Song Yao placed the tea before her parents and sat quietly beside Gong Peixing, hands resting on her knees, behaving like a well-behaved student, a posture mirrored by Song Ziwen and Gong Peixing.

Despite the three of them acting so docile, Song Wenbo gave them none of his good temper, instead issuing cold snorts, reserving the most dissatisfaction for Gong Peixing. "Don't think a few petty tricks will win Yao Yao over. Let me tell you, that idea about just renovating the north-facing room at your place for marriage—don't even think about it."

The mere thought of his daughter having such a meager wedding—what his colleagues at work would say, how they would mock him behind his back—made Song Wenbo uneasy. "Yao Yao shared a room with us when she was little, but since she turned ten, she’s had a large room all to herself. I'm not asking her to marry into some incredibly wealthy family, and certainly, my current demands are impossible to meet now, but you can’t expect my daughter to get married and have children in such a small space. When the child gets bigger, where will they sleep?" Song Wenbo knew that no amount of persuasion would change his daughter's mind about marrying Gong Peixing. Though deeply dissatisfied, she was still his daughter, the one he had cherished for over twenty years, so Song Wenbo still had to fight for the best outcome for her.

"Little Gong, you’ll be a parent someday too. Would you marry your daughter off to a man like that? Are our demands too high?" Wang Damei thought, Aren't you here to discuss how to get my agreement? Fine, let's state the conditions again. "We need a flat of about seventy square meters. As for the money, I don't care if it's a loan from your family or from you as a young couple, but whatever your parents contribute, I will match it. The apartment must have my daughter's name on the deed. As for your parents' house and their savings, that is their business. Little Gong, you know perfectly well how your parents treat you and your younger brother. If it were your brother getting married, wouldn't your parents buy him a house immediately?" Since they wanted her to concede, she might as well lay everything out. After all, Wang Qiqi knew a little about the situation, and she wasn't one to gossip.

Song Yao was stunned that her parents were actually willing to contribute money. She remembered the many unhappy arguments she’d had with them over her marriage plans, yet here they were, still looking out for her best interests. "Dad, Mom..." Song Yao's eyes welled up slightly.

Gong Peixing initially bristled at his mother-in-law’s words—weren't these excessive demands? But his mother-in-law’s final sentence made him understand: they were worried about parental favoritism. Did Gong Peixing not know about his parents' bias? Impossible. Once, when he was sick and resting in his room, his parents, thinking no one was home, discussed his marriage plans in the living room. Their words had chilled him slightly. Still, he always reasoned that they were his parents; if he and Yao Yao lived with them later and treated them with filial piety, he could surely warm their hearts. But his mother-in-law’s words implied that if they didn't demand a house now, they could never expect any assistance from his parents later.

When Wang Qiqi brought out several bowls of dessert, she sat quietly to the side, listening. Frankly, the old saying held true: her aunt and uncle had predicted the situation perfectly. However, Wang Qiqi wouldn't interject. The current dynamic was that Wang Damei and her husband were presenting their terms, forcing Gong Peixing to make a decision.

Gong Peixing thought for a moment. "I will go back and ask my parents. What if they are only willing to contribute a portion of the money?" He felt somewhat secure about this. For example, the courtyard renovation needed funds, and the house needed decoration; perhaps they would agree to contribute, especially if the Song family matched the contribution. The sticking point would be how much they would offer.

"Then you borrow," Wang Damei interjected swiftly, calculating the bank interest rate. She had already decided she wanted their new home near her own residence. "It would be best if the house is near us. Then, if your parents are reluctant to help with childcare, I can lend a hand." Wang Damei considered how much she had already sacrificed, propping up the Song family's vast enterprise alongside Old Song. Now that the children were grown, she thought she could finally rest, only to realize she might end up babysitting for her daughter. Was she destined to be a struggling grandmother?

Gong Peixing didn't have strong feelings about the apartment being near his mother-in-law’s place—it was either near his parents or near Song Yao’s family anyway. Given the current climate, if he went back and demanded a house, how would his parents view Song Yao? Would they treat her politely? Would they help with the baby? All of that remained uncertain. "I think that is acceptable."

Song Yao never expected that foolish Gong Peixing would agree. She couldn't very well get angry in front of her parents, could she? Did she want to admit that she disliked living with her parents? Heaven knew how many times she had told her younger brother that after she married, she would visit her parents at most once a week, simply because she couldn't stand the sight of their faces. Those words still echoed in her ears. Gong Peixing had just sold her out so easily. Her younger brother would surely mock her now.

