Chapter 478: Shazhu made a bloody profit of six hundred bucks, while the Jia and Zhang families plotted to sue

People die for wealth, birds die for food.

Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian simultaneously thought of the same thing.

Measure a gentleman's belly with a petty person's heart.

They believed that whoever moved in first was intent on swallowing the treasure alone; the fact that they each secretly came to Shazhu to buy the house proved their design to monopolize the wealth. Putting themselves in each other's shoes, they thought: what they wanted to do, the other might not want to do. They thought that if they agreed to the other's request and let the other move into the Liu family home first, the Liu family's treasure would have nothing to do with them.

Out of selfish motives.

Naturally, they would not agree to the other's request.

The two brothers argued in front of the neighbors, each giving reasons that were largely the same: I'll move in first, then give you the house.

To persuade each other, the brothers also cited the allusion of Kong Rong yielding pears.

"Guangfu, I'm the older brother, you're the younger brother. You should learn from Kong Rong, learn his righteousness of yielding the pear; as the younger brother, you must yield to me, the older brother. If this gets out, it'll be a fine story, showing that Liu Guangfu knows to cherish his older brother, giving the old Liu family house to him—at least you'll have a good reputation. Besides, this house isn't for you to yield; I'll just live there a few days, after I've reminisced about my childhood, if you think the house is fine, you can bring your wife and kids back to live there, then the house will be yours as well."

What he said sounded even better than singing.

Give me the house.

Pah!

Liu Guangfu snorted coldly in his heart.

Damn good reputation.

No matter how good the reputation, it's not as good as gold and silver treasure.

He countered point for point, using the same arguments against Liu Guangtian, inside and out meaning the same: I really won't yield this house to you.

"Brother, Kong Rong yielding the pear was the older brother giving the big pear to the younger brother, not the younger giving to the older; you're the older brother, I'm the younger, I acknowledge that, but some things can't be just because you're the older brother and whatever you say goes. This house, I bought it with my own money; I'll live there for half a month, twenty days. If you want to live there later, you can bring your wife and kids back. You just said you'd give me the house, and I could give it to you, but I must live there first, and during that time you must not come back to disturb me, interfering with my reminiscence of childhood."

The Liu family brothers, harboring ulterior motives.

They glanced at each other.

Their eyes showed the look of "don't even think you can fool me."

They were also angry inside.

"You move in first, I still can't disturb you—clearly this is to dig for treasure."

Only a fool would fall for your trick.

The two brothers were at loggerheads, each putting forth their own reasons.

For a moment.

Neither could convince the other.

The heated argument made even the onlookers, who had just been watching the fun, feel that something was off; having lived in the same compound for years, they might not know others, but they knew what kind of people the Liu family were.

In a word.

They're all bastards who don't deserve to be called human.

From Liu Haizhong and his wife down to the three brothers Liu Guangqi, Liu Guangtian, and Liu Guangfu, each is a beastly scoundrel; Liu Haizhong and his wife will do anything to become officials, while the Liu Guangfu brothers, for profit, can even deny their own parents.

For immediate gain, the Liu Family brothers who could sell out their own parents are arguing over who will buy the house and who will move in first, yet they still want to give the house to the other party.

There's a problem.

Really, there's a problem.

When does a dog stop eating feces?

Saying that about Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu is not an exaggeration.

When did an unfilial son become filial?

When did the two scheming brothers ever become united?

Some people shifted their gaze from the Liu brothers to the Liu family's old house, as if they'd thought of something; in this world, fools are only a small minority, while most people are still fairly sharp, and the Liu brothers' spare-no-expense house‑buying sparked a slight extra suspicion.

Moreover, some people, filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred, turned their eyes toward Shazhu.

The Liu family's old house now belongs to Shazhu.

Even if there's something inside, it's Shazhu's.

Each resentfully blamed fate, wondering how all the good fortune had fallen to Shazhu; if it weren't for Er Da Ma fainting, and Yu Li, unafraid of trouble, sending Er Da Ma to the hospital, Er Da Ma could never have sold the Liu family's old house to Shazhu, and thus today's scene would not have come about.

Leaving aside other matters, simply flipping the house for a profit of over three hundred yuan made the neighbors green with envy; thinking deeper about the Liu family's possessions, they couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

Shazhu felt the neighbors' gazes.

He didn't know what to say.

He sensed the neighbors' envy and also confirmed his earlier guess about the Liu family's old house.

There's something inside.

What exactly is it?

Besides gold and silver treasure.

There's no other explanation.

Having lived two lives.

He was quite clear about some things.

In his previous life, Liu Haizhong latched onto Deputy Factory Director Li's thigh, becoming some team captain at the Yagangchang; under Li's direction, Xu Daming massacred Lou Xiaoe's family, and Liu Haizhong, as team captain, led people to clear out the Lou family's belongings; confronted with piles of gold and silver treasure, Liu Haizhong turned over most of it, but privately kept a portion.

