Chapter 178
Xie Jinxuan said: "Then I hope this is a strong child who can protect his mother in the future."
Mother Xie smiled and said, "What? What happened to you in the future? Can't you protect Qingtang by yourself?"
"That's not what I meant. It's just that... I may have to be transferred frequently for a while in the future. If Qingtang's business grows bigger, he may not be able to follow me around. So, when I'm not at home, when the child is older, if he is a strong and brave person, he can protect Qingtang."
Grandma said, "From your tone, you hope the baby is a boy?"
Xie Jinxuan shook her head: "Whether it's a boy or a girl, if the child is brave, he or she can protect the mother. I don't care what gender the child is. Anyway, this is Qingtang and I's child, so it doesn't matter what it is. If the child happens to be healthy and brave, it will be even better."
Grandma and Xie's mother both laughed. Xie's mother said, "The world has changed. Now a couple can only have one child, so there is no choice whether it is a boy or a girl. I have two sons myself, and I hope Qingtang can give birth to a little girl. If she is like her, she will be very cute. When the time comes, I will hold her little hand and go to the park to play, so that everyone will envy her!"
Xie Jinxuan said: "Yes, if she is like Qingtang, she must be cute and beautiful. It would be best if she is like her."
"So, you actually hope to have a little girl." Grandma said with a smile.
"Then grandma, do you hope it's a boy?" Xia Qingtang asked casually.
Grandma said, "Me? He's already a great-grandson. It doesn't matter whether it's a boy or a girl to me. Besides, our family doesn't have any need to pass on the family line. There's no need to have a boy. Also, it doesn't matter if we like boys or girls. Qingtang, do you like a son or a daughter?"
Xia Qingtang thought about it seriously and said, "I don't know. In other words, it doesn't matter what it is. This is my baby. No matter what gender she is, she is my baby. This is the most important thing."
"That's right. This is your baby, and that's the most important thing." Xie's mother smiled and said, "But we should almost start preparing small clothes and shoes for the baby, and I don't know what color to prepare."
Xia Qingtang said: "I've thought about it and decided to prepare light blue, light yellow, and light green ones. Both sons and daughters can wear them, and they don't need to be divided by gender when they are given to others in the future."
"Give it away?" Aunt Six was about to say that the child's clothes should not be given away, but she suddenly realized, "Hey, now I only have one child. When the child grows up, those clothes will have to be given away, right?"
"Yes, in the past, we could let our younger brothers and sisters continue to wear it, but now we can only give it away," said grandma with a smile.
"You can leave it at home, or leave it for Xiaoyun's future children to wear?" said Xie's mother.
Xie Jinxuan said, "Xiao Yun hasn't taken the college entrance exam yet. When he graduates from college, if he wants to continue his studies, he doesn't know when he can get married. I'm afraid he won't be able to catch up. Qingtang and I have discussed it. In the future, we will see who has children close to ours in age and give them the money as long as they can use it."
"Whoever gets those little clothes is lucky! Qingtang, you sell clothes yourself, and your children will definitely wear the best clothes in the future. It's really taking advantage of others." Aunt Liu said.
Xia Qingtang said: "I was actually thinking that in the future, a couple will only have one child, and that child will be much more precious than when we were little. In a few years, when the economy is better, working couples should be more willing to dress their children in nice clothes..."
"Do you want to sell your child's clothes?" Grandma said with a smile.
"Yes, there are still too few types of children's clothes available now, and you can't see many in department stores, but there is really a huge demand in this area," said Xia Qingtang.
Xie's mother said, "You are a smart kid. You can think of everything before others. Indeed, in the future, there will only be one child in the family. Working couples will definitely love the child more and buy him/her whatever he/she wants."
"It's not just children's clothes, but also toys and stationery. There should be a huge market for them." Xie Jinxuan said casually.
Xia Qingtang said: "Yes, I think this is a good business, but I won't bother with it in the next one or two years. I'll wait until I have the baby."
