Chapter 140: 90: A Family by the Spring Chapter 140: Two Pomegranate Trees, Seeing the Tree and Thinking of the Person

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"No need, there's nothing to pack anyway..."

Wang Daniang smiled and declined: "They're just worthless trinkets; if they don't fit in one cart, forget it, it's no loss to throw them away."

"Who said that? A ruined home is still worth a fortune."

Grandmother gave her maternal aunt a look, telling her to help: "After so many years as neighbors, why be so polite with us?"

"I'll go check the workshop to see if there's anything else that needs packing."

The maternal aunt understood Grandmother's meaning, turned around, and entered the Noodle Workshop.

"This courtyard is old and should be demolished, but it's a pity about these two Pomegranate Trees."

Wang Daniang smiled gratefully and continued chatting with Grandmother: "Although the pomegranates aren't big, they still taste very sweet."

"Can Pomegranate Trees be moved?"

Grandmother thought of the house her second daughter had just bought, which had a Small Courtyard, and an idea struck her: "I don't know if that brat Yan Hao is willing, or if he'll cause more trouble again?"

"The whole courtyard has been sold to us, so why care about him?"

Wang Daniang became annoyed at the mention of Yan Hao: "When signing back then, he didn't mention the Pomegranate Trees, so he automatically gave them up; the ownership of these two trees belongs to us."

"Does your family want Pomegranate Trees?"

Grandmother asked tentatively: "Or how about including that Grape vine, and the three families split them?"

"My family doesn't want them."

Wang Daniang smiled bitterly: "People don't even have a place to live yet, how can they plant trees..."

"Dashan's Wife, does your family want them?"

Grandmother saw Zhang Dafen's sister-in-law poke her head out of the Window, heard the two talking, and shouted at the top of her voice.

"My family doesn't want them either."

Dashan's Wife was cunning and quickly added: "If you want them, just move them away; give us some money, just a token amount."

"How much is one Pomegranate Tree worth?"

Wang Daniang was reminded by her and also became spirited.

"Pomegranate Trees have good symbolism, meaning many children and much fortune."

Zhang Dashan's Wife picked up the conversation smoothly: "Surely many people would want them; two trees this big should sell for at least a thousand yuan, right?"

"They're worth that much?"

Wang Daniang's eyes lit up at the sound.

"A thousand yuan is too expensive; I can't afford it either."

Grandmother heard it would be over a thousand, her expression darkened, and she backed down.

"One thousand it is; I'll buy them."

Guben pushed his bicycle into the Small Courtyard, just happened to hear this sentence, and immediately made a decision: "Including that Grape vine, a total of twelve hundred yuan, split equally among your three families."

"That's wonderful."

Wang Daniang heard she could get four hundred yuan and beamed with joy.

"Young Guben is so straightforward."

Dashan's Wife also walked out of the house, smiling and flattering: "Children from wealthy families are just different; they handle things openly, making people feel comfortable just looking at them."

"Isn't this price too high?"

Grandmother felt it wasn't worth it for Guben and wanted to speak up for him: "Those two Pomegranate Trees are one thing, but how could that Grape vine be worth two hundred yuan?"

"My grandmother likes eating grapes..."

Guben didn't care: "Buy them back, plant them in your own Small Courtyard, just consider it my filial piety."

"You can buy them if you want."

Grandmother set conditions for him: "Although we're old neighbors, the necessary procedures can't be skipped; one hand pays the money, the other delivers the goods. After our three families take the money, we still have to sign for that child, so we don't get dragged into this later and everyone looks bad..."

"That's necessary..."

Wang Daniang saw money and her eyes lit up; she agreed very readily: "Young Guben, whenever you want to move them, Daniang will sign for you right now."

"Moving trees requires professionals; today won't work..."

Guben thought for a moment, changed the subject, and said: "But the money can be given now; let Xiyu write it, she has good writing skills, draft a Purchase Agreement."

"Fine."

Dashan's Wife, afraid he might change his mind, smiled and urged: "Xiyu, hurry and get paper and brush; no need for so much trouble, just write a few simple sentences."

"Okay."

Lin Xiyu didn't decline, lifted the Curtain and entered the house; in a moment she brought out blank paper and brush, handing them to Guben: "I don't know how to write an agreement; you still have to do it."

"I say you write it."

Guben deliberately didn't take them, smiling at her with narrowed eyes.

"Fine."

Lin Xiyu looked at him for several seconds, admitted she couldn't out-stubborn him, and helplessly tugged at the corner of her mouth.

—

The agreement was written, and the representatives of the three families signed at the bottom; Guben didn't bring that much cash, so Grandmother took out her private money and advanced him eight hundred yuan, which was distributed to Wang Daniang and Dashan's Wife.

