Faced with Yan Qiao's words, Fang Dong could only lower his head: "My mother misspoke in a moment of impulse. Our family has lived here for so many years and has never thought about canceling the lease."

Yan Qiao raised an eyebrow. So, you've changed your mind?

What a joke! What do they take this place for?

Rent whenever you want, leave whenever you want?

Are tenants human beings, but landlords aren't?

“Uncle Fang, Aunt Tang acted on impulse, but my mother did not. This matter is settled, so there is no need to mention it again.”

Aunt Tang gave a cold laugh and pulled Fang Dong's hand away.

"Fang Dong, stop wasting time talking to her, let's go upstairs and talk."

She refused to believe that Yan Shu could drive her whole family away, even if she risked her reputation.

Yan Qiao didn't stop them; she just strolled around downstairs, waiting to see them make a fool of themselves.

During that time, I met many neighbors and people, and I couldn't help but chat with Yan Qiao for a bit.

Aunt Man asked, "Qiaoqiao, has your Grandma Zhang left?"

"They've left, they've gone back to Tongxiang."

Aunt Man nodded with satisfaction, "That's how it should be. We can't keep such a wicked person around."

Yan Qiao smiled and said, "My mom is just kind-hearted."

“That’s right. During the pandemic, we were so grateful for your mother’s help! Look, other houses in the same area are much more expensive than ours, even though they’re not as good as ours.” The middle-aged woman next to Aunt Man said with a smile, her eyes full of shrewd calculation.

This person is called Xu Xia. Yan Qiao always calls her Aunt Xu. She only knows that her family of three lives here, but they don't have much contact.

Xu Xia praised Yan Shu so highly simply to test the waters and see if Yan Shu would raise the rent.

Out of consideration for the neighbors, Yan Shu had already spoken with Aunt Man and agreed to only raise the price by 500 yuan. She also promised to have the houses renovated before the New Year so that everyone could have a good holiday.

Having given her word, Yan Shu naturally wouldn't change it.

Yan Qiao smiled and said, "The same house is indeed cheaper here, so my mother has decided to raise the rent. I expect to hear from her soon."

Xu Xia's face stiffened. "Raise the rent? Is your mom serious?"

Yan Qiao found it amusing. "Aunt Xu, how could this be fake? The rent originally stipulated in the contract is not the actual rent now. Since the contract is expiring, it can be re-drafted."

Xu Xia's face didn't look good; her expression was conflicted and contradictory.

Having already tasted the benefits, they naturally wouldn't want to raise the rent again.

She was perfectly content living in this place and didn't want to move, knowing full well that moving to another place might not necessarily make things better.

Yan Qiao ignored her and soon saw Tang Da Niang and her family come out, their expressions exactly the same as Xu Xia's.

They must have run into a wall with Yan Shu.

Upon seeing Yan Qiao, Aunt Tang snorted, her expression turning sour.

"Auntie, I heard you're planning to move?" Xu Xia asked, trying to find out.

Aunt Tang glanced at her and said deliberately, "Isn't the rent going up? Of course we have to move. My son works hard for his money, why should others benefit from it? We've already found a cheaper place and will move there soon."

Xu Xia was also struggling with the rent increase and was thinking about finding a way out for her family. She wanted to ask her about it, so she followed her.

"Where is the house? How much is the rent? Tell me."

Aunt Man sighed as she listened, "Quietly..."

Yan Qiao smiled and shook her head, "Grandma Man, go home first, it's cold outside."

She should bring people over to measure the area every day for the next couple of days, as she also needs to go back to the courtyard house to oversee things.

Once you arrive at the courtyard house, you should run up to it every day.

"Sister Qiao, the site measurements are done. I'll have someone come over after the New Year to build a flower bed for you."

Yan Qiao doesn't like overly complicated designs in her yard; she uses it to grow flowers and plants.

"Okay, thanks."

Ying Tiantian glanced at Pei Jingzhan not far away and asked, "Is that pretty boy the person Pei Xiang introduced?"

Yan Qiao was taken aback. "Pretty boy?"

Ying Tiantian clicked her tongue, "Looking like that, what else could he be but a pretty boy? Sister Qiao, let me give you a piece of advice: when we hire someone, we should look at their work ability, not just their looks. This Pei Xiang is really unreliable, and the people she introduces aren't very reliable either."

Yan Qiao: "...Why don't you look in the mirror? Your jealousy and hatred are practically written all over your face."

Ying Tiantian scoffed, looking like it was "impossible."

“I’m jealous of him? Who is he to Pei Xiang? I’ve never heard Pei Xiang mention him before. He must be a friend we’re not very close to.”

Yan Qiao said, "A distant relative. I heard Pei Xiang call him 'uncle.' They both have the surname Pei, so they must be quite close."

Ying Tiantian was shocked and cried out in a shrill voice, "Uncle?"

Pei Jingzhan calmly turned around, his eyes revealing a sharp glint.

Ying Tiantian's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that person?

What did he just call this guy? Pretty boy?

Ying Tiantian wished she could sew her mouth shut, and her attitude immediately underwent a 180-degree change.

"So it's my uncle! No wonder he's so handsome, dashing, and has such an outstanding appearance. His figure and demeanor are clearly not those of an ordinary person!"

Yan Qiao stared at him, her face full of shock. That's not what he said just now!

Ying Tiantian practically bowed and scraped as he approached, like a lackey.

"Uncle, I'm Pei Xiang's good friend. My name is Ying Tiantian. This is my business card."

Pei Jingzhan glanced at him lazily, gave a haughty and indifferent "hmm," and reluctantly accepted his business card.

The mere act of accepting his business card was enough to excite Ying Tiantian.

"Uncle, I heard you live here. Would you like to tell me what style you like? I'll design it according to your preferences."

Yan Qiao kicked him, yelling, "That's enough! This is my house! I'm his boss, are you trying to curry favor with the wrong person?"

Ying Tiantian clicked her tongue, "Sister Qiao, that's where you're wrong. Employees have human rights too, and they have the right to their own preferences! Only when they live comfortably can they fully utilize their abilities and work better for you!"

Yan Qiao was so angry she laughed, and she shook him off: "You just said he was a useless pretty boy!"

Ying Tiantian: "...I was just praising my uncle's good looks."

Yan Qiao: "You also said he's unreliable."

Ying Tiantian: "I mean Pei Xiang is unreliable. It turns out that my uncle is one in a million, both in looks and ability."

Yan Qiao chuckled, "Indeed, it's worth the three thousand yuan salary I paid!"

Ying Tiantian was dumbfounded. "What? Three thousand! Sister Qiao, let me tell you, you just..."

"Sycophant, get lost!"

He should touch his nose every day; no wonder he's such a sycophant.

Third Master! This is the Third Master!

A legendary figure in Yancheng's business community.

Although he didn't understand why Pei Jingzhan was here, he was sure he had his reasons.

The thought of spending a long time under the same roof as Pei Jingzhan after the New Year filled him with excitement.

Yan Qiao rolled her eyes at him, ignored the sycophant, and went into the kitchen to look at the sink.

"Mr. Pei Bingjun, you haven't washed your dishes yet!"

Pei Jingzhan: "..."

Ying Tiantian looked completely blank, wondering if she had misheard.

do the washing up?

Pei Jingzhan slowly closed the book in his hand. "Do as you please."

Then she went into the kitchen and resignedly went to wash the dishes.

Ying Tian swallowed hard, then shakily took out her phone to send a message to Pei Xiang.

Upward Every Day: [Is that the cameraman on Yan Qiao's side Third Master? Third Master!!!]

Pei Xiang: [Yeah, didn't I tell you? Don't let it slip in front of Qiaoqiao, my uncle is terrifying.]

Upward Every Day: [It's alright, I think Third Master is quite kind and approachable.]

Pei Xiang: [What nonsense are you talking about?]

Upward Every Day: [He even washes dishes! Are all business tycoons this down-to-earth these days?]

Pei Xiang: [What nonsense are you talking about?!]