Because she was pregnant, she started to plan for her child. She wanted to give her child better-looking clothes and more interesting toys. It would be wonderful if she could provide these things for her child and other children at the same time, and make some money at the same time.
On the day of the Little New Year, Xie Jinxuan rode a bicycle and took Xia Qingtang to the cotton mill.
Because they had made an appointment before, Xia Qinghai and Wu Jinfeng also came.
When I got to the door, I saw Xia Qinghai was helping Zhao Meizhen crack walnuts, Wu Jinfeng was standing by the sink washing vegetables, and Xia Daming was standing nearby talking to a neighbor, but Xia Qinghai's son was nowhere to be seen.
Xia Qingtang asked, "Where's your son? Why didn't you bring him?"
"Qingtang is here?" Xia Daming walked back happily.
"Dad, we're back." Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan said together.
Zhao Meizhen snorted, and Xie Jinxuan said with a smile: "Mom, this is the New Year gift we brought, Mom, please keep it."
Xie Jinxuan would bring nice gifts every time she came, so Zhao Meizhen immediately smiled and ran over to take two bottles of white wine, a pack of cigarettes, a bottle of canned fruit and a box of egg cakes, and hurriedly put them in her room.
Wu Jinfeng said: "My sister and brother-in-law are back? The baby had diarrhea last night, so I didn't dare take him out today. My parents happened to be here too, and there was someone at home to take care of him, so I let the baby stay at home."
"So that's how it is." Xia Qingtang said, "I was thinking of hugging your son, but since I can't see him, forget it. By the way, this is the New Year's money for the baby, take it back and give it to your son later."
As he spoke, Xia Qingtang took out a small red envelope and handed it over.
Xia Qinghai put down the hammer, took the red envelope, and said with a smile: "Thank you, I will definitely give it to the baby. By the way, I will go to pay New Year's greetings on the eighth day of the first lunar month this year. Is your family okay?"
"Sure, you can go whenever you want, but I can't treat you to lunch this year," Xia Qingtang said.
"Why? Do you have something to do on the eighth day of the first lunar month?" Xia Qinghai asked.
"Jinxuan and I moved back to live with my grandparents. Now I don't have to cook or do housework myself." Xia Qingtang said.
Xia Daming asked, "Why did you move back to live with your grandparents out of the blue? Are you going to take back the small courtyard you live in now? But that shouldn't be the case. How old are your parents-in-law? Grandpa hasn't retired yet, so they won't retire either."
Wu Jinfeng said: "Even after retirement, the house will not be taken back. The house allocated according to the level will be used until the person dies. I think your sister probably wants to live in a crowded place..."
"Qingtang, do you have a child? So you should live with your grandparents so that someone will take care of you." Xia Qinghai was the smartest and reacted in an instant.
Xia Daming's eyes widened immediately: "What? Qingtang, you have a child? Is this true?"
Zhao Meizhen also ran out of the house, frowning as she looked at Xia Qingtang's slender figure in a thin coat.
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Yes, I have a child, so my grandmother asked me to move back and said she would take care of me until the baby is born."
"That's great!" Xia Daming jumped up happily, "Qingtang! You finally have a child!"
Wu Jinfeng also said: "That's great, sister, you also have a child, and our baby will become a big brother in the future."
"Qingtang, congratulations." Xia Qinghai also looked very happy. He said, "However, when you move back to your grandparents' house, you will live upstairs. When you are older, will you be able to climb up and down?"
Xia Qingtang said: "I asked the doctor, she said as long as the body allows, climbing stairs is fine, and it can be considered a form of exercise. Besides, our factory has agreed that I can take leave anytime when I am pregnant."
"You are so capable in the factory. I don't know if I can make it without you." Xia Qinghai joked.
"I know you're joking, but seriously, the factory will remain the same without anyone." Xia Qingtang said, "People should not take themselves too seriously. In this world, no one, no thing, no place can't continue to function without anyone."
