Chapter 199: Returning To Hometown For The Festival!
Seeing Jiang Tao’s firm attitude, Lu Qian stopped trying to persuade him.
After chatting idly for a few sentences at home, the two of them went out.
Lu Qian led Jiang Tao through the village, turning left and right, until they arrived outside a low, dilapidated small civilian house.
Seeing this civilian house, Jiang Tao felt quite emotional.
The houses in his hometown, Jiang Family Village, were not even this run-down.
After Lu Qian knocked, the room door opened, and a woman who looked over fifty and was plump appeared at the door.
“Second Uncle, why have you come over! Quick, please come in, please come in!”
“Who is this handsome guy?”
Upon seeing Lu Qian outside the door, Sun Xiangxiang enthusiastically invited him in, her gaze towards Jiang Tao filled with some confusion.
Lu Qian didn’t beat around the bush with Sun Xiangxiang and said directly:
“Little Sun, this is a friend of mine, Xiao Jiang, Jiang Tao.”
“He’s interested in your house; I brought him to take a look, you two can chat.”
“Mr. Jiang! Please come in, please come in!”
Hearing that Jiang Tao was there to buy a house, Sun Xiangxiang’s plump face immediately showed a look of joy.
“Hello Sister Sun, I apologize for the unannounced visit, I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
After Jiang Tao smiled and greeted Sun Xiangxiang, he followed Lu Qian into the house, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard.
This small courtyard wasn’t large, and with various clutter piled up in the courtyard, it looked messy and not very tidy.
There were rooms on both the east and west sides, but they were all very small, and the doors and windows looked dilapidated, giving a sense of long-term disrepair.
The group walked and chatted, passing through the courtyard to reach the main house located to the north.
“Our house has a layout of three large rooms.”
“According to the property deed, the house is 10 meters long from east to west and 15 meters from north to south, totaling 150 square meters…”
Sun Xiangxiang also briefly explained the general situation of the house to Jiang Tao.
The only good thing about this house was its location in the Capital City.
There were no other advantages to be found.
Jiang Tao walked and looked, making plans in his mind.
After buying this courtyard, he could renovate it slightly and use it as employee dormitory for the Jiang’s Food Factory.
This way, the house would be put to use.
This urban village in Xiao Shahe was not far from the Bai Ge Zhuang industrial park, only a 5-stop bus ride away without needing to transfer.
Living here would be quite convenient for commuting to and from work.
Jiang Tao followed Old Lu and Sun Xiangxiang into the house and sat on the spring and autumn sofa in the living room.
Sun Xiangxiang eagerly brought them disposable paper cups and poured tea.
After some idle chat, Jiang Tao got straight to the point and began inquiring about the price.
“Sister Sun, how much are you planning to sell this house for?”
“Little Jiang, you’re brought by Second Uncle, and you’re Second Uncle’s friend. Plus, you’re a polite young man, call me Sister.”
“Then Sister won’t ask for an exorbitant price. If you’re sincere about buying it, Sister can give you the price of 2.4 million.”
“Considering the size of our house and its location, this price is really not high.”
After Sun Xiangxiang finished speaking, she looked at Lu Qian, her expression seeking his help, wanting him to speak up for her.
But Lu Qian picked up his teacup and drank tea, observing his nose and his heart, ignoring Sun Xiangxiang’s gaze.
On one hand, it was his niece-in-law, and on the other, his long-time friend.
Lu Qian found it truly difficult to say whom he should help.
Therefore, he decided to remain neutral, letting Jiang Tao and Sun Xiangxiang negotiate, acting only as a facilitator.
Whether they could reach an agreement was up to Jiang Tao and Sun Xiangxiang.
“2.4 million… that’s quite a bit different from my expectation.”
Jiang Tao clicked his tongue, a trace of regret flashing in his eyes.
The price Sun Xiangxiang offered exceeded the bottom line of 300,000 given by System Brother.
Clearly, her price didn’t show much sincerity.
Sun Xiangxiang said, “Mr. Jiang, this price is really not expensive. When others ask, I never quote below 2.6 million!”
Jiang Tao thought to himself, it’s precisely because of your price that this house has been unsold for so long!
“I see you as a straightforward person, Sister Sun, and I don’t like to beat around the bush. 2.1 million, if it’s possible, I’ll take this house.”
“If not, Sister Sun can keep waiting.”
Jiang Tao couldn’t be bothered to haggle with Sun Xiangxiang. After stating his bottom price, he got up from his seat, preparing to leave.
This price was the psychological price Sun Xiangxiang had for it, and it was also Jiang Tao’s bottom line.
“2.1 million! No, no, definitely not! That’s too much of a difference!”
Upon hearing Jiang Tao’s offer, Sun Xiangxiang shook her big head like a rattle drum.
Jiang Tao’s offer was 300,000 less than hers.
She couldn’t earn that much money in five or six years of working!
