Chapter 6, Fire Source Stone

With the development of the city, the old residential area where he currently lives has also been designated as a shantytown. This year, the focus of urban construction is the renovation of shantytowns. However, just as with all demolitions, there are more or less issues that arise, and here, they have also encountered stubborn residents.

Zhang Chi nodded and said, "Brother, I will definitely give you a reply as soon as possible"

Although he was secretly delighted, he maintained a facade of difficulty, pretending to say: "Brother, I still need quite a bit more to buy a house."

What nonsense! What are you buying? Can you afford it? The minimum area for the resettlement housing is 80 square meters, and the repurchase price offered to you is 4,000. For the additional 65 square meters, you will have to pay for it yourself. Can you come up with 260,000?

The houses in the same district have approached 10,000 yuan per square meter, yet they were able to purchase at less than half that price, which has left the uncle, who voluntarily renounced his inheritance three years ago, regretting his decision.

One should not strike a smiling person; Zhao Qijin and several others were taken aback. They had always thought he was a simpleton who couldn't even produce a muffled fart with three sticks, but unexpectedly, his words had suddenly become so sweet.

Zhao Qijin said: "Kid, let me teach you, if you take the demolition compensation, you can at least improve the quality of your life. Renting a one-bedroom apartment costs at least 1,000 yuan, which amounts to just over 10,000 yuan a year."

Three years ago, the total price of this old house was only 20,000. My uncle used half of his inheritance rights to offset 100,000 of the house payment. At that time, this transaction was exceptionally advantageous

However, his physical condition is currently too poor, and organizing the 15 square meter room has left him utterly exhausted

Zhang Chi looked at the fire source stone with a sense of disappointment, as a burnt-out fire source stone was equivalent to a piece of waste

The anger on his face faded away in an instant, as he searched his memory for the other person's name, and with a beaming smile said: "Brother Qi Jin, it's you! What a coincidence. Shall we sit together?"

Those four years were spent.

Zhang Chi carefully put away the documents hidden in his pillow. Although he had just arrived and his worldview had not yet formed a complete system, he understood that this dilapidated little house was currently his greatest wealth.

Zhao Qijin signaled to others with his eyes, indicating that they should go aside to order food while he sat down next to Zhang Chi. Zhang Chi requested a wine glass and poured him a cup of beer. After Zhao Qijin downed the beer, Zhang Chi perceptively handed over the freshly grilled lamb skewers and quickly refilled his glass.

Zhao Qijin felt very comfortable being called "brother" by him, thinking that this little fat guy was much more pleasing to the eye than before. He sat down at his friend's table, but then he heard Zhang Chi calling from over there: "Brother..."

Zhang Chi realized that it was about the demolition of his small house, and Zhao Qijin and a few others were temporary workers hired by the demolition office

Zhao Qijin was once a member of the nail household, but after persisting for a while, he quickly switched sides, with rumors suggesting that he secretly gained considerable benefits.

He downed a drink that Zhang Chi poured for him in one go, stood up to leave, and after getting up, he reminded Zhang Chi: "Kid, think it over carefully"

Zhao Qijin, seeing how obedient the young man was, felt his anger dissipate and nodded, saying: "Young man, I have watched you grow up, and I am well aware of your family's situation. That little dilapidated house is hardly worth anything. Why are you insisting on not demolishing it? Is it your uncle's idea? I am not speaking ill of others behind their backs, but your uncle is certainly not a good person. One day, if he sells you, you will still have to help him count the money"

That night, upon returning home, Zhang Chi began to search for the documents related to the house. With perseverance, he finally found the hidden property certificate and a notarized document tucked away in his pillow.

Zhao Qijin felt puzzled, wondering what this young man wanted. He looked up and saw Zhang Chi with a distressed expression saying, "Brother, I forgot to bring money..."

Now, do not even mention 260,000; even 260 he cannot take out.

Zhao Qijin was taken aback; it seemed that this foolish boy had changed his demeanor today, suddenly speaking more fluently. It is important to note that he is one of the disadvantaged among the relocated households, not only because he struggles with his intellect but also because he is an orphan and a key target for community support.

Zhang Chi laughed and said, "Where have I moved to, Brother Seven Jin?"

Zhang Chi raised his glass and clinked it with Zhao Qijin, then drank the wine in his cup in one go: "Brother, how much compensation can I get for the demolition?"

Although this small house is not worth much, the current demolition compensation is only 60,000, but the most valuable aspect is that owning such an old house grants the qualification to purchase a resettlement house, which is the key point

Zhang Chi still wore a smile on his face: "Brother, I am foolish and lack social experience. How about this, please have a seat, I will treat you to a drink, and you can patiently chat with me."

