Read Novel Full Chapter 42.1 – We Have a Home in This City! (I)
Chapter 42.1 – We Have a Home in This City! (I)
Zhou Qianqian wanted to act tough and say, “Forget it if you don’t want to buy,” but she remembered Old Madam Huo’s instructions. The old lady had made it clear that, no matter what, the courtyard must be transferred to Xia Mian today, or she wouldn’t have a chance to be with Huo Xuewen.
Thinking about the position of the Huo family’s madam, Zhou Qianqian had to swallow her pride. “How much do you think is reasonable?” Worried Xia Mian might lowball her, she quickly glanced at Rong Xin for support. “Young Master Rong is here; don’t try to cheat me.”
“Don’t judge others by your low standards,” Xia Mian said sarcastically, “Not everyone is like you.”
She didn’t bother to argue further and turned directly to Rong Xin. “Brother Rong, what do you think the courtyard is worth? Could you help us estimate a fair market price?”
Though Rong Xin had the air of an idle dandy, he was reliable when it came to business. He took a walk around the courtyard and inspected each room carefully. “This courtyard is about 400 square meters. I think the market price should be around 55,000 yuan.”
“I see the courtyard hasn’t had the pipes and electricity upgraded, but it has been recently tidied up.”
Zhou Qianqian immediately chimed in, “Before I moved in, the old lady had the courtyard cleaned up—new tiles, fresh paint on the walls, all brand new. It cost over 10,000 yuan. You’re getting a bargain. The final price is 60,000.”
“But most of the furniture inside is old,” Rong Xin pointed out. “Though the wood is good quality. Xia Mian, you could use it for the time being. Or Zhou Qianqian, do you plan to sell it as secondhand or scrap it?”
Zhou Qianqian caught on to his hint. She didn’t like the old furniture anyway, but since she had only temporarily stayed in the courtyard, she simply made do with them. Unfortunately, the old lady had forbidden her to sell this place when transferring the ownership to her, so she had initially planned to rent it out once she moved into her new apartment, and having it furnished would raise the price a bit—maybe a hundred or so yuan a month, which was better than nothing.
Therefore, Xia Mian’s willingness to pay a market value came as a pleasant surprise to her. Having cash in hand was better than holding onto an old, shabby courtyard.
With that thought, she said, “I don’t want the furniture. If you want it, I’ll give you a discount—70,000 for the house and the furniture.”
Seeing Xia Mian frowned and remained silent. Zhou Qianqian tried to sweeten the deal. “The furniture may be old, but it’s from the Huo family’s main house—good wood, perfectly sized for these rooms. It’s comfortable and fits well. If you want to commission new furniture, it will take at least a couple of months, and it might cost you more than 10,000 yuan. I’m giving you a good deal.”
“Five,” Xia Mian countered. “We’ll take all the furniture for five thousand.”
“Think carefully. Where are you going to move these old pieces to? Secondhand shops sell furniture piece by piece. Items like those multi-tiered display cabinets are suitable only for wealthy homes, but the rich prefer new stuff—they don’t buy secondhand.”
“At best, you’ll have to sell it off for scrap wood. 5,000 is a good price to save you the trouble and effort.”
Zhou Qianqian had been asking for an inflated price, so when Xia Mian offered 5,000, she didn’t quibble. “Fine, let’s settle on 65,000 in total.”
“Deal. I’ll give you 70,000,” Xia Mian said.
Zhou Qianqian blinked in disbelief. Could this really be happening?
Rong Xin also looked confused. “Why?”
Xia Mian pointed to the payment terms section of the contract. “I’d like to pay in installments.”
Zhou Qianqian laughed mockingly, “I knew it. You offer more so easily because you’re planning to default. Installments? Don’t tell me you’re going to stretch it out over ten years?”
“You saved the Ning family’s grandson, and the Ning family hasn’t shown any gratitude? That’s pretty stingy, isn’t it?”
Xia Mian narrowed her eyes. “Zhou Qianqian, this is the third time today you’ve insulted my character. The last time you provoked me, you lost this courtyard. Do you really want to risk losing something else this time—perhaps that apartment?”