Sun Xiangxiang looked towards Lu Qian again, and seeing his indifferent expression, she felt a bit resentful.
She had at least called him Second Uncle, yet he wasn’t speaking up for her!
“Then let’s end the negotiation for today. I’ll go back and consider Sister Sun’s price, and Sister Sun can also consider my price.”
Jiang Tao bid farewell to Sun Xiangxiang with a calm expression, intending to let her wait a while.
In house sales, the buyer always holds more initiative and more options.
Although there aren’t many houses for sale in the Xiao Shahe urban village, Sun Xiangxiang isn’t the only one.
“The lowest, the lowest is 2.3 million, Little Jiang, please consider it.”
Before leaving, Sun Xiangxiang voluntarily lowered the price by another 100,000, showing that she was indeed sincere about selling the house.
“Okay, Sister Sun. That’s all for today. I’ll take my leave, let’s go, Brother Lu.”
Jiang Tao nodded with a smile, looking at Old Lu who had just stood up.
“Mm.”
Old Lu replied concisely, adhering to his principle of neutrality, he hadn’t said a word throughout the whole process.
“Mr. Jiang, Second Uncle, please go slowly.”
Although the price wasn’t agreed upon, Sun Xiangxiang still warmly saw Jiang Tao and Lu Qian out the door.
After watching the two disappear at the alley entrance, she turned back home and closed the door.
“2.1 million…”
Muttering Jiang Tao’s bottom price, Sun Xiangxiang felt some hesitation.
she had started trying to sell this house right after the Lunar New Year.
There were indeed some people interested in buying, but they all fell through due to price issues.
Ring ring ring—
Her phone suddenly rang.
Sun Xiangxiang took out her phone and saw it was her younger brother, Sun Chengcheng, calling.
“Hello, little brother.”
“What! Dad and Mom are both hospitalized?”
“What happened? How could they be so careless!”
“I’ll leave right away, I’ll buy a ticket and go back. How much are the surgical fees? Okay, I’ll transfer it to you first.”
After a brief conversation with her brother on the phone.
Sun Xiangxiang hung up and first transferred 50,000 yuan to her brother via WeChat for him to pay their parents’ medical expenses.
Then, she packed some things back in the house and headed straight for the train station.
…
After Jiang Tao and Lu Qian returned to his house, they chatted for a while longer.
He politely declined Old Lu’s invitation to lunch.
Jiang Tao chose to go home to be with his family.
After lunch today, both families were preparing to drive back to their hometown.
Jiang Tao drove back to Bai Ge Zhuang Residential Area, and it was already past 11 AM.
He drove directly downstairs to his father-in-law’s place and took the elevator upstairs.
“Brother-in-law, you’re back! Mom and Sister are making dumplings in the kitchen~”
As soon as Xu Sha opened the door and saw Jiang Tao, she greeted him with a joyful smile.
This younger sister-in-law was becoming more sensible and well-behaved every day.
After Jiang Tao entered, he was offered tea, fruit, and cigarettes, showing great attentiveness.
Not long after, Jiang Dad, Jiang Mom, and Jiang Bing also came back from work at the food factory.
The last one to return was his father-in-law, Xu Wencheng, who had gone fishing early in the morning.
Opening the tackle box, it contained over a dozen lively, struggling fish!
“Wow! My in-laws’ catch today is quite impressive! So many fish!”
Jiang Wen saw the many large fish Xu Wencheng had caught and praised him with a smile, giving him a thumbs up.
“Good heavens, so many! And so big! Dad, are you sure you didn’t buy these from a seafood market~”
Seeing her father’s large catch, Xu Li also showed an expression of disbelief on her pretty face.
“Haha, when have I ever bought fish from a vegetable market? These are all caught by my own skill!”
Old Xu was in a great mood today, having had such a successful fishing trip.
“When I was in third grade during summer vacation, you…”
“Cough, cough, cough! Lili, there’s another fishing box in the study. Go get it, I’ll give some of these fish to our in-laws.”
“With so many fish, you’ll be able to eat for several meals.”
Old Xu, seeing his “little cotton jacket” about to “leak wind” (reveal a secret), quickly stopped her and asked her to get the equipment.
“Okay~”
Xu Li gave her father some face and turned with a smile to get the equipment.
“Grandpa is so amazing, catching so many fish!”
Jiang Xue clapped her hands happily, looking at the lively fish in the box.
“Daddy, can we also buy a fish tank and keep some fish?”
“Tian Siyu’s family’s fish tank is so beautiful!”
Jiang Xue turned and tugged at her own dad’s arm, shaking it and acting spoiled.
“Haha, of course, we can. After the festival, Daddy will arrange it for you, okay?”
Jiang Tao smiled, ruffling his “little cotton jacket’s” fluffy hair, and readily agreed.
Honestly, he quite liked those large fish tanks too.