"Hey, you know I'm joking with you, but you're still so serious. No wonder you can become the vice chairman of the labor union at such a young age. You don't know that everyone in the cotton mill is proud of you. As your brother, I'm also praised by everyone in the factory."
"What are you praising?"
"Everyone says that I am worthy of being your brother and that I am as smart and capable as you." Xia Qinghai smiled.
"Then you are doing well in your work at the factory," said Xia Qingtang.
As soon as she finished speaking, Wu Jinfeng's expression changed. She quickly looked at Xia Qinghai, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Xia Qingtang said, "What's wrong? You can't do well in the cotton mill? That shouldn't be the case. The work in the mill doesn't require any technical skills. How can you, a high school graduate, not do it?"
Xia Qinghai said: "I did a good job in the factory office, and my leaders praised me. However, I always felt that there was no future for me if I stayed in the factory office for the rest of my life."
"So what way out do you think there is?" Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan sat down in the open space at the door.
Wu Jinfeng brought out a high stool from the house and placed a brand new tea tray on it, which was filled with melon seeds, peanuts and sesame candies. She also brought two cups of malted milk to Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan.
"I originally wanted to make tea, but when I thought about your pregnancy, I decided to drink this. It's nutritious." Wu Jinfeng said.
Since she married Xia Qinghai, she has become more and more familiar with her husband's family. She will take the initiative to do housework when she comes home and greet guests like a host.
And, miraculously, she looks better now than before.
It is said that women with happy marriages will become more and more beautiful. Judging from the situation, Wu Jinfeng’s marriage should be very happy, but what was the reason for her hesitation to speak just now?
Xia Qingtang thanked him, took a sip of the hot malted milk, and said, "Sister-in-law, what happened to my brother? What kind of solution does he want?"
Wu Jinfeng looked at Xia Qinghai and whispered, "He feels that after working in the factory for his entire life, he will just be a clerk, so... he is unwilling to accept this."
Xia Qinghai said: "Yes, I am a little unwilling, but I also know that although I am a high school graduate, high school graduates are not worth much now, and I don't have the ability to go to college, so I can only blame myself for being incompetent."
"It's meaningless for you to say this. Judging from your expression, it's obvious that you still have some thoughts." Xia Qingtang said.
She still understood Xia Qinghai. Although Xia Qinghai had become a little different in this life, he was still the same person at heart.
Xia Qinghai said: "Do you know that many people went to Zhushi?"
"I know. I also know someone who went to Hsinchu City. What do you mean by that? You don't want to go to Hsinchu City, do you?" Xia Qingtang said, "Your family is here. How old is your child? If you go to Hsinchu City, what will happen to your family?"
Xia Qinghai said: "I know my family can't do without me, so I didn't think about going to Hsinchu City right now. Besides, I don't want to stay in Hsinchu City forever, I just want to go and have a look and find some opportunities."
"Looking for an opportunity?" Xia Qingtang was a little surprised. "What opportunity do you want to find?"
"You live in the provincial party committee compound. Logically, you must be well-informed. You should know that many new stores that opened this year, including the restaurant on Zhongxin Road and the famous Xinfeng clothing store, are privately owned."
Xia Qingtang glanced at Xie Jinxuan, picked up a peanut and peeled it, then said, "I've heard of it. What's the matter? Do you want to open a private store like them?"
"Yes, I want to open a store on my own, but I have to find my own way. I have asked people about it. For example, the Xinfeng clothing store buys its clothes from Hsinchu City. The clothes there are beautiful and of good quality, so they are very popular. Since they can buy their clothes from Hsinchu City and open a store, why can't I?"
After hearing this, Xia Qingtang was very surprised.
Because in his previous life, Xia Qinghai had never thought about going out to do business, but in this life he suddenly became so proactive.
However, she has also changed a lot. Xia Qinghai married a wife from a cadre family in this life. He is a thoughtful person and probably doesn't want to be looked down upon by his father-in-law and mother-in-law. He may always be thinking about how to move up to a higher position.
Now he has thought of opening a private shop to do business, which is a good idea. If he can really do it, it will definitely be great.
Xia Qingtang then asked, "What kind of store do you want to open? A clothing store?"
Xia Qinghai shook his head: "Xinfeng Clothing Store has already attracted all the female comrades in the city who like beautiful clothes. If I rashly open another clothing store, the effect will not be so good. Besides, there is no place in the best area of the city. If such a fashionable clothing store is opened somewhere else, it will not do such good business."
"So, you haven't decided what kind of store you want to open?"
"Of course I haven't thought about it. I stay in this city every day, what can I think of? I have always wanted to go to Hsinchu City and stay there for ten days or half a month, at least to explore it more. Maybe I will find an opportunity there? Even if I don't find it, it is a good thing for me to go to a new place and gain some experience." Xia Qinghai said softly.
Xia Qingtang looked at Wu Jinfeng and said, "Is it because your sister-in-law won't let you go?"
"Yes, I don't want him to go there. I heard that Hsinchu City is very chaotic and our children are still young, so I don't want him to go there. Besides, my parents are still far from retirement and can still help us for many years. Now the jobs in Qinghai are also very stable. We are both working and have no worries about food and clothing. We have everything at home, even a TV. I think... this is great." Wu Jinfeng said with great effort.
"My sister-in-law's feelings are understandable," said Xia Qingtang.
Xia Qinghai smiled bitterly: "I just want to stay in Zhu City for a while, not that I will never come back. I don't understand why Jin Feng disagrees."
"She's worried that you might get into danger, or that you might not come back. Aren't there a lot of people who go and never come back? I heard that helping to build houses there is very profitable."
"I will definitely come back. I don't want to look for a job there. I just want to see the business opportunities. But no matter what I say, it's useless. Jin Feng just won't agree."
Xia Qinghai did look helpless. Xia Qingtang understood his thoughts. After thinking about it, she said, "How about this? Since your father-in-law and mother-in-law are coming here for the New Year, ask them to help you stay for another week after the New Year to help take care of the children. You and your sister-in-law can buy tickets to go to Hsinchu City to see what it is like there. You really have to see it with your own eyes to be sure. Your sister-in-law is worried about you going alone, so you two can go together. Wouldn't that make her feel at ease?"
Xia Qinghai's eyes lit up: "You're right! Jinfeng, let's go and take a look together! Zhushi is really a good place, I want to see it with my own eyes!"
Wu Jinfeng's lips trembled, and she disagreed: "I don't want to..."
"Jinfeng, is this not possible? Just think of it as you accompanying me to fulfill a dream, is this not possible? I'm not dissatisfied with our lives. I just hope to have one more way out and a little more ability so that I can give you and your son a better life in the future." Xia Qinghai said in a deep voice.
No one else said anything. Seeing that Zhao Meizhen wanted to go over and get angry, Xia Daming quickly dragged her into the house.
After a long while, Wu Jinfeng said, "Then... let's go take a look?"
"Jinfeng, thank you! I will buy the train tickets this afternoon, and we will go there right after the New Year!" Xia Qinghai was so excited that he rushed over and hugged Wu Jinfeng.
Wu Jinfeng blushed and whispered, "There are so many people here, please stop doing this."
"Jinfeng, you are really my best wife. Marrying you is the best thing I have ever done in my life." Xia Qinghai whispered, "We are all family here. Don't be shy. It's okay."
Xia Qingtang applauded him in her heart. It was rare to find a man who was so good at coaxing people.
So the matter was settled. Zhao Meizhen and Wu Jinfeng prepared a lunch of four dishes and one soup, including pork and eggs, all of which were brought by Xia Qinghai and his friends. It was considered quite sumptuous.
