Recently, the villagers of Gao Hai Village in the eastern development zone of Jinling City have found life difficult.
They say that land in Jinling is worth its weight in gold, but that's only for those in the urban areas.
For them, the indigenous villagers, it’s not like that at all.
Apart from some self-built rural houses, they have nothing.
A whole family crammed into an old, run-down dwelling.
This made the young people in the village feel like time was dragging.
But what could they do?
The exorbitant housing prices in Jinling were simply unbearable.
Buying a house in the city was just a distant dream.
Seeing friends and classmates' homes being demolished one by one, they couldn’t help but be jealous.
Feasting on delicacies every day, a few scolding words from the boss, and they could quit on the spot.
Their resignation letters would boldly state: "Whoever cares, I'm not serving anymore, farewell!"
No need to work, just be a landlord, with no worries about food or clothing.
The only thing they might need to be busy with is collecting rent for a month, for thirty days.
This, perhaps, was their job.
In an instant, the villagers of Gao Hai Village became even more envious.
They stared intently, waiting for the good fortune of demolition to fall upon them.
However, demolition was not something they could decide, and they couldn't wait for it.
At first, everyone muttered, "If we get demolished, without at least a million or a few houses, don't even think about it!"
But later, everyone pondered.
"As long as someone wants it, whoever wants this broken house can have it!"
...
Half a pound of pork tongue, a plate of peanuts, half a pot of wine.
Old Man Li rode his Phoenix bicycle, covered in cement dust, humming a tune as he headed home.
Although nearing sixty, he still worked hard day after day at the construction site, starting early and finishing late.
Passing the village entrance, villagers who had finished dinner and were cooling off under a large tree greeted him warmly.
Old Man Li's darkened face broke into a smile as he responded, his gaze sweeping over the grandchildren standing next to the villagers, a hint of deep envy flashing in his eyes.
Even though they lived in the same village, their circumstances were vastly different.
Families with daughters could marry rich men and have a couple of children.
But what about families with sons?
That was a pipe dream.
Only one in ten could afford to buy a house in Jinling with their own efforts by the age of marriage.
Coincidentally, Old Man Li had two "trouble-making" sons.
Seeing others enjoy the joy of family, how could Old Man Li not be envious?
No!
It wasn't just envy; it was a maddening jealousy!
In the past, it was said that sons would provide for their old age. Old Man Li's two boys, in the past, were the envy of everyone in the village; they all said that when he got old, he would enjoy endless happiness.
But the reality?
The more glorious it was in the past, the more frustrated he was now.
Both his sons were over thirty. Although the whole family was diligently saving money, they had only managed to scrape together a down payment for one house.
But what use was a down payment alone!
Which girl nowadays doesn't want a fully paid-for house and car, and a hefty bride price?
Ideally, they'd also be civil servants, with respectable jobs, someone to brag about.
But his two sons were just ordinary wage earners; how could they afford all this?
And setting aside these strict conditions, many matchmakers, upon hearing that he had two sons and still worked at a construction site, would turn and flee on the spot.
Why?
Because people nowadays don't talk about love when getting married; they talk about reality!
When looking for a wife, they want someone with many siblings, so their family won't have much of a burden to support in their old age.
When looking for a husband, he must be an only child, and his parents must be alive to help the young couple with their lives.
More importantly, the parents must have provisions for old age and medical care!
Given Old Man Li's situation – no money, no security, no respectability, plus two sons –
Which girl would be so foolish as to become a daughter-in-law in his family?
None!
Not a single one!
Even if his sons managed to trick one or two silly girls into a relationship, when it came to marriage, the girl's family would come to inquire, and upon learning of Old Man Li's situation, they would be so shocked that they'd run away overnight.
Originally, Old Man Li had hoped that with the demolition of Gao Hai Village, they might get some money as compensation, preferably two houses.
This would at least guarantee the "basic conditions" for his two boys.
Alas.
Gao Hai Village was like a maiden's womb, without the slightest stir!
Sigh!
Old Man Li sighed, no longer daring to watch the villagers enjoy their family time.
While he could still earn some money, he wanted to save more for his sons, hoping to hold a grandson before closing his eyes!
Upon returning home, his wife had already prepared two dishes for dinner: cold cucumber salad and stir-fried loofah with eggs.
The cucumbers and loofah were grown in their own garden, and the eggs were from their own chickens.
This was the good part of living in the village; they never lacked food, even in the dead of winter, they had cabbage, and it was naturally pollution-free.
But this "pollution-free" food brought tears when eaten too much!
So today, Old Man Li bought half a pound of pork tongue.
However, even this half pound of pork tongue was lectured by his wife.
"What are you thinking about all day? Pig's head meat for twenty yuan, don't we have enough vegetables at home?"
Old Man Li dared not retort, just drank his wine in silence.
For those working at construction sites, a couple of ounces of strong, high-proof liquor was the best.
If he didn't drink, he was sure to have a sore back and be unable to sleep all night.
And he still wanted to work the next day?
Dream on!
Coupled with the troubles with his two sons, Old Man Li was even more vexed; without alcohol to numb him, he wouldn't be able to sleep!
"Hello, is anyone home?"
Just as his wife was chattering on about twenty yuan, a young voice suddenly called out from the doorway.
"Yes, what is it?" Old Man Li picked up a peanut and put it in his mouth, looking up at the young man at the door.
He was in his early twenties, with a handsome and clear face, and particularly slender, long fingers.
The young man said with a smile.
"Hello, Grandpa, my name is Ye Yun. I just wanted to ask if you're selling your house. Is it convenient to talk?"
*Clink!*
Old Man Li paused as he was chewing his peanut.
His wife's chopsticks fell to the floor.
After a while, the two of them reacted.
"Sell, sell! Old Li, quickly go pour tea for our guest! Boss, please wait a moment, I'll go get you a stool!"
Before Old Man Li could react, his wife, with a flushed face, hurried into the house.
Old Man Li also quickly got up and flusteredly poured tea for the young man.
Ye Yun smiled and said.
"I'm rather busy, so I won't have tea. I'm interested in the houses in Gao Hai Village. Look, these three rooms plus this chicken coop, I plan to offer 1.5 million, what do you say?"
"Grandpa, this price is not low. You know the land prices around here. Even if a developer came for demolition, it would only be around this much."
One point five million?
When he heard this figure, Old Man Li could no longer listen.
He subconsciously reached out his hand to count how many digits one point five million was.
After all, Jinling did not consist entirely of sky-high priced properties.
Taking the eastern part of the city as an example, due to its proximity to Jiangzhen City and its remote location, the housing prices were not that exaggerated.
Even a relocated housing unit for a family could cost over ten thousand per square meter.
One point five million, combined with years of savings, would be enough to buy two fully paid-for relocated housing units.
This way, wouldn't his sons' "basic conditions" be resolved?