Chapter 8: Your Home?
Chapter 8: Your Home?
Nothing happened overnight.
Even though he was worried about his classmates causing trouble, Ling Yi slept surprisingly well that night due to sheer exhaustion.
Perhaps only in his dreams could he temporarily forget the grief and unhappiness.
Waking up in the morning, Ling Yi felt his mental state had recovered somewhat. After taking the medicine Old Man Chen specially prepared for him, he went to the buffet hall for some complimentary breakfast, then went downstairs to check out and leave the place.
The morning air in Spring City was extremely fresh. The flowers, plants, and trees lining the streets were filled with a refreshing, pleasant fragrance.
This ancient city, warm as spring all year round, had absolutely beautiful scenery. There was no need to deliberately search for it; just walking through the city felt like being in a painting.
Arriving at the central district of the city and walking down that small alley he hadn’t set foot in for many years, Ling Yi felt both the nervousness of being back near home and a deep, heavy sorrow.
The wanderer had returned after many years, but his Adoptive Father was no longer by his side.
How he wished it was all just a dream, that he would wake up and his Adoptive Father would still be right there.
Some elderly people who woke up early were already out for walks in the alley. Since he had only lived here for a very short time back then, he didn’t recognize any of them even when they passed by.
But he could still find the house.
This alley was called Baihua Lane. The old house was at No. 156 Baihua Lane, located deep within the alley.
When Ling Yi reached the entrance, he saw two brand new doors.
Vermilion-colored, sturdy wooden doors with couplets pasted on them, looking quite festive.
Just as Ling Yi was staring in surprise, the wooden door opened. A man in his thirties walked out, turning his head back impatiently as he said, “Alright, alright, I said I’m not eating. The company has an early meeting today. Any later and I’ll be late…”
Then he spotted Ling Yi standing at the doorway and frowned. “What are you doing standing at my door?”
Ling Yi looked at the young man in front of him. “Your home?”
“Yeah, what about it? You weirdo…” The young man looked impatient, glanced at his watch, and hurried out of the alley.
Ling Yi looked up again at the number plate embedded in the gray brick wall to the right of the door—a plate full of the marks of time—No. 156.
That’s right, this was the place.
His Adoptive Father’s old house in Spring City.
It was also his home.
Ling Yi took a deep breath and was about to call out to the young man.
A woman in her fifties came out from the courtyard. She had puffy, permed hair, a broad face, and small eyes. She seemed kind at first glance. After coming out, she first glanced at Ling Yi, then called out loudly to the young man’s retreating back, “Remember to eat!”
The young man called back without turning his head. “Got it! You go back inside quickly!”
The older woman shook her head, as if speaking to Ling Yi, or perhaps just to herself. “Kids these days, none of them take care of their own health…”
Ling Yi smiled and looked at the woman, asking politely, “Auntie, may I ask if this is your home?”
The woman’s smile vanished instantly. Her eyes turned sharp. She looked Ling Yi up and down, scrutinizing him with a searching gaze. “What do you mean by that? If this isn’t my home, is it yours?”
It turned out the earlier kind-looking face was only reserved for her son. Now that her face had hardened and the sharp glint appeared in her eyes, she immediately seemed shrewish and difficult.
“This is No. 156 Baihua Lane, right?” Ling Yi asked in a gentle tone. “If it is, then it really is my home.”
“Are you out of your mind?” The woman’s gaze grew even fiercer. She yelled loudly toward the young man who was just about to exit the alley. “Son! Son! Come back! This guy says the house is his!”
The young man, who was almost out of the alley, immediately dashed back at full speed.
With that run, Ling Yi suddenly realized this guy actually practiced martial arts.
He didn’t know what level, but judging by his footwork, he should have some cultivation, most likely a first-stage martial skill user.
The young man quickly ran back and stopped in front of Ling Yi, looking unfriendly. “Hey kid, what are you trying to pull? Looking for a fight, huh?”
Ling Yi looked at him. “Speak properly.”
“We’ve lived in this house for ten years! Are you here to cause trouble? Let me tell you, I’m not afraid of this!” the woman exclaimed sternly and loudly from the side.
The elderly folks out for their morning walks couldn’t help but look over.
The woman looked at them and said loudly, “These neighbors can all testify! Haven’t we lived here for ten years?”
At that moment, a robust-looking old man in his seventies walked over. He looked at Ling Yi, his eyesight seeming poor. He took a few steps closer and peered at him carefully for a long moment before hesitantly asking, “Young man, you and Mr. Shen…”
Ling Yi was somewhat surprised. He hadn’t expected this old man’s memory to be so good. He didn’t recognize this man, but the old man seemed to recognize him.
He immediately nodded. “I’m his adopted son. I lived here for over half a month back then.”
“You see, I thought you looked familiar, pretty much like when you were little!” the old man said cheerfully. “Mr. Shen hasn’t been back for years! A big shot, busy, haha. How is he doing?”
Ling Yi said softly, “He passed away a few days ago…”
“Eh?” The old man looked shocked, his eyes wide as he stared at Ling Yi, not immediately understanding. “Passed away? Where did he go?”
Then, seeing the sorrow in Ling Yi’s eyes, he asked in surprise, “Could it be…”
Ling Yi nodded.
“Ah… ah! How could it be so sudden? How could it be so sudden? Mr. Shen was such a good man. How could… how could he just…?” The old man looked full of regret, sighing repeatedly.
The mother and son pair watched in confusion. Realizing the old man actually knew Ling Yi, they couldn’t help but exchange a glance.
Then, the old man looked at Ling Yi and pointed at the mother and son. “That family over there, they showed up out of nowhere ten years ago. I remember clearly, they broke the door lock and went in, then started clanging and banging with renovations, making such a racket… At first, we thought it was Mr. Shen’s idea, so we didn’t dare say anything. Later, after they’d already lived there for a long time, we asked and found out this family didn’t know Mr. Shen at all. They just forcibly occupied Mr. Shen’s house!”
“You old fool, don’t talk nonsense! This house is ours! We bought it with money! If you keep spreading lies, I’ll sue you!” the older woman glared with fierce, threatening eyes, staring venomously at the old man.
“Hey, you think I, an old bone like me, am afraid of you? Go ahead, try to hit me! Just try touching me! Really, occupying someone else’s house, living there for ten years, and you still think you’re in the right? You’ve really made it your own, have some shame!” The old man was clearly the type with a bit of a temper but a strong sense of justice.
Other elderly people gradually came closer, each adding their own comments, starting to criticize this family.
Things like ignoring public decency and littering, their bratty kid causing trouble at other people’s places and the parents fiercely protecting him… all sorts of trivial, messy unpleasantness, nothing good was said about them.
Ling Yi also understood from listening that these old neighbors had many complaints about the family occupying the old house, while they held his Adoptive Father in high respect.
Everyone said Mr. Shen was the most impressive person to ever come out of Baihua Lane!
He was everyone’s pride!
The mother and her son’s faces went pale and then flushed with anger. They were completely outmatched by this group.
The commotion disturbed the woman’s husband inside the courtyard, as well as the young man’s wife and a boy of about ten.
Once that group came out, they immediately began arguing with the neighbors gathered outside.
Including that young boy, a child of that age, who was actually cursing, picking up stones, and trying to throw them at the old men and women.
Fortunately, the young man still had some sense and stopped him. If anyone got seriously hurt, they couldn’t afford to pay for it.
A crowd gathered, blocking the entrance of the old house, arguing for over ten minutes.
Ling Yi couldn’t even get a word in.
Once everyone was tired from arguing, the young man looked coldly at Ling Yi. He had heard clearly just now—the owner of this house seemed to have died, and the young man in front of him was that owner’s adopted son!
Since he was just an adopted son, the house definitely had nothing to do with him!
That way, as long as he refused to admit anything and just kept living here, who would dare to kick him out?
You say the house is yours? Fine, show me the proof!
Having decided on this, the young man shouted loudly, “Everyone quiet down!”
Then he pointed his finger at Ling Yi. “You say this house is yours? Well, I say the house is mine! We bought this house from someone else with our own money!”
“Oh, how shameless!”
