Chapter 17: Chapter 14: Using Porridge Instead of Wine

Su Jianjun is small, but he’s an excellent cook.

He made millet porridge and some flaky pastries, leaving them for the landlord to have a simple meal at home.

The little guy’s face was flushed, wiping tears while cooking, as if he had suffered a great grievance.

This was an old habit of Su Jianjun; the angrier he got, the redder his face became.

With guests at home, it’s inconvenient to clean, yet the footprints everywhere were surely driving Su Jianjun mad.

Su Yue also learned the ins and outs of the situation.

The landlord was in the building materials business.

But recently, a batch of goods came in, just as his cash flow broke, leaving him unable to move the products or settle payments to suppliers.

The suppliers were threatening to charge him with fraud.

The landlord, in desperation, began selling off his assets.

The suppliers were interested in the property and prepared to buy it at half the market price.

According to market value, the property could sell for more than 1.2 million.

But the suppliers were only willing to pay 600,000.

The footprints all over were from the suppliers inspecting the property, stepping around carelessly.

Su Jianjun offered them shoe covers, but the suppliers’ people blatantly ignored them.

To buyers, tenants were always insignificant.

This scene infuriated Su Jianjun to no end.

Yet the landlord couldn’t do anything.

Though he was swindled by the suppliers, a real contract was already in force.

The suppliers, before leaving, even lowered the price by another 100,000, only willing to offer 500,000 in the end.

The landlord was suffering a bleeding loss.

But selling to others, most people couldn’t even secure a purchase quota.

The suppliers were pressing for time, leaving the landlord no chance to list the sale anew.

Thus, he had no choice but to suffer in silence.

Though the property wasn’t in the city center, it was large; selling it slowly, 1.2 million was indeed not too much.

The landlord was heartbroken inside.

Today, during the day, the landlord already sent the property deed to the property bureau.

It takes three working days to schedule a file retrieval. Once the property file is out, the suppliers will take it directly.

The landlord’s visit today was also to inform this family… it’s time to move.

The meal was heavy and somber.

The landlord used to join meals too, treating the family kindly, but he himself was like a clay Buddha crossing a river, helpless.

“Landlord, selling the house for 500,000 is simply taking advantage of a crisis.”

Su Yue pondered a bit, feeling something was off.

Pressing so hard, it was clearly premeditated.

“Who says it isn’t?

“The supplier’s boss has someone in the Investigation and Arrest Bureau. I was tricked in this shipment.

“It’s precisely because of the bureau’s involvement that I’m so anxious. If I could wait a month or two, my payment would return, eliminating the need to sell off assets.

“Even after selling the house, I’d still have a deficit of over 200,000, not knowing how to fill it!”

The landlord’s face was bitter.

In contract fraud, the bureau can arrest people.

In general, the bureau investigates slowly.

But in special cases, it arrests first and investigates later.

This is entirely based on the bureau’s subjective judgment.

If it were any regular upstream supplier, the landlord could stall even if interest was involved, as it falls within the normal contract scope.

But unfortunately, this supplier is a relative to a bureau head.

This is where the problem lies.

The bureau could either mediate or arrest early.

This provides leverage for the supplier to force down prices.

If the landlord is around, business could gradually recover.

If the landlord is caught, everything would be ruined.

“Landlord sir, don’t worry, we’ll start looking for a new place tomorrow and certainly won’t trouble you.

“Thank you for taking care of us all this while.”

Su Jianzhou smiled calmly.

After moving, the rent might shoot up several folds since it’s not easy to find such a suitable place.

But there’s no choice; the landlord was also a victim, deserving sympathy.

“Landlord sir, I can offer 900,000. Although I can’t meet the market value, this is as much as I have.

“If possible, I’d like to buy the house.”

Su Yue sipped the porridge, thinking everything through.

Buying the house was crucial, otherwise, the purchasing quota would be wasted.

But he only had 1 million, needing to save the remaining 100,000 for university expenses as reserve funds.

With 900,000, one could only buy a small 70-square-meter two-bedroom unit in the urban area at most.

This house, having served as a warehouse before, was at least 260 square meters. Although a bit remote, they had grown accustomed to living here.

Moreover, the landlord had helped him in the toughest times, and Su Yue felt obliged to assist the landlord too.

