Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

Page 279

Chapter 206 Divorce

He Yongqiang wanted to deny it, but he didn't say anything more. He hadn't expected the two of them to come over, and it was quite obvious at home.

They've been neighbors for years, and they know their own nature; they would never keep their homes this clean.

If we're getting a divorce, then so be it. I can sell the front yard and my antique collection for a good amount of money.

He Yuzhu said, "Then you'll have to go back to the capital and let's check those components in person."

"Alright, we'll ask Master Niu to be the middleman then. There are some antiques I don't know much about."

"These are minor matters. We'll head back now. Would you like to come with us?"

He Yongqiang said, "Alright, but it's getting late. Let's have lunch before we leave. I hunted a deer on the mountain a few days ago. Try my cooking."

"Sure, you can hunt? I'd like to try it." Old Niu usually just enjoys eating and drinking, and when he heard there was deer, he wanted to stay and have a taste.

Since he wanted to stay, He Yuzhu couldn't leave either, so he said, "Alright, let's have lunch here before we go."

Given that He Yongqiang was the kind of person who wouldn't wash his hands for three to five days, He Yuzhu couldn't let him cook.

I had no choice but to go to the kitchen and cook for myself. I was quite satisfied when I came in. Although the place was small, it was very well organized. It seems that the person who got along with He Yongqiang was also a good cook.

Perhaps the two of them can still get along.

He Yuzhu took the deer hanging from the beam down and chopped it in half. He carried one half to the car first. It's not easy to buy one like this normally, so he had to keep it since he had come across it.

He Yongqiang stood at the door and looked around. He Yuzhu said, "We'll settle the score later."

He forced a smile: "No need to calculate the cost of this meat, I'll give it to you, I'll go get some more myself later."

I was originally planning to give half of this meat to my future father-in-law's family, but it seems that won't be possible now.

He Yuzhu stopped being modest and went into the kitchen to prepare four meat dishes.

After having a meal of tender and fresh venison at noon, the three of them took a car back to the city in the afternoon.

After getting out of the car and arriving outside the tavern, Uncle Niu asked, "If Yongqiang's tavern is up and running, it will still generate a stable income. Why sell it like this?"

"Even if I make money, it's not mine, I don't want it." He Yongqiang's stubbornness resurfaced.

"Alright, then we'll do it your way. We'll have the street officials come over tomorrow morning to witness it, and then you can go and complete the formalities."

"Ok."

He Yongqiang didn't even want to go into the courtyard, and went directly to Niu Ye's house to stay overnight.

After He Yuzhu entered the house, Xu Huizhen asked, "Is He Yongqiang willing to come back?"

"I am willing to come back, but not in the way you think."

"What do you mean?" Xu Huizhen was completely confused.

“He came back with us, but went straight to stay at Uncle Niu’s house.”

"What is he thinking? Is he giving up on life?"

"He still wants a divorce, so he found an obedient woman in the countryside."

He Yuzhu recounted his trip to Shidu that day, especially mentioning that someone at his home had helped him tidy up.

"How can He Yongqiang be so irresponsible? He hasn't even divorced his wife yet, and he's already found someone else back in his hometown."

She looked at He Yuzhu with a resentful expression.

Why are you looking at me like that?

"You men are all the same, always wanting more than what you have," Xu Huizhen said angrily.

"Don't generalize and condemn everyone. I'm a good man who loves his wife."

As they spoke, He Yuzhu wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, though she wasn't as slender as she had been before they got married.

However, it has become quite plump, and feels very comfortable to the touch.

"You're just good at flattering me."

He Yuzhu then revealed that He Yongqiang wanted to sell the courtyard of the small tavern in front of the building, as well as Old He's lifelong collection.

"You're only selling the front yard?"

"Yes, the back courtyard belongs to Xu Zhaodi, so she will have a place to live. It is said that she cannot remarry in the future, and the children she has will take the surname He and continue the family line of Old He."

"I never expected He Yongqiang to be so heartless; that's his child in her belly."

He Yuzhu pursed his lips. No one knows whose child it is until it's born.

But I can't say that.