However, with the salary he used to earn, it was difficult to even support the family, so where would he have spare money to keep fish for fun.
He was both unwilling to spend the money and had nowhere to put it if he bought one.
Now that he lived in a big house and had tens of millions in funds in his nest egg, getting a big fish tank for fun was no big deal.
Women can satisfy their emotional value through shopping.
It is also very necessary for men to spend money on themselves and buy things they like to satisfy their emotional value.
Money is meant to be spent.
Earning only and not spending, acting like a Pixiu, what’s the point.
“Yay yay yay! I want to buy lots and lots of pretty little fish~”
After her request was granted, Jiang Xue ran off, bouncing with joy.
Children’s happiness is so simple.
“Jiang Tao, the lucky stone you gave me is too effective!”
“Since I’ve been wearing it, my luck has been so good these past two days, catching fish so quickly!”
Xu Wencheng rolled up his sleeves, revealing the “Heluo Stone” bracelet Jiang Tao gave him on his wrist, his face unable to hide his joy.
Jiang Tao smiled and instructed his father-in-law, saying:
“My master blessed this item when he was alive, it’s very effective. Dad, you must wear it carefully and don’t lose it.”
“Don’t worry, Jiang Tao, even if I get lost, I won’t lose this!”
Hearing Jiang Tao’s words, Xu Wencheng nodded seriously.
When Jiang Tao first gave him the “Heluo Stone,” he hadn’t paid much attention, thinking it was just an ordinary thing.
There were plenty of places selling peace buckles and lucky charms at scenic spots and temples all over the country.
They were all scams to take people’s money, none of them were that effective.
However, his personal experience over the past two days had greatly changed Xu Wencheng’s view!
Since he started wearing the bracelet Jiang Tao gave him, the weight of fish he caught each day had increased by more than four to five times compared to before!
His luck had genuinely improved so much.
The few fishing buddies he knew from fishing all praised him for his incredible luck these past two days, and they were all envious of him.
After a few idle chats, Xu Wencheng picked out a large carp weighing 2 jin from the fishing box and walked towards the kitchen.
His father-in-law, a veteran angler with decades of fishing experience, was also skilled at cooking fish.
He was adept at making pickled fish, grilled fish, steamed fish, and everything in between.
By the time his mother-in-law and mother, Xu Li, had finished making dumplings, a fragrant and enticing pickled fish was also served on the table.
The fish meat and bones were perfectly separated, allowing one to enjoy the freshness of the fish while still benefiting from the nutrients of the bones.
“Little cotton jacket” Jiang Xue loved her grandpa’s cooking the most, and she was very sweet-mouthed, always making her grandpa beam with praise.
“Grandpa’s fish is super delicious, even better than the chefs in five-star hotels. It’s a shame you’re not opening a restaurant~”
A piece of tender fish went into her belly, and Jiang Xue gave her grandfather a thumbs-up.
“Hahaha, only our Xiao Xue knows how to praise. Eat more if it’s good. If you want to eat fish anytime in the future, come to Grandpa’s house, and Grandpa will make it for you!”
Xu Wencheng chuckled and put a piece of fish for his granddaughter. Although Jiang Xue was his “granddaughter,” in his eyes, there was no difference between her and a granddaughter.
Jiang Xue tilted her little head and smiled, “Then what if I want to eat it every day?”
Old Xu smiled, “No problem, Grandpa will make it for you every day~”
“Hehe, thank you, Grandpa~ Grandma’s Boiled Sliced Pork in Hot Chili Oil and Grandpa’s braised pork are also top-notch!”
After praising her grandfather, the little one turned and praised her grandmother and grandfather as well.
Jiang Wen said with a smile, “Haha, I didn’t prepare it for lunch today. Tomorrow noon, go to Grandpa’s house, and Grandpa will make you braised pork, okay?”
Jiang Xue nodded with a smile! “Mhm! Absolutely!”
“Then the day after tomorrow, Grandma will make you Boiled Sliced Pork in Hot Chili Oil.”
“Okay~ It’s a deal, Grandma!”
The little one was treated as a “Team Pet” in both families, and she smiled with great pride.
Jiang Tao teased with a smile, “You, you only know how to eat, eat, eat all day. Be careful you don’t turn into a little fatty.”
“How is that possible! I’m like Mom, I can eat whatever I want and won’t get fat. It’s different with you, Dad gets fat even from drinking water~ La la la~”
“Hahaha…”
“Hahaha…”
“These two.”
The little one was teasing her father while making a funny face at him, making everyone around laugh heartily.
The atmosphere of this lunch reached its peak.
After eating and drinking their fill, everyone sat together and had some tea, resting for a while.
Around 3 PM, everyone went downstairs carrying bags and packages.
Father Jiang Wen led the way in a Mercedes-Benz G, with father-in-law Xu Wencheng driving a Mercedes-Benz GLS following behind.
The two cars drove one after another towards the direction of leaving Beijing.
