Chen Mei was very unhappy when she saw that Xia Ruzheng was avoiding the main issue again. She had some ideas of her own, but she had never revealed them, so she thought she had a good reason. She was just asking, so why was she being so secretive?
"Hmph, I think you made a lot of money, didn't you? Renting a shop is not as cheap as renting our yard."
Xia Ruzheng was helpless, thinking that even if Chen Mei didn't raise the rent, she would still move out. It was really annoying to be asked openly and secretly every day how much money she earned and how she earned it.
It wasn't that Xia Ruzheng wanted to hide it, but Chen Mei's question was clearly ill-intentioned. She wasn't someone Xia Ruzheng trusted. If she told him, she'd brag about it, and others would think she'd made a lot of money! When wealth is exposed, trouble will follow.
Xia Ruzheng patiently replied, "Yes, but thank you Sister Mei for the fair price. It's not easy for us to come here from other places."
Chen Mei spitted out the sunflower seed shells and said, "Yes, at that time, since you were from outside the hometown, we thought it was not easy for you, so we gave you a lower price. Alas, our family is different. Fuqiang works alone in the factory, and he is an ordinary worker. One month of work may not be worth what you earn in a year!"
Chen Mei sighed, as if her family was struggling to make ends meet. Xia Ruzheng guessed what she meant, paving the way for a rent increase. Tenants were doing well, while landlords struggled. It seemed like it was their duty to give the landlord a little extra, perhaps by letting them off the hook.
Robbing the rich to help the poor is a time-honored truism, but their money wasn't blown by the wind or plundered; it was earned through their own hard work. Why should they add to the rent? With the advent of a market economy, everything must be governed by market principles. We can't hold people hostage!
Chen Mei looked utterly dejected as she continued, "We don't have much money, but we spend it on so many things. We have three children. The older one will be going to school next year, and that requires textbooks. The younger ones also need money for food, clothing, shelter, and shelter. If they get sick, our family savings will be completely drained. It's really hard!"
Xia Ruzheng replied dryly, "It's indeed difficult. Fortunately, we don't have any children yet."
Chen Mei said, "I think you two are nice people. When I rented the house, I thought you two were good people and that you would have a child soon. So, I'm wondering if I should increase the rent a little bit?"
This is the ultimate goal, right?
Did they give the price because they thought it was difficult for them? Xia Ruzheng wanted to laugh. Chen Mei had taken the contract out of the house, which meant the price had been set long ago. How could she have given a low price just because they thought it was difficult for them? She was just making up something that happened a month ago.
Xia Ruzheng didn't answer directly, saying, "I need my head of the family to make the decision on this matter. I can't just agree to it casually. I'll let him discuss this matter directly with Brother Fuqiang!"
Chen Mei suddenly became anxious and said, "It's not a big deal. It's just two dollars more a month, just two days' food money, not a big deal. You can't even be the boss of two dollars?"
Xia Ruzheng chuckled, "This isn't just a matter of two dollars. It's not something you can just give two dollars at once. Two dollars a month equals twenty-four dollars a year. Money is a small matter. If I give in this time, will Chen Mei think their family is easy to exploit and take advantage of? Will she be waiting to be taken advantage of at any time?"
Xia Ruzheng has spent his entire life studying the ugliness of human nature, so he naturally understands that if you take a step back, you will retreat step further. For some people, their desires can never be satisfied.
Xia Ruzheng still politely refused, "This is not a trivial matter. Let the head of the family discuss it!"
Chen Mei felt that Xia Ruzheng was unhappy. Looking at the things in the room, even the quilts were top-notch. He was so generous, and yet he was still short of two dollars? And considering how doting the white-haired man was on Xia Ruzheng, Xia Ruzheng shouldn't have to spend a little money. He could just act coquettish and get away with it. But Xia Ruzheng refused to do that. It was too stingy and too disrespectful to her.
Chen Mei got angry and said, "In that case, you can sweep the yard later!"
Xia Ruzheng didn't agree with her, but he still cleaned the yard later. After all, there are some things that require sticking to principles. It doesn't matter if he gives in a little on such a small matter. As long as he is in the right, it's fine.
When Wen Zhichao came back that night, Xia Ruzheng said to him with a smile, "You might have to work hard to find an apartment. Sister Mei said today that she wanted to raise the rent, but I didn't agree. I said I'd wait for you to talk to Brother Fuqiang!"
Wen Zhichao said, "Leave it to me. I've already made inquiries. You know that intersection up ahead? There seems to be a house for rent there. I'll take some time to check it out, and we'll move there when I decide."
Xia Ruzheng agreed.
Wen Zhichao didn't care about this matter that night, and went to see the house directly the next day. The new house was in a good location, at a larger intersection. There was an elderly couple, and half of their house was empty. Three years ago, their son died in an accident before his wedding. The house was originally designed for him to marry a wife, but no one had lived in it for three years. Recently, the elderly decided to rent out the house.
Wen Zhichao came back after looking around and said, "The house is quite nice, with a separate bathroom and kitchen. It was built for my son's wedding, so it's very well furnished. It's a little more expensive than here, but it looks much better to me."
Xia Ruzheng said, "If you like it, just rent it. Ours is a bit more expensive, but we live better, right? You have to get corresponding benefits after spending money."
Wen Zhichao nodded and continued, "The old man said that it's okay to live here, but he has some requirements. That is, the rules inside cannot be changed. Those are all arranged according to the old man's son's new ideas, and the old man is reluctant to change them."
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