“Occupying someone else’s house and acting so righteous about it, what awful people…”
The neighbors watching the spectacle couldn’t stand it any longer and couldn’t help but criticize them again.
Ling Yi looked at everyone. “Everyone, uncles and aunties, let’s not get too anxious just yet. No matter how big the issue, reason must prevail, right?”
“Yes, yes, show him the evidence right in his face!”
“Look how polite the child raised by Mr. Shen is!”
“Young man, you’re handsome and have good character, are you dating anyone?”
Ling Yi: “…”
He looked at the young man and said calmly, “You want evidence, right? I’ll show you evidence.”
As he spoke, he opened his phone, logged into the property inquiry app, entered his name and ID number, and instantly, the properties under his name appeared—156 Baihua Lane, Spring City, homeowner… Ling Yi!
The young man froze. He never expected that the homeowner would transfer such a valuable house to an adopted son?
Was he out of his mind?
Why don’t I ever get such good luck?
“So, can I prove I’m the owner of this house now?” Ling Yi asked calmly.
The family over there was stunned.
The old woman rolled her eyes, sat heavily on the ground, then slowly lay down, throwing a tantrum, crying and wailing, “We bought this house with our own money. It was in shambles back then, and we spent money to renovate it. We’ve lived here for ten years. Why is it yours? This is our house! Ah, this is bullying! We can’t live like this…”
The troublemaker child, around ten years old, secretly moved behind Ling Yi, carrying a big rock, raised it, and hurled it hard at Ling Yi’s back.
Someone saw it and couldn’t help but gasp in shock.
Ling Yi, however, seemed to have eyes on his back and dodged aside.
The little boy carrying the rock couldn’t stop his momentum and stumbled forward with the rock, falling right on top of the old woman lying on the ground throwing a tantrum. The big rock landed squarely on the old woman’s arm.
There was a crisp cracking sound!
The old woman, who had been putting on a show without tears, suddenly let out a shrill scream, clutching her arm and crying wildly.
Cheers instantly erupted from the surroundings.
“Serves you right!”
“That’s what you deserve!”
“What karma!”
“This whole family, old and young, doesn’t have a single decent person!”
Ling Yi sighed softly and took out his phone, ready to call the police.
In this situation, it was better to let the City Guard Army handle it.
How could there be such shameless people in the world, occupying someone else’s house and refusing to admit it even when the owner came knocking.
“Murder, murder! Someone is not only trying to steal our house, but also kill us!”
Before Ling Yi could dial, the old woman’s husband suddenly sat on the ground, pounding the ground and wailing loudly.
Then came the frightened wails of the troublemaker child.
The young man’s wife looked utterly confused, while the young man himself glared with red eyes, ready to fight Ling Yi.
The old man and a group of longtime neighbors couldn’t hold back their anger and shouted loudly, “Young man, don’t be afraid. When the City Guard Army comes, we’ll testify for you!”
“What nonsense! Why didn’t that brat grandson of yours hit you in the head with the rock?”
“Yeah, why didn’t it finish you off?”
“So many people are watching. Let’s see how you try to frame him!”
The young man roared, “How dare you bully my mom!”
Ling Yi looked at him without expression. Even with his injuries not fully healed, he could take on ten of him alone!
A group of old men and women instantly stepped in front of Ling Yi.
“So shameless! Not a single good person in your whole family. Right in front of so many people, you still dare to lie through your teeth. Come on, try hitting him!”
“I’ve already called the police. The City Guard Army will be here soon!”
Upon hearing the words “City Guard Army,” the young man showed a flicker of fear in his eyes.
Not long after, the City Guard Army arrived directly.
The leader was a man who looked around thirty years old. After arriving, without Ling Yi even speaking, a group of tough elderly people stepped forward and actively explained the whole truth to help Ling Yi.
Finally, the old man in his seventies pointed to the top and said, “We may be old, but we keep up with the times! There’s a camera up there. Just check the footage and you’ll see everything. From start to finish, the young man whose house was taken didn’t utter a single harsh word, let alone raise a hand. What kind of trash is this family? They occupied Mr. Shen’s house and still dared to act justified. When he showed evidence, they started throwing tantrums, acting shameless, and even tried to attack him!”
