Chapter 39 The next two days at the restaurant…
For the next two days, the restaurant was filled with discussions about the demolition. Now, there were rumors of five places being demolished: the enamel factory, the chemical plant, the soy sauce factory, the steel rolling mill, and several alleys on Guangming Street.
These past few days, business at the restaurant has been even better. Customers are spending very generously when they eat there, and the braised meat is not enough to meet demand! It's as if they're about to be demolished and become nouveau riche.
Fang Yuan was also happy. He had just bought a house in the enamelware factory. His old house was in the soy sauce factory's staff quarters. If this house was demolished, how much money would he get?
Xu Rao pulled Jiang Can aside and complained, "Are they all crazy?! How could so many places be demolished all at once?! Is Liao County going to be redeveloped? Are you kidding me? Where would the government get so much money for compensation?! I wonder who's speculating on housing prices, trying to take advantage of the situation. I even wanted my mom to sell our old house; it could fetch 40,000 yuan now. But my mom beat me up, saying I was short-sighted—our house is about to be demolished, and I actually wanted to sell it!"
Jiang Can chuckled, "Everyone's talking about it so convincingly, maybe they can all be demolished! My family also owns a building from an enamel factory. Once it's demolished and we get the money, I'll be a nouveau riche. You're not short of money either, why don't you invest in a couple of enamel factory buildings too!"
Xu Rao immediately shook her head: "Others are driving up the price, I'm not buying it."
Jiang Can didn't try to persuade her any further. She was also unsure of what would happen if the enamel factory wasn't relocated!
The family that had previously sold the house to Shen Lang wanted to buy it back and were willing to pay a high price. Shen Lang acted as a middleman and helped connect them: "I'm going to use the house as a dormitory, so I won't sell it. Otherwise, it's not cheap to buy another house nearby. I can introduce you to a real estate agent who has listings."
The real estate agent was all smiles: "The enamel factory apartments are 50,000 each. The chemical plant apartments are 48,000 each. The steel rolling mill apartments are 55,000 each, all large units of 60-70 square meters. The prices are a bit high, but they're about to be demolished. The owners are in a hurry for the money and can't wait for the demolition. Uncle and Aunt, which one do you want? We can arrange the transfer today!"
The agent was so enthusiastic that the family became hesitant, thinking, "If there's really a demolition, would anyone still be selling their house?"
After all, the price of this house has almost doubled!
The real estate agent said, "They're short of money. Who knows when the demolition will happen? Auntie, let me show you some houses first. If you're not satisfied, we can buy a smaller one." He whispered, "They said it will be demolished by the end of the year. Then, 50,000 will become 500,000 or even a million!"
Seeing their hesitation, the agent sincerely lowered the price, but the other party was even more unwilling to take it! They only regretted selling the house too early, otherwise they could have bought it for an extra 20,000 yuan.
This deal naturally fell through.
Some people are selling houses, and some are buying houses. Selling is a happy occasion, and buying is a happy occasion. Walking on the street, you can see happy smiling faces everywhere.
When Jiang Can returned home, a large crowd had gathered at the alley entrance. Before Jiang Can and Shen Lang even entered, they could hear the laughter of the crowd.
Granny Cai: "Really? Our area is going to be demolished too? When will it happen?"
Widow Qian: "How could that be false! A high-ranking official came to measure our houses today and said that our place has good feng shui and is suitable for building a train station. It is estimated that the demolition will be completed by the end of the year and the train station will be built and open to traffic next year."
Another household member said, "I saw him too. He was driving a car and wearing a suit."
This attracted even more onlookers, who couldn't believe that their place was going to be demolished to build a train station.
Widow Qian said with great certainty, "That's right, I overheard the big leaders talking about it."
Everyone firmly believes that this immense wealth and prosperity will fall upon Shiliu Alley!
Upon seeing Jiang Can and Shen Lang return, Widow Qian and the others shared the good news with them. Widow Qian exclaimed, "Let's get rich together!"
Jiang Can smiled and said, "Let's get rich together!"
Property prices in Shiliu Alley skyrocketed, and the residents of Shiliu Alley straightened their backs, raised their heads, and waited to become nouveau riche.
Jiang Can and Shen Lang exchanged a glance. Well, another area has been added to the list of places to be demolished.
Today, the demolition area covers almost half of Liaoxian County.