The apartment was Zhou Qianqian’s prized possession, and now that she had fallen out of favor with the Huo family, she didn’t dare gamble. Reluctantly, she kept quiet.
Xia Mian continued, “Don’t be hasty and let me clarify. Unlike you, I will not take advantage for nothing. We’ll split the payment into two installments. Today, I’ll give you a 20,000 yuan down payment, and we’ll proceed with the property transfer. In two months, I’ll pay you the remaining 50,000.”
Zhou Qianqian hadn’t expected this type of payment plan. After thinking it over, she asked, “Put that in writing. What happens if you don’t pay the remaining amount in two months?”
Xia Mian rolled her eyes. “I’ll return the courtyard to you in its original condition. How’s that?”
Zhou Qianqian promptly replied, “You better keep your word.”
Xia Mian couldn’t be bothered by Zhou Qianqian’s petty attitude. “Just give me your bank account number. I’ll transfer the down payment today.”
With Rong Xin as a witness, they signed the contract, went to the bank to transfer the money, and then headed to the property management office to finalize the transfer. Property sales were much simpler in those days, and the transfer process went smoothly. Xia Mian received the ownership certificate for the courtyard on the spot.
Holding the freshly issued property certificate, Xia Mian felt a bit like how Xiao Feng must have felt when he finally entered her household registration.
This courtyard was hers. She now had a home in this city.
Ignoring Zhou Qianqian’s scheming gaze, Xia Mian excitedly got into Rong Xin’s car and headed home.
On the way, Rong Xin chuckled and said, “You really scored with those old pieces of furniture.”
“Huh?” Xia Mian didn’t understand.
The suave young master shook his head. “I don’t know what’s going on in Zhou Qianqian’s head. She herself mentioned that the furniture came from the Huo family’s main house, but she didn’t stop to think—how could the furniture used by the Huo family be cheap?”
“And to think she studied business management, planning to help run the Huo family’s company,” he scoffed. “If the company ended up in her hands, it would go bankrupt in two days.”
Xia Mian was curious. “How much do you think that furniture is worth?”
Rong Xin estimated, “Just the few rosewood tables and the sofa set I saw are worth five to six thousand yuan. The beds are likely even more valuable.”
“Since you’re going to live there, you might as well use them all,” he kindly suggested. “As for Zhou Qianqian, I’ve already reminded her. She couldn’t blame anyone for her own stupidity.”
“It’s not necessarily stupidity,” Xia Mian smiled, “The courtyard was handed to her for free, so she probably doesn’t care much about it.”
“I bet she would’ve been happy even if we’d offered her three or four thousand.”
Rong Xin tilted his head in thought. “True. People never cherish anything that comes easily.”
Still, Xia Mian had gotten a good deal, which wasn’t a bad thing at all.
When they returned to the courtyard, Mao Huimei and Mao Huilan were already sweeping and cleaning one of the main rooms. The three little beanies had just come back from kindergarten and were running in from the gate. Xiao Feng, usually the little tail following behind, was leading the charge this time, his short legs rushed quickly. He spotted Xia Mian from afar and quickly spread his arms wide toward her, shouting, “Auntie!”
Ning Shaoyun followed behind with a smile, “I told him you bought the house, and he got all excited.”
“Haha…” Xia Mian walked over, scooping Xiao Feng up and spinning him around happily. “Yes, Xiao Feng, we have a house now! From today on, this is our home! Are you happy?”
“Auntie, Auntie!” Xiao Feng’s joyful laughter echoed through the courtyard. “We have a home now!”
Mao Huizhu also ran over excitedly, eager to confirm, “Sister Mian, is this house really ours?”
“Yes!” Xia Mian pulled the property certificate from her bag. “Here, take a look at our property certificate!”
Mao Huimei and Mao Huilan quickly gathered around. Mao Huilan held the certificate and read aloud, “Property Ownership Certificate. Owner: Xia Mian; Address: No. 2, Jinyu Lane, Longcheng District, Yan City; Area: 400 square meters!”