Chapter 12: Preparing to Buy a House

Mi Xia arrived with the children and saw the food on the table. The aroma filled her nostrils, making her even hungrier.

At the eldest brother’s command, the whole family happily ate.

In the end, even the soup was gone, eaten by Mi Qiu with rice. Everyone wore a happy smile.

After the meal, Zhang Hongxia cleaned up the backpack Mi Xia brought. Mi Xia, fearing her sister-in-law didn’t know how to handle the wood ear mushrooms, went to help her.

She took the opportunity to tell her that the wood ear mushrooms must be dried before eating; otherwise, they contain toxins and eating them could cause poisoning. They need to be dried and then soaked in water before consumption.

After the two sisters-in-law finished cleaning up, they went back to their rooms to rest.

The next day, after telling Zhang Hongxia, Mi Xia set off for the county. Riding in an ox-cart, Mi Xia felt much more relaxed; otherwise, even riding a bicycle wouldn’t be comfortable on the uneven road.

Entering her space, she changed her appearance and went straight to Zhang Xiaoyu’s place. The younger brother who opened the door recognized Mi Xia and let her in directly.

“Xia is here! I was just waiting for you. The last batch of goods is all sold out, and so many people are asking if there’s more. I’m so anxious my mouth is bubbling!” Zhang Xiaoyu said pitifully, pointing to the corner of her mouth.

Mi Xia glanced at it, and indeed, there were bubbles. She couldn’t help but laugh and cry. “There is. Whatever you want, I have it. But this time, I have something to ask for your help.”

“What is it? Just tell me. If I can do it, I will. If I can’t, I’ll try my best to find a way.”

“Okay, then help me find out if there are any jobs available, men’s jobs, and also see if there are any suitable houses in the county. They need to be relatively large.”

Mi Xia looked at Zhang Xiaoyu and explained things one by one.

“I actually have news about a house. Old Man Li’s child is in Kyoto and he wants to bring him over. He won’t be living in this house anymore and plans to sell it.”

“It’s a detached house, two stories, and costs 100 catties of grain, not including the house price. Shall I take you to see it? As for the job, I don’t have any news yet, but I’ll go check tomorrow.”

Mi Xia thought this was perfect and followed Zhang Xiaoyu to see the house.

Zhang Xiaoyu led Mi Xia through winding paths, making her dizzy before finally arriving at the gate of a Western-style house.

She knocked several times. “Coming!”

With the sound, the door opened from the inside, and an elderly gentleman came out. He looked very energetic, and although his clothes had patches, they were clean.

“Old Man Li, I brought my younger sister to see the house. She’s my cousin, so please be fair.”

“Okay, we’ve been neighbors for over ten years. I have to give you that much face.” Old Man Li said generously.

Zhang Xiaoyu led Mi Xia to look around. The house was very clean, but some areas needed repairs.

There was a jujube tree in the yard, as well as some flowers, plants, and vegetables. Under the jujube tree was a swing, and next to the swing was a table and four chairs.

The house was fully furnished, but it was a bit old.

Mi Xia liked it very much and said, “Old Man Li, I’ll take this house. How much do you want to sell it for?”

“Since you’re brought by Xiaoyu, it’s 1500 yuan plus 100 catties of grain. Rice or flour is fine.”

Mi Xia looked at Zhang Xiaoyu, who nodded slightly. She knew the price wasn’t expensive.

“Then, Old Man Li, let’s go through the transfer process now. After the transfer is complete, I’ll have my cousin give you the money and grain. Is that alright?” Mi Xia asked Old Man Li.

The young girl was straightforward, and he didn’t hesitate. He nodded slightly to indicate his agreement. The procedures were processed quickly. Mi Xia received the key and told Zhang Xiaoyu that she would go prepare the grain and asked him to come to the usual place for the transaction in an hour.

After saying that, Mi Xia left, went to the small forest where they usually traded, entered her space, packed the things she needed to take out, and then put them outside.

One thousand catties of rice, one thousand catties of flour, all the pheasants, rabbits, roe deer, fawns, wild goats, mushrooms, and the leftover wild boar from yesterday, all came out. She also took out some noodles and 200 bags of milk powder.

After checking, she put the ginseng in her backpack, and Zhang Xiaoyu arrived with his people.

Seeing so many things, Zhang Xiaoyu was startled. He quickly instructed a younger brother to go back and get some more money, then he checked the supplies with his people.

The more he checked, the happier he became. These things were all necessities, and he would get a lot of bonuses this time, as it was such a large order.

After verifying with Mi Xia, Zhang Xiaoyu deducted the 1500 yuan and 100 catties of grain for the house, and handed the remaining money to Mi Xia.

Mi Xia took the money and tickets and put them into her space, believing that Zhang Xiaoyu wouldn’t be stupid enough to shortchange her, as he could earn more money through her.

She took out the ginseng from her backpack. “How much do you think this can sell for?”

“Is this a hundred-year-old ginseng?” Zhang Xiaoyu had some discerning eye for this, so he knew at a glance.

Seeing Mi Xia nod, he confirmed that he wasn’t mistaken. Hundred-year-old ginseng was extremely rare; he had only seen it twice, which is why he recognized it.

“How about 1000 yuan? Do you think that’s suitable?” Zhang Xiaoyu looked at Mi Xia longingly, afraid that she wouldn’t sell it to him.

Mi Xia’s psychological price was 900 yuan, so she agreed: “Okay.”

Zhang Xiaoyu finally breathed a sigh of relief, carefully took the ginseng, took money from his pocket and gave it to Mi Xia, and then instructed a younger brother to find a cloth to wrap it up.

“I have another thing to trouble you with. Can you find someone to help me renovate the house and clean it?”

“That’s a piece of cake. I’ll call a few people tomorrow to get it done for you.” Zhang Xiaoyu readily agreed.

Mi Xia trusted Zhang Xiaoyu, as they had dealt with each other several times. She handed the key to Zhang Xiaoyu, thanked him, and walked out.

She found a deserted place, entered her space, took 20 catties of rice, 20 catties of flour, noodles, and 30 eggs, and then went to Song Binbin’s house.

Before she reached the door, she met Song Binbin walking out of the house.

“Binbin, where are you going?” Mi Xia asked.

“Wuwuwu, Sister, why did you only come now? My grandma is sick, and she can’t even eat now.”

“Take me to see her quickly.” Mi Xia anxiously said to Song Binbin.

As soon as she entered the house, she heard Old Lady Song’s coughing. Each cough became more severe, like a bellows.

“What’s wrong with your grandma? Why is she so serious?” Mi Xia asked Song Binbin.

“Grandma suddenly had a fever yesterday, and I couldn’t buy any medicine. Grandma’s illness became even worse, and she’s been coughing non-stop until now. Sister, I can’t live without my grandma. Please save my grandma.”

“Binbin, grandma may not make it. You have to take care of yourself in the future. Xia, I have a request. After I’m gone, please take care of Binbin. He’s so pitiful. His mother didn’t survive the movement and passed away. His father is still on a farm in the northwest.”

“Grandma Song, don’t talk nonsense. Wait a minute, I’ll go get you medicine.” Mi Xia said and ran out.

She found an alleyway with no one around, looked around to make sure no one was there, and then flashed into her space. She didn’t dare to take risks in the room; it’s better to be safe.

She took cold medicine and fever medicine, wrapped them in a piece of paper, and hurried back.

She asked Song Binbin to pour water, gave Grandma Song the medicine, and asked her to lie down and rest.

She called Song Binbin to the outer room, took out the items from her backpack one by one, and handed him the medicine she had packed in her space. The medicine was enough for three days.