545 When you're successful in life, you should show off.
"Yes, that's right, that's right." Others chimed in, discussing it as if they were talking about themselves.
"When it comes to children going to school, and jobs in the workshops and factories around here, people who own houses in the city are given priority."
In my opinion, it was Master Li who really benefited.
"Bah! Miss Li is well-educated and literate; how dare you slander her like that? It must be Xiao Da'er who got the better deal."
"I don't think so. The Li family benefited." Other dissenting voices were spreading, mostly from people who had arrived around the city and didn't yet have housing.
However, there aren't many houses in the city now; most are hard to buy, and very few can be freely traded.
The expansion of the new town is still unknown. During this time, newcomers and merchants spread information about the safety and various situations in the area. Many people come and go, including many far-sighted individuals who want to settle here.
Family gossip, hearsay, and news spreads everywhere.
For a time, regardless of the circumstances, the border region was buying up ores, especially precious ones, on a massive scale.
Although precious ores are hard to find and are mostly collected by aristocratic families and sects, making them difficult for ordinary people to obtain, some eventually end up scattered outside, or fall into the hands of their families, or become treasures themselves.
In Xiao Da'er's house, there was a two-story house with three bedrooms. There was no yard in front of the house, and it was empty and without any decent furniture.
Xiao Da'er was a big guy, over twenty-three years old, but his face looked like that of a middle-aged man. He was tall and thin, and his yellowish robe had two patches, one on the sleeve and one on the hem, which were sewn very carefully and could not be seen unless you looked closely.
At this moment, she carefully straightened her robe, trying to hide the patches. Her hands were covered in calluses, which showed that she was a strong woman.
Standing in my own house right now, looking at the newly transferred property, the empty house, I feel an unusual warmth and joy in the atmosphere around me, a feeling I don't know where it came from.
In the past, people had no choice but to venture deep into the mountains to pay taxes, hoping to gain something, but they found nothing.
I acquired this stone by chance. At the time, I was just curious because it looked strange and felt heavy in my hand. I brought it home out of curiosity.
They had never seen such stones before, and they didn't even know if they were precious. But when they heard that there was a buyer and that Old Man Weng was the guarantor, they didn't hesitate at all. Old Man Weng's reputation among the villagers was legendary.
However, having started as an accountant, he now manages all the accounts in the city, a legendary figure who rose from humble beginnings to high office overnight. He serves as a role model for ordinary people, and his business dealings are always fair and honest.
It doesn't matter what kind of stone it is, but it's priceless. I can choose between a house or silver. Of course, I'll choose a house. Everyone knows that houses in the city are worth a thousand taels of silver, or even a hundred thousand!
Moreover, the review process for house transactions is very strict now. With such an opportunity, how could I hesitate? In a daze of excitement, I chose a house.
He also told them where he found the ore, since he dared not go there again anyway. As a result, he received ten taels of silver, a huge sum of money that he could hardly earn in a year of hard work.
However, he was in a hurry and knew that wealth should not be flaunted. Thinking of this, Xiao Da'er couldn't help but smile slightly.
To outsiders, they would say that they had used all their savings and gone bankrupt to buy such a small house, and that they had refrained from buying new furniture, intending to continue using the old, worn-out furniture for a while longer.
I'll buy a new one once things calm down.
But I really didn't expect that, just as the news spread and before I even got the deed, the matchmaker from next door came knocking.
She asked kindly, "Xiao Da'er, I'm Aunt Huang. Tell me the truth: did you really buy a house in the city?"
A hint of pride and self-satisfaction, along with an undisguised air of showing off, mingled with the stunned looks at his parents at home. An irrepressible excitement welled up within him; he was celebrating his success, bringing fame and recognition to his parents.
He smiled softly and modestly, "Yes, I was lucky, very lucky, very lucky to have bought a small house. The deed hasn't been issued yet; I'm planning to invite all the neighbors and family members to come and take a look once it is."
The matchmaker's facial expressions changed so rapidly that it was dazzling. Envy, jealousy, and hatred shifted quickly across her face, like a series of dramatic scenes.
His eyes revealed deep envy, as if he was marveling at Xiao Da'er's luck and good fortune, as if he had stepped in dog poop.
However, when Huang the matchmaker opened her mouth, her tone immediately became warm and cheerful, as if she herself had a happy occasion in her family.
His face beamed with genuine joy, and that sincere blessing and happiness seemed to well up from the bottom of his heart.
She stepped forward to Aunt Xiao's side, took her hand, and congratulated her with great enthusiasm, saying, "Congratulations, Xiao Da'er! Congratulations to your two brothers and sisters-in-law! Da'er has really made something of himself!"
They've even bought a house in the city; they're a million times better off than my brat.
My rascal found a job at the timber store in the city. If we're talking about buying a house, who knows when that will be? And I live so far away. So, I'll have to ask you to take care of me from now on, sister-in-law.
Her voice was filled with joy and satisfaction, as if she were witnessing her child's achievement.
Xiao Da'er's mother, an introverted person who wasn't very talkative to begin with, blushed with delight at the praise and said, "That's only right; neighbors should help each other out."
After chatting for a while, Huang, the matchmaker, immediately introduced her relatives' daughters, some young and thin, others robust. Xiao Da'er's mother was at a loss for what to choose and even discussed secretly going to see them the next day.
As soon as Matchmaker Huang left, Matchmaker Xiang came again, asking if the house had really been bought. Upon receiving an affirmative answer, she immediately started arranging a marriage, saying that they could go and see the house now, as the owner was busy at the grain workshop in the city.
Someone whispered, "This girl is quite well-off. She already has a job in the city. If she marries into your family, she won't need to find another job in the city. She's really beautiful and fertile."
My sister-in-law is free now; she's resting at home today. I can go over there with her now, and you can sneak a peek. Is that alright?
Before he could finish speaking, many more relatives arrived, especially his second uncle, a carpenter with excellent skills who had earned a lot of money and had already bought a house in the city.
He always boasts to his relatives, "See? I was so farsighted! I bought a house early on, and now it's incredibly hard to find one."
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