Song Yao’s guess was accurate; Song Ziwen was secretly chuckling. After all that maneuvering, Song Yao hadn't quite slipped free from her parents' control. But before his amusement could fully blossom, he realized he, too, was doomed.

Wang Damei glanced at her son. "Since Yao Yao and Peixing need to buy a house, we might as well buy one for Ziwen too; he'll need it when he gets married." Wang Damei had already been unhappy with her children’s unrestrained spending. But Song Wenbo always insisted the family wasn't lacking, so beyond a small allowance, the children kept most of their wages, which meant they never felt money was an issue—if they spent it all this month, more would come next month. "This will save him from being so wasteful with money; it’s time Ziwen took on some responsibility."

Song Ziwen had been hoping he’d soon have a home of his own to finally start an independent life. But what his mother said next soured his mood. "Mom, why do I have to pay? I don't need a house." Their family home was huge; it could easily accommodate him even after marriage. Why buy a house, especially if it meant lowering his standard of living? "Besides, I plan to live with you after I get married." Song Ziwen admitted the statement sounded a bit sickening, but so what? He wasn't going to pass up free money.

Wang Damei was naturally pleased by her son’s sudden display of affection. "You like living with your mother, and I'm delighted, but your mother has changed her mind. I don't want to live with a daughter-in-law; who knows how well we'll get along? Nor do I want to be an old housekeeper, constantly cleaning up after you and enduring your complaints."

Wang Damei spilled out all her pent-up grievances. "Haven't you always found me nagging? Fine, move out. You can come back for dinner on weekends—that’s even more irritating." A friend of Wang Damei’s had once told her that living separately from a married son and daughter-in-law was far more relaxing. At the time, Wang Damei thought her friend must be out of her mind, driving her children out as soon as they married. Now, she thought that decision sounded genuinely good; it would give her more personal freedom. "Old Song, what do you think?"

Song Wenbo had initially planned to object; buying houses for both daughter and son would place significant strain on them. But after hearing his wife's outburst, he felt awkward saying he was unwilling. "I have no problem. It’s decided. When we have time, we can all go look at houses. I think it would be best if the brother and sister could live across the hall from each other; that way, it’s convenient for us to visit."

Song Yao didn't expect the outcome to be this. She didn't know whether to be happy or not. On one hand, her parents would sponsor some money for her marriage, but on the other hand, her little brother needed a house too. Would he ever lend her his private funds? That seemed impossible. "Fine, we are free anytime." Ultimately, securing the marriage with Gong Peixing by agreeing to buy a house was the dominant factor.

Song Ziwen had been counting on his elder sister to help him out with some of his private savings, but in the end, it was three against one—no, four against one. His future brother-in-law’s mouth was practically splitting with joy; there was no point in asking if he objected. "Can I appeal?"

"You can," Wang Damei nodded. "The result of your appeal is that you will have nowhere to live in this house, no food, and when you get married, your father and I won't prepare anything for you." Wang Damei was determined to cultivate her son's sense of responsibility; after all, the majority of the household had voted this way.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected things to escalate this far. She had worried that Song Ziwen would continue to gamble at mahjong tables, but now Wang Damei was making him buy a house. Even if she subsidized some of the cost, Ziwen had to pay and repay the interest. Wang Qiqi knew that once Wang Damei was set on collecting money from Song Ziwen, it wouldn't be easy for him to avoid it. If he gambled now, he wouldn't have much left to lose. Although the current Song Ziwen hadn't gambled to the point of needing to sell property, "Congratulations, Sister Yao Yao and Brother Ziwen, on becoming homeowners."

Song Yao accepted Wang Qiqi's blessing with a smile, but Song Ziwen reacted with a bitter grin. "Becoming homeowners, yes, but I’ll also become someone who can't go out drinking with friends or enjoy leisure activities." Did this mean no more mahjong? Song Ziwen found that hard to accept. But there was a solution. If he focused on studying now, he could take the professional title exam next year. If he passed, his salary would increase. Failing that, he could request to drive extra shifts to earn more bonuses. Thinking this way, Song Ziwen found his distress easing slightly. He could pay off the loan faster. Song Ziwen truly wanted to shout, I really don't want to buy this house; it’s going to change my life!