The next day, someone came to Jiang Can's house, wanting to buy their small courtyard. Rumor had it that houses at the intersection were more expensive, and this was the central area of the train station. The other party asked for 30,000 yuan.
By evening, the price had risen to 50,000.
There are rumors of demolition in other places, but no one knows when or what will happen after the demolition. But Shiliu Alley is different. It's going to be demolished to build a train station. The leaders have already come to measure the area, and the demolition will start at the end of the year. Construction will begin after the New Year.
Jiang Can was starting to believe it.
The question now is, should we sell this house?
A house that cost 10,000 yuan has increased in value to 50,000 yuan. Judging from the other party's appearance, it can be sold for 55,000 yuan.
Jiang Can hesitated about whether to sell the place. She didn't believe that a train station would be built here. The city already had a train station, and it was less than an hour away from the county. How could they possibly build another one?
But Shen Lang didn't want to sell. "We did both our first and second jobs here. This house holds our best memories, so we can't sell it. Our family isn't short of 50,000 yuan."
Jiang Can: "Okay."
Widow Qian's courtyard was larger, and the price rose to 55,000 yuan.
That evening, Widow Qian's daughter-in-law came by and subtly conveyed the news that they wanted to buy a new house and move out.
Jiang Can smiled and carried a bag of freshly made braised chicken feet. "Congratulations, these are for the kids."
Widow Qian's daughter-in-law hesitated, unsure whether to accept or refuse, and left with the braised chicken feet. Back home, she asked Widow Qian, "Mom, I've talked to Jiang Can. Does she understand what I meant?"
Widow Qian was happily cracking sunflower seeds, thinking, "She's a smart person; she can tell what someone is saying just by listening to their tone."
If her house is really to be demolished, can she sell it and buy another house?
She felt smart again! Otherwise, how could she have sold the house for 55,000? She'd see if she could sell it for 60,000 tomorrow!
Widow Qian's daughter-in-law was also happy. She gave her mother-in-law some braised chicken feet and said, "Mom, so much money, how are we going to spend it! I've never heard of so much money in my life. Mom, how are you so smart?"
Widow Qian said smugly, "With two grandsons at home, I have to be extra careful with my money. I'll have enough for my grandsons to get married in the future."
What was originally a baseless claim suddenly became true after she boasted about it.
The recent demolition and relocation frenzy has set everyone's hopes high, with people hoping to make a fortune with a small investment and a future of sudden wealth.
Her daughter-in-law smiled and praised her mother-in-law, saying she was capable and a person who could accomplish great things.
Widow Qian gestured towards the opposite side with her lip: "If we sell this house and buy another one, we can stay far away from that place. It's like a time bomb. I'm just afraid my eldest grandson will suffer because of it."
Although everyone says Shen Lang and Jiang Can are good people, the people of Shiliu Alley can't forget how terrifying Shen Lang and Jiang Can were when they beat people up. Being their neighbor is too stifling; you have to be a subservient grandson all day long, afraid of upsetting them, and you dare not do anything.
Her two grandsons didn't dare to make a fuss in the yard at night, afraid of upsetting Shen Lang. When they encountered Shen Lang on the road, they were too scared to utter a sound. It pained her to see them like this.
Jiang Can never expected that Widow Qian could do something so big. Taking advantage of the demolition boom, she raised the property prices in Shiliu Alley.
Looking at her own house, she still wanted to sell it. Although it was easy to make money now, 50,000 yuan was still a lot of money. If she wanted to build a house, she could just buy a piece of land and build it!
While Shen Lang was eating braised chicken feet, he repeated what Sun Fangfang next door had said: "Sell them, and I'll buy you a motorcycle and me a gold bracelet. If we want to build a house, we can just buy a plot of land in an urban village and build a three-story villa. Then it will be convenient to go anywhere by motorcycle."
Shen Lang stopped eating the chicken feet: "I met you on my way back to this courtyard. We got married in this courtyard too. This place is special. Are you going to sell this courtyard now?"
Jiang Can reached out and wrapped her arms around Shen Lang's neck, her red lips close to his. But he had just eaten chicken feet, which were all oily, and she couldn't bring herself to kiss him. Instead, she kissed his forehead: "Lang, it was fate that brought us together. In the future, we will always be together. For me, the place where you are is special. Isn't it?"
