Chapter 121: Joyful News

It seemed... Fatty Wang had misunderstood the relationship between Chang Yu and Katya.

“Brother Wang, we’re not like that,” Chang Yu blushed deeply, feeling a bit embarrassed. He stole a glance at Katya sitting upright nearby, relieved to see she showed no signs of anger.

“Chang Yu is a good boy,” Fatty Wang, apparently ignoring Chang Yu’s protest, spoke directly to Katya. “He’s not restless like most young people these days, and he hasn’t picked up any bad habits from chasing after pleasure. He’s the kind of honest man who lives a steady life. There aren’t many like him in this society anymore.”

“True, his days are a bit hard now… hm, well, that’s no problem. He’s young; his career is just starting. I know nowadays, young people need a car and a house to start a family, otherwise girls wouldn’t even look at them. So, let me decide—I'll give Xiao Yu a large apartment, over two hundred square meters. That should be enough, right?”

Chang Yu was stunned on the spot, so shocked that his chopsticks fell to the floor. His mouth hung open, unable to utter a word for a long while. Not only Chang Yu, but Yang Yang and Katya, who were eating at the same table, were equally surprised. Neither had expected Fatty Wang to say such a thing.

“Brother Wang,” Chang Yu stood up in a hurry, “I really can’t accept this!”

“Don’t be so polite!” Fatty Wang pressed Chang Yu’s shoulder, forcing him back into his seat. “You helped me and your sister-in-law resolve a lifelong regret. Whatever we do to thank you isn’t too much. Forget a single apartment—if you asked for two or three, I’d give them to you!”

A spacious apartment over two hundred square meters in H City would cost at least five million, wouldn’t it? Fatty Wang was offering it to Chang Yu just like that? Wasn’t this a bit too generous?

Chang Yu had never lived in such a large place in his life! His head spun, his heart pounding uncontrollably, and everything around him seemed surreal, strange, and illusory. Fatty Wang’s bold words echoed in his ears as if coming from another world—distant, blurry, and unreachable.

“Do you think your sister-in-law and I lack money? We don’t! What we lack is a child—a child! Consider this apartment our thanks to you. If you ever need help, just come to Brother Wang!”

With that, Fatty Wang slapped a set of keys, a property deed, and a contract onto the dining table.

Chang Yu picked up the property deed and flipped through it, discovering his own name listed as the owner. He glanced at the contract—it was a property transfer agreement. It clearly stated Fatty Wang was transferring his spacious four-bedroom, three-bath, one-living-room, one-kitchen apartment to Chang Yu for the symbolic price of one yuan.

“This…” Staring at the contract in his hands, Chang Yu was utterly dazed. Was this how things worked? The ways of the wealthy truly were many.

To ensure the property could be smoothly transferred, Fatty Wang had come up with the idea of selling it to him for just one yuan? If Chang Yu understood correctly, from today onward, he would own a home of his own!

Just the thought made his heart tremble, as if all the blood in his body rushed to his face, leaving him flushed with excitement. He reached out a trembling hand to caress the property deed, as if touching a priceless treasure, stroking his own bright future.

Once, he had stood alone in a rented, dark corner, gazing enviously at the city lights outside, hoping that someday he might have a place of his own in this city. Now, that longed-for refuge was right before his eyes, within reach.

Never before had success felt so close, so tangible.

The property deed listed the address in a residential district called Upper Songjiang. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but Chang Yu felt he had heard that name somewhere before.

“What are you waiting for?” Katya, who had watched this dramatic scene unfold, spoke calmly. “If you want the apartment, then accept it without hesitation.”

“Yes, yes, Xiao Yu, you should take it.” Fatty Wang nodded enthusiastically, afraid Chang Yu might refuse. “Brother Wang knows how hard it is for you to struggle alone in this big city. Surely you need a place to call your own.”

“If a person has no fixed abode, their heart will always feel empty, without a sense of belonging.”

