"Yes." Chun Nuan weighed it out: "I wonder if Aunt Zuo wants to sell this old house?"
Chun Nuan was definitely not interested in the old house, but she was very interested in its location. It faced the sun, and could be extended backward and to the left.
Chun Nuan had the idea of wanting to buy it.
No matter what, she would buy it first, then build a courtyard. This way, her family could live comfortably without having to rent someone’s house anymore.
"I can’t make this decision." Aunt Zuo quickly said: "I need to go back and ask the head of my household."
"Naturally." Chun Nuan said: "How about this, Aunt Zuo, I am indeed interested in the land of the house, and after buying it, I will surely rebuild the house. The second point is, I don’t have much money to rebuild now, so I can only see how much the house is worth and buy it first."
"Alright, I’ll go ask her father."
Aunt Luo was very happy to hear Chun Nuan was going to buy that house.
"When you get the house, and the foundation, and start rebuilding, I will definitely come to help."
"Thank you, Aunt Luo."
"No need to be polite, I dream about you all coming back to live."
There’s another dream, hoping that San Ya can learn some skills from Chun Nuan.
These skills are as good as ensuring a lifetime of wealth.
Aunt Zuo went home to ask her husband and father-in-law.
Although she was very efficient outside, she was very orderly in her actions and had to get the consent of her parents-in-law and husband before she dared to act.
"The Xiao family wants to buy the house at the old foundation?"
Old Master Zuo asked quizzically: "Those thatched houses aren’t worth much, why is she buying them?"
"Miss Xiao said she plans to tear them down and rebuild."
"The Xiao family..." Old Master Zuo nodded: "Do you remember the situation when the Xiao family first came?"
How could he not, the village welcomed a group of wealthy ladies.
It turned out they came to rent houses, and only a fifteen-year-old girl was managing the household, which sparked gossip, but of course, it was all said behind people’s backs.
"At that time, when the Xiao family bought rice and medicine, they relied entirely on renting clothes. Now, less than a year later, they have the means to buy houses and land, it’s remarkable, truly remarkable."
Despite them just being a group of women and children, their actions were very structured and planned.
"Dad, about this old house..."
"Since it’s an old house and of no use to us, if the Xiao family wants to buy it, let’s sell it to them. Consider it building good karma." Old Master Zuo said: "At that time, no one dared to rent a house to them for fear of trouble, but I rented it to them to repay Doctor Xiao’s kindness. This favor, once given, should be fully repaid, sell it."
"Dad, how much should we sell it for?"
"Let the Xiao family decide the price. Whatever they can offer, I will accept. We must not fall into the folly of raising the price." Old Master Zuo said: "Do not underestimate the young impoverished; people change, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. At this moment, the Xiao family needs help, and it’s beneficial to lend them a hand."
"Yes, Dad, I understand."
The next day, Aunt Zuo came to say that both her father-in-law and husband agreed to sell the old house to the Xiao family.
"What price do you want?"
"It’s up to you; give whatever you think is right."
Chun Nuan... I just learned the skill of bargaining, but it seems there’s no chance to practice it here.
The Zuo family is really transparent in their dealings.
"My father-in-law said, years ago, Doctor Xiao treated him and saved his life; it’s just a thatched house, a symbolic amount of silver is enough."
Ultimately, it’s buying, not gifting, so the Xiao family can hold their head high.
"You really don’t want to name a price?"
"Yes, whatever you feel is appropriate is fine."
"I don’t know how much either, why not we ask someone?"
Ultimately, it was Uncle Luo who was asked.
"I can be a mediator and ensure neither party suffers a loss. The house’s foundation belongs to the Zuo family’s old foundation, but since the house is also dilapidated and has only three rooms, it’s not worth much," Uncle Luo said. "The Xiao family is buying the foundation, and thus, it’s a bit pricier. Based on current standards, it’s roughly one tael of silver. What do you think?"
Both sides were happy with the price quoted by Uncle Luo, and with Uncle Luo as the middleman, Chun Ning drafted the contract, and both parties signed and sealed it, eventually making those few houses the property of the Xiao family.
"Chun Nuan, when are you going to rebuild the house?" No one was more delighted than Aunt Luo: "If you don’t know anything about building a house, you can ask your Uncle Luo. He has helped many people and knows the renowned craftsmen within a ten-mile radius, who does quality work, clearly, and won’t overcharge you."
"Good, thank you, Uncle Luo." Chun Nuan said: "However, currently I don’t have the silver to rebuild; it will take some time."
"Will you have it after some time?"
"Yes, my eldest sister in the Capital will send us some silver."
Not mentioning her business dealings with Old Master Zhang and Zhao Minghua.
Their collaborations differ, but their effects are quite remarkable, and the two families secretly vie against each other.
Chun Nuan still doesn’t know, but she understands the principle of keeping wealth discreet.