Rebirth: He Decides to Lie Flat
Chapter 234 - 234 231 Its Been a Long Time Since I Sold Any

Chapter 234: Chapter 231: It’s Been a Long Time Since I Sold Any Paintings Chapter 234: Chapter 231: It’s Been a Long Time Since I Sold Any Paintings This type of person, Lao Er simply didn’t bother talking to him anymore and eventually dragged him by the arm and threw him out the door.

“Swindler! You swindler, cheating an elderly person out of their home, you won’t die a good death… Wait for it, I’m calling the police right now…”

Because Lao Er was unwilling to deal with him, in Lou Jin’s eyes, it was evidence of his guilt. Besides, it also dawned on him, how could this fellow who could only rent a garage to run shop have enough funds to buy a house?

Moreover, he had asked his childhood friend to look into it, and it turned out this guy was from out of town and even had a brother studying at Beijing University, the tall kid who almost beat him up that day.

Two poor kids who haven’t even grown a full set of whiskers, having just arrived in Beijing less than six months ago, could have hundreds of thousands, nearly a million to buy a house?

Who are you fooling?

So, in the end, his conclusion boiled down to two possibilities: one was that the old man had conspired with these two youngsters to cheat him, the house was not sold, and the property deed was fake; second was that the property deed was real, but the two youngsters had coaxed the old man into transferring the house to them, with the promise to return it once he longer needed the house. Put plainly, it was a scam. Who knew whether they would return the house after it was in their hands?

“Lou Zhaoyou, someone like you also worthy to be my dad? Trusting outsiders over me…”

Amidst Lou Jin’s loud protests and claims, almost every household in Xinyu Residential Area knew that Old Lou’s house had been “swindled” by Xiaotie!

Of course, most people didn’t see things the same way as Lou Jin. They didn’t think Xiaotie would cheat Old Lou, but rather believed Old Lou was using Xiaotie to get rid of Lou Jin.

This kid was also quite honest; why would he meddle with their family’s messy affairs? He’d get no thanks for his efforts and it could even affect his own business.

Here was another opinion that matched Lou Jin’s: likewise convinced that Xiaotie and Xiaojiang couldn’t afford to buy the house and the garage!

And when Lou Jin talked about calling the police, he actually did report the case.

But what good would calling the police do?

The property deed was authentic, and Old Lou admitted to actively proposing to sell the property to the other party, so in the end, the matter could only be dropped.

Lou Jin, not satisfied, requested to inspect their purchase contract and bank transaction records.

The police officer snapped his notebook shut and looked at him expressionlessly, “It’s a normal and legal transaction between both parties; we have no authority to investigate. As for you, according to the Civil Code, children have the obligation and responsibility to support and take care of the elderly above sixty. Do you understand what support means? Old Lou has a pension, he doesn’t need your financial support, but did you take care of him when he fell sick? Did you provide any emotional comfort?”

This was the local beat officer, who might not know the intricate details of every family’s situation, but he generally knew what was going on.

This Lou Jin’s gambling habits were well known to them, but apprehending gamblers didn’t fall within their duties. Plus, no one had reported a gambling operation, so how could they make an arrest?

“Did I say I wouldn’t support him? But the precondition is that he has to give me the house and money, right? I’m his biological son, can I be compared with some random bastard from outside?”

Expect hopes from someone who demands the house and money before even beginning to provide support?

Hopeless, like trying to make bricks without straw!

This kind of domestic issue wasn’t something the police liked to meddle in. Lao Er asked before they left, “If he keeps coming to my place and making a fuss, can I call the police to arrest him? Or am I allowed to beat him up?”

The young officer following seemed eager to recommend the latter option but was sternly glanced at by the older officer and promptly shut his mouth.

“You shouldn’t take matters into your own hands; call us if there’s a problem.”

“Alright, he’s now in my house speaking vulgarly, and besides, I didn’t agree to let him in, so this is considered trespassing, right? Can you officers take him away?”

In the end, when the officers left, they took away Lou Jin, who was so angry he couldn’t speak.