“Brother Wang, this is too valuable. I really can’t accept it.” Awakening from his daze, Chang Yu was still somewhat lightheaded, but his mind was clear.

Katya looked at Chang Yu with surprise, her impression of him rising again. She hadn’t expected Chang Yu to refuse Fatty Wang’s generous gift. Not everyone can resist temptation, nor can everyone refuse such a lavish present.

A man with true backbone should earn his own money, not rely on someone else’s charity. No matter how good something is, if you didn’t earn it yourself, you shouldn’t accept it. Chang Yu’s refusal made Katya look at him with newfound respect—this young man had integrity.

“That’s not my concern!” Fatty Wang spread his hands, playing the rogue. “The property deed has your name on it. Whether you want it or not, legally, the apartment is yours.”

At this critical moment, Fatty Wang laid all his cards on the table, leaving Chang Yu with no room to maneuver.

Chang Yu: …

He had never realized that the supposedly honest and sincere Fatty Wang could be so cunning.

“You two are funny—one tries desperately to give away the apartment, the other tries desperately not to take it. I doubt anyone else in the world would do such a thing,” Katya remarked, raising her eyebrow.

“If Chang Yu doesn’t want it, I do!” Yang Yang, frustrated with Chang Yu, snatched the property deed from his hand. “He’s good in every way, just a bit foolish.”

“Who would turn down a spacious four-bedroom, three-bath, one-living-room, one-kitchen apartment over two hundred square meters, just to live in a cramped forty-square-meter rental? Isn’t that foolish?”

Just imagine—if we could live in such a roomy apartment, what happy days we’d have! Do you realize how many people envy such an opportunity? How many would beg for it but never get it?

If you won’t think of yourself, shouldn’t you think of me? Are you really willing to let me keep living in this cramped little place with you?

The air grew heavy; Yang Yang’s mournful, indignant voice echoed around the small living room.

Chang Yu listened silently to Yang Yang’s complaints. Yang Yang was right.

Chang Yu himself could bear hardship, living in the cramped rental, but Yang Yang couldn’t. Chang Yu was used to hardship, but Yang Yang was different—he shouldn’t have to suffer alongside him.

Chang Yu gently patted Yang Yang’s little head, and for a moment, he made up his mind.

“Brother Wang, I’ll shamelessly accept this apartment,” Chang Yu said, looking gratefully at Fatty Wang, quietly noting his kindness.

“That’s more like it!” Fatty Wang clapped his hands excitedly, his face lighting up in delight. “I’ll contact a renovation company soon to redo your new place. You don’t need to worry about the details or the cost; Brother Wang will handle everything. And once the renovation is done, you shouldn’t move in immediately—newly renovated apartments have formaldehyde. You need to let it air out for at least half a year, or it could be harmful to your health.”

“I’ll follow Brother Wang’s arrangements.” Having decided to accept the apartment, Chang Yu no longer stood on ceremony. He’d taken the big gift, so he had no reason to refuse the added renovations.

“Great. When everything’s settled, I’ll let you know when to move in. For now, you’ll have to make do here a little longer.” With that, Fatty Wang, feeling parched, grabbed the teapot and drank straight from the spout, showing no sign of restraint.

After drinking, he wiped his mouth and stood up. “That’s settled for now. I need to go home and see my wife.”

“I’ll walk you out, Brother Wang,” Chang Yu quickly stood and followed.

In the stairwell, Fatty Wang spoke earnestly to Chang Yu. “Xiao Yu, times are different now from when we were young. Nowadays, girls have lots of requirements for marriage: an apartment, a car, a dowry—none can be missing. Among them, the apartment is the most basic.”

“I can see you really like that Katya girl, so I gave you the apartment in front of her. I wanted to give you face, and to show her that even though our Xiao Yu is an orphan, he can have what wealthy kids have.”

Chang Yu’s nose stung, his eyes reddened, and countless emotions surged in his heart.

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Brother Wang,” Chang Yu choked out.

(End of chapter)