1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 140 Two Pomegranate Trees, Remembering the Person by Their Appearance
"No need, there's nothing to tidy up."

Aunt Wang smiled and declined, saying, "They're all worthless trinkets. If they don't fit in the cart, it's fine. It's no big deal to throw them away."

"Who said that a ruined family is worth a fortune?"

Grandma winked at my aunt, signaling her to go help: "We've been neighbors for so many years, why are you still being so polite with us?"

"I'll go to the workshop and see if there's anything else that needs tidying up."

Aunt understood what Grandma meant, turned around and went into the noodle workshop.

"This courtyard is old and should be demolished. It's just a pity about these two pomegranate trees."

Aunt Wang smiled gratefully and continued chatting with her grandmother: "Although the pomegranates that grew were not big, they still tasted very sweet."

"Can the pomegranate tree be moved?"

Grandma thought of her second daughter's new house, which had a small courtyard, and a thought struck her: "I wonder if that brat Yan Hao will be willing, or if he'll cause any more trouble?"

"They've sold the whole courtyard to us, why should we care about him?"

Aunt Wang gets extremely annoyed whenever Yan Hao is mentioned: "When he signed the contract, he didn't mention the pomegranate trees, which means he automatically gave them up. The ownership of these two trees belongs to us."

Do you need a pomegranate tree?

Grandma tentatively asked, "How about we divide it among the three families, along with that grapevine?"

"My family doesn't want it."

Aunt Wang gave a helpless, bitter smile: "People don't even have a place to live yet, how can we plant trees?"

"Mountain Daughter-in-Law, do you want her?"

When Grandma saw Zhang Dafeng's sister-in-law sticking her head out of the window and listening to the two talking, she shouted at the top of her lungs.

"Neither does my family."

The woman from the mountains was shrewd and quickly added, "If you want anything, just move out. Just give us a little money as a token of your interest."

"How much is a pomegranate tree worth if it's sold?"

After being reminded by her, Aunt Wang also perked up.

"Pomegranate trees symbolize good fortune, with many children and much happiness."

Zhang Dashan's wife chimed in smoothly: "I'm sure many people would want them. Two trees this big should fetch at least a thousand yuan."

"It's worth that much?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Wang's eyes lit up.

"A thousand yuan is too expensive, I can't afford it."

When Grandma heard that it would cost over a thousand, her eyes darkened, and she backed out.

"A thousand it is, I'll buy it."

Gu Bin pushed his bicycle into the courtyard and happened to hear this. He immediately made a decision: "Including the grapevine, it's a total of 1,200 yuan. The three of you will split it equally."

"That's daring."

When Aunt Wang heard that she would receive four hundred yuan, she beamed with joy.

"Xiao Bin is the most straightforward."

Da Shan's wife also came out of the house, smiling and flattering: "Children from wealthy families are just different. They are straightforward in their dealings, which makes people feel comfortable."

"Isn't this price too high?"

Grandma felt sorry for Gu Bin and wanted to speak up for him: "Those two pomegranate trees are one thing, but how can grapevines be worth two hundred yuan?"

My grandma likes to eat grapes.

Gu Bin didn't take it seriously: "Buy it and plant it in my own yard, that's my way of showing filial piety."

"You can buy it if you want."

Grandma set conditions for him: "Even though we're old neighbors, the necessary procedures still need to be followed. It's a cash-on-delivery transaction. After the three families receive the money, we also need to get the child's signature to avoid future disputes and make things look bad for everyone."

"This is necessary."

Seeing the money, Aunt Wang readily agreed: "Whenever Xiao Bin wants to move, Aunt Wang will sign the papers for you right now."

"Relocating trees requires professionals; it can't be done today."

Gu Bin thought for a moment, then changed the subject and said, "But we can give you the money now. Let Xi Yu write it; she's good at writing and can draft a purchase agreement."

"to make."

Da Shan's wife, fearing he might change his mind, urged with a smile, "Xi Yu, quickly go get some paper and pen. It doesn't have to be so complicated; just write a few simple sentences."

"okay."

Lin Xiyu did not refuse. She lifted the curtain and went into the room. After a while, she came out with blank paper and pen and handed them to Gu Bin: "I don't know how to write the agreement. You'll have to do it."

"I'll tell you what to write."

Gu Bin deliberately didn't answer, looking at her with a smile.

"Ok."

Lin Xiyu stared at him for a few seconds, realizing she couldn't argue with him, and helplessly tugged at the corners of her mouth.

-

The agreement was written, and the representatives of the three parties signed it at the end. Gu Bin didn't have that much cash with him, so his grandmother took out her own savings and paid 800 yuan for him, which she then gave to Aunt Wang and Dashan's wife.

