Chapter 5: Might As Well Sell It

When Ni Qingguo mentioned that he wanted her to move over, Ni Fang’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“Are you serious? Does sister-in-law have no objections?”

“What objections could she have? It’s not like the whole family of three is moving over. My salary isn’t enough to support the whole family, but supporting just you, sister, is no burden. Since we were kids, you’ve always taken care of me. Now that the family has fallen on hard times, it’s my turn to take care of you.”

“Besides, Yaozu misses his aunt very much. If you move in with me, not only I, but Yaozu can spend more time with you too.”

Ni Fang was easily swayed by Ni Qingguo’s sweet words, her heart stirred. What could she possibly oppose?

But the display of sibling affection was enough to make Lin Wei want to vomit.

Ni Fang had no trouble caring for her own brother when they were young.

But when it came to Lin Wei’s own children, an 18-year-old and a 6-year-old, she had no idea what to do and was making all sorts of excuses.

Is this something a normal mother should say?

And the glance she exchanged with Xiao Yuanbing just now—was Lin Wei blind?

Fortunately, her death in a past life had made everything clear.

She would not allow herself to be hurt by anything Ni Fang did, nor care how they might torment her later. Above all, her priority was to take Lin Yuan away.

—

With everyone silent, their tacit agreement settled the matter.

Ni Qingguo looked coldly at Lin Wei. “Tuition for the first year of university is 200. Living expenses for one semester, 300. That makes a total of 500 yuan for you.”

“This is what you asked for yourself. Don’t regret it later. Also, since you want to take Lin Yuan away, his living expenses should be your responsibility.”

Lin Wei smiled sweetly at Ni Qingguo, who felt an inexplicable chill.

“What are you looking at me for?”

“Nothing, it’s just funny,” she said, quickly changing the subject before Ni Qingguo could get angry. “Alright, let’s get a neighbor to come in and sign an agreement to split the money.”

Li Gong, who had been silent, immediately stood up and asked, “Who do you want to invite?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Lin Wei said, “Uncle Liu. He lives next door and knows our family situation best. He’s well-liked and familiar with the neighbors. He’s the most suitable to be a witness.”

More importantly, Uncle Liu had spoken up for her father at the construction site earlier.

—

Even in her past life, when searching for her brother, Uncle Liu had given her some financial help.

Given the current circumstances, Uncle Liu was the only person she could trust for now.

“Bring my brother in too. Since he’s going with me, his name should be on the agreement as well.”

Li Gong glanced at Xiao Yuanbing.

After he nodded in agreement, Li Gong brought Uncle Liu and Lin Yuan inside.

Uncle Liu looked somewhat puzzled.

Lin Wei explained, “Uncle Liu, I’ve brought you in to be a witness. My father’s compensation is 30,000 yuan. After receiving this money, my mother will give me 500 yuan and will no longer interfere with my university plans. Since the agreement must be notarized, I hope you can serve as the notary.”

Uncle Liu was no fool; he immediately sensed the problem in her words.

Before he could voice his doubts, Ni Qingguo quickly added, “And since you’re taking Lin Yuan away, once the agreement is signed, Lin Yuan will be your responsibility and no longer my sister’s.”

Uncle Liu was completely stunned by this.

“Weiwei, what do you mean? This agreement is totally unfair!”

Ni Qingguo sneered, “If you want fairness, then don’t go to university. If you want to study, you must pay the price.”

“But even so, 500 yuan is far too little. Weiwei is only 18. Once she goes to Jiangcheng to study, how can she possibly take care of Yuan Yuan? Moreover, as elders, you should ask for Yuan Yuan’s opinion.”

Lin Yuan was dazed from his father’s death, confused by everyone mentioning him. He looked up at them all with a blank expression.

When he saw Lin Wei, he threw himself into her arms and called out, “Sister.”

Lin Wei looked at her brother with tenderness, quietly asking, “Yuan Yuan, sister is going to Jiangcheng for university. Would you rather stay here with mom and uncle, or go with sister to Jiangcheng?”

Lin Yuan glanced at Ni Qingguo and asked, “If I live with mom, why is uncle there too?”

“Because uncle is taking mom to live at his house. That means this house will be empty. If you want to go with mom, you’ll live, study, eat, and play together with Yaozu. You’ll have a companion.”

Lin Wei asked deliberately.

Ni Yaozu was domineering, the stereotypical brat the future generation would complain about.

Lin Yuan was honest and kind-hearted. Plus, Ni Fang always sided with Ni Yaozu, so whenever Lin Yuan visited, he was bullied. Hearing this, it was no surprise that Lin Yuan disliked the idea.

“I want to be with sister.”

Hearing Lin Yuan’s choice, the adults present all breathed a sigh of relief.

—

“But…”

Seeing Uncle Liu wanting to argue, Ni Qingguo impatiently interrupted, “You were the one who said we should ask Lin Yuan’s opinion. Now that he has chosen Lin Wei, what else is there to say? Besides, this is our family matter. You’re just a witness. We have no objections. Why are you making such a fuss?”

“But you’re going too far. Even if you gave a bit more money, it would be better. Weiwei and Yuan Yuan will be strangers in Jiangcheng. What if something happens on the way? Would you feel at ease?”

“Weiwei, don’t be mad at your mom. Five hundred yuan isn’t little, but you can’t live on that with your brother for long. You still have to pay tuition. It’s just not enough.”

“Uncle Liu, please don’t say any more. This matter is settled.”

Lin Wei took out paper and pen, carefully listing the compensation amount, her university plans, her brother’s custody, and the witness’s name in the agreement.

Four copies were made: one each for Xiao Yuanbing, Ni Fang, Lin Wei, and Uncle Liu.

Despite Uncle Liu’s reluctance, after signing and receiving the 500 yuan in cash, Lin Wei distributed the copies.

With nearly 30,000 yuan in hand, Ni Qingguo’s mouth curled into a grin that never faded.

But his ambitions did not end there.

Regarding this apartment—

“Weiwei, when will you register for university?” Ni Qingguo asked with a smile.

“Uncle, is there something wrong?”

“Oh, I was just thinking that since you’re going to university and your mom’s moving into my house, this apartment will be empty. If it’s just going to be empty, why not sell it?”

‘Bang!’

Uncle Liu slammed the table angrily.

“Don’t go too far. If this apartment is sold, where will Weiwei stay when she comes home for holidays? You’ve already taken plenty of money. You should leave the children some place to settle down.”

Ni Qingguo sneered, “If they want a place to stay, they can come to my house. As long as these two kids want to go, we’re family after all. There’s no way I’d kick them out.”

“But my sister is different. Her husband died and left her an empty house. It’s just a way to remember him. It’s better to turn it into money, which can give her some confidence.”