Page 12

The Western and Central District was the "affluent area" of Hong Kong, the regional hub where even a single property could fetch tens of millions. Compared to this district, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Jiajia's eyes widened as if she had heard a joke. "Are you insane? That property in the Western and Central District belongs to Daddy, and in the future, it will be part of your second brother's inheritance. Who do you think you are to dare claim it? You should be grateful for having a place in Eastern District."

"Fang Jingguo's inheritance? Let me remind you, the initial capital for his fortune came from the seven thousand dollars provided by the Chu family," Chu Yuening said calmly, reaching out to discuss the matter further.

"Well, if we follow that logic, isn't the Fang family's wealth also the Chu family's? After all, without that seven thousand, he wouldn't have been able to amass his riches. I'm only asking for a property in the Western and Central District. Is that too much to bear?"

Tian Yuezhi looked at Chu Yuening. "I know you hate me."

"However, think about it. When your father and I were struggling and living in poverty, where was your mother? When your father and I were eating steamed buns in Hong Kong, where was she? The house in Eastern District is worth millions—learn to be content."

As Chu Yuening listened, her anger grew. The original owner's mother had been left waiting in the mainland while caring for two young daughters and tending to the elders of two families.

Fang Jingguo's parents were elderly, and without complaint, her mother had taken care of their every need. Now, she was being questioned by the mistress. Where was the legal wife when she was seducing her husband?

Chu Yuening turned and splashed the dirty water from the bucket onto the ground.

Jiajia shrieked, "Are you blind? You just poured water on my shoes! Do you know how expensive a pair of Valentinos is?"

"Let me correct you – I'm closing up, and you're blocking my way. Are you legless, or are you blind?" Chu Yuening set down the bucket with a relieved smile.

"Off you go, no need to see you out. Don't force me to douse you with urine!"

Seeing that Chu Yuening was really turning away, Fang Jiajia feared she might actually splash the contents of the bucket. She tugged on Tian Yue'e's arm, urging her to leave.

Before departing, Fang Jiajia couldn't resist mocking the sign: "Fortune-telling and feng shui? How laughable. They'd rather abandon a million-dollar apartment to swindle people? Be my guest!"

After they had walked some distance, Fang Jiajia grumbled, "Mommy, you said you were too lazy to bother with them, yet you still gave them that apartment in the East District. What am I supposed to do? We should have left them to fend for themselves."

"You...," Tian Yue'e said helplessly, looking at her innocent daughter, "even if I didn't seek them out, Chu Yi has already called. Father won't rest easy unless he knows I'm handling this. Otherwise, when he steps in and sees how miserable they are, he might soften and give them half the inheritance."

"It's best they accept the apartment in the East District. That way, I can give your father an explanation, and they won't be able to divide the assets among your three siblings."

Fang Jiajia finally understood the ulterior motive behind Tian Yue'e's gift of the apartment. Her foul mood from having her shoes splashed evaporated, replaced by a sense of schadenfreude.

"Chu Yuening refused the East District apartment and was so rude. I must tell Father about it."

"Exactly, Jiajia is finally growing up and becoming sensible." Tian Yue'e stroked Fang Jiajia's short hair, replacing her earlier assertiveness with a loving smile.

The mother and daughter climbed into their private car parked by the archway.

Curious, Fang Jiajia asked, "Mommy, where are we going at this hour?"

"Tian Yuezhi tapped her well-manicured nails against her temple, gently massaging it. "Isn't it about Father's company?"

"Something's wrong with the company recently. Many cooperation deals have fallen through, and there seems to be an issue with the feng shui. Father is being troubled by it."

Fang Jingguo had always been superstitious since he started his business. Wanting to please him, Tian Yuezhi decided to seek out a famous feng shui master in Mong Kok.

Recalling the signboard at the dessert stall, Fang Jiajia nestled in her mother's embrace, feeling uneasy. "Does Chu Yuening know feng shui too?"

"Feng shui?" Tian Yuezhi didn't believe that Chu Yuening had any real skills and snorted. "How could that be?"

"Which feng shui master in Hong Kong doesn't come from a family of feng shui experts? Chu Yuening is just a fraud trying to earn money by pretending to be one."

Chu Yuening was slightly annoyed by the commotion. Many stalls had already closed for the day, so she stowed away her small wooden table beneath the food cart and cycled down Prince Edward Road West towards Kowloon City Market.

Hong Kong looked even more beautiful at night, with neon signs illuminating the streets, creating a futuristic punk world vibe. The gentle night breeze carried a hint of Victoria Harbour's seawater scent.

Chu Yuening maneuvered her heavy stall through the bustling crowd.

The red light flickered on.

She pressed the brake, planting one foot on the ground as the wind tousled her hair. She pushed it back with both hands, deep in thought. "Where on earth did I put that IOU?"

Indeed, Fang Jingguo had written an IOU.

In the 1970s, the term "ten thousand yuan household" was still in use; seven thousand dollars was a substantial sum in Xiangcheng. The Chu family, worried about Fang Jingguo's behavior, sought to provide their daughter with a safety net, hence the agreement in writing.

When they came to Hong Kong, the sisters had deliberately brought the IOU along. Chu Yuening decided to ask Chu Yi about it when they returned to the village house.

With Fang Jiajia's expensive shoes, it was clear Tian Yuezhi had no intention of repaying the money. Yuening was determined to find that IOU and leave the Fangs speechless.

The market was brightly lit, and Chu Yuening parked her stall by the entrance. As she descended the stairs, she entered a narrow passage, instantly surrounded by the cacophony of Cantonese.

"Three bunches of greens for six dollars, do you want them?"

"Fresh shrimp, selling at closing time!"

"Beautiful lady, take a look?"

The vendors energetically called out to attract customers. Chu Yuening first went to the pork seller to purchase two pounds of meat before heading to the general store.

At the entrance of the small shop, several sacks were arranged in a row, containing red beans, green beans, and tapioca pearls.

Chu Yuening scooped up some tapioca pearls and asked, "Boss, can you weigh five pounds of these for me?"

Five pounds would suffice for a few days. The village house had limited space, with an even smaller kitchen. It was not advisable to stock up too much; just enough would do.

The owner, engrossed in an arcade game, replied, "Just a moment."

Reluctantly putting down his game, he came over to assist with packaging the tapioca pearls and promoted their new arrivals.

"We have snow bird's nest from Myanmar. Would you like to try some, Boss?"