Fifty thousand yuan! If I don't sell it, I'll be a fool! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Shen Lang was appeased and replied, "Yes."
She stopped eating the chicken feet, carried Jiang Can back to her room to sleep, and of course, washed her face and brushed her teeth.
The next morning, a very special guest arrived at the house: Zhang Deming, the deputy secretary of the county party committee, came with his wife and son.
The two men, carrying various gifts, arrived home and had their youngest son, Binbin, thank Shen Lang and Jiang Can.
Binbin was sallow and thin, looking like he was three or four years old, not like a six-year-old child at all. He hid behind Zhang Deming's wife, Huang Ying, in fear.
Huang Ying comforted him: "Binbin, thank you, brothers and sisters. Because of them, you were able to be found."
Zhang Deming and Huang Ying had a late pregnancy and gave birth to Binbin when they were almost forty. The whole family doted on Binbin as their precious darling, but when Binbin was four years old, he was kidnapped.
At the time, the elderly woman was with the child. Because the child was lost, the elderly woman was filled with remorse and cried day and night until she went blind.
The couple neglected their work and spent all their savings in their search for their son. Three years have passed, and they have found nothing.
Now, they are about to give up.
Surprisingly, a turning point occurred when the university admission fraud case came to light.
Zhang Deming never imagined that he would be implicated; Shen Boyang had his son kidnapped in order to become the county party secretary.
The couple had been searching for their child with the police for days. They found Binbin in a mountain village and immediately recognized the barefoot child carrying a large basket as their child.
She should have been growing up happily with her parents, but she was kidnapped and sold to this place by malicious people. If it weren't for Shen Lang and Jiang Can, they might never have been able to find Binbin in their lives.
They will probably spend their whole lives in this mountain valley.
Shen Lang and Jiang Can are their family's benefactors.
Jiang Can could tell at a glance that the child had been living a very difficult life after being abducted. She invited the child into her home and gave Binbin some homemade snacks.
Binbin was very timid and huddled behind Huang Ying.
Huang Ying patted Binbin's hair and hugged him, saying, "Binbin is timid."
For the first two years, Binbin was doing alright with the buyers; the family treated him like a son. Last year, the buyers had a son, and Binbin's status plummeted. The six-year-old was forced to do laundry, cook, feed the chickens and pigs, and if he didn't do anything right, he would be beaten and scolded.
Jiang Can handed the dried fruit and dried meat to Binbin and said with a smile, "This was made by your sister, Binbin, have a taste. Being healthy is the best thing, and Binbin will have a peaceful and smooth life from now on."
Huang Ying also hopes that her child will have a safe and smooth future.
Before Zhang Mingde and his wife had even left, a stylishly dressed middle-aged woman came to their house wanting to buy the house. She had come yesterday; her surname was Wan. She was very arrogant and looked like a wealthy person: "Name your price. How much are you willing to sell it for?"
Shen Lang disapproved of the other party's attitude. "Ten thousand yuan."
Ms. Wan isn't stupid, so of course she wouldn't agree. In the end, they negotiated a price of 70,000 yuan, and she put on her sunglasses: "I'll go transfer the property this afternoon."
After she left, Jiang Can and Shen Lang exchanged a glance and decided to sell.
Zhang Mingde: "This courtyard costs 70,000???"
A gilded courtyard?
Shen Lang: "Everyone says that our Shiliu Alley is going to be demolished to build a train station, and now many wealthy people are coming to buy houses at high prices."
Zhang Mingde couldn't help but chuckle: "If that's the case, then half of Liao County would have to be demolished. There's no way to undertake such a large project. This courtyard is worth the price."
Jiang Can had been interested in inquiring about the demolition and relocation, so he continued the conversation on that topic. Zhang Mingde used to be outside the circle of power, but with the major reshuffle in Liao County and the downfall of Shen Boyang's entire faction, he, as the deputy county party secretary, was now needed again. He actually knew a bit about it, and he subtly mentioned the enamel factory, saying that the policies from above would soon be revised.
When Zhang Mingde left, Jiang Can gave Binbin a bag of dried fruit and dried meat, weighing about five or six pounds in total. This was intended to be sent to Zhou Bing, and Binbin was given a small portion of it.
Huang Ying felt embarrassed, but Binbin really liked the food; he had already eaten most of the plate that Jiang Can had brought him.
Jiang Can patted Binbin's head: "I made them all. After you finish eating, I'll make you some more."
Binbin: "Thank you, sister." Then he hid behind Huang Ying again.
After Zhang Mingde and his wife left, Shen Lang and Jiang Can planned to use all the proceeds from the sale of the house to purchase the property in Enamel Mug.
Even though I already have five sets, who would complain about having too much money?
In the afternoon, Shen Lang and Jiang Can went to complete the property transfer and received 70,000 yuan in cash. They then spent 50,000 yuan to purchase a property in the enamel factory, a ground-floor apartment with a small yard.
Of the remaining 30,000 yuan, 10,000 yuan was used to buy a plot of land to build a house.
The move began that afternoon. The small courtyard was cleared out, and all the belongings were moved to a property in the enamel factory. They chose a ground-floor apartment with a yard, which would be convenient for Tiger to move around in.
Granny Cai panicked the moment she saw Shen Lang and Jiang Can moving. What happened? Why did they move?
Shiliu Alley is going to be demolished to make way for a train station!!!
She hesitated for a moment, but still came over to ask, "Can Can, are you moving? Do you need Lao Cai and me to come and help?"
Jiang Can: "Sure, thank you for your help, Auntie."
Granny Cai called Old Man Cai over again to help move furniture and belongings and pack things up. They were working up a sweat. After a truckload of things was driven away, Granny Cai tentatively asked, "Can Can, why did you move? Was this yard uncomfortable? Did you sell it?"
Jiang Can: "Sold."
Granny Cai shrieked, "Sold?! This area is slated for demolition!!!"
Jiang Can didn't hide anything from her: "I opened a hot pot restaurant in the city, and I'm short of money for renovations. I'll sell this house and use the proceeds to renovate it."
Grandma Cai exclaimed in disbelief, "This courtyard is going to be demolished! They're going to build a train station here!"
Jiang Can: "Thank you for your help, Auntie."
When Granny Cai returned home, she was in a daze and felt uneasy. Shen Lang and Jiang Can were such shrewd people, how could they have sold the yard? Let alone being short of money for renovations, the two of them didn't seem to be short of money at all.
Jiang Can's restaurant is booming, and Shen Lang is making a fortune selling goods every day! Just look at the huge gold bracelet and ring on Jiang Can's wrist, they're dazzling.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt uneasy all over. Could it be that this house wasn't going to be demolished?
No, she has to sell this courtyard too.
Grandma Cai's decision was met with strong opposition from the whole family. Her son and daughter-in-law were furious. "Mom, are you crazy? This yard will be worth hundreds of thousands of yuan after it's demolished! And you're going to sell it for only 50,000 yuan?"
The daughter-in-law was furious. "No way! This yard can't be sold! If it is, I'll take Niu Niu back to my parents' home."
Granny Cai: "Shen Lang and Jiang Can's courtyards have been sold! This courtyard must be sold, as soon as possible, today. Old Cai, you find a buyer now."
After finishing his cigarette, Old Cai rode his bicycle out the door.
The son and daughter-in-law chased after her in anger, but Granny Cai blocked the doorway with an iron shovel in her hand: "This yard belongs to your father and me. Your word doesn't count. Don't try to scare me by bringing this back to your parents' home. If you want to come back, then come back."
She knew Shen Lang and Jiang Can's abilities all too well. They were top-notch fighters, capable of killing even the most ruthless thugs! Recently, they even took down a bunch of big shots from the riots. They were incredibly smart; how could they possibly pass up such an opportunity?
Everyone knows that demolition and relocation can make money, unless this place isn't demolished!
Jiang Can went over to lead Tiger and took a comb from the side to brush Tiger's fur. After raising it for so long, Tiger's fur was smooth and oily, like the finest mink fur, and it was very nice to touch.
This was raised on good food and drink.
Tiger nestled in front of Jiang Can, its tail wagging back and forth, feeling very comfortable from being groomed. Gradually, it rested its head on Jiang Can's lap.
Jiang Can carefully combed Tiger's fur; the shed fur could have formed a small ball. She patted Tiger's head and said, "Good dog, so well-behaved."
Tiger stuck out his tongue and licked Jiang Can's palm.
Everything in the yard was unloaded in one truck; the remaining odds and ends can be loaded onto a tricycle.
