Chapter 1251 - 1124: "Money-Grubber

Chapter 1251: Chapter 1124: "Money-Grubber

Two days later, Zhou Jiao received the title deed for a property and, accompanied by Zhang Guoqing, took a trip around the recently purchased yard.

The first impression: utterly rundown.

Previously, this yard housed over a dozen families, with numerous kitchens and stoves haphazardly built throughout, completely altering its layout.

The original backyard pond was filled in, and earthquake shelters had been erected all over, varying in size from firewood sheds and chicken coops to small vegetable plots.

Although the residents moved out, aside from the main building, the place is disastrously unsightly, with the smell of urine pervading every room.

She doubted the previous owner ever wanted it back after repossessing the house; otherwise, how could a big family possibly settle in peacefully?

Actually, it’s not just this yard; even the one recently acquired by Yi Jiefang is unrecognizable.

Perhaps the departing temporary residents vented their unhappiness; some even maliciously unscrew faucets or remove doors and windows.

It’s unknown whether they burned them for firewood or kept them as mementos, let alone mention the dismantled remains of kang beds scattered across rooms stained with oil and smoke.

Yet, even such a yard didn’t decrease much in value overall, according to those returnees from the cities, claiming they’ve held onto it for some time without being in a hurry to sell.

Later, Zhou Jiao discovered these former "black five categories" indeed had wealth that dazzles. Though not much yellow and white material was returned after the reversal, their properties had been restored to them.

These disposed properties were simply unwanted by them out of disdain.

Listen to this...

After Zhou Jiao learned of it, any sympathy for the original owner evaporated.

There’s always cause and effect; just half a year back in the city and they act arrogant, showing the ups and downs over the past decade didn’t erode their inherent superiority nor teach them to conceal their weaknesses.

Fortunately, the main building still exists, avoiding tearing it down and rebuilding.

The chaotic constructions in the yard were cleared, and some old bricks, tiles, and furniture were collected from elsewhere for future renovation and maintenance.

Coincidentally, in autumn, some old alleyways were demolished to construct new homes, with plenty of ancient bricks and old tiles at low prices, which used to be discarded before.

With familiar acquaintances around, they specifically contacted those in charge, spent some money, and successfully bought truckloads of ancient bricks, old tiles, removed wooden windows and doors, and even procured unwanted old furniture from some families to pile up in the yard and west wing.

Thus, during the period before the new year, Zhou Jiao and the other four wives were busily occupied again.

Though they didn’t personally work on it, treasures were everywhere.

While the men called in many skilled workers to renovate the yard, under the guise of supervision, they couldn’t resist wandering around together, scavenging old relics.

Zhou Jiao understood what Zhang Guoqing had been busy with lately, be it to divert her attention or to avoid considering some anxiety-inducing issues.

She took on these tasks herself, accompanying everyone on strolls after work, and considering the pregnancy of a niece-in-law, managed at least one trip a week, being extremely busy indeed.

No matter how busy, everything eventually comes to an end.

Amidst the heavy snowfall of December, nearing the end of the year, the yards of the five families finally somewhat recovered their form.

Of course, with such cold weather, major projects are impossible, limited to regular maintenance.

Before she and the other four could discuss whether to first warm the house, within a week, all five yards were rented out, surprisingly in US Dollars.

According to Zhang Guoqing, a relative of Ding Datou in the housing bureau personally handled it, renting them to several foreigners particularly fond of courtyard homes and working in the capital.

For friendship between China and foreign countries, Ding Xiaogu, eager to find housing for them, targeted them. The justification was somewhat absurd; had it been a few years ago, Ding Xiaogu’s neck would’ve surely been labeled.

However, from certain perspectives, the owners of the five courtyards benefited, and the numbers weren’t insignificant. For example, the courtyard registered under Ping’an could collect a monthly rent of three hundred US Dollars, while Geng Dazhi’s smallest two-entry courtyard received at least one hundred sixty dollars monthly.

Reportedly, the rent was determined based on the living environment, ranging from 0.10 to 0.40 per square meter, with rent higher for grand courtyards, all with foreigners scrambling to rent.

Calculated this way, their home could collect a yearly rent of three thousand six hundred dollars, equivalent to five thousand seven hundred eighty RMB, recouping the investment within five to six years; there’s no better business for bringing such profits.

It can only be said that foreign money is truly easy to earn!

If it weren’t for her father being Zhou Xiaozheng, and her being Zhang Guoqing’s wife, Zhou Jiao almost handed over her two-entry courtyard to Ding Xiaogu for rental favors.

After all, such money comes openly on the surface and need not be declined.

But she also knows the danger of excess. Not to mention deliberately placing this courtyard under Ping’an’s name, even her jewelry collections must be worn thoughtfully!

Now she can only console herself to wait, to wait for the right moment, no matter what, persevere until the reforms.

Unlike her, recently Zhou Xiaozheng felt deeply concerned about his "moneybags."

In his opinion, the child is merely bustling needlessly.

Problems solvable with money aren’t real problems, why supervise trivial tasks, can those wives compare to his daughter?

In the freezing cold climacteric, work alone is exhausting, not to mention running around with those wives and visiting the niece-in-law now and then.

When the son-in-law, busy as a dog, lodged complaints to his daughter, he found amusement in watching the spectacle, letting her show her abilities! Speaking harshly from the heart, finally, someone voiced them.

"It’s done, done, it’s over, no need to step outside except for work from now on."

Under the concerned gaze of the family, Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but plead, for she was at a disadvantage; even her father’s eyes showed disapproval.

Setting aside these miscellanea, the children were about to start winter vacation, some matters couldn’t be hidden from Zhou Jiao, especially since Zhou Xiaozheng doubted his daughter herself remained unaware.

After the wife left, Zhou Xiaozheng seriously gazed at his daughter, "How much do you know about the border friction?"

Zhou Jiao hesitated, "What I need to know, I do know."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at the son-in-law, observing Zhang Guoqing’s worried expression directed at himself, knowing he hadn’t disclosed some things yet, giving a slight nod towards him.

"Now we’ve endured the border issue to our limit. Last year, hundreds of conflicts occurred over there, war is unavoidable."

Zhou Jiao involuntarily shivered, clenched her fists tightly, took a deep breath, and looked at these two men in-law. What’s meant to come will come.