Chapter 176: Chapter 172: Discussion

Mr. Xiao, who supported Xiao Chenye building a blue-brick and tile-roofed house, was quickly suppressed by Mrs. Xiao with a flick of her shoe sole.

Xiao Chenye: “…”

Dad, isn’t your rebellion a bit too weak?

Mrs. Xiao smiled gently, “Chenye, you just mentioned you wanted to build what? I didn’t quite catch that, could you say it again?”

She might as well have written “threat” across her face.

Xiao Chenye felt intimidated, standing behind Wen Ran, he muttered awkwardly, “Come on, can’t you just talk nicely? What’s the rush?

Besides, what’s wrong with building a blue-brick and tile-roofed house? Our brigade has built quite a few in the past two or three years.”

“How much money do you have? You want to build a house? Your dreams are quite grand, aren’t they?”

“Mom, building a house doesn’t cost that much, and over the years I’ve saved some while driving trucks outside.

I know a lot of people, and the price others pay for blue bricks is different from the price I can get them for!”

What?!

You can get them cheaper than others?!

Mrs. Xiao hesitated for a moment. Who wouldn’t want a nice house? The key issue is that money doesn’t just fall from the sky.

Seeing a chance, Xiao Chenye hurriedly nudged Wen Ran.

Wen Ran glared at Xiao Chenye, “What?”

“Say a few words for me, wouldn’t living in a blue-brick and tile-roofed house be great?”

It would be nice, but it’s already 1977 this year, with the college entrance exam resuming this year and still half a year to go. The necessity of building a house is questionable.

Instead of spending a few hundred to build a house in the countryside, why not take that money to buy a house in the Capital City?

If you get the house early, the benefits could last three generations.

But facing Xiao Chenye’s pleading look, Wen Ran actually…

Damn.

That shameless guy was using his charm to seduce her.

“Ranran…”

Seeing Wen Ran not taking his side either, Xiao Chenye sweated nervously for his house-building plan.

His mom already had a veto, and if Wen Ran didn’t side with him, either.

Build a house?

Build it with a hammer.

With a quick turn of thought, Xiao Chenye started playing the sympathy card, “You might not know, but one reason I want to build a house is for better living, and the other is to fulfill a childhood dream.”

Mrs. Xiao: “?”

She sneered coldly, crossing her arms, ready to watch Xiao Chenye act.

Wen Ran was indeed curious, “What dream?”

“At the time of the family split, things were quite unpleasant, and mom and dad had pent-up frustration.”

During the split, Mrs. Xiao Sr. was indeed a tough character, and when she said she wouldn’t give anything, she meant it.

If Song Shilan hadn’t kept a hold on some things, it would have been the case that on the day of the split, the whole family would have had to survive on air.

“Over the years, mom and dad worked hard to raise us siblings, and they even built a house.

But after thirty years of ups and downs, I want my parents to live better. Plus, my uncle once said that our family was just a bunch of beggars raising little beggars…”

The moment he said this, Wen Ran frowned, and Mrs. Xiao exploded.

“The bastard, when was this?”

Mrs. Xiao was filled with righteous indignation, “They bullied you, and you didn’t say a word? If I went up there, I’d deal with Xiao the Fourth’s entire family!”

Xiao Chenye secretly criticized; he knew, of course he knew.

He held grudges, and those he could avenge, he usually did instantly.

Those he couldn’t avenge, he wrote in a mental notebook.

As for what happened with Xiao the Fourth’s family, if it ever truly occurred, after being bullied, he would immediately complain to his mom, while conveniently throwing dog poop on their wall.

But the problem is…

It never actually happened.

He had made it up.

Of course, Xiao the Fourth’s family wasn’t good news, and they frequently caused trouble for his family, so what’s the harm in them carrying the blame?

Fair and square, legal and compliant.

“Mom, sometimes violence can’t solve all problems,” Xiao Chenye complained, “Even if you beat him up till he stays silent, he won’t submit, and there’s nothing you can do.”

Mrs. Xiao knew this was reasonable; though tough with her words, she was internally anxious.

“I don’t care if he submits, as long as he doesn’t spew nonsense, it’s all good.”

“And about those biased grandparents of ours, dad, mom, don’t you want them to see? See how well our family is doing?”

Mrs. Xiao indeed did want that.

Living one’s life is about pride, not just bread.

“But…”

“Don’t worry about the money; I have my ways, and I’ve not been wasting my time outside over these years.”

With the money he’s saved, not only can he build one blue-brick and tile-roofed house, he can easily build ten.

“But a wedding is coming up, and if we flaunt our wealth, we could attract unwanted attention, and that’s dangerous.”

It’s not fashionable to display wealth then, but rather to discreetly enjoy what you have.

If something catches the eye of a jealous person, it could ruin a family.

Mrs. Xiao’s worries are valid, but Xiao Chenye, having pondered for so long, wouldn’t easily be deterred by a few words.

“Mom, who said anything about flaunting wealth?” Xiao Chenye’s eyes lit up with mischief, “Building this house took a lot of effort from our family.”

Mrs. Xiao: “?”

Wen Ran understood Xiao Chenye’s ploy, “Auntie, I think Chenye means that the reality of our family doesn’t have to be publicly displayed.

For instance, while this house is funded entirely by Xiao Chenye, we can tell people it’s pooled resources from everyone!”

Not mentioning Mr. and Mrs. Xiao’s savings over the years, but Xiao Chengguang, as a camp leader, his monthly allowance wasn’t little.

And with Xiao Chenye driving, he earned dozens of dollars a month in the county transport team.

Mrs. Xiao’s face softened, genuinely considering.

“That’s right; you know, this could actually work.”

Wen Ran smiled again, “Plus, regarding my bride price, we can just say it isn’t given, right?”

Mrs. Xiao outright refused, “That’s not feasible; each matter stands alone, and sometimes the bride price represents the face of a new bride. If the groom’s family doesn’t provide a bride price, people in the brigade would look down on you.”

As for the reason… giving it back!

Wen Ran didn’t care, since most of Xiao Chenye’s money was under her control.

“How about this: we give it, but we don’t specify a large amount. Whatever the brigade gives, we’ll match that.”

“Alright.”

The duo settled the matter with a few words.

Turning around.

Mrs. Xiao: “???”

Something’s not right, something’s one hundred percent not right; wasn’t it agreed not to build a blue-brick and tile-roofed house?

Over there, Mr. Xiao was already celebrating with Xiao Chenye.

Hehehe~

Building new houses~~~

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep