232 A Big House in the City
Xie Yunjin was shocked. He only thought to ask the villagers for help and didn’t think to hire true construction workers. With the help Classmate Han got him, his house will be built even faster.
“Thank you.”
Classmate Han smiled at Xie Yunjin, “About the house you were looking to rent in the city, I have found the perfect place. It’s close to school. Well, to be honest, it’s my family’s courtyard in osmanthus alley. What do you think? I plan on renting the whole place to you.”
Xie Yunjin naturally knew about the house Classmate Han had there. Classmate Han used to live there when he studied and occasionally, he would invite people over for gatherings. But, that house was where Classmate Han stayed!
!!
If he rented the house to them, where would he stay? Plus, that house had two courtyards and Xie Yunjin was sure it would cost a lot. Though Classmate Han likely won’t charge them a lot of rent, Xie Yunjin didn’t want to take advantage of him.
“Can you help me find a different place? That house is where you live.”
Classmate Han quickly explained, “As you are aware, if I’m able to pass the exam and become a scholar, I am likely not going to study anymore. That place is going to be empty either way, it works out if your family stays there.”
Xie Yunjin wanted to say more but Classmate Han glared at him unhappily, “I have already ordered people to clean the place out. The house is now empty. If you don’t go, I’ll just let it remain empty.”
Inside the room, Lu Jiao watched the two go on with their heated debate. She then spoke calmly, “I am not planning to rent. I want to buy a place.”
Xie Yunjin and Classmate Han looked her way.
Lu Jiao grinned softly, “I plan on buying a place. Ideally a place with two courtyards.”
She had lots of money up her sleeve and a place with two courtyards would be amazing for her to live in.
Of course, she also had other reasons for wanting a place that size.
She planned on making the front courtyard into a space similar to a kindergarten. She wanted the four little ones to enjoy their time in the city of Qinghe.
Xie Yunjin remembered then that Lu Jiao had once told him she planned on staying in the city long term.
Though he knew she was someone who always did what she set out to do, when she actually took action, Xie Yunjin’s heart still ached. These past few days, Xie Yunjin has been feeling sick. Despite knowing that Lu Jiao was going to leave him, he still couldn’t help but pay attention to her.
The more attention he paid to her, the more he realized how attractive she was.
Since she had expressed her desire to leave him, he really should’ve stopped himself from being drawn to her.
However, he couldn’t help himself.
Inside the room, Classmate Han gave Xie Yunjin a strange look. He wasn’t told that Xie Yunjin wanted to buy a place.
Since Xie Yunjin was silent, Classmate turned to Lu Jiao, “That sounds good. My house in the osmanthus alley has two courtyards. If you are interested, I will sell it to you.”
Lu Jiao was instantly interested, “How much do houses in the area cost? You can sell it to me at market value. I have money right now.”
Xie Yunjin asked solemnly, “Where did you get your money?”
Though Lu Jiao had sold a ganoderma before and he had given her some cash, that wasn’t enough to buy a house.
Lu Jiao didn’t want to tell Xie Yunjin about her partnership with Zhao Lingfeng. She was okay, however, telling him about the other things.
“I made money seeing patients.”
Xie Yunjin raised an eyebrow, “I thought you saw patients for free?”
“Patients who had no money, I saw them for free. I charged patients who were wealthy. Before, I accepted 5,000 taels of silver pulling an arrow out of someone’s chest. I also accepted 500 taels of silver saving Hushan’s wife. That’s where my money came from.”
Xie Yunjin and Classmate Han gaped at her in shock. 5,000 taels of silver? 500 taels of silver?? Did they hear her right? That was too much!
Lu Jiao didn’t care how they felt about it. She simply smiled and said again, “That’s where my money came from.”
She then turned to Classmate Han, “Normally, how much do houses in the area cost?”
Classmate Han explained to her the current market conditions, “That depends on the neighborhood. Good neighborhoods are more expensive. Those usually go for around 600 to 700 taels of silver. Less prestigious neighborhoods would only cost you 200 to 300 taels of silver.”
Classmate Han then offered, “If you want to buy a place, I can sell my house in the osmanthus alley to you. I can tell you more about the area.”
Lu Jiao nodded to express her interest. Classmate Han explained excitedly, “The neighborhood there is very close to school, which means everyone who lives in the area is a student or person who has studied. The neighbors are usually very reasonable and very friendly. As the name suggests, the osmanthus alley is filled with osmanthus. Every August, the entire alley is fragrant with the flowery smell of osmanthus.”
Lu Jiao was rather intrigued after she heard more about this place. A good environment was important as it concerns the four little ones’ growth. Everything about the house sounded rather nice.
“Which area is this house located in terms of the city of Qinghe county?”
“It’s on the south side, close to the southern gates.”
Lu Jiao found this place to be very ideal and double-checked with classmate Han, “Are you sure you want to sell the place?”
Classmate Han nodded, “As long as you want to buy it, I will sell it to you.”
If this was anyone else asking, he wouldn’t be selling it. That house’s location was great and it wasn’t a bad idea to save the house for his son.
However, Classmate Han and Xie Yunjin were really close. Classmate Han was even willing to give the place to him for free. Of course, Xie Yunjin would never take it if it was free. Therefore, he was okay with selling it for cheap.
Lu Jiao glanced at Xie Yunjin, who didn’t speak. She then said to Classmate Han directly, “Okay. Please sell it to me at market price. I don’t want to take advantage in any way.”
Classmate Han smiled, “Lady Lu, you’re being so polite. Given my relationship with Yunjin, there’s no advantage to take.”
He said to Lu Jiao, “Then, I will sell it to you for 800 taels of silver. What do you say?”
Lu Jiao knew right away that he was undercharging her. A house in a good neighborhood in the city would cost 600 to 700 taels of silver. A place with two courtyards would at least be 1,300 to 1,400. Classmate Han was obviously giving her a very hefty discount.
Though Classmate Han didn’t know that she and Xie Yunjin would soon divorce, she knew that fact and didn’t want to owe Classmate Han anything.
“I’d rather you sell it to me at the market price. If you give it to me for too cheap, I will have to ask someone else.”
Xie Yunjin thought of Baohe Tang’s Qi Lei and that Zhao Lingfeng. That Zhao Lingfeng in particular was definitely not a good man.
Xie Yunjin’s eyes darkened. He didn’t want Lu Jiao to go to Zhao Lingfeng for help so he interrupted quickly, “If he’s willing to sell it to you for that price, take it.”
He can be the one to return Classmate Han the favor.