During the meal, Xia Qinghai asked Xie Jinxuan and Xia Qingtang about what to pay attention to after arriving in Hsinchu City.
Xie Jinxuan said: "It's very lively over there, with all kinds of small shops and stalls everywhere, and people riding tricycles to pick up customers and goods, all of which charge money. Because there are all kinds of people, there are many scammers and thieves over there, so you must be more careful in this regard. After leaving the train station, you go straight ahead, and you will see the bus station on the right, which is the starting point. Take the bus and there is a more formal guesthouse ahead, which is run by a large unit. If you go there, you can stay there..."
Xie Jinxuan said a lot slowly, and Xia Qinghai took notes carefully. After the meal, Xia Qinghai said, "Then I can't go to your house to pay New Year's greetings on the eighth day of the first lunar month this year."
"It doesn't matter. Just go and fulfill your dream. It will be the same if you go again later." Xia Qingtang said.
Xia Daming said: "Qingtang, do you support your brother going there?"
"Yes, I support it. Why wouldn't I support this? I'm just going to Hsinchu City to take a look. It's not like I'm doing anything bad."
"But...your brother wants to open a shop and do business. How much money does it cost to open a shop? How can our family afford it?" Xia Daming still looked worried.
Zhao Meizhen said, "We have saved several hundred yuan, right? If Qinghai needs it, we can give it to him! Isn't our money saved for our son?"
Xia Daming immediately said: "My money is saved for their children!"
"I don't need your money." Xia Qinghai said: "If I really find an opportunity and I can open a store, I will find a way to raise money myself."
"How can you raise money? Ask your father-in-law and mother-in-law?" Zhao Meizhen asked.
Xia Qinghai said: "No, I have my own way anyway, so don't worry about it."
After that, after sitting for a while, Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan were about to say goodbye and go back.
Xia Qinghai sent them both out, and walked all the way to the door of the family area before he whispered, "Brother-in-law, if I ask you to borrow some money, will you be willing to lend it to me?"
Xie Jinxuan said: "I will definitely listen to Qingtang."
"If you can really find a business that makes money, I would have no problem lending you money. All the money in the family is in my hands." Xia Qingtang said.
"Okay then, I will definitely come to you when I am ready." Xia Qinghai smiled, "Qingtang, thank you."
"We haven't even started dating yet, it's too early for you to thank me." Xia Qingtang waved his hand, sat on the back seat of the bicycle and went back with Xie Jinxuan.
After that, Xia Qingtang continued to stay at home and wait for the New Year. He either ate or slept every day and gained back all the weight he had lost.
On the 28th day of the lunar year, Xia Daming suddenly ran to the provincial party committee compound, and Xie Jinxuan went to the door to pick him up.
"Qingtang, Dad brought you an old hen." Xie Jinxuan shouted in the yard.
Xia Qingtang and Aunt Six ran out immediately, only to see Xia Daming wearing the decent clothes he wore when visiting relatives during the New Year. He was holding a cloth bag in his left hand and an old hen with its wings tied in his right hand.
This chicken is quite big and looks plump. If it is stewed into chicken soup, it will probably be enough for two meals.
"Dad, where did you buy the old hen?" Xia Qingtang asked.
"I went to the countryside this morning and bought it from your distant cousin. They raise a lot of chickens, and I bought the fattest one to nourish your body." Xia Daming said, "But don't tell your mother, she doesn't know about this. I bought some mushrooms and dried bamboo shoots and brought them home to her as an explanation."
Xia Qingtang was still very happy. She said, "Thank you, Dad. You must have gone out early in the morning. Come in quickly and have lunch here at noon. Then let Jinxuan take you home."
"I won't eat here. It will disturb you." Xia Daming refused.
Aunt Six said immediately, "Oh, dear, you must eat here. If you don't eat here, the old lady will be unhappy."
As she was speaking, grandma came out and pulled Xia Daming in.
So, the old hen was raised in the backyard, and Xia Daming also had a simple lunch here with Grandpa Xie and everyone else.
Before leaving, Xia Daming secretly gave Xia Qingtang another fifty yuan: "Take it and buy yourself something to eat. I don't know what to buy, and I don't understand these things. I still have some money. If you don't have enough money later, tell me."
Xia Qingtang accepted the money, and then asked Xie Jinxuan to pack two bags of brown sugar for him: "Okay, don't worry about me, I'm not short of money here."
"Okay, then I'll go back." Xia Daming packed the brown sugar and went out with Xie Jinxuan.
That day was also the last day of business for Xinfeng Clothing Store. At five o'clock in the afternoon, the store officially closed. The store manager Zhang Xiaomei posted a bright red couplet on the door. Xia Qingtang also went in through the back door and distributed wages and New Year bonuses to everyone.
Those who had worked the day before had already received their wages and New Year bonuses, which was a generous sum of money, enough for each of them to happily spend a prosperous New Year.
"Thank you, leader." Everyone was very happy.
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "I also want to thank you for working so late so that you can go home for the New Year. Next year, I hope everyone will work together to take our Xinfeng Clothing Store to a new level!"
"Great!" Everyone was very excited and everyone's face looked happy.
After locking the shop door, Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan walked back slowly, arm in arm.
"I really made a lot of money this year." Xia Qingtang said: "The department store also settled all the payments before the New Year and made a lot of money. I guess that's me."
Xie Jinxuan laughed: "Little money-grubber, why do you like making money so much?"
"Because it's really good to have money..." Xia Qingtang didn't know how to explain it, but it's good to have money, because money can buy everything they want, and it can also bring a sense of security.
After returning home, Xia Qingtang took out red paper and started cutting red envelopes, intending to give more red envelopes to his family during the New Year.
After all, she is earning a lot of money now and wants her family to share her joy.
On New Year's Eve, everyone in the family received red envelopes from Xia Qingtang.
Grandma said: "I am still young, but Qingtang has already started to show filial piety to me."
"Yes, that's why grandma must accept it." Xia Qingtang said.
Xie Jinyun said: "If any of you don't want a red envelope, then give it to me, I can accept it!"
Mother Xie reached out and patted her youngest son on the head: "You are already so old, why do you still speak so rudely?"
"Mom, please don't hit my head. It will make me stupid." Xie Jinyun protested.
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "No matter how dumb you are, you can still get into a university in Beijing, right?"
"Yes, I want to apply to Huazhong University!" Xie Jinyun said, "If I pass, will you give me a reward, sister-in-law?"
"What? Are you starting to blackmail the rich?" Xie Jinxuan said with a smile: "Your sister-in-law has already said that as long as you do well in the college entrance examination, you will get a reward. If you want to travel around the country, she is willing to pay for it."
"Is this true?" Xie Jinyun jumped up, "Don't worry, sister-in-law, I will definitely be admitted to Hua University! You should prepare the money!"
"You are such a rude child. How can you ask your sister-in-law for money like this?" Xie's mother patted her youngest son's head again.
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "I like how Xiaoyun is so familiar with me. He treats me like one of his own."
"Yes, yes, my sister-in-law is better than my brother!" Xie Jinyun happily circled around the room.
The Xie family was having their New Year's lunch. They had already finished eating and were about to leave the table when they heard someone knocking on the door: "Mr. Xie, are you all home?"
Xie Chengye ran out when he heard the voice: "Lao Zhang, why are you here? Come in quickly!"
He walked in with an acquaintance from the same compound. Xia Qingtang was also familiar with this person. He was a friend of Xie Chengye and was at a similar level to him. The two of them were originally from the same department, so they still had a good relationship.
In the past, Old Zhang always had a smile on his face and looked very relaxed, but now he had a worried look on his face and his eyes were a little red.
