Wang Qiqi knew that buying a house was something Gong Peixing’s family would need to discuss thoroughly; even contributing thirty or fifty thousand yuan was a significant sum, but she hadn't expected the Gong family's response to be so abrupt.

"I disagree! Why should their country house count as their marital home for Yaoyao and him, and there’s no betrothal gift either? That house hasn't been lived in for years; can it even be lived in?" Wang Qiqi shouted into the urgent 'soul-calling' phone to Song Yao, rushing into Aunt Wang Damei’s house only to find her elder aunt wildly gesticulating and speaking loudly.

Song Yao and Gong Peixing were huddled on the sofa, enduring Wang Damei venting her dissatisfaction. Truthfully, Song Yao knew her in-laws favored the younger son, but she hadn't realized the extent of their bias until now. But what could she do? Actually, there were some things Song Yao hadn't even felt comfortable telling Wang Qiqi over the phone earlier. Of course, if the future mother-in-law hadn't gotten angry and said so much, Song Yao would never have known there were so many complications.

Wang Qiqi called out "Auntie" several times before Wang Damei finally reacted. After acknowledging her, she immediately pulled Wang Qiqi aside to recount her visit to the Gong residence that day. Only after Wang Damei had thoroughly vented did Wang Qiqi finally understand: "Brother-in-law's family won't contribute money, so they want to transfer the country house to older sister and brother-in-law? And their city apartment is for the younger son, and we can't object to how they handle the younger son's future wedding arrangements either?"

Wang Damei slapped her thigh in exasperation. "Exactly! They say the country house is big—yes, three hundred square meters—but who knows if it’s even habitable? And can a country house compare to a city apartment?" That city house was worth at least a hundred thousand, but the country house, at best, was worth fifty or sixty thousand. "If we want to live there, we’ll have to renovate it. Why is my fate so hard? Other people's daughters marry into families where the in-laws are easygoing, but when it comes to me..."

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Wang Damei to start crying; this was rare. She remembered that in her previous life, when facing so many family troubles and even cancer, Wang Damei had only managed a bitter smile. This indicated that Song Yao's future mother-in-law must have said things that were unacceptable for her to hear. "Actually, a country house is still a house. It just depends on where it is." She knew that when rural properties were demolished later on, they’d get several new houses plus cash, and if the location was better, the rental income alone would be staggering.

"It’s not far from the development zone, but it’s not in the direction of the city; it heads toward the suburbs," Gong Peixing admitted honestly. He didn't have many memories of the old family home, only visiting during Qingming Festival or Chinese New Year. "But that house is very dilapidated; it’s just built with bricks, and it doesn't even have doors or windows."

Wang Qiqi was shocked that Gong Peixing's family's house was essentially an unfinished structure. "No doors or windows? Seriously?" Good heavens, the Gong family really did this to their eldest son. This meant the house was worth maybe twenty or thirty thousand at most, and making it habitable would cost another thirty or fifty thousand—for instance, they needed cement rendering on the exterior, otherwise, a bare brick structure wouldn't last, not to mention installing doors and windows.

Wang Damei had already felt stifled enough thinking the house was in the countryside, but discovering it lacked doors and windows enraged her. "Forget it! They can get married in that tiny apartment. Let's see how long they can stay there. See if they dare give that place to the younger son!" Wang Damei thought. They were plotting to use that utterly uninhabitable shack to trick her out of her Wang family property—they wished!

Song Yao had initially been happy about finally having her own place, even if it meant being close to her parents. But in just two days, the situation had drastically shifted. "Mom, aren't you forcing me to die? You just caused a scene over there today, and now you want me to live in a small room? She, she..." The thought of the look her mother-in-law had given her today—a look of undisguised malice—made Song Yao shiver. Would she ever have a good life after marrying in? Just imagining having to share a roof with her made Song Yao tremble all over.

Wang Qiqi saw despair flicker in Song Yao’s eyes. Indeed, if it were her, with her own mother having gone to the in-laws' house to have a massive fight, and on top of that, this whole scheme, it would be a miracle if Song Yao's future life turned out well. "Brother-in-law, take my sister inside to sit down." Wang Qiqi knew that letting Song Yao stay near Wang Damei would only lead to more shouting and make matters worse.

Gong Peixing knew that if one person left the living room, there would be room for negotiation. He nodded to Wang Qiqi, an apologetic look in his eyes. After all, Wang Qiqi’s initial suggestion had been well-intentioned, and he thought her idea was excellent. But in his parents' eyes, it was the Song family making excessive demands. He hadn't realized his parents viewed him that way. Frankly, Gong Peixing was not in a good mood either.

