Chapter 235: The Thousand-Work Canopy Bed

After breakfast, Elder Wu took them to wire the money.

Of course, they kept about 500,000 yuan in cash.

After all, Yun Jiao wanted to buy a house.

"What kind of courtyard house are you looking to buy? How many sections? Tell me about it. I happen to have some connections who can help you choose."

Yun Linhai scratched his head. "I think a two or three-section one would be big enough. Our whole family could live there."

He’d really come up in the world, to be talking about buying a three-section house.

That was tens of thousands of yuan!

Yun Jiao stood with her hands behind her back like a little adult, but the words that came out of her mouth were imperious and brazen.

"I want the biggest and the most beautiful one!"

The nature of the Merfolk was inherently aggressive and domineering.

If they were going to get something, it had to be the best.

Sometimes, if a Merfolk knew another had a particularly beautiful pearl or gemstone, they would steal it or snatch it, leading to a fight of cataclysmic proportions.

Mr. Yun and the others remained expressionless. ...

They knew this would happen.

Elder Wu, however, burst out laughing.

"This little one is my kind of person! Let’s go. Your Grandpa Wu will find someone to ask around for you."

Elder Wu and Mr. Mu walked ahead with their hands behind their backs. They entered an alley, and after a few turns, a rather hidden, two-section courtyard appeared.

Elder Wu raised his hand and knocked.

"Who is it?"

After a moment, someone came out. It was a sharp-looking middle-aged man who immediately spoke respectfully upon seeing Elder Wu.

"Fourth Master, what brings you here?"

Elder Wu waved his hand. "Let’s cut the pleasantries. I’m here to ask you something. Tell me about any courtyard houses that are for sale, big or small. I’m taking my relatives house-hunting."

The man glanced at the people behind Elder Wu and immediately broke into a smile.

"Well, you’ve certainly come to the right person. I do know of a few places. Two of them are urgent sales, so the prices are relatively low. One is a three-section courtyard where an old couple lives. Their son went abroad to study two years ago, married a woman there, and plans to settle down overseas, so he’s urging his parents to join him. The other is a four-section courtyard. The house is quite nice, but... there might be some disputes involved."

Elder Wu said, "Take us to see the three-section one first."

"Right away. This way, everyone."

The middle-aged man turned, closed his door, and began to lead the way.

"So, what’s the deal with that four-section courtyard?"

Elder Wu warned, "You’d better not be leading us to some haunted house."

"Of course not."

The man quickly said, "Actually, for you, it’s not a big deal. The house belongs to a young girl, but her parents didn’t make it—they died away from home. Now she’s all alone, looking after that big house.

But, the relatives on her father’s side are shameless. They think she’s young and easy to bully, so they show up with their whole families to cause trouble, claiming they have a right to the property and the house.

Ptooey... You have no idea how horribly those people acted when her family had their accident. And now they’re back, acting all thick-skinned. The girl is decisive, though. She’d rather sell the house for a low price than let those people benefit."

The middle-aged man spoke animatedly. Yun Jiao, eating a cookie, followed behind Grandpa Wu and the others, listening with rapt attention.

’Who would’ve thought? Even house-hunting comes with some juicy gossip.’

"This is the place."

They arrived at the three-section courtyard house first.

They knocked, and it was quite a while before someone came to open the door.

However, sounds of an argument could be heard from inside.

"Fifty thousand. We’re not selling this house for less than fifty thousand."

The aged voice was firm.

Outside the door, the Yun family gasped inwardly when they heard this.

’Fifty thousand for this house... That’s so expensive.’

"Why are you so stubborn? The highest price for a three-section house right now is forty thousand, and that one’s even a lot bigger than yours. The price I’m offering is the absolute highest you’ll get. It’s a take-it-or-leave-it offer."

The old man took a drag from his cigarette, his brow deeply furrowed. "Not selling. Worst case, we’ll just keep the house."

Finally, he looked at the people standing at the door. "Are you here to see the house too?"

The middle-aged man nodded. "Yes. Can we take a look around first?"

The old man nodded. "Come in."

The other potential buyer hadn’t given up yet. "Old Liu, you better think it over. The price I’m offering really is the highest. Forty thousand. Yours isn’t the only three-section house on the market, you know."

The old man said flatly, "Not selling!"

Hearing this, the man shook his head. "Fine, you two old-timers can just hold onto it forever then."

With that, he left.

Old Liu led the way, saying, "You heard me. I won’t sell this house for a cent less than fifty thousand."

Elder Wu shot a look at the middle-aged man. ’This is what you call a low price?’

The middle-aged man gave an awkward laugh. "There’s a reason for that. Old Liu, you should hurry up and explain."

Old Liu said, "When I say fifty thousand, it’s definitely a low price. That’s not just for the house, but for all the furniture inside, too."

He put his pipe behind his back. "If it weren’t for... I wouldn’t even be willing to sell."

"Old man, we have more guests."

After they entered the courtyard, an old woman’s voice called out.

Yun Jiao looked over and saw an old woman with a full head of white hair, wearing a dark-colored qipao and a knitted shawl.

Although she was old, it was clear from her features that she must have been a gentle and great beauty in her youth.

Her bone structure and aura were truly impeccable.

Old Liu hurried over to her.

"What are you doing out here? Go rest."

It was easy to tell that the voice of this old man, who had been so grumpy and harsh just moments ago, had become visibly gentler.

Standing together, they shared a harmonious atmosphere that no one else could penetrate.

The old woman patted his hand. "I’ve been sleeping for a long time. I wanted to come out and see."

Her gaze fell upon the children, and after a brief moment of surprise, she smiled.

It was a very kind and loving smile.

’What a warm feeling.’

Yun Xiaowu and the others felt the same sense of warmth.

While Old Liu was showing them the house, Mr. Mu’s gaze fell on the furniture.

It was easy to see that the house was well-maintained and very clean. There was also a large jujube tree in the courtyard.

Of course, the most breathtaking thing of all was the thousand-work canopy bed in the old woman’s room.

Seeing this kind of bed for the first time, Yun Jiao was truly stunned.

’Are you telling me that this thing, as exquisite as a room, with such masterful and luxurious craftsmanship, is just a bed?!’

The old woman gently caressed the canopy bed, her eyes full of reluctance to part with it.

Seeing this, the old man at her side opened his mouth, wanting to say they wouldn’t sell the house after all.

But the old woman took his hand and shook her head.

The old man could only hang his head in frustration.

"This house, including all the furniture inside, will not be sold for less than fifty thousand."

His tone was extremely stiff.

Before the adults could say anything, Yun Jiao’s voice rang out, "Alright, we’ll buy it!"

The old couple immediately turned to look at Yun Jiao.

’Huh? What did that child just say?’