CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45 BUYING A HOUSE

Gu Yi, Ye’s mother, and Ye Qian were happily busy in the shop every day.

Ye Fu would come and help whenever he had nothing to do at home, and he would go back in the afternoon.

Even though it was tiring, everyone was full of energy every day.

Gu Yi thought that always staying in the kitchen wasn’t a solution, and seeing Ye Fu come each time without a place to stay, having to leave the same day, wasn’t ideal either.

Gu Yi kept the accounts clear in a notebook every day, noting how much was spent and earned.

She deposited the money in the credit cooperative once a week, leaving only a bit for the shop’s working capital.

At the end of the month, she would calculate the account first and withdraw the money to give to Ye Qian and Ye’s mother in advance.

On the day of settling the accounts, Gu Yi would take out the account book and calculate it again for Ye’s mother and the others to see, and give them their money.

At first, Ye’s mother said she didn’t need to see it, knowing Gu Yi wouldn’t shortchange them, and doing so seemed to imply they didn’t trust her.

"Mom, I’m also letting Qianqian learn how to keep accounts and calculate costs. Once she’s learned, I can be hands-off."

Ye’s mother agreed once she heard it would allow Ye Qian to learn something.

After two months, Gu Yi saw she had 4,800 bucks in her savings account and 200 bucks on hand.

In these two months, they had earned over 2,000 bucks, plus the remaining money and the money Ye Hao gave last time.

With the current house prices, this money could buy a pretty good house in the county town.

Gu Yi asked Li Gang to help keep an eye out, and she also inquired among those who came for breakfast in the morning.

A few days later, an old lady indeed mentioned that her neighbor was planning to sell their house. Gu Yi didn’t charge her for breakfast and asked her to take them to see the place.

Gu Yi went with Ye’s mother, and it wasn’t far from their shop.

It was an independent yard, the courtyard was quite large inside, and it was full of flowers.

In the corner of the yard, there was an osmanthus tree.

Gu Yi fell in love with the place as soon as she went in, and Ye’s mother’s expression showed she liked it too.

The house was somewhat like a quadrangle, with the living room and master bedroom facing the courtyard gate.

On the left, there were two rooms, the first room on the right was the kitchen, and further into the living room was another room.

The corridor was paved with cobblestones, and the eaves extended out just enough to cover the corridor.

So even when it rained, one could stand on the corridor without getting wet.

The owners were an elderly couple, both over 70 years old. They used to be teachers, and they built a big yard because they had many children.

Now that all their children had settled elsewhere, the elderly couple felt uneasy living alone, so they decided to sell the house and live together for better care.

The two elders loved cleanliness, and the house was neat and tidy.

Gu Yi really liked the place from the start, also recognizing that it was close to County High School No.1, with a primary school nearby too.

With future urban expansion, this area would become the county center, and the house price wouldn’t be low in the future.

Soon, both parties agreed to a deal at a price of 4,500 bucks.

The elderly couldn’t move the furniture, so they gifted it all to Gu Yi and them.

Gu Yi paid a deposit of 1,000 bucks, agreeing to handle the paperwork with them the next day.

As Gu Yi left, she slipped 5 bucks to the person who brought them, showing her gratitude.

The person happily accepted the money and thought to themselves that Gu Yi was sensible and considerate, and they would soon be neighbors anyway.

Since they were newcomers and might not understand things later on, they decided to help and maintain a good relationship with them.

On the way back, Gu Yi withdrew the money she had in the credit cooperative.

That night, she took out all her money to count the amount needed for the next day.

Just then, Ye’s mother came out, holding 1,000 bucks in her hand.

"Mom, why haven’t you gone to sleep yet?"

"Yiyi, here’s 1,000 bucks, consider it support from your dad and me."

Ye’s mother said as she handed the 1,000 bucks to Gu Yi.

"Mom, where did you get so much money? Besides, I’ve got enough to buy the house now."

Gu Yi knew Ye’s mother had no more than the 400-odd bucks she had been given, so she was surprised at how she could suddenly have so much.

"This is what you gave me before; I took a bit from Qianqian. Buying a house is such a big thing, we can’t let you shoulder it alone. Your dad and I also want to do what we can."

"Mom, give the money back to Qianqian; she’s older now, it’s good to have some money with her. It’ll give her confidence when she goes to her in-laws, I really have enough."

Gu Yi, hearing it was taken from Ye Qian, promptly asked Ye’s mother to return it to her.

"Mom knows you care about Qianqian, the money was originally Qianqian’s idea to take out. You are both good kids."

Gu Yi was about to say something, but Ye’s mother held her hand.

"We know you are buying this house for the family too, this money is the support from your dad and me for buying the house. We can’t let you do everything alone, it’s truly a big joy for our family; your dad and I may not have much ability, but we feel more assured being able to help."

Ye’s mother stuffed the money back into Gu Yi’s hand.

"As for the money I took from Qianqian, your dad and I will repay her later, darling, take it."

With Ye’s mother saying this much, Gu Yi accepted the money.

"Thank you, dad and mom."

"In a family, we don’t say thank you. Rest early."

After saying that, Ye’s mother went back to sleep.

The next day, Ye Fu happened to come by.

When it wasn’t busy, Gu Yi and Ye’s mother took Ye Fu to handle the paperwork, and let him see the house as well.

Ye Fu was also very satisfied after seeing it.

Quickly, both parties completed the paperwork.

Gu Yi paid the remaining balance, leaving a week’s time for the elderly to move out.

"Dad, now when you come, you can stay here, you don’t need to go back and forth."

On the way back, Gu Yi looked at the property contract in her hand with great excitement.

"Yes, I couldn’t even dream of having a place in the county at this age."

Not only did Ye Fu feel like it was a dream, but Ye’s mother felt like she was in one too.

Three months ago, if anyone had said their family was going to have a place in the county, she would think they were either a charlatan or a liar.

But now they really have a home in the county, thanks to Gu Yi.

It seemed like ever since Gu Yi got hit, good things kept happening at home.

Ye’s mother believed Gu Yi was the family’s great lucky star.

If she could have a big grandson, she would feel her life was perfect.

As she thought about it, her eyes began to stare at Gu Yi’s belly.

"Mom, what’s wrong?"

Gu Yi felt Ye’s mother’s gaze was like it could make flowers bloom on her belly.

"Oh, it’s nothing, nothing. It just feels like a dream."

She said, a little embarrassed, with a laugh.

"The place isn’t far from the shop. In the future, we can stay here at night and use the small room as storage."

"Yes, this is great. When your dad is free next week, come here early, we’ll get ready to move to the new house."

"Alright, I’ll come early then and find a bamboo grove to cut a piece for the moving day."

"Okay, you must choose the longest one."

Here, when moving into a new house, a freshly cut bamboo is placed at the doorstep. The top branches and twigs of the bamboo are kept, with a red string tied on, symbolizing that life will get better and better.

They say people thrive in good times, and on the way, the smiles couldn’t be restrained from Ye Fu and Ye’s mother’s faces as they discussed the details of the move.