Shen Lang rode a tricycle, with Jiang Can sitting on the shaft and holding Hu Zi's hand, heading towards their new home.
The new house has three bedrooms and one living room. Huang Xiaoling, Sister Peng and others are helping to clean and tidy up. Xu Rao also brought two waitresses from the store to help wipe the windows and tables. She herself sat on the rattan chair and ate sunflower seeds.
The more she looked at it, the more she disliked it: "Shen Lang, I'm not trying to be mean, but there are so many houses in Happiness City, can't you buy a new one? Letting my sister live here, the walls aren't even painted white, and the newspapers pasted on them are still yellowed. You might as well let my sister live with me, my place is clean and comfortable."
Shen Lang's face darkened. He hadn't considered Happiness City because it was already under renovation and they wouldn't have time to move in. After Jiang Can went to school, they'd rather buy an apartment near the school. He hadn't considered living in two different places. Now, looking around, he felt it was unfair to his wife to live here.
Jiang Can: "Stop! This place is great! It's clean everywhere! Sister, the houses next door are for sale too. Why don't you buy the house next door and we can be neighbors? It'll be convenient to get breakfast here in the morning."
Xu Rao raised an eyebrow. This was the second time Jiang Can had suggested she buy a house. Jiang Can wasn't one to meddle in other people's business, much less to give advice haphazardly. If the first time was just a casual remark, what about this time...?
Xu Rao chuckled, "Sure, you have to provide meals."
In the evening, we treated everyone to dinner at Jiangji Restaurant, where Chef Fang Yuan prepared a large table of meat dishes to celebrate Shen Lang and Jiang Can's move.
After the meal, Liang Kaiwen and Zhang Yuning arrived carrying a basket of fruit.
Zhang Yuning's belly was already quite noticeable. She held her waist with one hand and followed Liang Kaiwen into the house. "Xiao Jiang, my stomach wasn't feeling well today. Kaiwen was worried about the baby and insisted on taking us to the hospital. We just got back from the hospital and didn't even get to help you move."
Liang Kaiwen looked apologetic: "Brother Lang, is there anything else I can help you with?"
He Fengnian snorted, "Brother Lang's yard isn't even tidy yet, and the doghouse isn't finished. Do you have time? Let's go over and finish building the doghouse together tonight."
Zhang Yuning clutched her stomach: "My belly is big, and I can't be left alone at night. I asked Kaiwen to come and help me after get off work."
Xu Rao was overjoyed: "Then why bother with all this nonsense?"
He Fengnian chuckled: "Don't ask such polite questions anymore. What's the matter? Did you think your house is going to be demolished and selling clothes is no longer respectable, so you're quitting?"
Liang Kaiwen went shopping for clothes with He Fengnian's mother for a week, earning 200 yuan a day. Although Zhang Yuning had objections, it was still equivalent to a month's salary, so she let Liang Kaiwen take leave from the factory to help out.
The news of the demolition and relocation spread far and wide a few days ago.
Zhang Yuning was ecstatic. She and her husband lived in Shiliu Lane. Her parents-in-law worked at a soy sauce factory, and her parents worked at a chemical plant! Their house was going to be demolished.
Who cares about a little money! They immediately told Liang Kaiwen not to do it.
Zhang Yuning said, "You really sold your house? It's slated for demolition! How could you be so short-sighted as to give it up for such a small amount of money?" She was heartbroken. "Shen Lang, how could you let her sell the house! After the demolition, you could get hundreds of thousands in compensation, a chance to become rich overnight, and you just threw it away like that?"
Jiang Can scoffed, "I'm short-sighted and I like the current price. I'll sell if I want to, and you can keep it if you don't. Everyone should mind their own business."
Zhang Yuning: "I'm doing this for your own good. How can you live like this?"
Liang Kaiwen looked heartbroken, not understanding how Brother Lang could miss such an opportunity. "Sigh, Brother Lang is just unlucky and doesn't have great fortune," he frowned. "Brother Lang, why don't you keep an eye on your wife? Although she's good at studying, she doesn't really understand these things."
Shen Lang stood up, walked to Liang Kaiwen's side, grabbed his collar, dragged him out, slammed him against a tree, and punched him in the face several times. "Liang Kaiwen, don't call me brother anymore, get lost."
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