Song Wenbo had remained silent while Wang Damei and Song Yao were arguing. After the young couple went inside, he pondered for a moment. "If you hadn't gone to fight, Yaoyao could have the north-facing room. But now that you’ve caused an uproar..." Song Wenbo was speechless at his wife’s reckless actions today. "Could you have discussed a counter-strategy with me before rushing over to Gong's house?"

By the time Song Wenbo received the message and rushed to the Gong residence, the argument was already deeply unpleasant. Song Wenbo truly didn't want to recall the scene, yet his wife still hadn't come to her senses now. It was a family misfortune.

Wang Damei saw the grim look on Song Wenbo’s face and knew she had been rash today. But, "The Gong family is too much! If my daughter hadn't insisted on marrying that boy, would I have ended up like this?" Wang Damei thought she wasn't willing to be a shrew.

Song Wenbo knew his wife was only concerned for their daughter. "Forget it. We calculated the money for buying them a house; we have it. As for the renovation funds for Song Yao’s marital home, we can lend some first." Song Wenbo glanced at Wang Qiqi as he said this.

Wang Qiqi knew their intention was to look to her. "No problem, I have money."

"Later, Gong Peixing and his wife should write an IOU for the house payment plus renovation costs. As for the appliances, consider those our dowry," Song Wenbo proposed his terms.

Wang Damei immediately objected. "Why should we? Their family only has that dilapidated house, which isn't even habitable, and there's no betrothal gift!" How could one marry off a daughter so meagerly? "Just that broken-down shack, no betrothal gift, no money for jewelry, and no need to renovate the house—hmpf, how simple!"

"But they still have the house?" Song Wenbo whispered a few words in his wife's ear as she continued to grumble.

Wang Damei was shocked by what her husband told her. "Are you serious? That house over there will be valuable? It's clearly in the country, even farther from the city than your old home."

"But it's close to the development zone," Song Wenbo explained. Although he was only a workshop director at the factory, some of his classmates were doing quite well, and Song Wenbo occasionally joined them for meals and drinks, picking up some inside information.

"So what if it’s close?" Wang Damei remained unconvinced.

"With a little renovation, it can be rented out to those university students," Wang Qiqi suddenly realized something. That house was just a shell, nothing inside, meaning they could design the renovation entirely to their specifications.

Rent it out? "Will anyone rent it?" Wang Damei hesitated. "It's not a city apartment." City properties rent out, but who would rent in the suburbs?

"Yes, people working in the new district," Wang Qiqi gestured. "Actually, if the house is well-renovated—one kitchen, one bathroom, and one slightly larger room—we could definitely rent it for five or six hundred a month." It would be a complete studio apartment. Plus, there was a courtyard; would the overall environment really be that bad? Oh, the interior could be nice, but the exterior environment was a bit rough.

"Yes, but how much will the renovation cost?" Wang Damei replied crossly, though she had grasped a point. "How about this, Qiqi, you buy the house?" Wang Qiqi had money, so she could just sell it to her.

Wang Qiqi secretly chuckled. Did she look like someone easily fooled? If she bought the house, it would definitely be a massive windfall for her. "Auntie, are you sure you want to sell the house to me? Will you regret it later?"

"We won't regret it. Qiqi, sell that house to her," Song Yao, who had been listening from beside the door after entering the room, rushed out the moment she heard her mother’s suggestion. She knew that if the house could be sold for a slightly higher price, her and Gong Peixing's situation would improve significantly.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Song Yao to make such a quick decision. "Even if that house sells for a high price later?" Although Wang Qiqi dearly wanted that windfall, the sellers were Wang Damei and Song Yao. They would surely regret it later, and what would they say to her then? Furthermore, even though the house would be valuable later, if she invested the money wisely, the returns wouldn't be less than buying this one outright. There was no need.

"Money. Yao Yao, your mother and I discussed it. We will pay the purchase price for the house, and we will cover the renovation costs too, but you must write an IOU." Song Wenbo shot a glare at his daughter—a silly girl pushing away a chance to make money.

An IOU was required again? Song Yao looked displeasedly at her father. While her parents’ actions weren't wrong, didn't he know the borrowed money had to be repaid? Until the loan was cleared, her mother would constantly nag her about owing money. "But I want to pay off the debt as soon as possible."

"Yaoyao, if you renovate that country house, you’ll find its yield is very high. Then, in a few years, when the development zone expands, the property value will appreciate. Uncle, am I right?" Wang Qiqi stated frankly. When she turned to look at Song Wenbo, she found his mouth wide open.