Wang Qiqi was woken up early by Song Ziwen and realized they were mobilizing the whole family. For such a significant matter, a family expedition was understandable, but the question was, "Niuniu is coming too?" Wang Qiqi thought, even if the place was beautifully arranged like a park, it was still a cemetery, a grim place.

Yang Jing sat in the back, holding Niuniu, shifting her posture to make the child more comfortable. "No, we’re dropping Niuniu off at my aunt’s place on the way." Yesterday, when Yang Jing heard Song Ziwen mention looking at burial plots for his parents, she hadn't been opposed, as she felt her own parents were still far from passing. But she couldn't counter Song Ziwen's persuasion, especially since his own parents had agreed to buy a plot. Song Ziwen had even called them, and they consented. Yang Jing figured all she could do was accompany Song Ziwen to view the cemetery, while their relatives would look after Niuniu.

Dropping her off at her sister-in-law's aunt's place—Wang Qiqi sighed in relief, then immediately felt foolish. Never mind Song Ziwen and his wife, even Song Wenbo and his wife wouldn't bring such a young child to a cemetery. Children taken to such places were easily attracted by 'unclean things,' which would spell huge trouble.

"What did Han Tao say?" Wang Damei asked as soon as she got to Wang Qiqi, having stayed up all night because Qiqi hadn't managed to reach Han Tao at dinner the previous day.

"Han Tao said it was fine. My mother-in-law also called yesterday to ask if I wanted to buy a new plot and wanted me to look at options with them," Wang Qiqi said, surprised that Luo Hongjuan knew so quickly about what she had discussed with Song Yao yesterday afternoon, and that she even entertained the idea of finding a new resting place for Han Tao’s father. This gave Wang Qiqi a measure of relief.

Everyone in the car was astonished. They had assumed the young couple would sort things out between themselves first before letting Han Tao and Luo Hongjuan know. They all guessed Luo Hongjuan would certainly figure out that Qiqi instigated the matter, but they hadn't expected Luo Hongjuan to bring it up proactively.

Wang Damei knew Luo Hongjuan was straightforward, but this matter was neither trivial nor minor. For some families, even the daughter-in-law who had married in might not have a say in such things, yet Qiqi, an unmarried fiancée, apparently held considerable sway. The only question was whether Luo Hongjuan's sincerity was genuine or… "How did Han Tao's mother find out about this?" From Wang Qiqi’s words, it seemed Luo Hongjuan learned about it around the same time Han Tao did, suggesting someone had leaked the information ahead of time. Wang Damei considered that Wang Qiqi might have been the source, remembering how Qiqi had promised not to tell Luo Hongjuan but then turned around and let her know. Thankfully, on the surface, it didn't seem to have caused much trouble.

"My sister must have said something."

"Sister Yao Yao said it."

Wang Qiqi and Song Ziwen spoke simultaneously, both thinking: Wang Qiqi/I would have to be crazy to tell Luo Hongjuan before coordinating with Han Tao.

Song Yao? Wang Damei understood. So, their own daughter had spread the news first. "Your sister's mouth…" She was usually so discreet; how could she overstep so much in this matter?

"My sister was looking out for me." After receiving Luo Hongjuan's call yesterday, Wang Qiqi had certainly had thoughts about Song Yao, but she reconsidered that her elder sister’s intentions were ultimately for her own good. "My parents also need to relocate their graves, and Han Tao proposed this idea too. His mother will more or less attribute this to me anyway, and now that my sister has let a little hint slip, at least on the surface, everyone can move past it."

Seeing that Wang Qiqi wasn't angry with Song Yao, Wang Damei didn't press the topic further. Since it had already happened, dwelling on it was useless.

As the car headed toward the suburbs, Wang Qiqi noticed the increasing greenery and decreasing traffic. However, she knew the roads would bottleneck during the grave-sweeping season, especially with the rising number of private cars, making even walking difficult. "The air here is wonderful; living here must be good for one's health." Because Song Ziwen was setting up his factory, Song Wenbo had loaned him all his savings, forcing them to abandon the previous idea of buying a house in the countryside. Yet, whenever Song Wenbo passed through the rural areas, he always felt a tinge of regret.

Wang Qiqi caught Song Ziwen glancing toward Song Wenbo in the rearview mirror and knew her husband had taken his father's sentiment to heart. It wasn't impossible that Song Ziwen planned to buy a villa for Song Wenbo once their circumstances improved. Perhaps by the time Song Ziwen could afford a villa, he would discover that the prices for such 'auspicious' spots with nice views were astronomical.

