Chapter 182

Su Xiaoxiao led the children back home. On the way, they encountered Xiao Wu in a hurry, searching for someone. “Zhuzi, it’s great to see you here! Come on, I’ll take you to see a courtyard. It’s just behind Fantuan’s house. The courtyard is urgently for sale, and the price is very low. Once we pass this village, there won’t be such a deal anymore. Let’s hurry.”

Zhuzi asked in confusion, “Didn’t they say before that the courtyards around Fantuan’s house are not for sale? How come suddenly there’s a new one?”

Xiao Wu grabbed his arm and dragged him away. “It was just put on the market today. This courtyard was originally inhabited by someone else, and they didn’t plan to sell it. I guess something happened in their family and they urgently need money. Oh, I’ve checked the property rights; there’s absolutely no problem.”

Su Xiaoxiao also wondered, “Could there be a mistake? Isn’t our house behind Tiantian’s house? Tiantian’s family can’t possibly sell their house, right? Isn’t that courtyard inhabited by an elderly couple and their child?”

Xiao Wu nodded. “Yes, that’s them.”

Su Xiaoxiao hadn’t seen Granny Tiantian these days. She planned to wait until after the trial operation before letting her come to work. “I haven’t heard that their family wants to sell the house.”

Xiao Wu shook his head. “I don’t know about that. Anyway, several groups of people have already come to see it, and the homeowner was present. There shouldn’t be any mistake.”

“I’ll go with you to take a look,” Su Xiaoxiao said.

Passing by “Three Meals, Four Seasons,” Su Xiaoxiao asked Fantuan and Doubao to go back to the house first to warm themselves by the fire. She and Zhuzi followed Xiao Wu to see the courtyard.

It was Su Xiaoxiao’s first time at Tiantian’s house. Following Xiao Wu into the house, she saw Granny Tiantian pacing back and forth with a worried expression.

Su Xiaoxiao asked, “Aunt Zhao, I heard that your family wants to sell the house.”

Tiantian’s grandma’s surname is Zhao. After getting to know each other, Su Xiaoxiao followed everyone and called her aunt Zhao.

Granny Tiantian was surprised to see Su Xiaoxiao in her courtyard. “Well, we did have that idea. Xiaoxiao, what brings you here? Am I going to start working soon?”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. “Yes, we’re starting the trial operation these days. If everything goes well, we’ll officially open on Monday. If you’re free these days, you can come over. Auntie Zhao, your courtyard is in good condition. Why do you want to sell it?”

Granny Tiantian sighed and, seeing an outsider present, said: “Xiaoxiao, I’ll tell you later about this matter. Comrade, this is your second time here, right? The price is non-negotiable. This is already the lowest price, and it can’t go any lower.”

Xiao Wu waved his hand. “Auntie Zhao, you misunderstood.” He gestured to Zhuzi. “This courtyard is indeed very affordable, and the layout is good. If he approves after seeing it, we’ll take it.”

Aunt Zhao looked at Zhuzi in surprise. She didn’t know Zhuzi and thought it was absurd. “You brought a child to buy a courtyard. Do you think this is a joke?”

Su Xiaoxiao put her arm around Zhuzi’s shoulder. “Auntie Zhao, he’s not joking. Let me introduce you. This is Zhuzi; he is also half my son. His family wants to buy a courtyard, and he has the final say.”

Zhuzi nodded at Granny Tiantian. “Hello, Grandma.”

Aunt Zhao looked at Su Xiaoxiao and then at Zhuzi. “This…”

Su Xiaoxiao said: “Aunt Zhao, we’re all family here. If you have any difficulties, just tell us. You can rest assured; they won’t spread it outside.”

Aunt Zhao’s eyes immediately turned red, and she sighed as she sat in the chair beside her, looking dejected. It’s all because of my former daughter-in-law, that heartless woman. She suddenly came back a few days ago, saying she couldn’t have children anymore and wanted to take Tiantian back to raise her. Of course, we disagreed. She said if we disagreed, she would take half of this house. She talked about divorce, splitting half of the family property, and fighting for custody of the child. She confused me completely.

Xiaoxiao, tell me, how could a person be so shameless? Back then, she insisted on divorcing my son and left Tiantian behind, saying she didn’t want to take her. I’ve been raising Tiantian for over a year now, and suddenly she wants to come back. How can she think that’s reasonable? She brought a lawyer and started talking about laws we didn’t understand. She left a letter saying she didn’t agree and would take us to court.

We’ve inquired about it, and it seems there’s really such a thing. Tell me, she wanted the divorce, she didn’t want the child, and now she’s back to snatch our house. How could there be such a shameless person? Sigh, Sigh… What else can we do besides selling a house?

We definitely can’t let her take Tiantian with her. Our only option is to sell this large courtyard, give her half of the money, and then find a way to buy a smaller place to live. Xiaoxiao, tell me, why is my life so difficult? As a widow, I struggled to raise my son on my own. My son didn’t have to go to the countryside to be an educated youth, but he said there were no jobs in the city, and it’s better to go to the countryside to eat. It’s been seven or eight years since he left. We finally got him back, only to be troubled by such a disaster trying to take our house. Life is so hard for me… wuwuwuwuwu…

Granny Tiantian’s recounting of her ordeal was heartbreaking.

Su Xiaoxiao understood the situation and patted Granny Tiantian’s shoulder. She said to Xiao Wu, “You can go back now. Auntie Zhao won’t sell this courtyard.”

Xiao Wu felt sorry for her and knew that Su Xiaoxiao probably intended to help her. He nodded and said, “Okay, I’ll leave first. If you need any help, you can always find me. And Zhuzi…”

Zhuzi said, “I’ll stay with Aunt Su. Xiao Wu; please leave first.”

After Xiao Wu left, Su Xiaoxiao handed a clean handkerchief to Granny Tiantian and asked her, “Whose name is on the house deed?”

Granny Tiantian wiped her tears and said: “The house was originally in my son’s and his older brother’s names. His older brother was transferred to another city for work, and the unit allocated houses, so he left the house to my son. When my son left, Tiantian was still young, so the house was directly transferred to my name.”

Su Xiaoxiao said, “Did you add Tiantian’s father’s name to the deed or transfer the house to his name when he came back?”

Granny Tiantian shook her head. “No, we intended to do that, but we haven’t had the chance to do the paperwork yet.”

Su Xiaoxiao said: “That’s enough, Aunt Zhao. Don’t worry, don’t be fooled by that lawyer. This house is your personal property and has nothing to do with Tiantian’s Mom from a legal perspective. She doesn’t have the right to have a share of your house, and I don’t think she really wants custody of Tiantian. She probably wants to blackmail you for some money. She abandoned Tiantian for over a year. Even if it goes to court, the court may not award custody to her, especially since she’s the one at fault for abandoning her husband and child.”

Aunt Zhao seemed to have found her resolve and said, “Yes, yes, you’re a college student. You know a lot, and it’s definitely right to listen to you.” 

She patted her thigh and continued, “I was so confused when I heard they were going to take Tiantian away. Why didn’t I think to ask for your opinion first? My son is honest and indecisive. He doesn’t have strong opinions like I do, and he loves Tiantian even more than I do. If they wanted to take Tiantian, he wouldn’t even ask for half a courtyard, let alone a whole one.”

Su Xiaoxiao replied, “I’m not a professional either. But if needed, I can help you find a lawyer. Our school’s law department is very reputable, so you don’t have to worry about finding a good lawyer. If Tiantian’s Mom managed to find a lawyer to intimidate you, she must be well-prepared. They’re likely just trying to extort money and may not actually intend to go to court. Trust me, the house should not be sold at all. If she returns, just come to me directly. Even if you need some money in the meantime, you can borrow from your salary and repay it gradually.”

