Chapter 4: Raising an Ungrateful Wolf

But he forgot, there is another saying: the son must pay the father’s debts.

The original owner really raised an ungrateful wretch. In her memories, this guy was still an old scholar who had failed the exams for years... However, his wish had truly come true; the original owner was indeed dead, and she didn't even know how she had ended up as the replacement.

But she couldn't afford to keep such an ungrateful wretch.

"Eldest, if you have a better suggestion, just say it. If not, then shut your mouth."

Bai Anchen: "..."

'This is the ancestral home. If it is lost in Mother's hands, I won't be able to face our ancestors in the afterlife.'

Bai Yunxi clutched her chest. This matter had to be settled quickly; every time she got angry, her vision went black. Even if she was a replacement, if she dragged this out any longer, she would end up dead too.

She had wanted to die just a moment ago, but now that she heard Bai Anchen’s inner thoughts, how could she let him have his way?

What "death clears all debts"? What kind of sweet dream was he having?

"Steward Zhao, we will move out in three days. You can come to collect the house then."

"Fine. Out of respect for the late Juren master, three days it is... But let’s get this straight: you can take your personal belongings and small items like pots, bowls, and pans, but the large furniture must stay."

"Steward Zhao, what my husband mortgaged was this house, not the furniture and household items. This house is the family property accumulated by three generations of the Bai family. You know full well how much it is worth. We are only accepting your offer of thirty strings of cash because my husband’s first week of death has just passed, and I don't want to disturb his peace."

"If I were to sell the house at a low price, forty strings of cash is the market rate. Even at a discounted price of thirty-five strings, there would still be people interested, and those buyers wouldn't hold onto our tables and chairs that we've used for decades, would they?"

Zhao Li choked.

'The old hag is truly cunning.'

"Ahem~, let's not say things we can't take back. The whole town knows your family is in trouble and that you owe money to the bank. Whoever dares to get involved in this mess is going against our master."

Zhao Li lifted his chin slightly, but he wasn't as calm as he appeared.

People die for wealth; it has always been this way. He was genuinely afraid that someone would be tempted by the bargain and swoop in to snatch the deal, ruining his master's business. If that happened, would he have a good end?

'The old hag is digging a pit for me even at the end. Black-hearted old thing, she should have just knocked her head and died.'

Bai Yunxi stared at him, following his inner thoughts to deliver a finishing blow.

"Whether it's a mess or not is one thing, but the low price is real. There are plenty of wealthy masters in town, not just Squire Ma."

As soon as Bai Yunxi said this, the crowd of onlookers began to whisper and murmur among themselves.

Seeing this, Zhao Li’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

'The old hag really has no good intentions.'

"Fine. Out of respect for the late Juren master, I will overstep my bounds this once and make the decision for my master. We will only take the house; you can take the furniture."

"Then many thanks. Leave a path for others, and we may meet again in the future. In three days, you can come directly to collect the house."

Zhao Li nodded and cupped his hands toward her.

"It is settled then. If there is any more drama in three days, we will have to take this to court."

With that, he waved his hand at the men he had brought. The thugs, who had been glaring fiercely, swaggered away in a huff. As they left, they kicked over a few stools and gave the gate a couple of kicks, acting with extreme arrogance.

With the debt collectors gone, Bai Yunxi looked at the neighbors watching the spectacle and smiled politely.

"We have matters to attend to at home, so I won't be hosting you for tea. Everyone, please disperse."