When the leader of the City Guard Army heard the words “Mr. Shen,” he glanced at Ling Yi and nodded to the old man, “Don’t worry, sir. The City Guard Army will handle this fairly.”
Like a farce, once the City Guard Army actually arrived, the family didn’t dare to continue their tantrum.
The old woman was “escorted” by the City Guard Army to the hospital with her husband, daughter-in-law, and troublesome grandson who caused the mess. The young man was required to stay behind to deal with the matter.
The leader of the City Guard Army came up to Ling Yi and said kindly, “I’m Gu Tong, captain of the Spring City Guard Army’s security team.”
“Hello, Captain Gu. I’m Ling Yi.”
After greeting Ling Yi, Gu Tong walked over to the now subdued young man and said calmly, “Tell me, how did you get this house?”
“We bought it from someone else. Now it seems… we were tricked,” the young man said, hanging his head with a look of regret.
“Bought it?” Gu Tong looked at him with a half-smile, “Where’s the receipt?”
“It’s been ten years. Who keeps that kind of thing for so long?” the young man replied.
“Then what evidence do you have to prove you bought the house from someone else?” Gu Tong could see right through the lie, but it was his duty to ask.
“No evidence… We took a chance because it was cheap. The person said it was an old house without paperwork, and we… we believed it…” Although the young man looked timid, he answered smoothly.
Clearly, the family had rehearsed for the possibility of the real owner showing up.
“He’s lying! After they moved in and renovated, we all reminded them that this house belongs to Mr. Shen! You said you bought it. Who did you buy it from? Was it Mr. Shen?”
“What do you mean no paperwork? Why do we all have ours?”
“Exactly, daring to lie even in front of the City Guard Army. You have some nerve!”
Gu Tong looked at the young man, “Do you know the consequences of lying to the City Guard Army?”
The young man shrank his neck, putting on an honest and sincere look, “I know, I know. I’m really not lying. If you don’t believe me, ask my family. We really bought it from someone else. We’re victims too…”
Gu Tong stared at him, “Enough. Now that the real owner is back, you need to vacate the house.”
The young man pleaded, “We spent a lot of money on renovations… We’re victims too. That money… means a lot to us!”
“What do you want then?” Gu Tong asked.
“Could… could we get some compensation?” the young man whispered.
Everyone around watching was stunned. This level of shamelessness was truly astonishing.
It kept pushing the limits of people’s understanding.
The old man in his seventies was so angry he laughed, “In all my years, I’ve never seen someone as shameless as you. Who do you want compensation from? He hasn’t even asked you for rent!”
“The old house was fine as it was. The owner was happy to let it sit empty. Who asked you to renovate it? Look at how tacky you made it. It’s only out of courtesy that he didn’t ask you to tear it down and restore it to its original state!”
“Exactly, you forcibly occupied his house and lived there for free all these years. Hurry up and pay him rent at market price!”
Gu Tong looked at the young man and said, “I’m warning you for the last time. No more nonsense. Hurry up and move out…”
Then he looked at Ling Yi, “Under the circumstances, give them some time to move out. As for the rest… let it go. Look at this family…”
Gu Tong clicked his tongue. A garbage family like this was like a pile of dog poop—you could squish it with your foot, but it would stick to your shoe.
Disgusting and smelly.
If you really tried to get compensation from them, they’d annoy you to death!
It’s not like you could just kill them, right?
Better to just make them scram, out of sight, out of mind.
Ling Yi nodded, “Alright. How many days do they need to move out?”
Gu Tong thought for a moment and said, “Ten days.”
Ling Yi replied, “Okay.”
Gu Tong gave him a thumbs up, “Very generous!”
Ten days wasn’t a lot, but it would do!
Enough for the family to find a new place and move out.
The young man still wanted to say something, but Gu Tong gave him a look, “Don’t push your luck. Remember, in ten days, we’ll come to take back the house. If I find any damage to the property, your whole family will end up in jail!”
After saying that, he looked at Ling Yi with a slight smile, “Do you have time to talk?”