900,000 would be enough for the landlord to get through this hardship.

Su Jianjun’s cleanliness obsession could be more at ease with a home of their own, where people wouldn’t be tracking mud.

The child might be an orphan, causing a low self-esteem, keeping everything inside, unable to recover from any bullying for a long time.

“Hmm?”

Su Jianzhou and Su Jianjun both looked at Su Yue.

Is this a joke?

Let’s not even discuss your lack of money; there’s no way you could handle the purchasing quota either.

“Su Yue, we appreciate your goodwill, but obtaining a purchasing quota is very difficult.

“Study well, aim for Wuda in the future, and strive to make life better for your uncle and cousin.”

The landlord smiled, not exposing Su Yue’s bluff.

Where could you find 900,000? It’s impossible.

And the purchasing quota, that’s a rare thing.

“Here’s the purchasing quota card. Your property’s records will be ready in three days, and after that, I’ll pay promptly.”

Su Yue took out the quota card, placing it on the table.

“This…”

The landlord picked up the card.

It was real.

“Su Yue, is this something your father left for you?”

The landlord looked puzzled.

Aside from Old Admiral, who could manage to obtain a purchasing quota?

“But wait, this quota card’s serial seems to be the latest.”

The landlord glanced at the serial, frowning again.

“It’s nothing to do with my father; I arranged it myself.”

Su Yue merely smiled, not explaining too much.

“Got it.

“Considering your family’s unique situation, 800,000 would actually suffice.”

The landlord didn’t inquire further; everyone has their secrets.

Compared to the bankruptcy price of 500,000, 800,000 isn’t bad.

With this, he could easily weather the crisis.

“No need, 900,000 is 900,000, you’ve always taken care of us, I don’t even know how to repay you.”

Su Yue shook his head, determined.

Even though 100,000 was significant, Su Yue believed conscience mattered more.

When their father was arrested, and all three were on the streets, only the landlord took them in.

Back then, this place that could shield them from elements was so precious.

900,000, not a penny less.

“Thank you, then. I’ll substitute soup for wine, I’ll finish it, you do as you like.”

The landlord got excited, picked up the bowl, and drank the porridge in one go.

Su Yue squirmed a bit.

The porridge wasn’t fully cooled yet, how could he gulp it down.

Wasn’t it hot?

The habits of a businessman, truly ingrained.

“This guy, it’s a bit hot.”

The landlord grimaced, baring his teeth.

“Landlord sir, drink less alcohol in the future, it’s problematic.”

Su Jianzhou chuckled.

He and Su Jianjun were curious about Su Yue’s purchasing quota, but they held their tongue with the landlord there.

“Indeed, you’re right! This contract signing was a mishap from drinking; the suppliers got me drunk at the restaurant, followed by a karaoke binge, then late-night barbecue—truly, what a screw-up.”

The landlord slapped his forehead, filled with regret.

“It’s getting late, I’ll come see you with the contract in three days.”

The landlord, now in high spirits, gnawed on two more flaky pastries.

…

“Su Yue, come on, tell us how you got so rich.”

After the landlord left, Su Jianjun asked hurriedly.

“Go do the dishes, kids shouldn’t ask too many questions.”

Su Jianzhou flicked his son’s forehead.

“Humph, at least we have a new home, no one will bully us anymore.”

Su Jianjun obediently went to wash the dishes in the kitchen.

Later, he still needed to deal with all the muddy footprints.

In Su Jianzhou’s bedroom, Su Yue briefly mentioned the situation with Xiong Taiguang, it was necessary to explain since Uncle was once a Martial Artist too.

“So Xiong Taiguang indeed found you. This 1 million, I suppose, is his gratitude.”

Su Jianzhou tapped his prosthetic limb, smiled thoughtfully.

“Gratitude?”

Su Yue frowned.

“Before you were born, your father saved someone on the battlefield, that man was Xiong Taiguang, and turns out he does have a conscience.”

Su Jianzhou nodded.

“Battlefield?

“Uncle, where exactly is this battlefield?”

Su Yue asked with a serious face.

In the Divine Land, it seemed everyone knew many martial artists were at war.

Yet no one could pinpoint the country they were fighting with clearly.

“Final examinations are next week, once you’re in the Potential Class, you should find out.”

Su Jianzhou smiled, unwilling to elaborate further.

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