Chapter Forty-Five: Change

The next day, staff responsible for the demolition also came to Ye Mian’s home. Their purpose was the same—to discuss compensation for the relocation.

In this year, the people of the old city were honest and sincere. Though reluctant, they still supported national policy. Since the compensation was fair, most people had already signed their names on the compensation list and agreed to the contract.

Ye Haisheng was among those who took the compensation.

The new district’s commercial facilities were not as developed as they would be in the future, and property prices were still lower than in the old city. For Ye Mian’s family, with their larger home, taking the compensation money made the most sense.

The staff hadn’t expected their work to go so smoothly. Both sides were agreeable; they walked out the door feeling almost dazed.

Seated on the sofa, Ye Haisheng pointed to the new district on the city map and discussed with Ye Mian, “One of Dad’s classmates works in development. He told me the houses here are good—there’s a residential project called Rose Garden already under construction, to be completed by the end of the year. The main thing is, it’s close to shopping malls and supermarkets, so you can go out whenever you want. Why don’t we go take a look? If the surroundings are nice, we can buy our new home there, alright?”

He wasn’t like other parents. Since it was his daughter who would be living there long-term, he respected her opinion.

Ye Mian’s expression flickered—this was exactly like her previous life, and yet not quite the same. Back then, she hadn’t understood anything and agreed without hesitation.

But now, she shook her head without even thinking. “Dad, I don’t like it there.”

Ye Haisheng hadn’t expected this answer. He frowned, glancing at the map in puzzlement. “What’s wrong with it?”

Ye Mian thought: What’s wrong is, if you pick that apartment, you’ll have to work at least another ten years.

But she couldn’t say that out loud.

After a pause, she didn’t answer her father’s question. Instead, her finger landed on a different neighborhood in the new development area on the map. “Dad, I like this one.”

This neighborhood was called Birch Garden. Sales had started just last year, but with facilities yet to catch up, prices were still low. In two years, a large chain mall would be built here, driving up the local economy.

Most importantly, Jiang Yuan’s family had also bought their new home here. Jiang Yuan’s father was a leader at the city bureau. No matter how the future might change, it was never wrong to follow in a leader’s footsteps.

But right now, she was just a student fresh out of high school—her words carried little weight.

She could only tell Ye Haisheng about Jiang Yuan’s father.

Ye Haisheng didn’t agree right away, but he studied the map for a long time, his brow furrowed, clearly considering it carefully.

Buying a house was a major decision, especially for a family that wasn’t particularly wealthy.

In her previous life, Ye Haisheng had only dared to invest all his savings in several apartments because a friend vouched for it and he’d heard the prices were good and sales were quick.

As long as Ye Haisheng was willing to consider it, Ye Mian felt there was hope.

She sat down and spoke gently, “Dad, the staff just said our building will be demolished in August. If we buy an apartment that won’t be ready until the end of the year, we won’t even see its shadow, and renting will be such a hassle. We have so many belongings—would you really want to come back again? Wouldn’t it be better to buy something ready to live in? I really think Birch Garden is a good choice—at least, it won’t be an unfinished project.”

She stated it very plainly.

This struck a chord with Ye Haisheng. Real estate was booming everywhere, and property speculation had driven up prices, but many places were left with half-finished buildings. For ordinary families, buying a house that ended up unfinished meant losing everything; there were even news reports of people driven to despair.

He thought for a long time before saying in a low voice, “Alright, I’ll look into it carefully.”

“Okay.” Ye Mian took a deep breath, knowing her father was worried too. That meant things would likely work out.

Afterward, she went to the yard to call Jiang Yuan.

It was graduation break, and Jiang Yuan was bored out of her mind. She was thrilled to get Ye Mian’s call. Before Ye Mian could say much, Jiang Yuan insisted on coming over to her house.

Ye Mian readily agreed.

Truth be told, she was genuinely fond of this energetic, clever, and adorable girl. Spending time with such lively people was always uplifting.

Jiang Yuan arrived with two large bags of snacks, bursting through the door. She greeted Ye Haisheng and then dashed upstairs to find Ye Mian, her footsteps clattering like a little chick dancing.

Ye Haisheng couldn’t help but laugh, his mind tipping further in favor of Birch Garden.

With the two girls such close friends, living together would make his daughter so happy. The price might be a little higher, but it was affordable.

Ye Mian had no idea that her father’s decision would be swayed by this.

Seeing Jiang Yuan, she smiled and asked, “Yuan Yuan, have you decided which university to apply to?”

Jiang Yuan answered without hesitation, “Of course it’s River City. You know my scores—only the schools there are within reach. And my parents are here, so I can stay at home.”

She sniffed, then asked, “What about you? Where will you go?”

“Wen City.” Ye Mian rested her chin in her hand, smiling softly. “Not too far away. We’ll still see each other.”

Jiang Yuan looked crestfallen. Since Ye Mian had gotten into the top class, she’d known they might not end up at the same university. She wished the best for her friend, but parting was still hard to accept.

Ye Mian could easily guess her thoughts, but such things were inevitable.

Separation is a lesson everyone must learn.

She casually shifted the topic, “I called you today to ask about your new home. I heard your family bought a place in the development zone—how is it?”

“It’s great!” Jiang Yuan munched on a chip. “I don’t really know the details, but if my dad says it’s good, it must be good. He said the government might have some future plans for the area.”

“I see,” Ye Mian thought, just as she’d guessed. “My family might buy a new place too. I want to persuade my dad to buy there.”

Jiang Yuan became excited. “Then we’ll be neighbors!”

Ye Mian nodded with a smile. “But I might need to tell my dad about those plans you mentioned. Is that alright?”

Jiang Yuan didn’t care about such things; she was just thrilled at the thought of being neighbors. She jumped up at once. “I’ll tell him myself!”

Before Ye Mian could react, she shouted, “Uncle Ye!” and dashed out of the room.

Ye Mian couldn’t stop her and hurried after.

Two bright, youthful faces gathered before Ye Haisheng, softening his heart again and again.

So, a few days later, Ye Haisheng, despite his friend’s enthusiastic invitation, decided against looking at the other development.

Above all, he wanted his daughter to be happy.

He felt he already owed her too much in this life.