The mountain woman was satisfied, took the money and happily went back to her house. Aunt Wang also packed up her belongings and said goodbye to them.

The noodle workshop has been emptied out, leaving only two households in the courtyard.

Grandma looked at the somewhat messy yard with a sense of loss, and a hint of loneliness flashed in her eyes.

Lin Xiyu obediently took a broom and swept the yard, cleaning up the clutter left behind after the move.

Gu Bin helped from the side, sweating profusely from the heat.

"That's good enough, there's no need to make it so tidy."

Grandma felt sorry for the two children, but forced herself to cheer up: "We'll be moving in a few days. No matter how clean we clean it, it will be torn down. The whole yard will be gone."

"Grandma, do you want to keep one of the pomegranate trees?"

Gu Bin used the pomegranate tree to distract his grandmother.

"Since you bought it, you can move it."

Grandma waved her hand with a hint of regret: "I originally had this idea, but then I thought about it again, and the yard is too small. I can only plant some flowers and plants, not pomegranate trees."

"You mean the house that Xiyu's mother just bought?"

Gu Bin knew that house inside and out. It was a 67-square-meter house on the first floor with a small yard. It was originally bought by Wang Fan and then lent to his grandmother's family under the guise of a rental.

He took it from Wang Fan, altered the purchase contract, and transferred it at the original price.

The house cost 77,000 yuan in total. Including the cost of renovation, appliances, and furniture, the total cost was 83,000 yuan.

He gave Chen Xiulan a bride price of 88,000 yuan, and after cleaning up the whole house, there was still some money left over.

Chen Xiulan made it clear that the remaining 5 yuan would be kept for her daughter as her dowry.

-

"It's that house."

Grandma was unaware of the intricacies of the situation, but she knew that Gu Bin had given a bride price of 88,000 yuan. Thinking of how much he valued his granddaughter, the old woman's eyes softened, and her gaze towards him became even more loving.

"That house has a courtyard of about seven or eight square meters."

Gu Bin deliberately tried to make his grandmother happy: "If Grandma wants to plant it, then let's plant it. I'll find someone to pick a good day and move the tree over in advance."

"Don't bother, two trees definitely won't do."

Grandma smiled and politely declined, saying, "The yard is so small, it would fill up in no time."

"Even one tree will do."

Gu Bin smiled and advised, "Grandma, you can choose whichever one you like."

"Grandma, I also like pomegranate trees."

Lin Xiyu chimed in from the side, "Let's get one. It would look so nice to plant it in the yard. You'll be living in that house for at least two years. Seeing a pomegranate tree every day will put you in a good mood."

My grandmother is getting old and her legs and feet are not very strong.

Lin Xiyu and her mother had discussed it and decided that before moving back, they would give the first-floor house with a small courtyard to her maternal grandmother and uncle's family.

The three of them still rented the fourth-floor apartment that Wang Fan bought, which was close to their maternal grandmother's house, making it convenient for them to take care of each other.

"If you like it, then take one." Grandma was persuaded by the two of them, and smiled: "That house is still your house in the end. Although the name on the deed is your mother's, after she passes away, you will inherit it."

"That's not necessarily true, there's also Xiao Yi."

Knowing how much her mother valued her son, Lin Xiyu didn't want to say more and changed the subject: "Let's not talk about this anymore. Grandma, tell me which tree you want, and we'll decide now."

"I'm watching."

Grandma's gaze swept over the two pomegranate trees, finally settling on the smaller one: "That one will do. It has a small canopy and a nice shape, perfect for your little yard."

"Row."

Lin Xiyu readily agreed: "We'll take that one."

"You've made your choices, I'll take the big one."

Gu Bin chuckled and teased, "The two trees were originally a pair, one big and one small, planted in our two yards. It symbolizes many children and many blessings, and it has a good meaning. Don't you think that planting these two trees separately suddenly gives them a feeling of longing for each other? In the future, when Xi Yu sees that small pomegranate tree at home, she will think of me, and when I see that big one at home, I will also think of her."

"Pooh."

Lin Xiyu, both embarrassed and annoyed, spat at him: "Dream on! Who would want you?"

"Some people are just stubborn."

Gu Bin continued slyly, "What you're really thinking is another matter entirely."

"Go, go, you should leave now."

Lin Xiyu's ears burned with embarrassment, and she pushed the person away, saying, "Grandma needs to take a nap at noon, don't disturb her rest."

"Hey, you heartless little thing."

Gu Bin stood there without moving: "I'm cleaning the yard in this sweltering heat, and I'm all sweaty. You didn't even invite me in for a drink of water."

"There's watermelon. Come inside and eat some watermelon."

