern district,” the husband stammered, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
Sheng Wanyan simply stared at them in silence, the impatience in her eyes unmistakable.
“Well… how about two thousand? That’s our absolute bottom line,” the wife offered quickly. “As we mentioned, there are primary, middle, and high schools all within walking distance. It really is a prime location.”
Sheng Wanyan had to admit that the geographical positioning was indeed excellent. If they bought this property, Huzi wouldn’t have to travel far for school in the future. “However, it will likely cost me more than two thousand yuan just to renovate these ruins,” she pointed out sharply. “You’ve already had contractors out to appraise it, haven’t you?”
The couple’s faces turned bright red. Sheng Wanyan’s intuition was dead on; they had indeed consulted builders previously. They knew the structures were on the verge of collapsing and would need to be completely demolished and rebuilt from the ground up, which would require a massive sum of money they simply didn’t have. That was why they were trying to offload it for a quick profit.
“This…” the husband hesitated. They hadn’t expected the young woman to be so shrewd.
Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao certainly weren’t the first prospective buyers to tour the courtyard. Several others had expressed interest in the location, but the moment they saw the disastrous state of the buildings, they had all walked away. Who would willingly take on such a massive reconstruction project?
“How much are you willing to offer?” the husband finally asked, taking a deep breath. If they kept pushing, this couple would likely walk away too.
“One thousand five hundred yuan. Not a penny more,” Sheng Wanyan stated firmly, offering her final price. If the property hadn’t been in such a dilapidated state, two thousand five hundred would have been a fair asking price given the prime location.
The couple exchanged a long look, retreating a few steps to converse in hushed tones before finally nodding in agreement. Deep down, they knew Sheng Wanyan’s offer was actually quite generous; she wasn’t ruthlessly lowballing them just for the sake of it.
“Alright, we accept.”
“Since we have an agreement, we will draft the sales contract right now,” Sheng Wanyan said efficiently. “I will need every single member of your family to sign and provide their thumbprint on the document.”
Sheng Wanyan produced a pen and paper from her bag, drafting a legally binding agreement on the spot. Both parties reviewed the terms and confirmed everything was in order.
The couple thought her demand for thumbprints from the entire extended family was a bit excessive, but Sheng Wanyan’s stance was uncompromising. Every family member had to ink their thumbprint onto the deed, or she would walk away. She was determined to prevent any future disputes or sudden claims of contested inheritance.
Eager to finally rid themselves of the property, the couple hastily summoned their parents and adult children to the courtyard to apply their thumbprints. The dilapidated house had been a massive financial headache for the family for years; knowing they were finally getting a cash payout, the relatives were more than happy to sign the release.
With the paperwork complete, both parties traveled to the municipal Housing Management Office to execute the official title transfer, and Sheng Wanyan handed over the cash.
The sellers passed over the keys to the main gates, thrilled to exchange their crumbling ruins for cold, hard currency. Gu Tingxiao immediately headed to a hardware stall to purchase heavy-duty padlocks, swapping out the old hardware on the spot. As for the demolition and reconstruction plans, Sheng Wanyan decided she would leave those details for Father and Mother Sheng to manage once they moved down.
“Let’s grab some lunch, and then we’ll head over to the Peking University district this afternoon,” Sheng Wanyan said, glancing at her watch. It was already half past twelve, and the bumpy car rides were starting to drain her energy.
“Alright. Try to take a quick nap in the car, Wanyan,” Gu Tingxiao urged gently. He could see the fatigue pulling at the corners of her eyes; she had been running on overdrive lately and hadn’t had a moment to properly rest.
Sheng Wanyan nodded, but the rutted, uneven roads made sleeping impossible, and the jostling only made her tailbone ache.
Eventually, they arrived at a state-run restaurant, ate a quick lunch, and drove out toward the Peking University district.
When Sheng Wanyan laid eyes on the two properties, she realized they weren’t traditional, grand Peking courtyards, but rather modest, rural-style farmyards. However, both properties had been meticulously maintained; it was obvious the current residents took great pride in their homes.
Each lot measured roughly two hundred and fifty square meters and was kept impeccably clean. The first yard featured a three-room layout, while the second boasted four rooms. Sheng Wanyan mentally mapped out the arrangements: the three-room property would serve perfectly for her small family. The four-room yard would be ideal for Grandpa and Grandma Sheng, providing ample extra space for Father and Mother Sheng whenever they visited. Because the second property accommodated four rooms, the backyard was slightly smaller, but it was still more than sufficient for their needs.
“This three-room yard belongs to my family,” the host explained warmly. “The four-room yard sits about three hundred meters down the lane, and it belongs to my uncle. How about I walk you over to take a look?”
Sheng Wanyan nodded, and they followed the host down the street.
When the uncle and his family saw prospective buyers approaching, they hurried out to greet them, enthusiastically highlighting the features of their home.
“Our property has four main rooms, and the roof and walls are fully secure,” the uncle boasted proudly. “The kitchen is detached in the backyard, and we’ll even leave the stacked firewood for you.” Since his entire extended family was relocating, they had decided to leave behind heavy, low-value items like firewood.
“If you’re willing to purchase both properties today, we won’t charge you a premium for the extra room,” the uncle offered generously. “We’ll match my nephew’s price: a flat one thousand yuan for the deed. We are prepared to vacate the premises within three days, and we promise to scrub the place spotless before we hand over the keys.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded in satisfaction. While these weren’t the luxurious, multi-tiered historic courtyards of the inner city, they were charming, functional properties located right next to the Peking University campus. Most importantly, they were in move-in condition, sparing her the immense cost and headache of immediate renovations. The layout was strikingly similar to the military housing they had occupied up north—simple, square, and highly practical. They could easily construct an outdoor summer kitchen later if needed.
“We have a deal,” Sheng Wanyan agreed. “However, I will require your village chief and the local party secretary to act as official witnesses. Additionally, every single member of your family—young and old—must sign and apply their thumbprint to the sales contract.”
“That is absolutely no problem at all,” the uncle agreed readily. “I’ll go fetch the village chief and the party secretary right now.”
He immediately dispatched his son to summon the local officials. Once the village chief and the party secretary arrived, Sheng Wanyan produced her pen and paper and drafted a comprehensive sales agreement. Every family member signed the document and stamped their thumbprints in triplicate, with one official copy handed over to the village committee for their permanent archives. Sheng Wanyan knew that in these matters, ironclad, indisputable documentation was paramount.
When the village chief, the party secretary, and the gathering crowd of curious villagers realized that a simple rural courtyard had just sold for a staggering one thousand yuan, a wave of intense envy rippled through the group.
If a basic farmyard can fetch a thousand yuan, could I sell my own house for that much?!
The moment Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao finalized the paperwork and stepped out of the gates, they found themselves surrounded by a large crowd of eager villagers craning their necks.
Seeing the couple emerge, several locals instantly surged forward.
Sheng Wanyan’s eyes lit up with opportunity. Isn’t this exactly like someone handing you a pillow just as you start feeling sleepy?
“Miss, my courtyard is much larger and more beautiful than this one! Would you like to come take a look?” one man shouted over the crowd.
“My house is in perfect condition too! It’s incredibly clean!” an older woman chimed in.
Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao exchanged a knowing look. If the prices were right, there was no reason they couldn’t acquire a few more properties. They could easily convert the extra space into small grocery stores or retail shops in the future.
“I am willing to take a look,” Sheng Wanyan announced clearly to the crowd. “If the price is reasonable, I will certainly consider it.” She made sure to set boundaries immediately; while she was actively looking to acquire real estate and commercial space, she wasn’t going to buy every single house blindly.
