She understood what Mei Yinan meant, but what's the point in insisting? Once the demolition compensation for the house is in her hands, then she goes to college, with relatives bothering her on campus every day, asking for money today, asking for money tomorrow—if the university supports her, she can keep studying; if not, her reputation gets ruined, and if she gets expelled, it's just not worth it. She finally has a chance to start over in school, so she really doesn't want anything messing things up again.
Besides, what good does it do if these relatives get the demolition money? As someone who's been reborn, she knows exactly where these relatives end up. Her share of the demolition money will no doubt become their target, so honestly, it'd be better just not to take it from the start.
Of course, her confidence comes from her own space, which is why she can talk so recklessly. Still, she does appreciate Auntie's good intentions.
"I can work part-time. Worst case, the school offers student loans—I just need to pay them back within a few years of graduating. At most, work to cover living expenses. If I really manage to get into university, it's not like I can't even earn my own living?"
Auntie pressed on, "What about your brother, have you thought about him?"
"I've thought about it, of course I have." She just wants her brother to stay alive, that's all that matters. As for the rest, Zhenzhen replied lightly, "Nine years of compulsory education doesn't cost much."
As if nine years of compulsory education doesn't cost much—yeah, right.
The crowd looked at Zhenzhen like she was a fool. Even dual-income families wouldn't dare say something like that, and she's only a kid...
Well, kids don't have common sense yet, but that's kind of the charm...
They exchanged glances and all let out relaxed smiles.
No common sense is great. If she did, dividing the property wouldn't be so easy.
Seeing Zhenzhen so casual, Mei Yinan rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache, "Zhenzhen, you're still too young—you're thinking everything's way too simple."
But regretting now is useless. Just look at the way everyone's eyeing her—as soon as Zhenzhen goes back on her word, it's like she wouldn't live to see tomorrow's sunrise.
Mei Yinan sighed and looked over at the relatives, all whispering among themselves, then back at Zhenzhen, and then at Mei Mengchen. She asked Mei Mengchen, "Chenchen, did you understand what we just talked about?"
No.
But as a kid, he still had a sensitive heart. Even though he didn't really get what they were talking about just now, he could feel that his sister was fighting to keep him around to live together. Mei Mengchen was happy from the bottom of his heart, and he nodded hard, saying "Uh-huh" to show he understood.
However...
Mei Yinan was even more annoyed.
'Uh-huh' my ass, you don't know a damn thing.
No one present believed that Mei Mengchen understood what they were saying.
At the same time, Mei Yinan felt so tired but still had to explain, "Your sister means: if you live with her, you don't get the house."
Mei Mengchen was stunned for a moment, then looked at Zhenzhen, "Where will we live, then?"
Zhenzhen smiled, patting her brother's head, "We'll stay here for now, and once this place gets demolished, we'll move somewhere else."
"Demolition." Mei Mengchen muttered softly, then asked, "Is it like the street up front?"
"That's right, once that area was demolished, they couldn't live there anymore. We'll stay here until it's gone, then we'll move."
Mei Mengchen beamed at Zhenzhen with a big smile, "Okay—together with you, Sis."
"Yeah."
"You're just letting such a big house go... don't you feel bad? Don't you have any thoughts?" Mei Yinan still couldn't believe Zhenzhen.
Little auntie Mei Yifan sneered, "Why should she care? The house was never really hers."
Exactly. The house was only under her name for less than a year before it got transferred again—what's it got to do with her?
But what about Mei Mengchen? Mei Yinan asked, "Chenchen, are you okay with giving the house to your uncles?"
After Mei Yinan spoke, everyone focused on little Mei Mengchen. But Mei Mengchen nodded firmly, "Together with Sis, I'm willing."
Mei Mengchen hugged her arm tightly again and gave her a sweet smile.
Zhenzhen's eyes were dazzled by her brother's grin. Her heart ached—she really felt for this sensible little brother. Why hadn't she woken up sooner in her past life? "Sis will definitely be good to you, but Chenchen needs to work hard too, okay?"
"Okay." Mei Mengchen agreed as best he could, putting in effort.
...
Since the siblings both had no objections, that settled things.
The siblings would stay in the house for now, but Zhenzhen had another worry.
It's about the money—none of these relatives had ever asked if she had enough money or how long it'd last.
Of course, she wasn't looking for their help, but she'd rather sort out their assets today. Once she's out of money, they'd definitely start coveting her share—it's happened before in her past life.
Just as she was struggling how to bring it up, Mei Yinan asked, "Zhenzhen, how much money do you have yourself? I mean everything. Did your parents leave you any bankbooks? Did Grandpa leave anything for you?"
As soon as money came up, people's eyes darted all over, and Mei Yinan straight up exposed everyone's little schemes in front of them.
"Come on, the kids are orphans with no house. Are you really gonna covet their little bit of money, too?"
That's what she said, but Mei Yifan wasn't satisfied, "But..."
Uncle Mei Yongan cut her off, "Yifan."
Yongan gave her a look, meaning: let's see first. The money left by Mei Family's parents is definitely not up for grabs, but Grandpa Mei's money could be split.
Mei Yifan nodded knowingly—yeah, no need to burn bridges before seeing the bankbook. "Alright, Zhenzhen, you go ahead."
This was exactly what she was worried about—Auntie just brought it up for her.
Zhenzhen tried to hide her excitement inside. "It's upstairs. After Grandpa's bankbook was cancelled, the money was already split. Our family's share is in Mom's bankbook, which is in her bedside table drawer."
Mei Yinan said, "Go get it. Later your mom's bankbook needs to be cancelled too, and I'll help you open a new one."
"Alright."
Zhenzhen agreed, but as she was about to head upstairs, Mei Mengchen held onto her arm tightly, not letting her go. Zhenzhen reassured him, "I'm just going upstairs to grab the bankbook—I'll be right back. You sit here okay?"
Mei Mengchen glanced at all the relatives, obviously reluctant, but seeing as Zhenzhen was just running upstairs, he finally agreed, "Okay."
Zhenzhen hurried up the stairs, grabbed the bankbook from the drawer, and came running back down.