Siheyuan: Pretend to be a Pig and Eat the Tiger

Liu Guangtian immediately objected. Why would someone choose to live in a dirty and chaotic tenement instead of a perfectly good apartment building? Were they out of their mind?
Liu Guangfu was also unwilling. It was an apartment building! Although it was better than a tenement building, it was still an apartment building, wasn't it? It was more modern!
"Yes, Dad, why would you choose a dirty, chaotic, and difficult-to-go-to-the-toilet-place instead of a perfectly good apartment building? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
Besides, our family isn't short of money. He Yuzhu has already bought an apartment; if we don't, won't we fall behind others?

Liu Haizhong looked speechlessly at his two silly sons. Yan Bugui never comes to the temple without a reason. His sudden visit must have some ulterior motive. He was just saying that whether or not to buy an apartment, and how to buy it, could't they discuss it among themselves?
"Old Yan, we've been brothers for years, so speak your mind and don't hold back!"

"Old Liu, let me be frank. Zhu Zi entrusted me to acquire the houses in the compound. The middle courtyard has been acquired, and my family and Zhang Huaichen have also sold the front courtyard. There are still two other houses that are basically fine."
So it seems that only the backyard remains. The Li couple have long wanted to move out to take care of their grandson, which means that only Da Mao and your family live in the backyard. Da Mao is fine, but you…”

Xu Damao will definitely be fine. Just tell him that He Yuzhu wants a house, and he'll definitely agree. In other words, it's only the Liu family.
"Hmm, so you're saying that after handing over the business to your son these past few days, you've been serving Zhu Zi? Old Yan, that's putting the cart before the horse!"

Liu Haizhong looked at Yan Bugui with disdain. Instead of keeping an eye on a business worth hundreds of thousands, Yan Bugui was doing odd jobs for He Yuzhu, which was a disgrace to their generation!

"Old Liu, I didn't plan to do business after the last one ended. This time, all the money was given to the four kids. From now on, I'll let the kids develop on their own. I won't be able to take care of them anymore."
As for helping Zhu Zi reclaim the house, I owe him a favor. It's a matter of fulfilling a request and being loyal to the person you're entrusted with; it has nothing to do with business. Over the years, this is the only time I've gotten no benefit from it!

Yan Bugui shook his head indifferently. The current contempt carries huge risks. The reason for letting the children participate is just a fluke mentality, and there is no other intention!
"How much is He Yuzhu willing to pay for my three rooms?"

Liu Haizhong sighed. The front and middle yards had been bought by He Yuzhu, and the house in the back yard where the deaf old lady had lived also belonged to He Yuzhu.
Xu Damao and the Li family will definitely agree; that's obvious without even thinking about it. So, with that all that's left, how can I refuse?

Conversely, if he refuses, He Yuzhu can build a wall to enclose his house, leaving him with no way out!
"The back building and the rear building cost 1,000 yuan each. Old Liu, your house is self-built. You didn't spend 1,000 yuan in total back then, did you?"

Yan Bugui knew Liu Haizhong wouldn't refuse, and the reason he specifically brought it up was to prevent the guy from making exorbitant demands!
"Alright, fine, three thousand it is. But you need to give me half a month to find a place. If you don't agree, I won't sell!"

Liu Haizhong nodded to himself. The price wasn't low, and overall he had made a big profit. However, after buying the apartment, he would have no cash left.

"Okay, I can agree to that on Zhu Zi's behalf. We'll get the paperwork done tomorrow!"

The rest was easy. Neither Xu Damao nor the Li family refused, and by the end of the day, the task entrusted to them by He Yuzhu was completely completed!

"Zhu Zi, the houses are all settled. Except for the west wing, which costs two thousand, the rear building and the back building each cost one thousand. What do you think?"

In the evening, Yan Bugui came to inform them about the house handover. These days, He Yuzhu and his wife have been coming home every day. As for the so-called apartment, it was prepared by He Yuzhu for Yushui and Mahua.
He Yushui's mother-in-law was similar to Jia Zhangshi. After the two brothers divided the family property, Yushui basically didn't get anything. The whole family was left with nothing. Besides, Chen Jianguo didn't have anything to give to Yushui and his wife.
When He Yuzhu rewarded the MCA with houses, he bought two. He gave one directly to Yushui to settle down. However, He Yuzhu still suggested to the two of them that they buy a house with a courtyard.
Whether Ma Hua and Yu Shui listen or not is beyond his control. Ma Hua is in a better position. Although he has a wife with strong opinions, he has already begun to ask Han Chunming to find him a house because of his long-standing trust in He Yuzhu. He Yushui, on the other hand, prefers apartments, perhaps out of a woman's competitive mentality. Since moving in, there has been no other news. He spends his days assisting Qiu Yue with the work related to He's Restaurant.
"Great, thank you for your help. Here's the arrangement: we'll go to the neighborhood office at 10:00 AM tomorrow to complete the formalities. I'll need your help to organize things; time is tight and the task is heavy, so it would be best if we could get it done in one go!"

He Yuzhu was overjoyed. Sure enough, professional matters should be left to professionals. Yan Bugui did a great job. No reward!
"I'm glad you're satisfied, Pillar. Regarding the idea you mentioned last time..."

Yan Bugui's old face was beaming with joy, but his purpose today was not to hear praise, but to finish the topic he hadn't finished discussing last time.

"Second Uncle, my solution is very simple. Yan Jiecheng has already ruined the restaurant. Now, we have to change its appearance."

We Beijingers love hot pot, and my auntie would definitely make a good broth. Although it's not the most authentic, it's still usable.
"You two can easily turn that small restaurant into a hot pot place. If you're really too busy, just hire a few waiters from the countryside. You'll save on the chef's salary and still make a good profit!"

Yan Bugui suddenly realized that this was indeed a good idea. Small restaurants weren't as fancy as the eight famous restaurants, and they weren't targeting rich people, but rather ordinary people. It really worked.
"Understood, Zhu Zi. I must say, your idea is really good. I need to go back and ask my wife if she can do it!"

Yan Bugui's eyes lit up. How come he hadn't noticed this before? The chairs and benches were all ready-made, and the dishes didn't need to be cut; they could be served directly. The main thing was the old broth, and it was actually quite good!

"Brother Zhu, let's stay out of the Yan family's business. Otherwise, they'll blame us when they make money and forget about us when they lose money. It'll be so frustrating!"

"Hehe, wife, it's okay. Making money is a certainty, but I reckon if we switch to hot pot restaurants, the Yan family will go bankrupt sooner or later."

"It's alright. Yan Bugui has been such a great help; I only had to say a few words. Besides, my relationship with these people will be severed after the acquisition, so we won't be in any trouble!"

"Oh? Yan Bugui hasn't even started yet, how do you know it will go bankrupt? Do you really have the ability to predict the future?"

Cai Qiuyue looked at the confident He Yuzhu with great interest. Over the years, she had always felt that Brother Zhu seemed to have the ability to predict the future.

During that special period, He Yuzhu kept a low profile and didn't get involved in anything. As soon as the special period ended, and the situation was still unclear, He Yuzhu decisively resigned and opened a restaurant. Looking back now, from marriage until now, every decision He Yuzhu made has been correct—it's unbelievable! (End of Chapter)