The morning air was crisp after a night of rain. Su Wanqing stepped into the real estate office, her expression calm and purposeful. Posters of new homes with bright prices filled the walls.
A saleswoman behind the desk looked up with a polite but half-distracted smile.
"Good morning, miss. Are you here to rent?"
"No," Wanqing said evenly. "I want to buy."
The saleswoman blinked, then gave a light laugh, assuming she'd misheard. "Buy? Well, we have small units from three hundred yuan, and riverside apartments at three thousand yuan. Would you like to view one first?"
Wanqing's eyes rested on the brochure: Riverside Apartments – ¥3,000 (Three Thousand Yuan).
"This one."
The woman hesitated. "Miss, that's not a small amount. Perhaps you should—"
"I'll pay in full," Wanqing said quietly. "By transfer."
Her tone left no room for doubt. When she slid her bank card across the desk, the saleswoman quickly processed the transaction. The beep of confirmation made her sit straighter, her polite smile turning bright and respectful.
---
When the contract was placed in front of her, Wanqing carefully wrote: Su Weiguo and Lin Mei.
The saleswoman tilted her head. "Normally, the buyers need to be present with their ID cards. You'll need them tomorrow at the bureau to complete the registration."
"I'll bring them," Wanqing said calmly. "Just write their names today."
The final red stamp fell, sealing the agreement. A set of keys slid across the desk, gleaming under the light.
Wanqing picked them up, her expression steady.
A home in their names. Tomorrow, they will sign it themselves. Step one is done.
---
That evening, the family sat around their modest wooden table, dishes steaming with the warmth of home.
Wanqing placed the envelope down between the bowls. "Open it."
Her father raised a brow, but did as she asked. The deed contract and keys fell into view.
Silence spread across the table.
Her mother's eyes widened. "Qingqing… this… this is a house deed."
Wanqing nodded softly. "Tomorrow, we'll go see it. It will be registered in your names."
Her father's hand tightened on the papers. His voice was low, steady, but heavy.
"Three thousand yuan is not a small sum, Qingqing. Where did you get this money?"
Her mother's voice trembled, worry clouding her eyes. "You didn't borrow from someone, did you? Or… do something foolish?"
Wanqing looked at them seriously, her tone calm. "I didn't borrow. I didn't do anything foolish. I've been saving quietly. You never noticed because I never spoke of it. But it was enough for this."
Her father studied her in silence, his gaze sharp, searching. At last, he let out a long breath, the tension in his shoulders easing.
"You've grown steadier than I thought," he said slowly. "A father should give his children a roof. Instead, you gave one to us. It makes me feel both proud and… ashamed."
Wanqing's chest tightened. She reached across the table, her eyes gentle. "Dad, family gives to each other. That's what matters. Don't feel ashamed. Just be happy we'll have a home together."
His lips curved faintly, a smile touched with pride and relief.
Her mother wiped her eyes, smiling through her tears. "Qingqing… you really carry too much on your shoulders."
Before the mood grew heavy, Su Ning nearly bounced out of his chair. "A new home?! Really?! I'll finally get my own room!"
His childish joy made them all laugh, breaking the tension.
Her father carefully folded the papers back into the envelope, his voice firm. "Tomorrow, we'll go together. We'll sign it properly as a family."
The keys lay on the table, plain and small, yet heavier than gold.
---
For now, only they knew.
Wanqing's gaze rested on her parents and brother.
This is just the beginning. Step by step, I'll build something no one can take away.
---
✨ End of Chapter 3 ✨