If Shazhu remembers correctly, Liu Haizhong hid a dozen or so large yellow croakers, plus a few jade items and two strings of pearl necklaces; later Xu Daming fell out with Liu Haizhong, specifically using this to hold leverage over him, and Liu Haizhong was removed from his team captain post by Deputy Factory Director Li.

More than ten years later.

Liu Haizhong mysteriously became prosperous.

At that time, Shazhu, like everyone else, mistakenly thought Liu Haizhong had gotten his shine from being a disciple of the leader Liu Haizhong at the Yagangchang.

Now, combining the behavior of Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu brothers offering a high price to buy his Liu family house,

it's highly likely that Liu Haizhong sold those privately hoarded gold and silver treasures.

So‑called disciple assistance.

It's merely an excuse.

Otherwise, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu arguing over buying a house, and then needing to live inside for a few days, would have no possible explanation.

Some things.

It's not something you can just take.

Those things cleared from the Lou Family must definitely be returned to the Lou Family.

This is a fact that happened in front of Shazhu in his previous life.

Shazhu also heard that they checked the list and demanded each item be returned; when Liu Haizhong originally turned them over, Deputy Factory Director Li, such a shrewd person, would not leave himself a loophole, crossing out some of the things he had taken, so this debt can only be blamed on Liu Haizhong.

Wealth stirs the heart.

The neighbors in the courtyard.

They are all beasts as well.

If Shazhu doesn't sell this house, it's like mud falling into one's pants—whether it's feces or not, it's still a mess.

Rather than later being unable to explain.

It would be better to sell it now.

Because the gold and silver treasures Liu Haizhong hid cannot be kept; surely someone will come to demand accountability.

In his previous life, someone had already settled the accounts; the Liu family members blamed each other, angering Liu Haizhong so much that he stayed in the hospital for a few days and made several trips to the police station.

Moreover, Shazhu's house is already full of things; adding a few more treasures that Liu Haizhong privately hid wouldn't be much, but removing a few of his hidden treasures wouldn't be little.

Selling the Liu family house would let Shazhu maximize his profit more than keeping it; turning it over would earn three or four hundred yuan, which could be exchanged for several treasures even in Panyuan Garden.

When the snipe and clam grapple, the fisherman gains.

Isn't this exactly the most genuine performance of the Liu brothers buying a house right before our eyes?

As Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu argued nonstop, Liu Guangqi also arrived at the courtyard; like Liu Guangfu seeing Liu Guangtian, his eyes were full of fear and shock.

How did you come?

Liu Guangqi, having gathered his thoughts, asked Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu; his expression was not good, suggesting he had thought of something, hence his question.

While asking.

In his heart he was also silently praying.

Please don't let it be that Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu also came to buy a house.

This result.

This is not the result Liu Guangqi wanted to see.

What's there to fear?

Yet that's exactly what came.

Facing Liu Guangqi's anxious gaze, some neighbors who loved to watch the drama and didn't mind big trouble said an answer that Liu Guangqi absolutely did not want to hear.

"Liu family eldest, Guangtian and Guangfu don't know what's going on; they successively ran back to the courtyard, insisting on buying back your old Liu family's old house from Shazhu no matter what."

Liu Guangqi's heart gave a jolt.

Instinctively he felt that things were going to go wrong.

Out of the blue, why would Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu buy a house? Perhaps they also learned about the treasure; otherwise why buy a house?

"Old Two, Old Three, are you coming back to buy a house? Who told you to buy a house?"

Liu Guangqi just thought about having to split the treasure evenly with Old Two and Old Three.

He felt unhappy inside.

His tone unnaturally carried a hint of severity.

He also thought of gaining the upper hand by speaking first; if he could dismiss Old Two and Old Three, he would enjoy the treasure alone; if they don't give him face, he would use his initial authority to seize as large a share as possible in dividing the treasure; even if he can't get a 9‑1 split, he'd settle for an 8‑2 split, with Liu Guangqi taking 80%, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu each 10%; a 7‑3 split is Liu Guangqi's bottom line.

His attitude made Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, who already disliked Liu Guangqi, even more furious.

Who the hell are you?

Don't think that just because you're called Liu Guangqi we dare not beat you.

"Liu Guangqi, do we have to notify you when we buy a house?" Liu Guangtian sneered, "You're you, we're us, don't confuse them."

"Exactly, why do we have to notify you when we buy a house?" Liu Guangfu echoed Liu Guangtian's words: "Our money, we can do whatever we want; you can't control us."

Facing Liu Guangqi.

The Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu who had been arguing nonstop just a moment ago instantly formed an alliance, presenting a united front against Liu Guangqi.

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, who had originally been somewhat doubtful about the Liu family hiding treasure, had all their doubts vanish the moment Liu Guangqi stepped into the courtyard.

They were certain the Liu family had treasure.

The two brothers exchanged a glance, as if they had agreed on terms.

First get rid of Liu Guangqi, then the two brothers will split the treasure evenly.

"I am your eldest brother; the elder brother stands in place of the father; I order you each to go home."

