James smiled and said, "Uncle Eric, didn't you say you didn't have any money?"
Eric, knowing James was mocking him, remained unflustered and replied, "Indeed, I don't have money right now, but Evan works at a financial company. I can borrow some, even if the interest is high. This way, I can support you in buying a house."
"Second Brother, don't listen to James. I'm not selling that property," James's father, John, interjected.
Eric frowned but then smiled and said, "John, don't worry. I'll buy it at the market price. You can make a profit of tens of thousands and solve your current financial shortfall. It's a win-win for everyone."
At this point, Jenny, Eric's wife, shrieked, "What do you mean, make a profit of tens of thousands? That property was originally ours. John, you bought it at a low price and now want to sell it at a high price to your own brother? Aren't you afraid of being scolded for profiting off family? I say, since we're relatives, sell it at the original price."
When Jenny brought up the matter of buying the property cheaply from Eric, John was left speechless, thinking, *How dare you bring that up.*
A few years ago, John had some spare money and was convinced by Eric to look at commercial properties. John ended up buying a small shop of about seventy to eighty square feet for thirteen thousand dollars, only to have the developer go bankrupt soon after, leaving the project incomplete and his investment a total loss.
John later discovered that the property he bought was actually Eric's. Eric, having somehow learned the developer was about to go bankrupt, hurriedly found someone to take over his property. He conspired with the sales team to switch the contract and sold the property to John under the guise of a "direct name change," successfully offloading his problematic investment while leaving John with a worthless property.
However, fate took an unexpected turn. Last year, the city planned to develop a university town in that area. As soon as the construction began, the value of John's commercial property skyrocketed, now worth at least forty thousand dollars, conservatively estimated.
David and Jenny were dumbfounded. Jenny had even come to James's house a few times, demanding John return the property, speaking very harshly. It had only settled down after mediation from relatives.
Today, James mentioned selling the commercial property in front of David specifically to trap him. In just three days, the apocalypse would begin, and when that happened, the entire country would be in disaster. There wouldn't be any university town, and a commercial property would be worth less than a bag of rice.
James knew that as long as he hinted to David, given his thick skin and shamelessness, he would definitely pester John to sell the property to him.
Sure enough, David and Jenny, who were about to leave, immediately sat back on the sofa and started using the "family bond tactic" on John, continually encouraging James to help persuade his father.
But John was determined not to sell the property. Eventually, seeing the atmosphere getting more and more awkward, the eldest uncle and the others quickly pulled David away, and John also showed them the door.
"James, this property is a golden goose; you can't sell it lightly. And if you do sell, it doesn't have to be to your second uncle," said Uncle Peter, the last to leave, giving James a reminder.
James smiled and nodded, handing Uncle Peter the medicinal wine mixed with the well water. "Uncle, I've got some medicinal wine here. I heard it's really good for recovering from back injuries. Try drinking a small cup tonight, and apply some to your lower back. It should help."
After the relatives left, John sat on the sofa with a stern face. James returned to the living room, smiling, and said, "Dad, don't be mad. The reason I suggested selling the property is that I've heard some news."
John was puzzled but listened as James continued, "A few days ago, when our boss took me to a dinner with a big client, I heard that the university town's planning might change. Right now, they're only building a library. The real university town seems to be shifting three kilometers east. If that happens, our property might depreciate."
John frowned. "Where did you get this information?"
"That big client is supposedly the developer of the university town and is very close to our boss," James lied.
In reality, the university town's plans hadn't changed, but with the apocalypse imminent, there would be no university town soon, and the property would be worth less than a bag of rice.
James continued to persuade John, emphasizing that they weren't cheating David's family but selling it for a fair price of twenty-five thousand, even if the university town did move.
In the end, John and Carol decided to follow James's advice and sell the property. John immediately messaged David, who responded with a cheerful call, saying a lot of nice things and agreeing to the price of twenty-five thousand. He promised to bring the money the next morning to complete the transfer.
As James woke up the next morning, he looked at the sunny sky outside and felt even more appreciative of these peaceful days, knowing that only three days remained until the apocalypse began.
"Today, I need to complete the most important tasks. The last two days will be for final adjustments and conserving energy to face the apocalypse in the best condition," James thought to himself.
When James walked into the living room, he found that his parents were not there, likely having gone with David to handle the property transfer. James sent a message to his father, repeatedly reminding him, "Go through a real estate agent for the transaction. Only transfer the property after receiving the money."
John received the text while he was already at the transfer office with David, who was saying, "We're family, there's no need for an agent. Why waste that fee?"
By now, John had finally seen David's true colors. This man had money for a BMW, money for buying property, but no money to repay debts. He was utterly shameless. John shook his head and said, "Using an agent is better for both of us."
Seeing John's determination, David had no choice but to agree, though he was secretly resentful, thinking, "If we didn't use an agent, I could have deducted ten thousand after the transfer. Damn, John's become shrewd."
Although David was disappointed about having to use an agent, he still felt he was getting a great deal by buying a property worth forty thousand for just twenty-five thousand. He pretended to be magnanimous and said, "Alright, we'll use an agent. But John, let me tell you, being so distrustful and penny-pinching won't get you far in the world."
David then gave John a lengthy "brotherly" lecture. John, though annoyed, chose to ignore him and smoothly completed the transfer procedures with David.
However, as soon as the property was transferred, David's phone rang. After taking a quick call, he hurriedly stepped away, returning shortly with a regretful look. "John, I'm really sorry. I was supposed to give you thirty-five thousand, including the property and the ten thousand I owe you. But my friend just called, and I'll have to wait a couple of days for the ten thousand to come through."
John was speechless, looking at David with an "I knew it" expression. His face grew colder as he said, "The transfer process is still ongoing. I can stop it right now."
David, a seasoned manipulator, quickly replied, "John, don't be hasty. I genuinely don't have the money right now. As soon as my friend's ten thousand comes through, I'll transfer it to you immediately. How about this? I have five thousand here. I'll give it to you now, and the remaining five thousand in a couple of days. We're brothers. Don't you trust me?"
John was speechless. David always used phrases like "we're family" and "we're brothers" whenever he made unreasonable requests, making John reluctant to argue with him. Whenever David cheated someone, he never seemed to remember that "we're family" or "we're brothers," and it seemed like he only targeted his own kin.
Carol was also chiming in, trying to persuade John with another round of "family appeals."
With a cold expression, John said nothing. Seeing this, David quickly transferred five thousand to John, managing to muddle through the situation.
After the property transfer, John sent a message to James. When James received the text, he immediately smiled.
David had indeed bought the property.
"Breakfast is ready!" James, in a great mood, saw the breakfast laid out on the table and began to eat.