My aunt came out of the kitchen with a watermelon, washed it in the sink, and cut it open with a knife.

"Xiao Bin, have a piece of watermelon before you go."

Grandma greeted Gu Bin with a smile.

"coming."

Gu Bin took the opportunity to go over and first handed his grandmother a piece of watermelon with the fewest seeds, and then gave his aunt a piece that was cut the neatest.

"You can eat it yourself. There's no need to be polite with family."

My aunt was flattered and almost dropped the watermelon when she received it, her hand trembled.

"Be careful."

Gu Bin reacted quickly, grabbing her wrist and taking the watermelon back with him.

"That's a bit over the top."

Lin Xiyu couldn't stand it anymore and reached out to pinch his waist: "My family doesn't have those fussy rules, we just eat our own food."

"hiss."

Gu Bin gasped in pain, but before he could retort, a piece of watermelon naan bread was stuffed into his mouth.

"Eat yours."

Lin Xiyu stuffed the melon bread into his mouth, her eyes crinkling with a smug smile.

"You're capable; your skills are improving."

Gu Bin laughed in exasperation: "You dare to twist me in front of Grandma."

"Grandma is my own grandma, not yours."

Lin Xiyu smiled playfully: "I can do whatever I want, of course Grandma will side with me."

"really?"

Gu Bin raised an eyebrow: "I don't believe it."

"If you don't believe me, let's make a bet."

Lin Xiyu raised her eyebrows provocatively: "Let Grandma tell you whether she's on your side or mine."

"You're the one who told me to ask that."

Gu Bin raised an eyebrow slightly: "You're not allowed to cry if you lose?"

"Cut~~"

Lin Xiyu was certain she would win: "I won't cry, you're the one who'll cry."

"Let's see if you'll still be stubborn later."

A hint of mockery flashed in Gu Bin's eyes, but his expression changed instantly as he turned around, his pitiful little face looking incredibly endearing: "Grandma, your granddaughter bullied me and twisted my waist until it was bruised."

"This girl, she never holds back."

Grandma stopped laughing and looked at Lin Xiyu with a hint of reproach in her eyes.

She also said

Gu Bin continued to complain: "You let her twist me, and you don't even care when she bruises me."

"Don't listen to her nonsense."

Grandma got even angrier when she heard this: "How could Grandma spoil her and let her twist you like that?"

"I knew Grandma was the most understanding person."

Gu Bin's lips curled up into a triumphant smile: "Even if I'm not your biological grandson, you'll still love me from the bottom of your heart."

"Absolutely"

Grandma said righteously, "A child as lovable as you, who else would Grandma love more than you?"

"How about it?"

Gu Bin turned around and winked at Lin Xiyu teasingly: "Did you hear Grandma's answer? Admit it, you lost."

"Ah, no, that's not it. This person is too shameless."

Lin Xiyu was both amused and exasperated: "Grandma, don't believe him. He's just pretending to be pitiful. His waist isn't actually bruised at all."

"Who said there's no green?"

Gu Bin lifted the hem of his shirt, pretending to show her his waist.

Lin Xiyu's ears turned red, and she quickly looked away.

"Look, isn't it turning blue?"

Seeing that she didn't dare to look directly at him, Gu Bin lifted his clothes and moved closer, smiling even more contentedly.

"You have thick skin, I didn't even use any force, there's no way you'd get bruised."

Lin Xiyu covered her eyes with her hands, her ears turning bright red with embarrassment.

"You can tell at a glance whether it's green or not."

Gu Bin smiled slyly and continued to tease her, "Take your hand off and see for yourself."

"Look if you want"

Lin Xiyu was provoked and got angry. She actually spread two fingers apart and peeked out through the gap.

Gu Bin's hand, which was lifting his shirt, froze, revealing his strong, muscular eight-pack abs.

Lin Xiyu: "."

The blush spread from the base of her ears down to her neck, and then gradually spread downwards.

-

Liu Ye went to Dingsheng Decoration's Beijing branch, and a position became available at the Jinan headquarters. His cousin also had an idea and wanted to volunteer herself.

Following Gu Bin's advice, Wang Fan hired a professional manager to serve as the new store manager.

My cousin was resentful of the new store manager because he seemed young and inexperienced.

After seeing Gu Bin off, Lin Xiyu saw that her grandmother had rested, so she also came out of the house and rode her bicycle to the decoration company.

When I came in, my cousin was sulking, sitting on the sofa, staring blankly at the view outside the window.

"Hey, the sun is rising in the west?"

Lin Xiyu pushed open the door and entered the room. Seeing that her cousin didn't react, she raised an eyebrow in slight surprise: "You didn't go to the newly developed property to compete for business. You're just sitting here enjoying your leisure. This isn't like you."