Liu Guangqi put on the airs of an elder brother.

But this only earned him the quiet mockery of Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu.

From childhood, having been beaten by Liu Haizhong and by Er Da Ma, Liu Guangqi watched them get beaten without acting like an elder brother; now seeing them come to seize the treasure, he puts on the dignity of an elder brother.

What good thing are you thinking about?

You really treat us like three‑year‑olds.

"Hey, acting as our brother now, don't you think it's too late?"

"You made the mistake, we got beaten; as the elder brother, you just watched the show; now that we're grown, what airs of an elder brother are you putting on?"

"Guangqi, Guangtian, Guangfu, you are blood brothers; there's nothing you can't say; why are you pointing spears at each other? Calm down."

Some kind‑hearted neighbors.

He began to mediate between the two sides.

But his tone of voice didn't sound like he was trying to settle things; instead, it carried a hint of stirring up trouble.

"Liu Guangtian, Liu Guangfu, it's not the elder saying you two, Liu Guangqi is your brother; as younger brothers, how can you speak to Liu Guangqi like that? That Liu Guangqi, you really ought to say that Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, in order to buy the Old Liu Family's old house, they both bid up to six hundred fifty dollars. If it weren't for Shazhu not agreeing, how much more would we have lost? Originally sold for three hundred sixty, now buying back for six hundred fifty, in just over ten days we've lost three hundred."

Liu Guangqi's head.

Buzzing loudly.

Six hundred fifty dollars.

Bastard.

You have to know that Liu Guangqi came to buy the house with only five hundred dollars in his pocket; he was mainly worried that raising the price would make Shazhu suspicious.

Just a brainless thing.

Can this thing fetch a high price?

Seeing that the situation had become irreparable, and knowing what attitude Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu had toward him, and seeing so many outsiders present, some things really weren't appropriate to say in front of the neighbors.

No choice.

Liu Guangqi gave Liu Guangfu a look, Liu Guangfu then said a few words to Liu Guang, and then the three brothers went to a secluded corner, each whispering something.

Although the distance was fairly far.

And couldn't hear clearly what they were saying.

But Shazhu still managed to glean some truth from their body language and facial expressions.

Nothing more than discussing terms.

Turning what had been one person buying a house and another pocketing the treasure into three partners buying a house; as for how the treasure would be split, that was unknown.

He guessed it would probably be split evenly.

The three Liu brothers hid in the corner and talked for about ten minutes, each showing a satisfied expression, then walked toward Shazhu.

In front of the neighbors, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu each apologized to Shazhu, saying they were immature and had made a random offer; then Liu Guangqi, as the elder brother, smoothed things over, saying some so‑called apologetic words: that the two younger brothers were immature, that the house was the Liu family's longing, and that they wanted Er Da Ma to move back in.

After a long list of reasons.

Liu Guangqi quoted a price of four hundred sixty dollars.

Equivalent to the market price.

Shazhu laughed.

"I'm not selling this house; if you want me to sell, you can, this is the number."

One finger.

He held it up in front of Liu Guangqi.

It was purely meant to disgust Liu Guangqi.

This bastard really thought Shazhu knew nothing; if it weren't for Liu Guangqi's clever‑sounding nonsense, treating Shazhu like a fool, Shazhu might have agreed to Liu Guangqi's offer of four hundred sixty dollars. Over ten days, that would have been a net profit of a hundred dollars—why not agree? But Liu Guangqi went and added the unnecessary act of drawing a snake and adding feet, which annoyed Shazhu.

Just one thousand dollars.

Love it or leave it.

Liu Guangqi's face changed.

"Shazhu, you."

"This house, I never wanted to sell; you guys rushed in to buy it, one thousand dollars—either sell it to you, or I'll sell it at market price to the neighbors in the courtyard. Don't think no one wants it; plenty of people want your house."

"Shazhu, five hundred dollars—I, Yan Fugui, bought this house."

Someone else's show.

You don't have to play along.

Shazhu's show.

Yan Fugui must cheer.

The remaining neighbors also started to jeer.

"Shazhu, we also want to buy a house, five hundred dollars—the Old Liu Family's house, we're taking it."

"Liu Guangqi, don't blame us; mainly our family really needs a house. Shazhu, the Old Liu Family's house—sell it to me."

"One thousand dollars is one thousand dollars."

Liu Guangqi gritted his teeth and said, then each pulled money from Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, scraping together a thousand dollars; seeing there was still time, he hurried on his bicycle to the Jiēdào, completed the formalities on the spot, Shazhu tearfully made over six hundred dollars, and Liu Guangtian, Liu Guangfu and their brothers moved that night into the Old Liu Family's old house.

It seemed everyone was happy.

Actually, undercurrents were stirring.

Some neighbors who couldn't sleep were sneaking around in the Hou Yuan, saying the rooms were too hot to sleep, so they wanted to set up tents in the courtyard; even Jia Zhangshi was entertaining the idea of filing a complaint.