“Shuqin! Shuqin!”

Mao Guosheng panicked.

Auntie Song glared at Mao Kangshan – at his age, yet still so childish.

So he’d called Zheng Shuqin and Mao Guosheng just to teach them a lesson. While Mao Guosheng hadn’t said anything, Zheng Shuqin’s excitable nature couldn’t handle such emotional ups and downs. When Mao Kangshan mentioned having written the will, Zheng Shuqin’s hopes were dashed, and she fainted on the spot.

Auntie Song worried Zheng Shuqin might truly fall ill from the shock. As she bent to help, Ge Jian steadied her:

“Madam Song, don’t worry. It’s normal for people to faint when emotionally overwhelmed. We shouldn’t lift her immediately. Let me check on her first.”

With Ge Jian’s warning, Auntie Song stayed still. Mao Guosheng half-lifted Zheng Shuqin’s head before letting it back down, leaving her lying there. Ge Jian checked her breathing and knew she was fine – with such obvious calculating intentions, she deserved this shock from Old Mao.

Ge Jian pressed her philtrum hard several times, and the pain woke Zheng Shuqin.

Upon waking, she looked at the apartment, then at Mao Kangshan. Realizing such a fortune had slipped through her fingers, Zheng Shuqin wanted to wail in despair.

Mao Guosheng firmly covered her mouth and dragged her away.

How could he let Zheng Shuqin voice her greed for the apartment?

As husband and wife were one, that would mean he, Mao Guosheng, was coveting Xia Xiaolan’s property.

He couldn’t bear such shame!

Zheng Shuqin sobbed as Mao Guosheng dragged her along, constantly looking back at the apartment:

“Guosheng, what a wonderful apartment!”

A property owner collecting their keys overheard and agreed:

“It is wonderful! Even Hong Kong apartments of this quality don’t have such a courtyard – it’s high-end! Are you also collecting keys today? You’re lucky – last year it was just over 2,000 per square meter, this year it’s increased by several hundred. It’s comfortable to live in and profitable to sell!”

Zheng Shuqin’s eyes widened – better than Hong Kong apartments?

Several hundred yuan increase per square meter?

The stranger’s words about good fortune made Zheng Shuqin feel even more like vomiting blood.

Mao Guosheng couldn’t bear to hear more and dragged the sobbing Zheng Shuqin away.

The property owner chuckled, “She must be dazed with joy hearing about the price increase!”

But Zheng Shuqin wasn’t dazed with joy.

She was going mad with frustration.

Such a wonderful apartment, such a fortune, had slipped right past her – it was unbearable!

One eager to leave, one reluctant to go, the couple struggled out of sight.

Seeing that Zheng Shuqin seemed physically fine, Auntie Song was exasperated: “As a father-in-law, teasing them like this – how does that look?”

Mao Kangshan didn’t care, just snorted:

“How am I teasing them? I told the truth – the apartment was Xiaolan’s gift. We can live here, but how could we pass it on to others later? I have written the will to return this apartment to Xiaolan. You need to put your thumbprint on it too!”

Auntie Song had no objection. She never planned to divide Xiaolan’s gift among their children – if they hadn’t earned it, that wouldn’t be right.

She was angry at Mao Kangshan’s childishness!

“Keep acting up! Once Shuqin comes to her senses, she won’t give up. She’ll come harass you – where will you hide then?”

Ah, that was a problem. Mao Kangshan had only thought about defending his disciple’s honor, satisfying himself, but now he saw potential trouble ahead.

Ge Jian interjected timely:

“Madam Song, after residents move in, a property management company will handle the complex, maintaining public hygiene and security. All visitors must register, and won’t be allowed in without resident approval.”

In 1986 mainland China, professional property management didn’t exist – another blank slate.

After Xia Xiaolan’s requirements, Qi Hang Real Estate had to establish its property management subsidiary.

Though Auntie Song didn’t know the background, she understood Ge Jian’s meaning.

So without her and Old Mao’s approval, neither Zheng Shuqin nor anyone else could even enter the complex?

That was quite good.

Auntie Song joked, “Who’d have thought we’d live in such a place in our old age?”

According to Ge Jian, there would be 24-hour security – the Provincial Construction Institute’s staff housing didn’t have that. Only government agency compounds had such treatment.

Jin Sha Chi’s handover met with universal approval from owners.

Advertisements often exaggerate, but surprisingly, Jin Sha Chi delivered on its promises.

Was the price too high?

The handover proved its worth – living here brought real prestige.

Liu Yong and Li Fengmei also moved in.

Liu Yong’s duplex had served as a show unit, well-ventilated after months of decoration. They could move in directly, just needing to buy daily necessities.

Lying on the memory foam mattress, Li Fengmei felt like she was dreaming.

Life had changed long ago, from Qijing Village to Shangdu, then to Pengcheng, always renting after leaving their hometown.

In Shangdu, they’d lived in railway bureau dormitories and Grandmother Yu’s house. In Pengcheng, they’d squeezed into guesthouses and company offices with Liu Yong. No matter how much money they made, they felt rootless.

They had a courtyard house in Beijing’s Nanluoguxiang but never lived there – it didn’t feel real.

Until buying the Jin Sha Chi apartment.

Jin Sha Chi came with household registration quotas. Thinking about their family’s registration transfer to Pengcheng, Li Fengmei gently nudged Liu Yong:

“Have we become city people?”

Why hadn’t they felt like city people even with property in Beijing? Besides not living there, it was the household registration issue.

At this moment, Li Fengmei felt overwhelmed with emotion.

Liu Yong rubbed his face, “City people are just the same – two eyes and a mouth. Being a city person won’t turn three meals into four, will it?”

Li Fengmei scoffed and pinched him. Liu Yong playfully begged for mercy:

“You’re right, we’re city people now. Could household registration lie? Just wait – not only will we live in places like this, I’ll get you and our son a villa like those on TV!”

With Liu Yong’s current earnings, building a small villa in Pengcheng was possible.

But businessmen’s money was better in circulation. He avoided villas as unnecessary – such spending still pained him.

Villa money could expand his business instead.

Xiaolan had more money than him, but she wasn’t just enjoying herself – she studied hard in America.

In his new home, Liu Yong wasn’t thinking about Pengcheng registration, but about competing with George for projects.

Li Fengmei saw him deep in thought and didn’t disturb him.

When she remarried Liu Yong, who could have imagined his success today?

Liu Yong worked hard, and Li Fengmei naturally supported him.

His company’s rapid growth even benefited her natal family. While Li Fengmei was happy her husband helped her family, they couldn’t be too greedy – they could accept what he offered willingly, but reach for more themselves. Li Fengmei would be the first to object.

“That’s all Tao’er’s money, no one can touch it…”