The next day, after breakfast, Uncle Niu and He Yongqiang came over with two street workers.

Xu Zhaodi opened the door expressionlessly and let them in. She already knew the outcome of the matter from He Yuzhu.

I originally thought I would be kicked out, but I didn't expect to have a place to live in. It's already a very good result.

You should know that there are nine rooms in the backyard, with a total value of about 2 yuan. With this home, there will be no problem with life in the future.

After everyone sat down, Uncle Niu said, "Let's talk about the divorce first. Do you both agree to the divorce?"

“I can’t live like this anymore,” He Yongqiang said.

Xu Zhaodi nodded: "I agree too."

"Alright, the front yard and all those calligraphy, paintings, and antiques will belong to He Yongqiang, while the back yard and furniture will belong to Xu Zhaodi, on the condition that she cannot remarry after the divorce..."

Master Niu reiterated all the details that had been discussed before, and neither He Yongqiang nor Xu Zhaodi had any objections, so the matter was settled.

It's that simple: as long as the couple agrees, the staff can process their divorce directly.

Inviting the staff to the home was to let them witness the division of the property, since the He family still has some wealth.

The staff drafted a divorce agreement, which the couple signed and affixed their fingerprints to. Uncle Niu, as a witness, also affixed his fingerprint.

He Yongqiang said, "Comrades, I will sell this courtyard to He Yuzhu."

Then take out the land deed and house deed and place them on the table.

"No problem."

He Yuzhu then said, "I didn't actually buy this house; it was bought by my child's aunt. She's not here, so it shouldn't be a problem for me to buy it on her behalf, right?"

Do you have his household registration book?

“Yes, I have it,” He Yuzhu said.

"Yes, the transfer can be completed even if the person in question is not present. However, since this was originally one house, it needs to be divided into two parts, which will take two or three days to process."

"I understand, it's okay."

"Okay, that's settled then. Let's go to the neighborhood committee to complete the divorce procedures."

Everyone got up and went to the street to complete the divorce procedures. He Yongqiang and Xu Zhaodi didn't say a word from beginning to end.

After obtaining the divorce certificate, I went to the housing management office, handed over the land deed and house deed, and the staff processed the paperwork.

However, we still need to go through the procedures, and it will take two days before we can get the new land title and house title.

After leaving the housing management office, He Yongqiang couldn't leave yet, so he went back to the tavern.

Everyone first brought all their belongings out of the backyard, and Xu Zhaodi closed and locked the moon gate.

In the tavern, Uncle Niu appraised the items and quoted prices that were the current market rates.

Each one was registered and recorded, and then the totals were tallied.

Uncle Niu asked, "How much are you planning to sell this house for?"

Although the three rooms are the storefront, they are not very valuable in the alley. There are only three rooms, and behind them are a few other unnamed houses and a small courtyard.

"I won't ask for much, let's just say 2800 yuan."

He Yuzhu said, "Okay, I won't haggle. Whatever price you want is what I'll pay."

Mr. Niu nodded. The price was acceptable; not too high, but not too low either.

Then he said, "Including these antiques and paintings, the total value is 3460 yuan."

He Yuzhu said, "Then let's say it's 3500 yuan, all these things are mine."

He Yongqiang didn't say much, but his face showed joy. This income of 3500 yuan was enough for him to get married, have children, and buy land.

He Yuzhu said, "Then come over here, I'll get you the money."

He Yongqiang followed He Yuzhu to the neighboring courtyard and into the study. He Yuzhu asked, "Do you want cash or silver dollars?"

"Give me a big black ten, I'll deposit it when I get out."

He Yuzhu opened the cabinet and took out some cash, which the two of them counted.

He Yuzhu asked, "What are your plans when you go back? You're not going to buy land, are you?"

"Of course I have to buy land. I'm a farmer, what else am I supposed to do if I don't buy land?"

He Yuzhu said, "As your long-time neighbor, I have a piece of advice for you: buy a courtyard house in the city and keep it; never buy land."

"Why?" He Yongqiang asked.

"Do you want to become a landlord? This policy could change at any time. Wouldn't you be in trouble if you bought land?"