"Please register the house under this name—yes, the homeowner should be listed as this."
Qin Nian pointed to Yang Yufen's information page, then handed over the proof she had prepared along with the payment.
Shen Xianjun's eyes widened—not because of the money, though, well, the money was shocking too. He had married a golden treasure!
Professor Wen watched as the paperwork was completed, remaining silent throughout.
"Alright, I have a class this afternoon, so I’ll head out now."
"Take care on your way, Professor Wen."
Qin Nian waved goodbye to Professor Wen.
Shen Xianjun swallowed hard, waiting until they were alone before speaking.
"Wife, why are you buying Mom a house? And such an expensive one at that. If we’re short on space, I could apply for housing too."
Shen Xianjun spoke up.
"This is my way of showing gratitude to Mom. She’s worked hard all these years helping us raise the kids, and she’ll continue to do so. With a house of her own, she won’t think about returning to the countryside."
Qin Nian happily patted her bag, then considered stopping by to buy a roast duck later—Mom would surely like it. Tonight was worth celebrating.
Shen Xianjun watched his wife’s cheerful expression and rubbed his nose. Suddenly, he understood why his mother doted on Qin Nian so much. If it were him, he’d be over the moon too.
But he was happy now as well. His wife treated his mother like her own, with no conflicts between them. What man wouldn’t envy him for such a blessing?
Marriage was wonderful. He’d get his old superior a pack of cigarettes when he got back—no, scratch that, cigarettes were too hard to come by. A bottle of liquor would do. He had enough money for that.
Shen Xianjun patted his pocket.
Once he returned to duty, he’d pester Yuan Jie every day to get married sooner. Marriage was just that good!
"By the way, from now on, aside from giving Mom her share, my allowance will all go to you. Just leave me a little pocket money each month."
Shen Xianjun thought for a moment before speaking.
Thirty-two thousand—there was no way he could come up with that much. He’d have to pay it back bit by bit.
"Alright, but the money for the house was my way of honoring Mom. From now on, your allowance can be saved or given to Mom—just use it to support the family."
At Qin Nian’s words, Shen Xianjun wondered if he should take on more missions. His allowance alone wasn’t enough.
"Why are you killing another chicken?"
In the courtyard, Aunt Wang dropped by for a visit and saw Yang Yufen slaughtering a chicken again.
"The kids will be on break soon and leaving with their uncle. If I don’t kill the chicken now, I won’t be able to finish it alone. Better to do it while everyone’s home, before the heat spoils it."
Yang Yufen cheerfully poured hot water to scald the feathers.
Aunt Wang burst out laughing.
You, who never have the heart to kill a chicken for yourself, suddenly can’t finish one? You’re just too fond of the kids. Where would they go that they’d lack food? Especially with their uncle looking after them.
"You know it, yet you had to say it out loud. I brought some local specialties from home—let me get you some to try later."
Yang Yufen set the plucked feathers aside to dry.
"Sounds good. The grapes are ripe—I’ll bring a couple of bunches over for the kids. And I came to chat. I’ve gotten used to the noise with the kids around. Now that Miaomiao’s in school, the days are too quiet, especially with you gone these past few days."
Aunt Wang pulled up a stool and sat beside Yang Yufen.
"Sister Liu is sick. How about we visit her tomorrow?"
"How did she get sick all of a sudden?"
Yang Yufen paused while cleaning the chicken.
"She took a fall. Her bones weren’t in great shape to begin with. At first, she toughed it out, thinking some medicated wine would do the trick. But after two days, the pain got so bad she couldn’t get up at night. That’s when she realized it was serious."
"Alright, let’s go see her tomorrow. No wonder her gate’s been closed every time I passed by."
Yang Yufen nodded.
"What about her kids?"
"They’re old enough—the older ones watch the younger ones. The youngest was sent to her maternal grandmother’s place. Heard the injury’s pretty severe. She might be bedridden for a long time."
Aunt Wang’s expression darkened. At their age, it was hard not to imagine what would happen if they fell ill and couldn’t get up.
"Bedridden isn’t the only possibility. Even if she needs a cane or a wheelchair, as long as she can move around, it’s manageable. Which hospital is she at?"
Yang Yufen wasn’t so pessimistic. After all, Ershun and his father had been in terrible shape, yet they could walk normally now.
"Third People’s Hospital."
When Qin Nian and Shen Xianjun returned, the kids hadn’t gotten back from school yet. The aroma from the kitchen drew Qin Nian straight there.
"Mom, we’re home."
"Welcome back. There’s mung bean soup in the main room—go have some."
Yang Yufen was busy rolling out dough.
"Mom, Qin Nian has something to tell you. I’ll take over here."
Shen Xianjun washed his hands and stepped in to relieve Yang Yufen.
Yang Yufen wiped her hands and followed Qin Nian out of the kitchen.
"Mom, this is for you."
Qin Nian handed her the property deed.
"What’s this for? You should keep the family’s deeds."
Yang Yufen smiled at the sight of the deed, thinking it was nothing major.
"Mom, open it and take a look."
Qin Nian insisted, and Yang Yufen reached out to take it from her. Since her daughter-in-law had asked her to look, she figured she ought to examine it carefully.
“This… this… why does this look so much like my name?”
Yang Yufen touched the line where the homeowner’s name was written—three characters in total.
“Yes, Mom. This is my gift to you. Professor Wen’s wife mentioned how much you enjoy woodworking. This courtyard is spacious, and though the house isn’t as large as the old one, it’s roomy. It’s located in the alley near the new middle school, so it’ll be convenient when Dabao and Erbao start attending. It’s also not far from the residential compound.”
Qin Nian explained everything in detail.
“At my age, what do I need a house for? Woodworking just leaves sawdust everywhere.”
Yang Yufen muttered the words, but her fingers kept tracing her name on the property deed.
“Mom, you’ve bought things for me—why can’t I do the same for you? You’re not even sixty yet. In a few years, when Dabao and Erbao are in middle school, we’ll be too busy, and they’ll still need your care. Besides, you always say that money gives a person confidence.”
“Oh, my dear… I’m truly blessed. With how expensive houses are these days… Here, let me give you the money. But I’ll accept this kindness from you.”
Yang Yufen held back her tears. Back when she got married, the old, dilapidated house had been patched up and rebuilt by her own hands, brick by brick—yet the deed hadn’t even carried her name. But since Shen Xianjun was their only child, it was technically for him. She had lived her whole life that way.
“Mom, I said this is for you. Just keep it. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to see the place. The previous owner hasn’t completely moved out yet, so it’ll take a couple more days before it’s fully vacant.”
“No rush, no rush. I already made plans with Aunt Wang to visit Sister Liu tomorrow. Whenever you’re free, just take me there.”
“Alright then, Mom. You hold onto this—I’ll go pick up the kids.”
Qin Nian was genuinely afraid her mother-in-law would try to give her money, so she quickly made an excuse and slipped away.
Yang Yufen stared at the property deed in her hands, wiping away a tear. Having a son did have its uses—he’d brought her such a wonderful daughter-in-law.
