Chu Tian was happy, thinking that Old Madam Chu was really cheating her own family without leaving any room for anyone except herself. If it were anyone else, she would have given it to her descendants for free.

Old Madam Chu retorted, her hands on her hips, "Why are they so expensive? You know how expensive these things are if you buy them new. It's not just expensive, but many of them require tickets. They're all farmers. If you, Chu Min, and Chu Jie don't help, how many of them can get tickets?"

"If you ask me, it's really cheap. I wanted to sell the iron pans for 20 yuan each, but Xiujuan said it was too expensive, so I only sold two for 30 yuan!"

"Also, don't think the price I gave you for the sewing machine is too low. In fact, it's not low at all. A while ago, there was a young woman in our brigade who bought a sewing machine from somewhere and used it for over three years for only 150 yuan. I even gave her 10 yuan more!"

Chu Tian laughed and shook his head. He felt that Old Madam Chu was simply too suitable for doing business. When free trade was allowed, he would definitely open a shop for Old Madam Chu to play with...

After dinner in the evening, Chu Xiang, the second son of Chu Erbo, came to Chu Tian's house. After Chu Tian asked him to sit down, he heard him say.

"Xiao Shi, I have something to tell you."

Chu Tian looked at him and asked, "Brother Xiang, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Chu Xiang glanced at Old Lady Chu, who was sitting in the main seat, and without hiding anything, he spoke openly, "I heard from your sister-in-law that Jianmin's house is also for sale, right?"

Chu Tian nodded, "Yes, what's the matter? Brother Xiang wants to buy it?"

Chu Xiang admitted with a smile, "Yeah."

Chu Tian thought for a moment and continued, "Brother Xiang, you have to think clearly. Although his house is built with red bricks and cement, and even the ground is paved with cement, he has lived there for several years."

Chu Xiang smiled, "You know, a few years ago my parents divided the family property among us three brothers, and my younger brother and I just built a few mud houses to make do with."

"I didn't think much of it at first, but now I see that many people in the brigade have built brick houses. Although they don't have several houses like you, Brother Min, and Xiaojie, at least they all live in brick houses, so..."

Chu Tian nodded in understanding. "Then I need to clarify with you, Brother Xiang, in advance. I was the one who ordered the bricks and cement for Jianmin's house. Even though it's only three brick houses, it probably cost nearly six hundred yuan, right?"

"Even if it depreciates over a few years, I think it's going to be at least three or four hundred yuan..."

After a pause, he continued, "And, Brother Xiang, there are six of you in your family. Wouldn't three houses be too crowded?"

Before Chu Xiang could say anything, Mrs. Chu spoke calmly, "Three or four hundred isn't expensive. At least Xiangzi doesn't have to work hard for another two or three months. How convenient is it to just move in? As for whether it's crowded, back in my hometown, a family of more than 20 people lived well in five rooms. How can three rooms not accommodate six people? Besides, four of them are children..."

"Just move in first, and then add to the building slowly during the slack season..."

"When we were poor, who didn't build houses slowly? Why can't we do that now?"

Chu Tian, ​​"..."

Chu Xiang nodded in agreement, "Grandma, you're right, I actually think so too."

"Little Tenth Brother, can you please ask Jianmin how much this house is worth? If I can afford it, I'll buy it..."

Chu Tian suddenly looked at Chu Xiang, surprised, thinking, "Are you serious? Are you saying this because you're afraid of Mrs. Chu's pressure?"

However, seeing his serious agreement, he became unsure...

"Well, I'll wait for them to come back from their mother's house and then I'll ask him."

Chu Xiang said happily, "Little Tenth Brother, thank you so much..."

The time spent with parents always passes quickly. Today is the last night staying at the Yao family. After having dinner early that night, Yao Xiuli put the two children in the inner room to be looked after by Yao Xiuhe's eldest son, while she chatted with Li Jianmin in the main room.

Seeing that it was getting late and the children in the back room were silent, Father Yao took out three hundred yuan from his pocket and pushed it in front of Li Jianmin, "Jianmin, we can't take things for free. Consider this money as our purchase."

Li Jianmin hurriedly pushed back, "Dad, we're not giving you these for money!"

Father Yao glared, "No, take it away."

Li Jianmin shook his head, "I really can't accept this money!"

Yao Xiuli also followed up, "Dad, my daughter and Jianmin have gone to Beijing. We don't know how long it will take for us to come back. I can't show my filial piety to you and mother anymore. How can I collect money now?"

Seeing her husband, daughter, and son-in-law refusing to give in, Mother Yao thought for a moment and said, "Xiujuan, Jianmin, just accept it. They say a poor family makes a rich journey. This money isn't for buying those things. Consider it money from us, your parents, to buy you some water for the journey!"

Li Jianmin and Yao Xiuli were about to say something when they heard Yao's father's unquestionable voice.

"That's it, listen to your mother, this is money for drinking water!"

"If you don't accept it, you'll be looking down on your parents!"

"Thank you, Dad, thank you, Mom!"

With Father Yao saying this, what else could Li Jianmin and Yao Xiuli do? They couldn't just keep refusing, right? Wouldn't that be like Father Yao saying, looking down on them? In the end, they could only reach out and take the money!

When Father Yao saw Li Jianmin accept the money, he nodded in satisfaction and stood up, urging him, "It's getting late, go to bed! You have to get up early tomorrow and go back!"

Early the next morning, Yao's father drove a horse-drawn carriage to take the family of four out of the regiment, and Yao's father repeatedly gave Li Jianmin instructions.

"A mother worries about her child even when he's thousands of miles away. Even if you can't come back often after you go to the capital, you must write back often!"

Li Jianmin nodded, "Dad, we will write to you often."

Yao's father opened his eyes, sighed, and stepped forward to pat Li Jianmin on the shoulder. He said earnestly, "Jianmin, I know your parents are capable, and we can't compare to them. But, if you have any difficulties, you must tell us. Even if we can only help a little, we are willing to do it for you!"

Li Jianmin said seriously and sincerely, "Dad, I've remembered this. Don't worry, we won't hide anything from you and Mom!"

Here, Mother Yao hugged Yao Xiuli's son, looked at Yao Xiuli with tears in her eyes, and choked up, "Xiuli, you, you must live a good life with Jianmin, don't worry about me and your father, as long as you are fine, mother will be relieved..."

Yao Xiuli also shed tears. The joy she had felt at first when she received the admission letter suddenly disappeared as she was about to leave, leaving only deep sadness and reluctance. However, she still comforted Yao's mother.

"Mom, don't worry. I will definitely live a good life with Jianmin. When we settle down in Jing City and have time, we will come back to honor you."