The Yangs family’s house took three years to complete. Built roadside, the first floor’s two left rooms became a small shop and storage. The central room faced the noisy, dusty street, offering zero privacy because passersby could see right in.
The two right rooms: one served as the grandparents’ kitchen, the smallest room as Yang Jiabo’s bedroom. The grandparents stayed in the old house until their passing. Yang Jianjun and Li Guizhen lived there too.
Only after Yang Jianjun earned enough to finish the second floor did they truly move into the new house. The first floor was minimally renovated and rented out. The third floor, left unfinished due to lack of funds, had only a laundry room, and the rest became Yang Jianjun’s flower garden.
The allure of a new house, a beautiful home was indeed irresistible, especially when someone offered help. Yang Jiabo couldn’t stop them. With the hardware and electrical stores and nearby factories still operational, the family decided to build roadside, planning to build shops for business or rent.
In his previous life, they’d thought the same. But after construction, the surrounding industries collapsed, the youth moved to the new district, and only the elderly remained.
Frustrated, Yang Jiabo found a payphone at a small shop and called Wei Jing. He’d considered writing, but letters took too long. Long-distance calls cost one yuan per minute, but he could afford it now.
Wei Jing was thrilled to hear from him, Yang Jiabo never splurged on calls. But his first thought was: Did something happen? Still, his first words were: “Jiajia, hang up. I’ll call you back.”
“No need.” Yang Jiabo almost laughed. Am I that stingy? Calls cost one yuan per minute, receiving is fifty cents, apparently worth saving.
“Give me your number.” Wei Jing left no room for refusal.
“Fine.” Yang Jiabo relayed the number, and the line went dead. “Wei Jing is getting bossier.”
The callback came instantly. “Jiajia, are you sick? Or did something happen at home?”
“No, just… needed to talk.” Sitting on the shop’s stool, phone cradled to his ear, Yang Jiabo vented. “They’re being idiots. With all the factories closing, building shops in our remote area? The house will be noisy, no privacy, awful to live in… And Mom, she thinks Aunt’s family will fund it, like their money grows on trees. Even supporting Grandma and Grandpa comes with strings attached. Who does she think she is?”
He ranted about the ten-meter-deep foundation, how much would that cost?, and how it’d make future renovations a nightmare. He nearly slipped up, almost mentioning his previous life, but caught himself in time.
Wei Jing sighed. “Jiajia, you’re fourteen. Worrying this much might stunt your growth.”
“Nonsense! I’ll grow tall, at least 1.8 meters!” Height was Yang Jiabo’s sore spot. In his previous life, he’d only reached 1.73m, envying those burly men who could carry gas cylinders effortlessly or haul two 20L water buckets up six flights of stairs. Even manual laborers earned more if they were bigger.
“Then focus on growing up. Leave adult matters to adults. You’re already good at making money, buy whatever house you like later.”
“True.” Yang Jiabo calmed. Why stress? With my rebirth advantage and Little fleeceflower's plant-growing skills, money wouldn’t be a problem.
“What about those orchids and cordyceps you planted?” Wei Jing asked.
“Aside from the fleeceflower, I want to sell the rest, but prices here are low.”
Wei Jing thought for a moment. “My dad’s heading to Beijing soon. Pack them up, and he’ll bring them. I’ll handle it.”
“Beijing’s so far, would that work?” Yang Jiabo had never been there in either life.
“It’s fine. He’s taking a plane.”
“Okay, thanks. We’ll split the profits 50-50.”
“Keep it. Growing those wasn’t easy.”
“No, I insist. I’ll need your help selling future harvests too. Life costs money, if you ever start a business, you’ll need funds. Don’t underestimate my plants.” Yang Jiabo knew nothing about orchids, but Little fleeceflower grew stunning ones, unlike any wild varieties he’d seen.
He’d hoped for mutated orchids to sell high, but local prices were disappointing. For now, he relied on Little fleeceflower's cordyceps.
Even the best pharmacy-grade cordyceps sold for just 368-880 yuan per box (10 pieces). His might be premium, but wholesale wouldn’t exceed retail. A year’s harvest wouldn’t bring much.
“We’ll talk after the sale.”
After the call, Yang Jiabo felt lighter. He bought an orange soda, sat outside the shop zoning out, then headed home.
He watched coldly as the house was demolished. The family relocated, but this time, Yang Jiabo refused to live with relatives. With the business still running, they rented a larger place, seven adults and two children crammed into 60 square meters.
His little shed was gone, but Little fleeceflower now thrived in a pot, cherished like treasure.
With Aunt Yang Meizhen nearing her due date, she stayed home to help, while Yang Jianjun and Li Guizhen worked outside. At first, it was fine, until Li Guizhen started grumbling that Auntie earned more and gave them too little
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