Going back to their hometown is out of the question; they're also afraid of losing face.
Qin Xiaoye had overheard Qin Xiaoyu's words implying that Shanghai would develop dramatically in the future and that land would be expensive. She started thinking that she might as well take advantage of her money to invest in another property or open a small shop to start a small business.
After discussing it with Xiao Ye's father, they reached an agreement. Xiao Ye's father began to seriously go out and look for a shop. He worked diligently every day, and became dark-skinned and thin, looking every bit like a southerner.
This period of time gave her the illusion that life seemed pretty good, at least relatively comfortable.
She bought groceries, cooked, and waited for her father to come home. The father and daughter carefully studied the location and price of the storefront at the dining table.
Just glancing up at the empty seats sometimes makes my heart ache, and I feel sorry for my mother.
Xiao Ye's father has always had high standards; the locations he chooses are always in good places and are relatively expensive, which Qin Xiao Ye simply doesn't have enough money for.
“I really like this storefront. Think about it. If it doesn’t work out, maybe we should sell the house.” Xiao Ye’s father took out a tourist map and pointed to a back alley on Nanjing Road. Qin Xiao Ye was tempted.
When they went out together, Qin Xiaoyu once said, "This place will be incredibly valuable in the future."
Although Qin Xiaoye didn't know where Qin Xiaoyu got her information, every word she said came true. She just had that ability.
Furthermore, the housing prices are actually quite reasonable, offering excellent value for money.
The next day, Qin Xiaoye accompanied her father to meet the landlord.
She was a short, plump woman with puffy eyes that were almost closed. She had a bloody mouth, but thankfully she had fair skin that shone brightly, otherwise she would have been quite a sight to behold.
She was exceptionally warm towards the father and daughter, showing them around the house.
These old alleyway buildings in Shanghai don't get much natural light, and with all their age, they have a certain indescribable charm. If it weren't for the location, Qin Xiaoye wouldn't have taken the house even if it were given to her for free.
She stood on the precarious balcony on the second floor, gazing into the distance. Through the gaps between the buildings, she could see a stretch of the Huangpu River. With just that one glance, she decided to take the apartment.
The landlady's price was quite reasonable. Qin Xiaoye calculated that if she sold her current house and added her savings, it would be enough, and she would even have some money left to renovate the house.
Everything has been agreed upon, so it's up to Xiao Ye's dad to handle it.
He can handle this kind of thing, after all, he's a teacher by training.
Qin Xiaoye tidied up her house. Actually, there wasn't much left. She had suffered too much loss last time. Apart from a few changes of clothes that she bought later, she was penniless.
Xiao Ye's father was very serious about his business, selling his house first and then buying another.
He would come home every day with a stack of documents, carefully calculating them while wearing his reading glasses. Qin Xiaoye felt quite reassured; this was what a father should be like.
But there was an indescribable scent about him that made him seem familiar.
Qin Xiaoye never imagined that smuggling would happen right under her nose.
The house was officially handed over, and the father and daughter moved into the house in the back alley.
There wasn't much furniture inside to begin with; the bed was practically falling apart, and they were just making do with what they had. Qin Xiaoye is very similar to Qin Xiaoyu in this respect—they take things one step at a time and don't force anything.
She's fallen from grace now, but she refuses to believe that when she makes a comeback, she won't be as good as Qin Xiaoyu.
The old house was not like the old place. It was plagued by rats all night, and there was a leak somewhere that kept dripping until dawn.
When Qin Xiaoye heard the sound of the door lock turning, her first thought was that a thief had broken in.
Ever since the Xing family came to beat her up last time, she has become terrified and is scared to death by the slightest disturbance.
She sat up slightly and listened attentively.
Sure enough, someone entered the house, tackling heavily, seemingly unconcerned whether anyone heard them.
There were voices talking, and it wasn't just one person. Qin Xiaoye panicked; the trauma from last time was hard to shake off. She hurriedly grabbed her clothes and put them on. Just then, she heard her father outside arguing excitedly with the people who had come in.
"This is my home. You've broken the law by barging in!" Xiao Ye's father shoved the people who had entered.
"What are you talking about? This is the house we bought, how did it become yours?" The newcomers were even more aggressive, and there were two young men again. Xiao Ye's father was quickly put on the defensive.
"What happened?" Qin Xiaoye mustered her courage and asked.
Upon seeing a beautiful woman emerge from the inner room, the two men became quiet, their eyes scanning her body. Qin Xiaoye had come out in a hurry, and her clothes were not very appropriate, revealing her curves.
"This is the house we bought. We're just tidying it up today because we'll be moving soon." The tall, thin man spoke with a northern Jiangsu accent and seemed to be someone who had traveled all over the country. He spoke with a strong accent, which Qin Xiaoye understood very well.
Upon seeing Qin Xiaoye, he finally had the patience to speak properly.
"Have you come to the wrong house? We bought this house. We have the deed," Qin Xiaoye said matter-of-factly.
"Wrong?" The man seemed a little unsure. He took out a property deed from the black leather bag, looked at it carefully, and read the address: "No. 71, Lane 3".
"It really is." Xiao Ye's father glanced nervously at Qin Xiao Ye, his eyes suddenly darting away, which Qin Xiao Ye noticed, making him feel uncertain.
"Let me see." Qin Xiaoye stepped forward, snatched the property deed, and it was clearly written on it. She shoved the deed into the man's hand, then turned to Xiaoye's father and called out, "Give me the property deed!"
Startled, Xiao Ye's father turned and ran. He went inside and rummaged around for a while before pulling out the property deeds. The two deeds were practically identical, like twins. From the address to the area and layout, it was a copy-paste job.
Both groups were dumbfounded.
"This matter can't be settled privately. Let's report it to the authorities." The man was still decisive, and the two families went to report the case together.
The police understood halfway through their explanation.
“You’ve encountered a repeat offender. This person has a criminal record, but they’ve never been caught.”
"If all else fails, let's make do and split the house between the two families." Hearing this, the man knew he couldn't get the money back, so he had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure.
Qin Xiaoye felt as if her heart was being cut by a knife. This money was hard-earned; it was money that Xiaoye's mother had risked her life for.
But if neither side lets go, it won't benefit either of them in the end. If it doesn't work out, just accept it. The two families can sell the houses and split the proceeds, and consider it a loss of half.
She was still struggling with her decision, trying to make a choice. Meanwhile, the police arrived and were already laughing.
“You have a good idea, but it’s probably not that simple. Her usual method is to sell rented houses. We are still investigating the real owner. If we find her, you won’t get a single square meter of this house.”
"No way! I paid the money, why shouldn't I get the house!" Qin Xiaoye was more agitated than the other two, and suddenly stood up to pounce on them and grab the deed.
"Comrade, don't act impulsively. Acting impulsively here won't do any good. It's not our fault you were tricked. You're an adult and you need to be responsible for your actions." After saying that, the policeman tucked the case file away and put it away.
They waited at the police station for a long time, but in the end, the real homeowner was found.
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