"Lao Zhang, what's wrong with you? Did something happen?" Xie Chengye asked quickly.
Xie's mother also came over: "Lao Zhang, what's wrong? What happened?"
Old Zhang looked at the people in the room and said a little embarrassedly: "It's New Year's Day today, I shouldn't have come to disturb you..."
"You really have a problem, right? What is it? Tell me. You are here, you must want to ask me for help. If I can help you, I will definitely do my best!" Xie Chengye said anxiously: "What happened? Tell me quickly!"
"Old Xie, can you...can you lend me two thousand yuan?" Old Zhang gritted his teeth and said it.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone else was dumbfounded.
Two thousand yuan? It was a lot of money in that era. According to the monthly salary of a young worker, he would have to work for nearly six years without eating or drinking to earn that much money.
Let’s not talk about whether other people’s families have so much money. Even if they do, who can lend such a large sum of money?
Seeing that everyone was silent, Lao Zhang's eyes suddenly turned red. He whispered, "I'm sorry, I know that what I said is hurtful, but I really have no other choice... Lao Xie, except you, I can't think of anyone else who can lend me so much money. Lao Xie, I know that your family can probably raise this money... Can you please raise it for me, I will definitely find a way to pay you back later! Please!"
As he said that, Lao Zhang knelt down with a plop, wanting to kowtow to Xie Chengye.
Xie Chengye and his mother were both shocked, and they quickly helped Lao Zhang up.
"Lao Zhang, what are you doing? Let's talk if we have something to say. Don't kowtow to me. I can't bear it. Besides, with our relationship, it's not worth it."
"I'm really desperate..." Old Zhang burst into tears, "I want to save my son... I only have this one son..."
"Your son? Something happened to Xiao Di? What happened? You should explain everything clearly first. It is impossible for you to be short of so much money for no reason." Xie Chengye whispered.
Old Zhang gritted his teeth and could only say, "Xiao Di met a bad woman...outside. He followed that bad woman to gamble privately with a group of people this year and lost several thousand yuan. His mother and I have tried our best to help him pay off several gambling debts, but now it's already this time, who knew that he owed another two thousand yuan...He followed that woman out this morning, and just now that woman came to us and said that if we don't give them two thousand yuan, they will chop off Xiao Di's little finger! Old Xie, I only have this one son! You know, his mother and I gave birth to three children and couldn't keep them, so we had to raise Xiao Di! If Xiao Di is gone, I really don't know what to do! Old Xie, please, lend me the money! I want to save my Xiao Di... wuwuwuwuwu..."
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment when they heard this. In recent years, there have indeed been a lot of people gambling, but the police have also been very aggressive in cracking down on gamblers. No one in the Xie family could have imagined that there would actually be people who owed so much money because of gambling at this time.
This is two thousand yuan. Zhang Xiaodi must be crazy!
Xie Chengye frowned and said, "Lao Zhang, you don't have to pay back the money you owe from gambling. I'll go to the police with you. As long as we call the police, we can rescue Xiao Di and you don't have to pay back the money."
"No! We can't call the police! You don't know how vicious those people are. The police can't deal with them! Besides, Xiao Di wrote them an IOU, and it didn't say that it was lost from gambling. With the IOU and fingerprints, we have to pay the money back no matter what! What's more, after calling the police...what about Xiao Di's job?" Lao Zhang knelt down again with a plop, "Please, Lao Xie, please save my Xiao Di!"
"This..." Xie Chengye was very embarrassed, "I don't have that much money on hand... The bank is closed today, and I don't have that much money in my passbook..."
"How much money do you have? It doesn't matter how much you have! Lend me a few hundred dollars first to help me out! How about this, my wife inherited that old house from her parents. You know, it's on Hongjiang Road. That house was returned to us two years ago. I'll mortgage the house to you first... Just lend me the money."
The house on Hongjiang Road?
