She understood what Mei Yinan meant, but what was the point in insisting? Once the house demolition compensation came in, then she went off to college, it'd just be endless harassment from the relatives at school—today they'd want a bit of money, tomorrow they'd ask for more. If she was lucky, the school would be understanding and let her continue studying, but if things went wrong and her reputation got ruined, or she even got expelled, all she'd worked for would be for nothing. She'd finally gotten a chance to start school again—she really didn't want anything to mess this up.
And what difference would it make if those relatives got the demolition money? As someone who'd been reborn, she knew full well what would become of those relatives. The compensation in her name would only become a target for them to covet, so really, it was better not to have it at all from the start.
Of course, her confidence came from the abilities she had in her private space, which allowed her to speak so boldly. Still, she was genuinely grateful for Auntie's good intentions.
"I can work part-time, can't I? If it really doesn't work out, even schools have student loans—you just need to pay them off within a few years after graduating. Worst case, I'll just work to earn a living allowance. If I really go to college, you think I won't even be able to earn pocket money?"
Auntie pressed on, "And what about your little brother? Have you thought about him?"
"Of course I have. How could I not?" All she wanted was for her brother to stay alive—that was enough. As for the rest, Mei Mengzhen answered lightly, "Nine years of compulsory education doesn't cost much."
Bullshit, nine years of compulsory education doesn't cost much.
Everyone looked at Mei Mengzhen speaking so casually as if she were an idiot. After all, even both working parents wouldn't dare say such a thing, and she was just a kid still in school...
Then again, young people don't have any concept of reality. But it was precisely because of that lack—
The group exchanged glances, each revealing a relaxed expression.
No sense of reality? Even better. If she did, then splitting up the house would've been way harder.
Watching Mei Mengzhen speak so breezily, Mei Yinan rubbed her forehead, her headache growing worse. "Zhenzhen, you're still too young. You see everything so simply."
But it was too late for regrets now. Judging by those predatory looks, the moment Mei Mengzhen changed her mind, they'd make sure she didn't live to see tomorrow's sun.
Mei Yinan let out a sigh, glancing at the relatives now whispering amongst themselves. Then she looked at Mei Mengzhen, then at Mei Mengchen, asking, "Chenchen, did you understand what we were just talking about?"
No.
But even as a child, he had a sensitive heart. He might not have understood the conversation's details, but he felt his sister's determination to keep him by her side. Mei Mengchen was truly happy from the bottom of his heart. He nodded vigorously and gave a soft "Mm" to show he understood.
However—
Mei Yinan just got more annoyed.
"'Mm,' my ass. Like you know a damn thing."
No one present actually believed Mei Mengchen had understood any of it.
At the same time, Mei Yinan felt exhausted, but still reluctantly explained, "What your sister means is, if you live with her, then you can't have the house."
Mei Mengchen froze, then turned to Mei Mengzhen, "Then where will we live?"
Mei Mengzhen smiled, patting her brother's head. "We're not moving for now. When this place is demolished, we'll find somewhere else to live."
"Demolished." Mei Mengchen pondered the word softly, then asked, "Is that like what happened on the street up ahead?"
"Yes, once that place was torn down, people couldn't live there anymore. Same for us—when here's torn down, then we'll move."
Mei Mengchen gave Mei Mengzhen a big, bright smile. "Okay, as long as I'm with Sister."
"Mm."
"You're really not the slightest bit upset at losing such a big house? You really have no thoughts at all?" Mei Yinan still didn't believe Mei Mengzhen.
Youngest Auntie, Mei Yifan, couldn't help but scoff, "What's there for her to feel upset about? She never had anything to do with this house from beginning to end."
Exactly! The house was signed over to her for less than a year before it was transferred out. What connection did she possibly have?
But what about Mei Mengchen? Mei Yinan asked, "Chenchen, are you willing to give the house to your uncles?"
When Mei Yinan finished, all eyes turned to little Mei Mengchen. But Mei Mengchen nodded firmly, "As long as I'm with Sister, I'm willing."
Mei Mengchen held her arm tight again, giving her another sweet, big smile.
Mei Mengzhen's eyes went blurry from her brother's beaming face—her heart ached so much. She truly hurt for this understanding little brother. Why hadn't she woken up sooner in her previous life? "Sis will definitely be good to you, but Chenchen, you've got to work hard with me too, okay?"
"Mm." Mei Mengchen replied with all his might, doing the best he could.
...
Since neither sister nor brother had any objections, the matter was settled just like that.
For now, the house would remain with the siblings, but there was still something else on Mei Mengzhen's mind.
That was the money she had on hand. None of these relatives had bothered to ask how much money she actually had, whether it was enough, or how long it would last.
Of course, she hadn't wanted to rely on any of the relatives either. Still, if they didn't figure out how much property the siblings actually had right now, then when they ran out of money later, it was inevitable the relatives would start thinking about her share. Wasn't that exactly what happened last time?
Just as she was unsure how to start the topic, Mei Yinan asked, "Zhenzhen, how much cash do you actually have? I mean everything—your parents' bankbooks, did Grandpa leave anything for you?"
The moment money came up, everyone's eyes darted around, and Mei Yinan just exposed their intentions in front of them all.
"Come on, aren't you all done yet? Two kids without parents or a house, and you're still after the little money they have?"
Her words said that, but Youngest Auntie, Mei Yifan, was still dissatisfied. "But…"
Uncle Mei Yongan interjected, "Yifan."
Yongan shot her a look, clearly meaning they should wait and see. The siblings' parents' savings were out of the question, but the money Grandpa left behind might still be up for grabs.
Yifan nodded knowingly. Right, no need to push things too far before even seeing the bankbooks. "Fine, Zhenzhen, you go ahead."
The situation was basically a case of falling asleep and getting handed a pillow—Auntie steered the conversation right to the thing she'd been worried about.
Trying to keep the joy off her face, Mei Mengzhen said, "It's upstairs. After Grandpa's passbook was closed, the money was already split then—what belonged to our family was deposited in Mom's passbook, which is in her nightstand drawer."
Mei Yinan said, "Go get it. Mom's passbook will need to be closed too, and I'll take you to open a new one."
"Okay."
Mei Mengzhen agreed, but just as she was about to go upstairs, Mei Mengchen hugged her arm tightly, not wanting to let go. Mei Mengzhen comforted him, "Sis is just going upstairs to get the passbook, I'll be right back. Be good and sit here, okay?"
Mei Mengchen glanced at the gathered relatives, clearly reluctant, but since Mei Mengzhen was just going up and down, he finally agreed, somewhat grudgingly. "Okay."
Mei Mengzhen dashed upstairs in three quick steps, grabbed the passbook from the drawer, then hurried back down again.