When Jiang Qiao and the other person returned, Gu Hanting was already sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) drinking tea with his eldest grandson. He knew in his heart what he had and what he didn't have. The only thing missing was his mother's dowry from back then, which she hadn't found. Now that his granddaughter had been found, the matter was basically settled.
Seeing Jiang Qiao and Ma Liu's delighted expressions, Gu Hanting understood what was going on.
"How much?"
Jiang Qiao smiled and shook her head. "I haven't said anything yet. Uncle went out to find someone to discuss it with. Grandpa Jiang told us to come back and prepare food and drinks, saying that he wanted to find someone to come and be a witness."
Gu Hanting patted Ma Liu on the shoulder with a sigh, "Brother, I'm really counting on you for this."
Ma Liu put his arm around Gu Hanting's shoulder without any formality. "You're too kind. We're family. Your grandson is my grandson too. Jiang Qiao and I came back because we were determined to stay here. We're family. It's only right for us old folks to think more about the children. Did you find anything?"
Gu Hanting smiled and said, "Don't just think about good things. There aren't that many good things out there."
"Then you guys get ready. I'm going to stay in the cowshed. This time, let's see what excuse Dong Chunxiao will have to argue with you."
Ma Liu smugly stuck out his neck, "Hmph, I wouldn't stoop to the level of this old woman. Does she really think I'm afraid of her? Just you wait—"
Gu Hanting waved his hand, "Keep a low profile for now, we'll talk about it after this is done. As for Dong Chunxiao, I still can't figure out her intentions. Don't be fooled by her saying she's looking for jobs for her children and grandchildren, it's just a test. Hmph, after all these years of cultivation, it's a pity she hasn't changed at her core."
Jiang Qiao was surprised after hearing this. "What? Grandpa, is her thinking really what I think?"
Gu Hanting sighed, "Whether it's what you think or not, I'm not sure yet, but this person is vengeful. I'm afraid she still remembers what her mother said back then, right?"
Ma Liu's mouth dropped open. "Huh? No way? With a brain like that, how is she still alive? Wow, that's really strange. How did a woman with no brains survive in this backyard? It's a miracle."
Gu Hanting gave a bitter smile. "She's not stupid, otherwise she could still go to school and study. She's just selfish and heartless."
Ma Liu glanced at Gu Hanting and said, "Don't tell me this woman just came to see your family make a fool of themselves. She doesn't seem like it. She's good at singing, reciting, acting, and fighting. It seems she came prepared."
I feel like she's not just after the things in the bed box, nor is she just here to watch the spectacle. I have a feeling she has some other purpose. It seems we need to be wary of her; we can't let her move into this house.
Jiang Qiao picked up her teacup thoughtfully and slowly sipped her tea.
Ma Liu stood up. "Alright, let's stop guessing. I need to go cook. Girl, do you have any money on you?"
Jiang Qiao nodded. "I just don't know how much the captain is asking for. If it's too much, I'll have to go out and get the money."
Gu Hanting nodded. "Then you should hurry up and go. We should have quite a few houses on this trip."
Jiang Qiao stood up. "Alright, you guys go ahead with your work. I'm leaving."
Gu Zhixuan wanted to go with Jiang Qiao to help, but Gu Hanting called him back, "Don't go. You should go find your Grandpa Jiang and see what's going on over there. Remember, be discreet and don't let Dong Chunxiao know."
Jiang Qiao returned with the money and took Ma Liu directly to the team. Jiang Xiuqi and his son, the accountant, and several veterans from the team were all there.
Upon seeing Ma Liu, everyone greeted him warmly.
"You old rascal, you've got some money to burn! You actually managed to buy the Gu family's house. Let me tell you, it's not like no one has ever wanted to buy this house, but the price is too high; no one can afford it."
Ma Liu chuckled and said, "You can't say that. Everyone has a family to support, so they have a lot to consider and many concerns."
I'm all alone. I've traveled all over the country in my life and saved up a little bit. You know, I have no children and no expenses. Now that I'm old, I just want to live in a spacious house and retire here. Life has been hard. Why should I feel cramped up in my old age?
"Captain, how much is the house? Give us a price."
Jiang Xiuqi glanced at everyone in the room. "We've discussed it and decided to give you the room for 600, including the furniture. However, the team's tools are still ours; we can't mix them up."
Ma Liu waved his hand and said, "I understand, I understand. Do you think we're the kind of people who don't understand? Collective property belongs to the collective. Private property cannot be confused with collective property."
Jiang Xiuqi looked troubled and said, "Uncle Liu, the house price is a bit high. This old Gu family house is old and can't compare with a new house. It's only because you've lived here for the past two years that it has become somewhat lively. Otherwise, the house would have been dilapidated long ago."
"However, since you're so determined to buy it, I'll explain why it's so expensive. The deed includes the house and land next to the cowshed, but the cowshed will remain under the team's use for now. You can take it back when it's no longer needed. Is that alright with you?"
Ma Liu waved his hand dismissively, "Why not? If it's for the team, then it's for everyone. No problem. We'll pay for it then."
With the men as witnesses, Ma Liu took out six hundred yuan from his bag, and with everyone present, the house was officially registered in Ma Liu's name.
"Alright, Uncle Liu, when do you think it's a good time to transfer your household registration here? I'm not bragging, but this place is definitely a great place to retire. I guarantee you won't regret staying here."
Ma Liu clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Gentlemen, thank you for today. Come on, let's have a drink at noon. Everything's ready at home. From now on, I'm one of our team members, and I'll have to rely on you guys for help."
Everyone smiled and nodded, "No problem, no problem. If you need anything, just call us. We can't just stand by and watch you be left without anyone to take care of you."
After the formalities were completed, Ma Liu took everyone home for dinner, with Jiang Qiao attentively greeting them from the side.
However, halfway through the banquet, Song Chunxiao somehow found out that Ma Liu had bought the Gu family's ancestral home, and she stormed over to make a scene.
“Ma Liu, you come out here! Living in someone else's house, you're shameless! That's the Gu family's house. No one, including you, has the right to buy it. Don't think I don't know what your purpose is. Do you really think the Gu family has no one left…”
The men, young and old, eating inside the house shook their heads repeatedly. "Tell me about Dong Chunxiao, she's so old, how can she not know right from wrong? She's a married daughter, how can she be so shameless as to come here and cause trouble? Who gave her the nerve?"
Jiang Xiuqi snorted coldly, "She thinks she's so great, but she doesn't even know who she is. Back then, the Gu family raised this thing without ever saying a good word to her. Now that she's old, she comes here to show off. I really don't know where she gets such confidence."
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