Dashan's Wife was satisfied, took the money and returned to her room happily; Wang Daniang also packed her belongings and bid them farewell.

The noodle workshop was emptied out, and only two households remained in the small courtyard.

Grandmother looked at the somewhat messy courtyard, lost in thought, a hint of desolation flashing in her eyes.

Lin Xiyu obediently held a broom to sweep the courtyard, cleaning up the miscellaneous items abandoned after the move.

Guben helped from the side, sweating profusely from the heat.

"That's enough, no need to make it so spotless."

Grandmother felt for the two children and forced herself to cheer up: "We'll be moving in a few days anyway; no matter how clean you sweep it, the whole courtyard will be torn down."

"Grandmother, do you want to keep one of the pomegranate trees?"

Guben used the pomegranate tree to divert Grandmother's attention.

"You bought it, you can move it yourself."

Grandmother waved her hand with slight regret: "I originally had that idea, but thinking again, that courtyard is too small; you can only plant some flowers and grass, there's no room for a pomegranate tree."

"You're talking about the house your mother just bought, right?"

Guben knew that house inside out—a 67-square-meter house on the first floor with a small courtyard, originally bought by Wang Fan and lent to Grandmother's family under the guise of renting.

He took it from Wang Fan's hands, changed the house purchase contract, and transferred it at the original price.

The total price of the house was 77,000; including renovation and the money for home appliances and furniture, it came to 83,000 in total.

The betrothal money he gave Chen Xiulan was 88,000; after fixing up the whole house, there was still some surplus.

Chen Xiulan had clearly stated that the remaining 5,000 yuan should be kept for her daughter as her dowry.

—

"It's that house."

Grandmother didn't understand the twists and turns, but she knew about the 88,000 betrothal money Guben gave; thinking of how much he valued her maternal grandchild, the old man's eyes softened, and her gaze toward him grew even more affectionate.

"That small courtyard must be about seven or eight square meters."

Guben deliberately tried to cheer Grandmother up: "If Grandmother wants to plant it, we'll plant it; I'll find someone to pick a good day and move the tree over in advance."

"No need to trouble yourself; two trees definitely won't fit."

Grandmother smiled and declined: "Such a small courtyard would be filled up all at once."

"One tree would be fine."

Guben smiled and persuaded her: "Grandmother, whichever tree you like, just pick one."

"Grandmother, I also like pomegranate trees."

Lin Xiyu chimed in from the side: "Let's get one; how pretty it would be planted in the courtyard. You'll live in that house for at least two years; seeing the pomegranate tree every day would put you in a good mood."

Grandmother was old, and her legs and feet were not nimble.

Lin Xiyu had discussed it with her mother; before moving back, they would let the first-floor house with a small courtyard be lived in by Grandmother and Uncle's family.

The three of them would still rent the fourth-floor house Wang Fan bought, which was next to Grandmother's home, making it convenient to look after each other.

"If you like it, then let's get one."

Grandmother was swayed by the two of them, smiling in her eyes: "That house is ultimately yours; although the household registration is in your mother's name, after she passes, it will still be inherited by you."

"That's not certain; there's still Xiao Yi..."

Lin Xiyu knew her mother valued her son and didn't want to say more, so she changed the subject: "Let's not talk about this; Grandmother, you say which tree you want, and we'll decide now."

"Let me see..."

Grandmother's gaze circled the two pomegranate trees and settled on the slightly smaller one: "That one; the crown isn't big, and the shape is good; planting it in your small courtyard would be just right."

"Alright."

Lin Xiyu gladly agreed: "Then we'll take that one."

"You've chosen; I'll take that big one."

Guben smiled and teased: "The two trees were originally a pair, one big and one small; planted in our two families' courtyards, it means many children and blessings, a good omen. Don't you think that if these two trees are planted separately, they suddenly have the feeling of longing trees? In the future, when Xiyu sees that small pomegranate tree at home, she'll be reminded of me by the sight of it; when I see that big one at home, I'll also think of her..."

"Ptooey."

Lin Xiyu spat at him, both shy and annoyed: "You think too beautifully; who would think of you..."

"Some people are just hard-mouthed."

Guben continued with a black-bellied smile: "Actually, what's in the heart is another matter altogether."

"Go, go, you hurry up and go."

Lin Xiyu's ears grew hot with embarrassment; she pushed and shoved him away: "Grandmother needs to nap at noon; don't disturb her rest."

"Hey, you little ingrate."

Guben stood there without moving: "Cleaning the courtyard in this sweltering heat, I've sweated all over, and you won't even invite me in for a drink of water."

"There's watermelon; come in and eat watermelon."

The maternal aunt walked out of the kitchen holding a watermelon, washed it clean in the water basin, and cut it open with a knife.

