I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2396 - 1516: Relatives (2)

Jiang Huazi’s smile was laced with a bitter yet grateful acknowledgment. "Sister Pan, thank you for your understanding."

"Perhaps we could wait a little longer? Even though there have been significant delays, as long as they eventually deliver the house..."

Pan Hui’s perspective was that of a common person.

The impoverished do not contend with the affluent.

The affluent do not contend with the powerful.

What recourse do ordinary individuals have against property developers?

It wasn't just Greenfield Phase II facing issues; how many developers truly delivered homes on schedule and as promised, meeting all quality and quantity standards?

A delay of a year or even half a year, provided the house was ultimately obtained, would be met with gratitude by most ordinary people.

"Sister Pan..."

Jiang Huazi offered a wry smile and shook her head. "If there were any sign of hope, we could wait. But yesterday, I accompanied Zhongquan there again. After nearly a month, the situation remains completely stalled. Apart from disgruntled owners protesting, there isn't a single worker on-site, and delivery seems utterly out of reach."

Pan Hui found herself at a loss for words; developers today were truly callous!

But then.

As common folk, what could they possibly do?

"Huazi, you've already engaged numerous lawyers without success. Is it truly believed that Qing Qing can assist you? Have you considered alternative approaches? Perhaps reporting to the relevant authorities..."

"She can help!"

Jiang Huazi immediately asserted, "She can help, Sister Pan! Qing Qing is unlike those other lawyers; she's a top-tier attorney from a major city. On her own, she possesses more capability than all the legal firms in Sha City combined!"

Pan Hui’s lips moved, but before she could utter a word, Fang Weiguo interjected.

"Come with me," he stated.

Pan Hui ceased speaking. "Huazi, please have a seat for a while," she said, then followed her husband into the bedroom.

"Going soft-hearted?"

Fang Weiguo carefully closed the bedroom door and lowered his voice.

"Regardless, he is still Old Jiang’s cousin and Jiang Chen’s uncle."

Jiang Huazi’s cousin was, by extension, Jiang Chen’s father’s cousin, thus making him Jiang Chen’s uncle by familial relation.

"He might be Jiang’s uncle, but have you forgotten how those individuals treated Jiang Chen after Old Jiang and his wife passed away?"

Fang Weiguo’s expression turned grim. "They treated a child like a contagion, afraid he would bring them misfortune! What kind of relatives are they? They are worse than strangers!"

"But..."

Pan Hui fully grasped her husband’s sentiments. This was precisely why Jiang Huazi’s visits were consistently met with rejection; while they could simply disregard those heartless relatives, Jiang Huazi remained Old Jiang’s direct sister and Jiang Chen’s true aunt.

"Let’s set aside Zhang Zhongquan’s situation. Huazi, after all, treats Jiang Chen quite well, and she pleaded so desperately. Are we truly unable to offer any consideration?"

Fang Weiguo remained silent, evidently grappling with the decision.

"If you are unwilling, then you can explain it to her yourself," Pan Hui suggested.

"I will tell her..."

Fang Weiguo, about to exit the room, suddenly overheard voices outside. His expression shifted, and he quickly opened the bedroom door.

"Aunt?"

He was too late.

Upon hearing a knock, Jiang Huazi opened the door, only to be taken aback by the sight of her nephew holding a fruit basket standing at the entrance.

"When did you return?"

"Just now."

Mr. and Mrs. Fang hurried out.

"Brother Fang, Sister Pan, Jiang Chen is back. Why didn’t you... tell me?" Jiang Huazi inquired, a hint of confusion in her voice.

"We assumed you were aware."

Jiang Huazi observed their peculiar expressions and also sensed the insincerity in their words.

Meanwhile.

She instantly comprehended the couple’s motivation for withholding this information from her.

Without complaint.

She projected a look of quiet melancholy.

In truth, as his aunt, she could have directly sought assistance from her more capable nephew, perhaps even asking him to relay a message to Fang Qing on her behalf. There was no necessity to repeatedly trouble the couple who clearly wished to avoid her.

However, she had not approached her nephew.

The reason why?

Because she knew, deep down, she felt a sense of guilt.

Thus, even after realizing the Fang family had intentionally kept Jiang Chen's return to Sha City from her, following a brief emotional fluctuation, Jiang Huazi quickly regained her composure. She calmly turned back to her nephew at the doorway.

"Do come in. How could you return so suddenly without informing your aunt?"

Jiang Chen entered with a smile. "Now Aunt is informed."

"You rascal."

Jiang Huazi lightly patted her nephew’s shoulder, then watched as he placed the fruit on the table. He turned to Mr. and Mrs. Fang, expressing his gratitude. "Brother Fang, Sister Pan, Jiang Chen truly regards you both as his own parents."

