Chapter 59: Fifty-nine, things remain the same but people change Chapter 59: Fifty-nine, things remain the same but people change Song Yan Ning wore an undeniable smile, “If I solve everything and leave, then you back out, where will I find someone?”
Liu Xin was really about to cry. What kind of demon had he run into? How could she guess every thought of his? He truly suspected she wasn’t human.
“Here is a three-month supply of the antidote, one pill a day. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee you can withstand that kind of pain,” Song Yan Ning’s red lips curled into a wicked smile as she stepped toward the door to leave.
Liu Xin watched Song Yan Ning’s retreating figure and didn’t shift his gaze for a long time, then he walked over to the sofa and sat down, feeling tearless despite his urge to cry. Offending Song Yan Ning might be the dumbest thing he had ever done in his life. Yet, he had no chance to regret it.
In a good mood, Song Yan Ning returned to the hotel, took out a porcelain bottle, sprinkled some Medicine Powder, and lay down beside Li Meixiang, soon drifting into dreamland. Tonight, she was genuinely tired.
Feeling someone patting her shoulder, Song Yan Ning groggily opened her eyes and saw it was Li Meixiang, “Grandma!”
“Still sleepy? Why don’t you sleep a little longer? Grandpa and I will go talk about the house,” Li Meixiang doted on Song Yan Ning, helping to tidy her messy hair back behind her ears.
“I’ll go with you.” It was then Song Yan Ning remembered they still had to visit the courtyard house today; she sat up and walked towards the bathroom.
Song Yufeng approached the door of the courtyard house and lightly knocked.
After a little while, a middle-aged woman came to open the door.
“Who are you looking for?” The middle-aged woman sized up Song Yufeng. She didn’t recall ever seeing him before. Judging by his attire, he must be a wealthy man.
“I am a relative of the original owner of this courtyard house, and I’ve come to talk to you about it,” Song Yufeng stated his purpose for the visit. He didn’t inform Xinxin of his coming because he didn’t want to upset her afterward.
“Wait a moment.” The middle-aged woman closed the door and turned back into the yard.
Song Yufeng waited for about ten minutes before the middle-aged woman opened the door again, “Come in.”
“Mhm.” Song Yufeng nodded and stepped into the courtyard house.
As he entered the courtyard house, Song Yufeng noticed many changes; it was no longer the simple courtyard house from his memory, as many modern elements had been added.
Following the middle-aged woman into the main hall, he saw an elderly couple and a middle-aged man seated inside.
“Take a seat.” The elder gestured toward a chair, inviting Song Yufeng to sit.
Song Yufeng nodded and took a seat, then turned to the others, “I came here today wanting to buy back the courtyard house. It originally belonged to my in-laws; they’re quite sentimental about it.”
“We are quite comfortable living here and have no intention to sell,” the elder stated.
“I can offer more money,” Song Yufeng said, not giving up.
The elder shook his head, “Not selling.”
Song Yufeng sighed helplessly within, “Could I buy another courtyard house and exchange it with you?”
“There’s no need to say more; we won’t sell,” the elder said with a firm tone.
“Isn’t there any room for negotiation?” Song Yufeng asked persistently. He really didn’t understand why the other party was so attached to this courtyard house. Could it be that older people were more stubborn? Just like his in-laws, despite having new homes, they still longed for this courtyard house.
“If there’s nothing else, please leave.” The elder stood up and walked towards the back yard, clearly not wishing to continue the conversation with Song Yufeng.
Helpless, Song Yufeng shook his head and stood to leave. He had thought it would go smoothly, but there was not a shred of willingness to negotiate from the other side. With that being the case, he could only let it be.
No sooner had Song Yufeng driven away than Song Yan Ning and her two companions arrived at the courtyard house.
Yang Lisheng stepped up and knocked on the door.
After a short wait, the door opened, and the middle-aged woman peered out, her brow furrowing at the sight of Song Yan Ning and her two companions, “Who are you looking for?” What was going on today? One just left, and now several more arrived.
“You must be the owner of the courtyard house, right? We’d like to talk to you,” Yang Lisheng said.
“Come in,” the middle-aged woman opened the door fully, impatiently allowing Song Yan Ning and the others inside.
Yang Lisheng and his companions entered the courtyard house.
Seeing the current state of the courtyard house, both Yang Lisheng and Li Meixiang had a profound sense of loss in their eyes. This courtyard house was no longer the one they remembered.
The Parasol Tree that they had planted themselves was gone, the well had been filled, and all the houses were renovated; there was no trace left of the past.
Yang Lisheng stopped in his tracks. This place was no longer the courtyard house it once was and even if he bought it back, some things could never be retrieved. What was the point then?
“Grandpa,” Song Yan Ning called out when she saw Yang Lisheng halt his steps.
“Let’s go back,” Yang Lisheng glanced at the courtyard house one more time, his expression darkening before he turned to walk back to the entrance.
“Grandpa, didn’t you want to buy back the courtyard house?” Song Yan Ning asked, puzzled.
“This place has changed; it’s meaningless to buy it back now,” Yang Lisheng’s mood was downcast. When he saw the courtyard house, he felt as if he had lost a lot all at once, leaving a hollow feeling in his heart.
“Let’s go,” Li Meixiang’s mood mirrored Yang Lisheng’s. The Parasol Tree was one they planted together when they were newly married, symbolizing their love.
They watered and fertilized, watching with contentment as the sapling grew day by day. They used to sit under the tree, looking at the stars together, dreaming of the future… But now that tree was no more, and her heart ached as if missing a piece.
Watching the trio walk away, the middle-aged woman shook her head wordlessly and went forward to close the yard gate.
Qin Yushen was surprised to see Song Yan Ning and her company approaching. Were they also here to buy the courtyard house?
He moved forward, greeting Yang Lisheng and Li Meixiang politely, “Grandpa Yang! Grandma Yang! How are you?”
“You are the Qin Family’s kid?” Yang Lisheng immediately recognized Qin Yushen, the child he had met just the day before.
“Mhm,” Qin Yushen nodded, his gaze shifting to Song Yan Ning, “Hello! I am Qin Yushen.”
“Song Yan Ning,” she nodded lightly in response.
A smile flickered across Qin Yushen’s eyes as he turned to Yang Lisheng, “Grandpa Yang, did you come here to buy back the courtyard house?”
“Mhm,” Yang Lisheng nodded, his expression becoming somber at the mention of the courtyard house.
“Is it because the other party refused to sell?” Sensing Yang Lisheng’s low spirits, Qin Yushen ventured a guess. He had researched the family beforehand and knew that buying the courtyard house wouldn’t be difficult.