CHAPTER 157: CHAPTER 157: THE ONE WHO CHERISHES OLD MEMORIES

At that, Zhao Dong’s expression finally changed, his gaze turning a few degrees colder.

Could it be that Zhao Chun, seeing their new courtyard being built, wanted to shamelessly move his entire Zhao Family Old House branch into their new courtyard?

If so, he truly would have to exclaim, how shameless!

Meanwhile, the four little ones eavesdropping on the adults outside also sensed that something was amiss when they heard their Third Uncle speak.

The four little ones exchanged glances.

Zhao Ya asked unhappily, "What does Third Uncle mean by that?"

Zhao Yu, equally unhappy, chimed in, "Yeah, what on earth does Third Uncle mean? Zhao Ji needs a house to get married, so why come to our family? Don’t tell me he expects our family to provide silver for Zhao Ji to build a house? Zhao Ji isn’t even our Third Uncle’s son! So shameless!"

Zhao Cheng nodded repeatedly in agreement. "Exactly, exactly."

Zhao Zhitong pondered for a moment, her small face puffed up, and she whispered, "Listen, our house was just finished, and Third Uncle shows up. You don’t think... he wants to live in our new courtyard, do you?"

"Ah!" Zhao Cheng, Zhao Yu, and Zhao Ya’s eyes widened in disbelief. "No way!"

The mere thought that they might have to live with Mrs. Wang in the future instantly unsettled the three children, their faces showing deep aversion.

Zhao Zhitong’s little face puffed up with anger, her tiny hands on her hips, and she declared with childish ferocity, "This is our house! Why should they get to live in it? Such nerve! PTOOEY! What rubbish!"

Meanwhile, in the living room, Zhao Chun was still trying to persuade Zhao Dong. "Brother, think about it. Our family is marrying into Landlord Qin’s house. If this succeeds, it will benefit our entire family. In the future, even Zhao Cheng and Zhao Yu could find better matches."

Seeing no reaction from Zhao Dong, Zhao Chun pressed on, "Brother, never mind our two boys finding good matches; even the four young girls in our family could find better matches too. This is a tremendous blessing!"

Since this concerned the future marriages of his own daughters, Zhao Chun thought Zhao Dong would surely be moved by now.

However, when he looked at Zhao Dong’s expression, he found that Zhao Dong did not show the excitement he had hoped for.

He merely saw Zhao Dong speak indifferently, "Third Brother, your thinking is flawed. My sons, Zhao Cheng and Zhao Yu, are both outstanding. I have no worries about them finding good matches in the future. Also, my two daughters are both remarkable; I’m not worried about their futures either."

At this point, Zhao Dong’s tone suddenly shifted. "However, Third Brother, as your Second Brother, let me offer you a piece of advice. As the saying goes, ’Fortune and misfortune are intertwined; power and wealth can turn to dust in an instant.’ Don’t try to curry favor with the powerful, only to bring disaster upon yourself!"

At these words, Xiao Wang sprang up from her chair. "Brother! Are you cursing us? Can’t you bear to see us doing well?"

Zhao Chun’s expression also soured. He was on the verge of forging a connection with Landlord Qin’s house, and his son would be able to enter the Official School. His future seemed so promising, yet his own Second Brother was cursing him to bring disaster upon himself. This was too much!

However, he had more important matters to attend to, so he forcibly suppressed his anger and coughed. "AHEM!"

Xiao Wang immediately turned to her husband. Her face, contorted with anger, managed to squeeze out an ugly smile. "Ah, Brother, I was just being hasty. Please don’t be angry with me. I know you mean well for us. Hehe."

With that, she reluctantly sat down.

Zhao Chun then smiled again and said, "Brother, don’t mind a woman’s words. She’s a woman with little foresight. I will remember your teachings. However, this marriage alliance with the Qin family is truly a good one. About the courtyard, I still need your help, Brother."

"Brother, you know that the available housing foundations in our village are all at the village outskirts now. There are no good plots left in the center. So, I was thinking about the Zhao Family Old House you used to live in. Since it’s empty now, why don’t you give it to me, your Third Brother? I’ll use it to build a courtyard for our Zhao Ji, for when the families meet for the marriage discussions."

After speaking, he took a piece of paper from his robes and placed it on the table beside Zhao Dong. "This is the document I obtained from the Clan Leader. Brother, if you’re willing, let’s go to the Village Chief’s house and have the land deed transferred to my son Zhao Ji’s name. How about it?"

Now Zhao Dong finally understood. Their target wasn’t his new house; it was the vegetable garden plot!

It had to be said, Xiao Wang and that Mrs. Wang truly coveted their new courtyard. However, their primary goal now was to obtain the vegetable garden, so other desires were temporarily set aside.

After Zhao Chun finished speaking, Zhao Dong adopted a troubled expression on cue. "Third Brother, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but this..."

Before he could finish, Zhao Chun interrupted him.

"I know, I know! Brother, don’t worry, I won’t take your courtyard for free. I’ll give you money. How does that sound?"

...

Meanwhile, after Zhao Chun revealed his intentions, and thanks to Grandpa Bai’s tip, Zhao Zhitong had come up with a mischievous idea to set a trap for her Third Uncle. She had run to the kitchen and was now whispering with Sun Mei.

After hearing Zhao Zhitong’s plan, Sun Mei gently tapped Zhao Zhitong on her little head. "You clever little imp!"

"HMPH!" Zhao Zhitong pouted proudly. "Who asked Third Uncle to always bully our family? If we don’t teach him a lesson, he’ll think our family is a pushover!"

Thus, just as Zhao Chun mentioned giving money, Sun Mei and Zhao Zhitong walked in together, carrying water.

From an angle where Zhao Chun and Xiao Wang couldn’t see, Sun Mei gave Zhao Dong a meaningful glance. Zhao Dong, who had been about to say something, immediately closed his mouth.

Sun Mei then smiled innocently. "Third Brother, Sister-in-law, please don’t take offense. We’ve just moved and don’t have much to offer you as guests. Please have some hot water first."

It wasn’t that she had nothing to offer; she simply didn’t want to waste good things on dogs.

Zhao Chun and Xiao Wang could only manage dry smiles.

After pouring water for them, Sun Mei spoke at the opportune moment, "Third Brother, Sister-in-law, I just overheard you saying you want to buy our old courtyard?"

Xiao Wang quickly replied, "Yes, yes! This is for the good of our entire family. If my Zhao Ji secures this good marriage, your family..."

Xiao Wang was about to launch into her lengthy explanation again but was interrupted by Sun Mei. "Sister-in-law, I understand, I understand. But this isn’t about finding a good family or not."

Xiao Wang added, "Don’t worry, we won’t take it for free. We’ll pay."

Zhao Chun also nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Sister-in-law, we won’t take it for nothing. We’ll pay you for the foundation land."

Sun Mei sighed. "Alas, it’s not really about the money. The main thing is, you don’t know my Tongtong. She has this quirk of being sentimental about old things. She can’t bear to part with any old items from the house."

As if fearing they wouldn’t believe her, she pointed to some old furniture. "Look, we’ve made all new furniture, but my daughter insisted on not throwing these old pieces away. She insisted on keeping them. She says she can’t sleep without her old things around."