"Xiao Bin, eat a piece of watermelon before you go."

Grandmother smiled and greeted Guben.

"Coming."

Guben took the opportunity to come over; first, he handed Grandmother a piece of watermelon with the fewest seeds, then gave the maternal aunt a piece cut the most neatly.

"You eat it yourself; family doesn't need to be polite."

The maternal aunt was flattered; when she took the watermelon, her hand shook, and she almost dropped it on the ground.

"Careful."

Guben was quick-eyed and quick-handed; he held her wrist and, by the way, took the watermelon back.

"You're showing off a bit too much..."

Lin Xiyu couldn't stand it anymore; she reached out and twisted his waist: "My family doesn't have those fancy manners; just eat your own."

"Hiss."

Guben winced and sucked in a breath of cold air, but before he could retort, a piece of watermelon was stuffed into his mouth.

"Eat yours."

Lin Xiyu stuffed the watermelon into his mouth, smiling with curved brows and eyes, looking very pleased with herself.

"You're quite capable, your skills are impressive......"

Guben laughed in anger: "Daring to twist me right in front of Grandma."

"Grandma is my own grandma, not yours......"

Lin Xiyu laughed playfully: "I do whatever I want, Grandma is naturally on my side."

"Really?"

Guben raised an eyebrow: "I don't believe it."

"If you don't believe it, let's bet."

Lin Xiyu provocatively raised her eyebrow: "Let Grandma say herself, is she on your side or mine."

"This is you asking me to ask......"

Guben slightly raised his brow: "If you lose, no crying?"

"Tsk~~"

Lin Xiyu was certain she would win: "I won't cry, it's you who will cry."

"See if you can still keep a stiff mouth later."

A hint of teasing flashed in Guben's eyes, and the moment he turned around his expression changed instantly, a wronged little expression that was heartbreaking: "Grandma, your granddaughter is bullying me, she twisted my waist black and blue."

"This girl, not light or heavy with her hands......"

Grandma indeed stopped smiling, her gaze toward Lin Xiyu carrying a hint of blame.

"She also said......"

Guben continued to complain: "You indulge her twisting me, and don't even feel sorry when it's twisted black and blue."

"Don't listen to her nonsense."

Upon hearing this, Grandma got even angrier: "How could Grandma indulge her, letting her twist you."

"I knew Grandma is the most reasonable......"

Guben's mouth corner curled up, revealing a triumphant smile: "Even if I'm not your biological grandson, you would still dote on me from the bottom of your heart."

"That's a must....."

Grandma spoke righteously: "A child as likable as you, if Grandma doesn't dote on you, who would she dote on."

"How about it?"

Guben turned around and teasingly winked at Lin Xiyu: "Heard Grandma's answer? Admit it, you lost."

"Ah, not like that, this person is too shameless."

Lin Xiyu laughed and cried helplessly: "Grandma don't believe him, he's pretending to be pitiful, actually his waist isn't black and blue at all."

"Who says it isn't black and blue?"

Guben lifted the hem of his shirt, making a move to show her his waist.

Lin Xiyu's ear root turned red, and she abruptly looked away.

"See, is it black and blue?"

Guben saw she didn't dare look directly, lifted his clothes again and moved closer, smiling even more complacently.

"You have thick skin and thick flesh, I didn't use any strength at all just now, it's impossible to be black and blue."

Lin Xiyu covered her eyes with her hand, her ear root burning red.

"Whether it's black and blue can be seen at a glance."

Guben smiled black-belliedly, continuing to tease her: "Put your hand down, look yourself......"

"Look then look....."

Lin Xiyu was provoked into anger by him, indeed separated two fingers, and glanced out from the gap.

Guben's hand lifting his clothes stiffened, his sturdy and powerful eight-pack abs were seen squarely by her.

Lin Xiyu: "......."

A blush spread from her ear root all the way to her neck, with a gradual trend of spreading downward.

—

Liu Ye went to Ding Sheng Decoration Beijing Branch, a position at the Jinan Head Office became vacant, and the female cousin also had the idea to recommend herself.

Wang Fan followed Guben's advice and hired a professional manager to serve as the new store manager.

The female cousin saw the new store manager was young and didn't look very experienced, and was unconvinced from the bottom of her heart.

Lin Xiyu saw Guben off, saw Grandma had rested, and also came out from home, riding a bicycle to the decoration company.

When entering the door, the female cousin was sulking, sitting on the sofa, staring blankly at the scenery outside the window.

"Huh, is the sun coming out from the west?"

Lin Xiyu pushed the door open and entered, seeing the female cousin had no reaction, she slightly surprised raised her eyebrows: "You actually didn't go to the newly developed property to grab business, sitting here alone enjoying leisure, this really isn't your style......"