Chapter 34 Business
Ye Shenge checked the time. It was still three hours before Ye Xingguo got off work, so there was enough time.
She didn't give Ye Shenge much time before the sound of a secret passage opening came from the woodshed.
The old woman's weathered face appeared first. When she saw that the person outside the door was a frail young girl, her heart relaxed by half.
Ye Shenge walked in and helped the old woman up, not even glancing into the secret passage. This earned her a look of admiration from the old woman, who had been observing her.
"Girl, why are you here?"
"I just saw that people passing by were all avoiding this house, and the main door was unlocked, so I got curious and walked in. I apologize, old woman, for my intrusion."
The old woman didn't believe the girl's story. Who would wander around here without a purpose? She wasn't a childish child playing games.
"Honestly, you even called me out specifically. Do you think what you're saying can convince me?"
Ye Shenge gave a sheepish smile. Could she say she had her eye on their house for a trade?
"Curiosity is indeed a large part of it. A small part is that I want to buy your house."
The old woman had never imagined anyone would want her dilapidated house. So many people had died in this house over the years that no one wanted to be associated with its ill fortune.
"Have you inquired about what happened in this house? If you knew, you wouldn't want to buy it."
Ye Shenge smiled. She didn't care what had happened before. The more it scared outsiders, the better.
"Old woman, I just like scary houses, and I don't want to know what happened before."
The old woman was puzzled but felt a flicker of joy in her heart.
"My old house isn't easy to buy. I don't want money, I want a lot of grain. Can you produce it?"
Ye Shenge liked this house, but she couldn't let them make outrageous demands. Grain was more important than money now.
The two sat on the ground, under the scorching sun. The old woman tilted her face upwards in enjoyment, seemingly cherishing this rare opportunity to bask freely in the sunlight.
"Name your price."
"Two thousand catties of fine grain, one hundred catties of dried meat, two hundred eggs."
Ye Shenge listened, then looked at the courtyard. She stood up, brushed the dust off her pants, and walked away.
"The price I quoted isn't just for this courtyard. If you agree, you'll get more than you can imagine."
Ye Shenge's hand paused on the door bolt. What did that mean? She turned to look at the old woman's confident expression. Her certainty was inexplicable. These supplies were not something an ordinary person could produce.
"You have to give me some hint, otherwise, this house alone won't do."
The old woman took out a handkerchief from her embrace and slowly opened it on her lap. The contents were revealed, shining brilliantly in the sunlight.
Ye Shenge raised an eyebrow. A small gold bar, a pair of ice-grade jade bracelets, of superior quality.
"Just these aren't enough. In better times, these would indeed be rare items, but now..."
"Of course, there's more than just these. What I want is considered little at current prices, so if you agree, you'll be making a profit."
Ye Shenge nodded. She would do this deal.
"When do you want it? Where should I deliver it?"
"As soon as possible. You just need to deliver the goods here. Then I will hand over the deed and the items to you in person."
"Alright, I'll come once I've prepared the items."
Ye Shenge turned and left the house, found a secluded spot, and slipped into her space. She needed to prepare the things the Mo Lin siblings needed first.