After grumbling for a while, Song Wenbo dropped the subject. After all, buying a house out there wasn't happening now. "Ziwen, have you been to that place before?" Song Wenbo was curious why Ziwen had agreed so quickly when Qiqi mentioned changing plots for her parents.

"Mm," Song Ziwen confirmed without denial. "A friend's father just passed away, and he asked me to help him look at cemeteries." Song Ziwen explained that he wasn't intentionally scoping out cemeteries.

The car soon pulled into an area resembling a park. They drove along a tree-lined path. "The flowers in spring—peach blossoms and cherry blossoms—are beautiful," Song Ziwen pointed out. He had visited in the spring last time; if it weren't for the surrounding tombstones and the sign reading 'XX Cemetery' at the entrance, one would truly think they had entered a park.

After visiting her parents' and father-in-law's graves yesterday, Wang Qiqi found the environment here vastly superior—a truly fragrant and bird-filled haven. "The surroundings here are excellent." Though she couldn't verify the Feng Shui, based on the environment alone, Wang Qiqi felt it was worthwhile to find a better place for her parents.

Wang Damei, though silent, showed her approval through her expression; she also found the environment pleasing. However, this joyful expression froze when the staff member quoted the price. "What did you say?" Wang Damei knew the nice environment meant a high price, but the cost was exorbitant, far beyond what she expected.

Song Wenbo was equally shocked. Despite mentally preparing himself all the way here, he hadn't anticipated such a steep increase in price. He tugged Song Ziwen's sleeve, shaking his head to signal they should look around before deciding. The price for one plot here could buy three or four in another cemetery, not to mention the management fees were also higher. Good environment, it seemed, was built with money.

Although Song Ziwen had prepared Yang Jing for the prices yesterday, hearing the actual quote still made her gasp. She figured that given this environment, they should aim for at least a six-square-meter plot, which would push the total cost close to thirty thousand? Yang Jing felt that was almost the price of a small studio apartment and found it hard to accept.

Yang Jing, however, found the price acceptable, reasoning that in such a prime location, prices would appreciate quickly. "Can we get a discount if several families buy together?"

The staff member was taken aback; it was the first time someone asking about a burial plot immediately inquired about a discount. "Our place…" She thought rich people were truly frugal, haggling over a single plot. She noticed three people frowning, but this young woman showed no sign of distress over the price. Still, she was just a young girl; how could she make such an important decision?

"If the price is right, we want to buy four plots," Wang Qiqi interjected quickly. If they wouldn't give a discount, Qiqi had noticed many plots were empty, some sold but without headstones, but she strongly believed many remained unsold given the price tag. She doubted the cemetery management wasn't feeling some pressure.

Four plots? The attendant was quite startled. Judging by their ages and expressions, they seemed to be one family, but why four plots? She wondered if this young woman was simply trying to bluff a discount with volume, only to buy one later, costing the cemetery a huge deal. But if she didn't offer a discount and they actually bought four, she would miss out on a massive sale. She hesitated. "Let me consult my manager first." This required a superior's approval.

Wang Qiqi pouted when she heard they needed to consult management. She thought the place was too rigid; didn't they understand the value of bulk buying? No wonder the location was well-built but selling poorly. Thankfully, the main owner hadn't let the sales slump affect staff professionalism. "Qiqi, are you really set on this?" Wang Damei pulled Wang Qiqi aside by a corner as the attendant left, finding the price excessively high.

Wang Qiqi nodded. "Aunt, didn't we drive around and look? Isn't the environment here much better than my dad's current spot?"

"It’s significantly better," Song Ziwen chimed in, having noticed his parents' and wife's uncomfortable expressions, knowing they were hesitant about the money. "I heard a big boss from Hong Kong invested here, and several Feng Shui masters confirmed it’s an auspicious location." Song Ziwen shared a secret tidbit. "Don't let the price deter you. Just look at how the roadsides are free of weeds; that alone makes it worth it. When we buy houses now, we demand good community environments; why should the deceased live any worse?"

Wang Damei felt a little displeased seeing her son treat the price so lightly. She thought, Can our family compare to Qiqi? Never mind her substantial background or the fact her husband earns US dollars; just based on the inheritance her parents left her, upgrading her parents’ resting place is the right thing to do. "The people living here are deceased; how would they know the difference?" Heaven knew what the afterlife truly entailed.