“Next time if he dares to come again, I won’t be polite, you’re not going to sympathize with him, are you?”

Old Lou stood by the window, leaning on the table, looking desolate.

Hearing Lao Er’s words, he weakly waved his hand, “Do as you please, I don’t want to lay eyes on him ever again.”

…

December 22.

“Should we have a party for our class for Christmas?”

Shen Mengfei moved behind Xue Weisong and Mu Jiawen during a break in class and discussed with them, “The School of Foreign Languages is hosting a Christmas party, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Firstly, we don’t have the time, and secondly, New Year’s day is coming up. The university has a New Year’s party, and our school does too. Another party would just be repetitive, wouldn’t it? Pointless.”

Xue Weisong said, “After all, Christmas is a foreign holiday. Personally, I don’t think we should put too much emphasis on it. Let’s hold our get-together on New Year’s Eve, the last evening before vacation, how does that sound?”

“OK, I’ll mention it to everyone later. Song…..Mu Jiawen, you’ll come this time, won’t you?”

Xue Weisong chimed in on the side, “I’ll get you a pot of mutton soup.”

Mu Jiawen, without lifting her head, changed the subject, “Why is this so sweet? It’s not very tasty.”

Shen Mengfei looked at her speechlessly, “If you ate any slower, I might actually believe you.”

His aunt had come to Beijing on a business trip yesterday and brought him a bunch of hometown specialties. He shared some with his roommates and set aside a few boxes for Mu Jiawen specifically.

Since the last incident, their relationships had somewhat improved–primarily, Mu Jiawen was not as distant with them as she was with others. While Xue Weisong was reluctant to give up, he knew deep down that some things couldn’t be forced.

So… actually, being friends was pretty good.

She claimed the sweets were too saccharine but kept stuffing them in her mouth; she nearly finished a whole box in no time. Both were truly impressed by the speed at which she ate.

Her mouth wasn’t big, but she didn’t pack it slowly.

With a muffled laugh, Xue Weisong pushed a few packs of goose liver in front of her. She’d finished the sweet stuff; soon, she’d need something salty to change the taste.

“Don’t change the subject. Can you make it to the party this time?”

The evening before the New Year’s holiday, it seemed she had no other plans.

She nodded, stuffing her mouth with food, her words muffled, “Yeah.”

“Don’t stand us up again after promising.”

“I know.” So nagging.

Xia Shi sat not far away and overheard their conversation with a sour feeling in his heart.

One class leader and one Youth League secretary–both were revolving around Mu Jiawen, and even a simple meal seemed contingent on her incessant promises to attend, as if without her the gathering wouldn’t happen.

In stark contrast, Mu Jiawen was usually disinterested in class activities. She didn’t even bother lifting her head when it came to the school’s New Year’s party, let alone their faculty’s event when special talents and registration were mentioned.

Meanwhile, proactive as she was, the feedback she received was lukewarm at best. Shen Mengfei had just jotted down her performance item and name without even asking how her violin playing was going. He didn’t suggest she give a preview in class but instead told her, “You’re more familiar with the Student Union than I am. Keep an eye on when the dress rehearsal is. With your ability and mental poise, just making an appearance will suffice.”

Is this how someone should speak?

She seriously doubted Shen Mengfei’s sincerity.

With final exams coming next month, she was working hard to catch up on her studies, hoping to raise her grade to a B before the exam. For the time being, she didn’t want to have a conflict with these people.

Most importantly, nearly all three of them had grade As.

It seemed a bit unrealistic to catch up with them completely this semester, but at least she had a talent. Did any of them have one?

At this thought, Xia Shi finally relaxed a bit.

“Right, speaking of New Year’s, the class advisor wants us to buy some paintings or something to decorate the classroom, to create a new atmosphere for the New Year. It will look festive too. Mengfei, do you have time to go check it out? See if there are any unique paintings to hang in the class or maybe just buy a few from the Art Institute.”

Mu Jiawen’s movement in eating paused; it seemed like she hadn’t sold any paintings in a long while…