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao couldn’t help but shed tears and say, “Xiaoxiao, we are not relatives, but you are willing to help me like this. Those white-eyed wolf relatives who have received the favor of my child’s father wouldn’t even want to associate with us, their poor relatives. I really don’t know how to thank you. I… I’ll kowtow to you.” After Aunt Zhao finished speaking, she was about to kneel down in front of Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao was surprised and quickly reached out to help her. Zhuzi, with quick eyes and hands, hurriedly helped Granny Tiantian up. “Granny, my aunt is seriously a rare kind-hearted person. If you really want to thank her, just do well in the shop. That would be repayment enough.”

Granny Tiantian kept wiping her tears. “Yes, yes, yes, my boss, I’ll do my best. Definitely do my best.”

Su Xiaoxiao felt awkward when she heard this title and said, “Aunt Zhao, just call me Xiaoxiao. Just remember, the house must not be sold, and you must trust me on this.”

Granny Tiantian felt relieved. “I’ll listen to you. I won’t sell it. With your assurance, I feel relieved, even if it comes to court.”

Su Xiaoxiao: “Yes, there’s a saying: ‘Traveling the world with reason leaves no room for fear.’ She errs in emotion, reason, and legality. You must steady yourself.”

At this moment, someone outside the courtyard shouted, “May I ask if anyone is at home? Is this yard for sale?”

Aunt Zhao and Su Xiaoxiao smiled at each other and said, “I’m sorry, I changed my mind. The yard is no longer for sale.”

The people outside said something and left disappointed.

On the way back, Su Xiaoxiao asked Zhuzi, “Do you blame Aunt Su for not being able to buy the courtyard?”

Zhuzi put his arm around Su Xiaoxiao’s shoulder and grinned, shaking his head. “Auntie, you’re truly the best person I’ve ever met. I always think about how lucky someone must be to meet someone like you in their life.”

Su Xiaoxiao raised her hand and rubbed his head, which was taller than hers. “Silly kid, did you grow taller again? Aunt Su can barely reach you.”

Zhuzi bent down and leaned his head toward her. “As long as you ask, I can always lean down.”

Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes softened as she said, “You’re such a silly child. Time flies by so quickly. You and Fantuan were barely up to my waist back then, and in the blink of an eye, you’ve all grown into big kids.”

Zhuzi recalled the past and smiled, his gaze firm. “Auntie, I’ve figured out what I want to do in the future.”

Su Xiaoxiao: “Oh?”

Zhuzi said: “I want to apply to the law department of Peking University and become a lawyer in the future. I hope to help more people like Grandma Zhao who have weak legal knowledge.”

Zhuzi was always the most mature among the kids. Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t surprised that he was the first to determine his career direction and future goals. “You’re still young, and you have time to consider your future career direction carefully. Being a lawyer can be your preliminary goal. You can first understand legal knowledge to see if you’re truly interested. Sometimes, hobbies and career choices can be completely opposite. It’s best if they coincide. Once you’ve decided, you can steadfastly pursue that path and move forward without hesitation.”

Zhuzi nodded firmly. “I understand. I still have six years to make a choice. I’ll consider it carefully and make a decision.”

Su Xiaoxiao patted the back of the child’s hand; she never had to worry or fret about Zhuzi.

The two of them returned directly to “Three Meals, Four Seasons” and opened the courtyard gate, almost thinking they had entered the wrong place.

Zhuzi frowned and said, “How could there be so many people? We only handed out ten flyers each, but it seems like everyone who got a flyer came.” They were almost blocking the door.

Xiao Roubao’s milky voice could be faintly heard in the room: “The pot of sour soup dumplings is highly recommended by Xiao Roubao with five thumbs up. Of course, they are the best in the whole store. Uncle Yang, these two sisters want two portions of sour soup dumplings. Put extra coriander and vinegar.”