The houses there were all built by foreigners. They are all small Western-style buildings that are more beautiful than the ones in the compound, with red brick walls and pointed roofs. They are extremely beautiful. In the 1990s, this place was renovated and protected, and it is still a small scenic tourist spot.
When Xia Qingtang heard this, her eyes immediately lit up and she quickly glanced at Xie Jinxuan.
Xie Jinxuan understood what he meant, so he leaned over and whispered, "You want to buy a house?"
"Can I buy it? What I mean is, do I have the land deeds and house deeds? If I buy it, can it be transferred to my name?" Xia Qingtang asked.
Xie Jinxuan said: "It should be possible, just go through the formalities."
"How much does it cost to buy the house over there?" Xia Qingtang asked.
Almost no one has bought a house these days, and no one knows how much a house should be worth.
Xie Jinxuan also said: "I don't know either, but the houses on Hongjiang Road are probably not cheap."
Xia Qingtang said: "Please ask for me. I have cash on hand."
If Mr. Zhang wants to save his son, he can sell the house to Xia Qingtang, because apart from her, probably no one else has that much cash on hand.
Xie Jinxuan stood up and said, "Uncle Zhang, are you willing to sell me the house you mentioned?"
Lao Zhang looked over in surprise: "What did you say? You want to buy my lover's house? You...what are you talking about?"
Xie Chengye angrily said: "Xie Jinxuan! What's wrong with you?"
Xie Jinxuan said, "I'm just asking. Uncle Zhang and his family also have a place to live in the compound, and they don't live in the house that Aunt Chen inherited anyway, so it doesn't hurt for me to ask."
"Do you have money?" Old Zhang looked at Xie Jinxuan with a complicated look.
Xie Jinxuan said: "My wife has money and cash. The bank is closed today. If Uncle Zhang needs a large amount of cash, my wife may be the only one who has it."
"You? Xiao Xia, you have two thousand yuan in cash? Really?" Old Zhang looked at Xia Qingtang with some suspicion.
Xia Qingtang said: "Yes, I have cash, and I want to buy the house on Hongjiang Road you mentioned. Uncle Zhang can name a price, and if I can accept it, I will buy it from you. In this way, you can get cash to save your son."
"Sell the house... That house was left by my father-in-law and mother-in-law... That house was inherited by my wife... That house carries a lot of memories of their family..." Lao Zhang looked like he wanted to cry, "How could you do this?"
Xie Chengye immediately said, "Qingtang, don't talk nonsense. I know you are pregnant now, so something must be wrong. It's okay. I'll tell your uncle Zhang, he won't blame you."
Xia Qingtang said, "Dad, I'm serious. I have money, and I really want to buy that house. As for the memories, if you really care about that house, don't let your son lose so much money gambling. I know that Dad and you are good friends, but unfortunately, Dad doesn't have that much money. Moreover, if he had that much money, as a party member, shouldn't he lend money to others to pay off their gambling debts?"
After hearing this, Xie Chengye was a little dumbfounded: "You are telling the truth... After all, I am..."
Lao Zhang's eyes widened: "Xiao Xia, are you trying to take advantage of the situation?"
"I didn't. I just asked you if you want to sell the house, or you can go back and discuss it with Aunt Chen. If you want to save your son, this is one way. I won't force you to buy or sell. If you don't want to sell it, then forget it." Xia Qingtang said.
"Can't you lend me money?" Lao Zhang yelled.
Xia Qingtang said, "Uncle Zhang, that's two thousand yuan. It would take a working person five or six years to save that much money without eating or drinking. Why should I lend it to you?"
"I'm going to save lives!"
"If you are so anxious, why can't you sell the house?" Xia Qingtang said.
Seeing that Lao Zhang's eyes were about to pop out and he was shaking with anger, Xie Chengye quickly said, "Lao Zhang, how about this? I still have a few hundred yuan on hand. I'll lend it to you first. You can use it for emergency..."
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