Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 41.3 – Buying the Courtyard (III)

As Ning Shaobai predicted, Old Madam Huo didn’t dare gamble, so the next day, Zhou Qianqian appeared in front of Xia Mian. Ning Shaoyun and Xia Mian had just dropped off the kids at kindergarten and were returning home when they encountered her knocking at the gate. Zhou Qianqian had likely been afraid that Ning Shaoyun might call Huo Xuewen again, so she immediately made her purpose clear. “I’m here to transfer the courtyard.”

Ning Shaoyun ignored her and went straight inside, but Xia Mian stayed behind. “Are you acting as the old lady’s representative or are you the owner of the courtyard?”

Zhou Qianqian looked pained. “It’s currently mine.” Even though it was a run-down old house, the courtyard was still worth fifty or sixty thousand yuan. Giving it away for free, of course, made her heart ache.

If it hadn’t been for the old lady telling her yesterday that Huo Xuewen had already signed the divorce papers and advising her not to cause any trouble at such a crucial moment, she wouldn’t have come.

Xia Mian was genuinely surprised. She had assumed that the old lady had only let Zhou Qianqian stay temporarily, but it turned out she had already given the courtyard to her. That was practically the treatment of a real daughter!

Still, Xia Mian was only momentarily surprised. After all, the affairs of the Huo family had nothing to do with her; she only needed to ensure the transfer went smoothly. Fortunately, Zhou Qianqian had just been severely reprimanded by the Huo family men and was too afraid to cause trouble now.

“Wait here for a moment,” Xia Mian said, and she quickly called Rong Xin. Ning Shaobai had already arranged everything, so when Rong Xin answered, he just said, “I’ll be there in half an hour.”

Hearing that Xia Mian had called Rong Xin as a witness, Zhou Qianqian couldn’t resist a mocking comment. “Feeling guilty, huh? Afraid I’ll take the house back someday?”

Xia Mian glanced at her and nodded, “Yep, considering how untrustworthy you are, I’m afraid there’s nothing you wouldn’t do.”

“Go ahead and open the gate. Since the house will be ours today, we might as well take a look inside. No point in waiting around out here,” Xia Mian added with a fake smile. “Or would you rather have a tea at Sister Ning’s house?”

Zhou Qianqian, of course, wouldn’t do that.

It just so happened that Xia Wenyue hadn’t set up her stall yet, and Mao Huimei and Mao Huilan were also at home. When they heard that Xia Mian was going to buy the courtyard today, the mother and daughters immediately ran over excitedly to take a look.

The layout here was indeed similar to Ning Shaoyun’s place, both facing south with the main entrance in the front, which meant Zhou Qianqian had deliberately opened the back gate to flaunt it in front of Ning Shaoyun. However, once Xia Mian and her family moved in, the back gate would likely become a frequently used entrance.

Entering through the back gate led directly to the main courtyard. There were three rooms in the main courtyard: one in the center, with a side room on each end. The inner gate was located beside the left side room, leading to three east and three west wing rooms.

Since this was a house they were about to buy, Xia Wenyue inspected it carefully. “The main hall in the center can be used for receiving guests, and the side rooms will be bedrooms for Xia Mian and Xiao Feng.”

Xia Mian smiled, “Xiao Feng will still be sleeping with me for a year, so you and Uncle can take the west room.”

Xia Wenyue did not refuse. Her hometown has very particular Feng Shui. If there are elders in the family, it would bring prosperity if they lived in the main building, especially when moving into a new house. The elders’ presence would invite a good aura for the family.

“Huizhu, Huilan, and Sister Huimei can take the three east wing rooms, and the west wing can be converted into a kitchen and bathroom,” Xia Mian suggested.

Mao Huilan had already walked through the inner gate to check the main entrance. When she returned, she exclaimed, “There are seven or eight rooms by the entrance that can be used as storage. There are so many rooms in this place!”

Mao Huimei had also finished inspecting the wing rooms. “It looks like there’s only one water pipe near the west wing, and the toilet is outside. Could we have the pipes connected indoors and install a bathroom like Sister Ning’s?”

Xia Wenyue wasn’t sure, either. “Their houses are definitely convenient, almost like living in an apartment, but it feels more spacious and comfortable.”

Zhou Qianqian, overhearing their plans, chimed in sarcastically, “You should be grateful you’re getting this courtyard for free. You’re dreaming if you think you can fix it up like that. Replacing the pipes and wiring alone will cost you at least 200,000 to 300,000 yuan!”

Mao Huilan looked at Xia Mian in surprise, “Sister Mian, is it really that expensive?”

“Yes, it’s expensive, but it’ll be worth it,” Xia Mian laughed. “We’ll do the renovations when we have the money.”

Zhou Qianqian scoffed, “You’ll be waiting until the next life, then.”

Xia Mian rolled her eyes, “Why don’t you ever learn your lesson? If I do manage to afford the renovations, are you going to take responsibility for insulting me?”

Zhou Qianqian, recalling that Xia Mian had the Ning family’s support, quickly fell silent.

The sound of a car engine came from the entrance, and a large Mercedes-Benz pulled up at the back door. Rong Xin had arrived. He got out of the driver’s seat and handed Xia Mian a folder. “Take a look and see if everything’s in order.”

Xia Mian opened it and found two copies of a property sale contract, only missing the price. She handed one copy to Zhou Qianqian. “Check it, then name your price. Don’t cry that we’re taking advantage of you later.”

Zhou Qianqian was a bit surprised. “You’re paying?”

Xia Mian rolled her eyes again. “You think I’m like you, shamelessly taking someone else’s house for free?”

Zhou Qianqian was fuming. “As if you’re so noble! Do you even have that kind of money? Aren’t you relying on the Ning family?”

Xia Mian was too impatient to argue with her, “Whether I have money or not is none of your business. Just name your price.”

“One hundred thousand,” Zhou Qianqian blurted out.

Xia Mian sneered, “I said I’d be fair and honest, but when did I say I was a fool? Are you serious or not? If you’re not, I won’t buy it.”

“…” Zhou Qianqian was fuming inside. It suddenly felt like she was the one begging Xia Mian to buy the house, not the other way around!