"Oh, please don’t say that. Jiang Chen mentioned he planned to visit you today anyway. Weren't you just here by chance?"

Pan Hui, concerned that Jiang Huazi might misinterpret the situation, offered an explanation, emphasizing that family bonds are irreplaceable by any amount of wealth.

Of course, such sentiments held little weight for those who failed to recognize the value of family.

Having witnessed Jiang Chen's journey through life, how could one not grasp the young man's inherent nature?

He is marked by exceptional loyalty and a genuinely kind heart.

The circle of true family in his world is incredibly small.

It's crucial to differentiate between 'family' and mere 'relatives,' as these two concepts are starkly distinct.

Consider Zhang Zhongquan, who invested in Greenfield Phase II; by blood relation, he is Jiang Chen's uncle. However, such a person scarcely qualifies as family to the young man.

If Jiang Huazi herself faced a predicament, she would never hesitate; she would have urged her daughter to offer complete assistance.

Admittedly, Jiang Huazi required the Fang couple's intervention to facilitate matters. She too needed this opportune moment to gracefully navigate the situation, offering a smile to her nephew and inquiring, "Why the unexpected return?"

"Tie Jun is getting married; I've returned for his wedding ceremony."

"Is that so?"

Jiang Huazi expressed surprise, "I was unaware. Wonderful, truly wonderful. Brother Fang, Sister Pan, you see? We are indeed advancing in age."

"Indeed," Pan Hui concurred.

"Does Aunt have something on her mind?"

Jiang Chen inquired.

While it wasn't necessarily the case that she had urgent matters, arriving so early in the morning from outside the city suggested Aunt likely hadn't come merely for a casual visit.

"No, nothing significant. I merely had some errands in the city and decided to stop by."

Mr. and Mrs. Fang exchanged knowing glances.

Although Aunt hadn't displayed extensive care for her nephew Jiang Chen following his parents' demise, everyone encounters their own challenges.

Her silence on Zhang Zhongquan's predicament, at the very least, indicated a persistent affection for the child, refraining from leveraging her elder status for manipulative purposes.

"Jiang Chen, please join us for dinner at Aunt's house tonight. Brother Fang, Sister Pan, and Fang Qing are all invited,"

Jiang Huazi extended a warm invitation.

"We will have to decline,"

Fang Weiguo promptly refused.

Having previously sidestepped such engagements, they now deemed it inappropriate to accept a dinner invitation.

"Brother Fang, why such formality? When I resided here, you treated me as your sister; is it only because Qing Qing is now successful that you look down upon your sister?"

"Not at all..." Pan Hui quickly responded.

"Very well, it is decided; I shall go purchase groceries."

As she departed, Jiang Huazi intentionally reminded her nephew, "Don't bring any gifts tonight, or Aunt won't be pleased."

"Will Aunt not stay a little longer?"

"No, morning groceries are the freshest. Brother Fang, Sister Pan, I shall see you this evening."

With a full smile, Jiang Huazi exited the Fang family's residence, casting a playful glance at her nephew who had not informed her of his return. Descending a few dusty steps, her smile dwindled, her footsteps slowed, and a soft sigh escaped her lips.

"What troubles Aunt?"

After Jiang Huazi's departure, Jiang Chen posed the question to Uncle Fang and Aunt Pan.

"Nothing, she simply came for a brief visit."

Pan Hui, clearly unsuited for deception, betrayed her insincerity with eyes that darted about.

Fang Weiguo felt a sense of helplessness.

If one cannot act convincingly, it is best not to speak at all.

Never mind.

The intention to keep it hidden from the child likely would not succeed anyway.

They were ordinary individuals, no match for such remarkably capable young people.

"Your uncle Zhang Zhongquan acquired a property near the train station some years ago, and regrettably, despite not having failed yet, it shows clear signs of doing so. Delivery has been delayed by over a year past the contracted date, and construction has halted, leaving him in a state of anxious desperation. Your aunt is attempting to find avenues to assist him."

"Is Aunt seeking Fang Qing's assistance?"

Jiang Chen grasped the situation instantly.

"Hmm. Your aunt has visited on multiple occasions, and your Aunt Pan and I have been evasive. However, Zhang Zhongquan, it seems, has brought this upon himself; consumed solely by wealth, selfish and snobbish, now falling prey to unscrupulous developers—it is their just desserts. Your aunt's silence on the matter with you indicates she is well aware of her position."

Fang Weiguo stated solemnly, "Jiang Chen, I understand your kind nature, but concerning this particular issue, you should refrain from involvement."

Jiang Chen chuckled softly, "Indeed, I was completely unaware."

Pan Hui laughed, "You rascal."