Zhang Chi quickly assessed the condition of the other party. These four individuals had low intelligence and emotional quotients, belonging to a type lacking both, yet they were all strong and robust.

A sense of righteousness that transcends the heavens

The bald man grinned and said, "You little rascal, you are not learning well and have come here to steal a drink."

Brother Qijin is truly benevolent

Are you out of your mind? The government will not treat you unfairly. You are well aware of our demolition policy, which includes compensation for relocation. You can use the compensation to purchase a new house

Zhang Chi's first thought was the relief fund, which he could receive in full without having to endure a monthly deduction of 260 from his uncle.

Due to the issue of demolition, his uncle Zhang Guofu directly reported it to the district authorities, and the district has recently issued a directive prohibiting forced demolition

Bald Zhao Qijin glared: "You little brat, stop trying to get close, just give me a clear answer, when are you moving? When the hell are you moving?"

Fuming with rage and slamming the table in anger may feel exhilarating, yet if the conflict escalates and one engages in a confrontation on the spot, the only one who will suffer is oneself. After all, given one's current physical condition, choosing to take on any individual challenge would inevitably lead to a disastrous outcome.

Zhao Qijin thought to himself, how did this foolish boy suddenly become clever today? Could it be that he has been pretending to be foolish all along? He patiently advised, "Drink today while there is wine, and let tomorrow take care of itself. I see you are plump and healthy, which is a sign of wealth and nobility. Who knows, you might win ten million in the lottery tomorrow."

After Zhang Chi tidied up the cabin, it has become neat and orderly. During his long years in the Heavenly Court, he spent a considerable amount of time doing odd jobs in the Duoshuai Palace, and cleaning was merely a piece of cake for him

In three days, it will be his eighteenth birthday, a fact that Zhang Chi learned from the identification card. Turning eighteen signifies adulthood, allowing him to independently handle many matters without the need for his uncle's guardianship

Zhao Qijin was truly at a loss whether to laugh or cry, and with a grand gesture, he said: "Let's go, let's go, the bill is on me!" Turning to a few friends, he remarked: "This foolish fellow, lacking in common sense, doesn't even know to bring money when going out..."

60,000! Zhang Chi was overjoyed, for he knew that his monthly living expenses were only 300 yuan. Today's barbecue cost less than 100 yuan, and with 60,000 yuan, he would at least not have to worry about living expenses for a considerable time.

Zhang Chi is not unfamiliar with this object, which is called the Fire Source Stone. He often uses it while working and doing chores in the Duoshuai Palace. The Fire Source Stone contains the true fire of Samadhi and is a commonly used fuel for alchemy by the Supreme Lord Laozi.

Zhao Qijin once again reached out and gave him a light slap on the head, though this time it was much gentler than the last, as he did not wish to be known as someone who bullies orphans in front of others

Zhang Chi blinked his eyes, and he was truly unclear about this matter: "Relocation compensation? How much?"

Zhao Qijin sighed and said: "You are nothing but a blockhead, talking to you is truly exhausting, it's like playing the lute to a cow, I am indeed playing the lute to a cow."

Zhang Chi has one hundred seventy-three yuan and three jiao in cash, which he carefully counted while tidying up his room last night. This is all the cash he currently possesses

On the 12th of every month, he goes to his uncle's place to collect his living expenses, and this has been the case for the past three years. The relief fund of 560 yuan is directly transferred to his uncle's account, as Zhang Chi has not yet turned eighteen, and his uncle is his guardian

This fire source stone contains no energy; in other words, the true fire within this fire source stone has already been extinguished, rendering it no different from coal ash. There is a small hole at the center, which runs through from one end to the other, indicating that it was once used as a pendant.

Individuals like him, who are idle and opportunistic social rascals, often engage in sycophancy and are quick to forsake principles for profit. Now, he has transformed into a demolition team member, shamelessly referring to himself as a formal staff member, when in fact, they are merely a group of temporary workers

Zhang Chi reached out to pick up the object, which had a considerable weight. The black part resembled charcoal, while the white rings were spotless, as if three white jade rings were embedded in a piece of black charcoal. It was this object that had pressed against his head while he was sleeping

The notarized document was handled entirely by my uncle. At that time, in order to purchase Zhang Chi's new house at a low price, my uncle generously relinquished his inheritance rights to this old house, which is why Zhang Chi became the sole heir

Isn't your little broken house 15 square meters? According to the current demolition compensation policy, it is 4,000 per square meter, so you can receive a total of 60,000.

Shaking the pillow, a small object the size of a pinky finger rolled out from inside. The object was black and red, entirely dark, with three irregular white circles arranged on top, resembling a three-eyed Dzi bead.

Man's calculations cannot compare to those of heaven; who could have anticipated the subsequent surge in housing prices, and who could have foreseen the redevelopment of this area into a shantytown