"But Mom, think about our Song family finally living well for generations. The Feng Shui here is excellent," Song Ziwen reasoned, hoping his mother would see this wasn't a small matter.

Wang Damei was moved by the focus on future generations' well-being, though she remained somewhat skeptical. "Your uncle also hired someone to check his plot back then; they said it was very good." Didn't her niece hire a Feng Shui master previously to ensure her uncle and aunt had a good resting place, claiming it would benefit both the ancestors and the descendants?

"It was good, but I consulted a master online yesterday, told him about the relocation plan, and asked him. He did a quick calculation and said moving here would be better for both the ancestors and the descendants than their current location," Wang Qiqi replied.

"Alright, let's buy here. The environment is good, and my sister agrees. Since our family is well-off now, let's ensure your elderly parents are comfortable after they pass," Song Ziwen addressed his still-hesitant parents. "We aren't like before; our family is wealthy now. They should live comfortably both in life and after. If I had more money, I’d buy a family mausoleum."

Song Wenbo walked around and was quite satisfied with the environment, finding it much better than where his brother-in-law was buried. Although he was initially startled by the price, he agreed with his son: house prices are rising, so burial plots will too, and auspicious spots are finite—every one sold is one less. "If the son wants to buy here, then buy it. You’ll also have something more interesting to talk about with your friends later."

Wang Damei used to brag among her circle about her husband's capabilities. Now, she boasted about her successful children—where they bought houses, what factories her son opened—and had subtly become the most accomplished figure among her peers. Previously, Wang Damei might have politely declined a few social gatherings, but now she attended every single one.

Wang Damei loved showing off to her friends, but hearing her husband boast about this in front of the younger generation was too much. She glared at Song Wenbo. "What's there to brag about?" A cemetery! People would think they had some strange ailment to be buying plots at such a young age.

"Mom, this shows we're rich. We bought a house, and now we're buying cemetery plots here," Song Ziwen noticed Wang Damei wavering and immediately pushed harder. "Didn't we start a factory? The master said this move is excellent and will greatly benefit the factory's development."

Wang Qiqi, hearing her older brother speak, maintained a neutral expression, but she was internally shocked. Her brother lived up to his reputation as a businessman; his arguments were smooth, though the master's actual advice wasn't as exaggerated as he made it sound. He painted a grand picture.

Seeing Wang Qiqi looking somewhat bewildered, Song Ziwen thought his younger sister was being too modest. Although the master’s words were subtle, he knew the basis for his confidence. He had consulted the master before opening the factory, who called the cabinet processing plant a 'treasure basin'—a place for accumulating wealth. Therefore, his statement wasn't entirely unfounded.

Once Yang Jing heard the master had weighed in, her lingering hesitation solidified. "I think this place is good; let’s buy it. My dad loved quiet, bird-and-flower-filled places. And later on, when we're down below, no one will be alone." Yang Jing mused that if her in-laws' and parents' graves were near each other, she wouldn't have to rush back and forth; one trip could settle everything.

Hearing Yang Jing agree, Wang Damei had no further objections. Her in-laws would be buried here, and her younger brother's couple too. Should she bury the graves elsewhere? "Fine, here it is. But, Qiqi…" Regarding this price, did Han Tao have any issues? "Did you tell Han Tao the price?" This wasn't standard plot pricing. What if Luo Hongjuan found it too expensive later?

"And Han Tao's mother," Song Wenbo interjected. "Her opinion is the most important."

Tell Luo Hongjuan? Wang Qiqi worried that quoting this price to her mother-in-law might actually scare her into a faint. "Han Tao said not to tell her the price; we are paying for it anyway." Han Tao's plan was to have his mother return only when everything was settled to perform the relocation ceremony. Regarding the cost, Han Tao insisted she shouldn't have to pay, and he would explain it to her later. Since her husband said so, Wang Qiqi naturally complied. Moreover, she knew that while Luo Hongjuan might be momentarily confused, once the Feng Shui benefits of the plot were explained, she would have no objection, and since she wasn't footing the bill, she would only grumble a bit and stop.

Wang Damei saw that the young couple was determined to keep Luo Hongjuan in the dark. Since they had made their stand, she wouldn't pry further.

With consensus reached, the next issue was the Feng Shui specifics of the plot. While the entire cemetery had good Feng Shui, they needed a plot suited to their specific family. A superior plot wasn't always the best choice; if one couldn't manage that plot's energy, it would only bring misfortune to descendants. Finding the most suitable one was key.

