C15 Surprised!

In the village, there was no shortage of people who loved a good spectacle.

Qingshan mulled over the situation, realizing he couldn't let the Wang family take the lead.

"Mrs. Wang, are you selling that rundown plot?" he asked, approaching her.

Mrs. Wang beamed with delight, sensing the Zong family’s eagerness to buy. "Yes, indeed. Our family gets along well, and we’re not planning to split up anytime soon, so that old plot is just sitting there."

"Old Wang says I’ve worked hard all my life without much enjoyment. He wants to sell the plot for a good price so we can relax a bit, and I can finally take a break from the fields," she added, embellishing her story a bit. Qingshan shook his head at her words.

Old Wang wasn’t exactly known for pampering his wife, but if Mrs. Wang was happy, Qingshan saw no need to burst her bubble.

"You should have done this sooner. That plot has been sitting idle for too long, turning the place into a ghost town. It’s unlivable without rebuilding."

Mrs. Wang was a bit miffed. "It's not as bad as you say. With a little fixing up, it’s still livable."

"Sure, if you say so. As long as you’re happy. By the way, what’s the price for that plot?" Qingshan asked, cutting to the chase.

"Oh, come on, Qingshan. That plot is bigger than the new ones you can apply for now. It’s rare to find such a good piece of land," Mrs. Wang boasted, trying to sweeten the deal.

"Old Wang and I talked it over and realized it’s hard to decide who to sell it to. We thought we’d let you all make offers, and then we’ll decide."

She looked quite pleased with herself. Even the village head had to play by her rules when it came to selling the land.

Qingshan hadn’t expected this turn of events from the Wang family. "Alright then, since you’re being open about it, I’ll get straight to the point. I’m willing to offer two hundred dollars for that plot."

This was the highest offer Mrs. Wang had heard so far, and she was thrilled until he continued:

"The offer is only good until tonight. If you decide to sell to me by then, I'll sign the contract and pay a $10 deposit right away. But if you want to drag it out, I won't be interested tomorrow."

Zong Qingshan couldn't believe anyone would pay a high price for such a rundown piece of land.

Mrs. Wang was taken aback. "If you don't buy the old shack, what else would you buy?"

"The old community house. If that doesn't work, I'll apply for a free plot of land. You know, my daughter is getting married soon and needs a place. We can't afford to waste time!"

Zong Qingshan felt he had made himself clear and continued on his way, his mind shifting to the village's labor arrangements.

Mrs. Wang hurried off to find Mr. Wang. If the Zong family was serious, their plan wouldn't hold much weight.

Mr. Wang was enjoying his pipe when he heard the news, almost dropping it in surprise. "Did he really say that?"

"Yes, he said it openly in front of a lot of people. Do you think he means it?" Mrs. Wang still held onto a sliver of hope.

Mr. Wang knew the village leader didn't joke around. "If he's saying it out loud, he means it."

"I have to admire him, doing so much for his daughter," he sighed, shaking his head.

Mr. Wang couldn't understand the Zong family's priorities. All this fuss over a daughter? But Zong Qingshan treated her like a treasure, even planning to give her a house. It was beyond him!

Mrs. Wang wasn't concerned with the Zong family's affairs. She only cared about getting a good price for the old shack, as her eldest daughter urgently needed financial support. "So, what do we do?"

"It's simple. Follow the village leader's lead. Tell potential buyers that if they offer more than $40, we'll make the deal. They need to pay a $10 deposit and sign the contract by 8 PM. No exceptions."

Getting $40 was already more than he expected, but who knows, maybe someone in the village would be willing to pay more. With such a significant amount at stake, it was worth asking around.

"You're always quick on your feet, Wang! Smart thinking! The mayor said tonight, we set the time earlier, and if it doesn't work out, we can still buy from him," Mrs. Wang proudly remarked, grateful she chose the right partner in her youth.

Their conversation was open for all to hear, and the news about the mayor trying to buy the rundown shed for two hundred dollars spread like wildfire through Cloud Peak Village.

"Mom, what was the mayor thinking? Marrying someone who’s more trouble than she's worth, not only without a dowry but even offering a house!" Qi Haipeng was visibly shaken when he heard the news.

The hoe slipped from his hand, nearly injuring his foot. Who would have thought the mayor would act like this? No wonder his father was always pushing him to marry Fulai. This girl was Zong Qingshan's Achilles' heel. If he could win her over, the thought made him increasingly excited.

"What's he thinking? He's treating a liability like royalty; he must be out of his mind." Though his words were harsh, his face showed clear envy. A wife like that? He’d take a dozen.

Though the mother and son were animated, their voices were low. It was Zong Qinghui's booming voice that carried over from nearby. "A girl like that, getting a house with marriage? Third brother must have lost his mind!"

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