Chapter 8: Don't want the House

She understood what Mei Yinan meant, but what was the use of insisting? Once the demolition compensation was in hand, and she went off to college, she'd be harassed by relatives at school every day, asking for money today and more tomorrow. In a better scenario, the school would understand and let her continue her studies; in the worst, her reputation would be ruined, and if she were to be expelled, the loss would be even greater. It had been hard enough to have this chance to restart her education, and she really didn't want any more mishaps.

Moreover, what would these relatives do with the demolition money? As someone who had been reborn, she knew the eventual fate of these relatives. The demolition money for her property would undoubtedly become a target for their covetousness. So, it would be better not to have it from the start.

Of course, the confidence behind her words came from her own space, allowing her to speak so boldly. However, she still appreciated her aunt's kind intentions.

"I can work part-time. If it really comes to it, the school offers student loans. I just need to pay it off within a few years after graduation. At most, I can work and earn some living expenses. If I really get into university, can't I even make enough for my living expenses?"

Her aunt continued to question, "What about your brother? Have you thought about him?"

"I have thought about him. Why wouldn't I have?" What she wanted was for her brother to stay alive; that was enough. As for the rest, Mei Mengzhen said lightheartedly, "Nine years of compulsory education won't cost much."

Damn the nine years of compulsory education that won't cost much.

The people looked at Mei Mengzhen speaking so lightly as if she were a fool. Even dual-income workers would not dare to say such a thing, let alone a student like her...

Indeed, a child's ignorance is advantageous. But it was precisely because of this ignorance that...

The group exchanged glances, revealing expressions of relief.

Ignorance was better; with awareness, dividing the property would not be so straightforward.

Seeing Mei Mengzhen speak so casually, Mei Yinan rubbed her forehead, her head aching terribly. "Zhenzhen, you're still too young. You oversimplify everything."

But it was too late for regrets now. To each predatory onlooker, it seemed that if Mei Mengzhen were to backtrack, they wouldn't let her see tomorrow's sun.

Mei Yinan sighed, looking at the relatives who were already whispering to each other, then at Mei Mengzhen, and finally at Mei Mengchen. She asked Mei Mengchen, "Chenchen, do you understand what we've been discussing just now?"

No.

But as a child with a sensitive heart, although he didn't understand the precise meaning of those words, he could sense his sister was fighting to have him live with her. Mei Mengchen was genuinely happy and nodded vigorously, uttering a firm "Hmm" to indicate he understood.

However.

Mei Yinan grew even more frustrated.

'Hmm' my ass. You don't know jack.

None of the people present believed that Mei Mengchen had understood their conversation.

At the same time, Mei Yinan also felt exhausted. Yet, she had to clarify the situation briefly, "Your sister means for you to live with her, and we can't have the house then."

Mei Mengchen was taken aback and then turned to Mei Mengzhen, "Then where will we live?"

Mei Mengzhen smiled and patted her brother's head, "We won't move for now. After this place is demolished, we'll move somewhere else."

"Demolition." Mei Mengchen murmured to himself, then asked, "Like the street up front that was demolished?"

"Yes, once that's gone, we can't live there. Then we'll stay here until it's our turn to be demolished, and then we'll move away."

Mei Mengchen returned Mei Mengzhen a big, sweet smile, "Okay, I'll be with my sister."

"Yes."

"To see such a big house gone, don't you feel heartache? Don't you have any thoughts about it?" Mei Yinan still asked Mei Mengzhen incredulously.

Young Aunt Mei Yifan couldn't help but scoff, "What does she have to feel heartache about? This house has never had anything to do with her from the start."

Right, the house had barely been transferred to her for a year before it was gone again; what did it have to do with her?

What about Mei Mengchen then, Mei Yinan asked, "Chenchen, are you also willing to give the house to our uncles?"

Upon hearing this question, everyone's gaze fell on the little Mei Mengchen. However, Mei Mengchen nodded with conviction, "With my sister, I am willing."

Mei Mengchen then hugged her arm tightly, giving her a sweet smile.

Mei Mengzhen's eyes grew blurry from her brother's smiling face; her heart ached for him. She felt so moved by her thoughtful brother. Why hadn't she realized this in her previous life? "Sister will definitely take good care of you, but Chenchen, you have to try hard too."

"Yes," Mei Mengchen responded with the full weight of his effort.

...

Since the siblings had no objections, the matter was settled.

The house would be temporarily lived in by the two of them, but Mei Mengzhen was somewhat worried about another issue.

It was the money she had on hand. These relatives hadn't even bothered to ask how much money she had, whether it was sufficient or for how long it would last.

Of course, she had no desire for her relatives' handouts. She only wanted to clarify their financial situation so that they wouldn't eye her assets when they ran out of money, something that had caused trouble in her previous life.

Just as she was unsure how to broach the subject, Mei Yinan asked, "Zhenzhen, how much money do you have? I mean all of it. Did your parents' savings books or your grandfather leave anything for you?"

At the mention of money, their gazes shifted among themselves, as Mei Yinan bluntly exposed everyone's ulterior motives.

"You've had your turn, haven't you? Two kids without parents, no home, and now you still fancy the little money they have?"

Words came easy, but Young Aunt Mei Yifan was somewhat reluctant, "But..."

Uncle Mei Yongan interrupted, "Yifan."

Mei Yongan gave her a look, suggesting they should wait and see. They certainly couldn't dispute the money left by Mei Mengzhen's parents, but the grandfather's money might still be up for grabs.

Mei Yifan, catching the hint, nodded knowingly. There was no need to make things outright bitter without even having seen the savings books yet, "Okay, Zhenzhen, you go ahead."

It was as if sleep had met the pillow. Her aunt had led the conversation straight to the matter she was concerned about.

Mei Mengzhen held back her inward joy, "It's upstairs. After Grandfather's savings book was cancelled, the money was all divided, and our family's share was also deposited into Mom's account. The savings book is in her bedside drawer."

Mei Yinan said, "Take it down. Your mother's savings book needs to be cancelled as well. I'll take you to set up your own savings book."

"Okay."

Mei Mengzhen agreed to do so, but as she was about to go upstairs, Mei Mengchen clung tightly to her arm, not wanting her to leave. Mei Mengzhen comforted him, "Sister is just going upstairs to grab the savings book, I'll be back in a moment. You sit here and behave."

Mei Mengchen looked at the relatives uneasily, seemingly reluctant. But since Mei Mengzhen was only going upstairs, he reluctantly agreed, "Okay then."

Mei Mengzhen ran up the stairs two steps at a time, grabbed the savings books from the drawer, and quickly ran back down.