Wang Qiqi declared this was no problem. "I already told him our family's situation yesterday, and he gave me the general location and direction. We can call him for specifics later." Wang Qiqi was thankful her brother had taken their family's birth details (Bazi) when he opened his factory, saving them a lot of trouble from having to ask for them late at night.

Song Ziwen knew if he delegated this to Wang Qiqi, she would handle it flawlessly. "Qiqi, you're amazing."

Song Wenbo and the others finally understood. Even if Song Ziwen hadn't convinced them, he would have bought the plots here anyway. The three of them managed wry smiles. If Wang Qiqi hadn't mentioned the master marking out specific areas, they would have thought Song Ziwen had fabricated the master's recommendations entirely.

Wang Qiqi proudly tilted her chin. "Of course. You should see who you're dealing with." Such a major decision required careful consideration of all angles.

The attendant returned, her expression quite peculiar. "If you are certain about four plots, we can offer you a five percent discount."

Five percent? Wang Qiqi was not entirely satisfied; she thought this was a huge order and deserved at least a ten percent discount. "Does the five percent apply to everything, including the headstones and everything?" Hmph. Since they wouldn't budge on ten percent, she'd try negotiating elsewhere. Wang Qiqi had noted that this place's fee structure was quite transparent, with different prices based on the quality and size of the headstones or enclosure walls. She wasn't afraid of them giving a small discount while inflating other associated costs.

The entire purchase at five percent off? The attendant's expression grew stranger, making her look like she had swallowed a fly. "Only on the cemetery plot price." Her manager, upon hearing someone requested a discount, had been incredulous on the phone. After finally conceding this much, this young woman was pushing for five percent off everything.

A five percent discount only on the plot price? Wang Qiqi’s face darkened, especially as the attendant looked at her with a gaze that seemed to imply, You aren't the decision-maker here. Wang Qiqi was about to signal Song Ziwen to step up and negotiate—the person with the recognized authority should handle the price—since she noticed the attendant wasn't taking her seriously. Wang Qiqi decided she would endure it for now, but she would negotiate hard later to show that young people weren't so easily bullied.

Before Song Ziwen could speak, Wang Damei stepped in. "For such a high price, buying four plots at once, and if the service is good, we can introduce other customers…" Wang Damei launched into an energetic negotiation, pulling the attendant along. Wang Damei hadn't even expected to negotiate cemetery prices, but seeing they offered a discount, she refused to believe this was the lowest possible price.

Wang Qiqi and Song Ziwen exchanged a look, waiting for Wang Damei to finish negotiating. In their experience, Wang Damei was quite skilled at haggling.

Wang Damei proved her worth. After half an hour of 'friendly exchange' (in Wang Damei's view; from Wang Qiqi's perspective, the attendant was sweating profusely and making several calls to her superior), they settled on a ten percent discount for the plots, five percent off all ancillary items, and, incredibly, a ten percent discount on the annual management fees.

Wang Qiqi had expected a ten percent discount on the plot itself would be a good result, but the final bonus, especially the discount on the management fee, was unexpected. Considering fees paid over ten years, that wasn't a small amount.

Wang Damei returned to the group like a victorious general, while the attendant dabbed her forehead. "Auntie, as long as you know this price, please don't mention it to others, especially the management fee discount." The owner's strategy for long-term maintenance relied on high management fees based on premium service, yet this family had managed to chip away at that cornerstone fee.

Wang Damei certainly knew that, "Don't worry, we will only tell our friends that your place is quite nice, nothing more." One ought to be decent, and Wang Damei actually wanted to bargain the price down a bit more, but the other party was resolute in refusing any reduction by the end. Overall, though, it was acceptable. "To be frank, I think there's still room for this price to drop."

Wang Qiqi was already quite satisfied with the price, yet Wang Damei still wore a look of discontent. She thought to herself that the saying about the older the ginger, the spicier it is, held true; she doubted even Song Ziwen or Yang Jing could have extracted this price.

The attendant was just reaching for the walkie-talkie to lead Wang Qiqi and the others to select a gravesite when they heard Wang Damei say that. They almost slipped, letting out a helpless, wry laugh. "Aunty, this price is truly rock bottom; you won't be able to haggle it down any further." She had been here since the cemetery first broke ground and had never offered a price lower than this. Hearing her tone suggested dissatisfaction, and the attendant was genuinely speechless. RS

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