Chapter 2The Lucky Teardown

Since that incident, everyone in the family favored me even more.

My grandmother and mother even fought over who got to take care of me, making my aunt, who had two sons, green with envy.

My parents also gave up the idea of having a son; they only wanted to take good care of me.

When I was two, my dad was laid off and started his own business.

Unexpectedly, his first venture didn't lose money; instead, he paid off all the money he borrowed to start the business in just one year.

Not long after, my mom also quit her job to help my dad, and a year later, they made a neat little profit.

As our family's life improved day by day, my parents started thinking about moving to the city.

After all, the educational and medical facilities in the city were relatively much better.

Early the next morning, my mom picked me up from bed.

"Chloe, are we going to the city to look at houses with Mommy and Daddy today? Does that sound good?"

With my eyes closed, I let my mom dress me and groggily washed my face.

After eating the breakfast my grandmother prepared, my parents and I set off.

My parents had been making frequent trips to the city for their business over the past few years, so they had some knowledge of the well-known neighborhoods.

When my parents brought me to a sales office, I instinctively disliked the place.

The houses sold here were considered upper-middle-class in the city, and many people were buying them.

While my parents were listening to the real estate agent's introduction, I sat in my mom's lap, looking around.

Just then, I saw an elegantly dressed couple walk in through the door with a little girl.

The couple looked very kind; the man was tall and handsome, and the woman was gentle and beautiful.

However, the woman looked pale, as if her health wasn't very good.

The little girl with them was wearing a princess dress and delicate white leather shoes, but she looked unhappy.

Seeing them, the sales manager hurried out to greet them.

"Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling, what brings you here personally today? And this must be your daughter?"

The little girl glanced at the sales manager expressionlessly.

The man referred to as Mr. Sterling spoke: "Today we want to pick out another house for ourselves. My wife isn't used to living in the one we bought previously."

Seeing Mrs. Sterling coughing softly, the sales manager nodded in understanding and personally began showing them around.

But the little girl didn't seem very close to the couple; she just sat impatiently on the side by herself.

My parents picked me up, ready to go look at the houses in the neighborhood.

As my mom picked me up, the family next to us also noticed us.

The woman called Mrs. Sterling froze for a moment when she saw me.

Noticing her gaze, the man also looked at us.

Seeing my face, the man, like the woman, was stunned for a moment, but soon returned to normal.

Both of their gazes lingered on us.

It wasn't until my parents and I left that their line of sight vanished.

My parents were very satisfied with the house they viewed.

But ever since I walked in, I didn't like it. I shook my mom's hand: "I don't like it here, Mommy. Let's look somewhere else."

"Chloe, be good. Look how big this bedroom is! You can have your own room from now on."

But I still shook my head, my face showing my reluctance.

My parents looked awkwardly at the salesperson and said they would think about it.

After going outside, my dad picked me up: "Does Chloe really not like it there?"

"I don't like it!" I immediately replied.

"Then we'll keep looking. There are plenty of houses anyway."

"You just spoil her," my mom said, smiling and shaking her head.

My parents decided to take me to get something to eat first.

We came to an alley where the road was full of potholes and very difficult to walk on.

My dad, holding me, looked up. There weren't many houses here, and the layout was scattered.

When we reached a certain house, I struggled to be put down.

After my dad set me down, I scurried over to the house and took a look.

I didn't know why, but I really liked it here.

"Mommy, Daddy, I want to live here!"

My parents were shocked by my words: "Chloe, it's too run-down here. It's not even as good as our house in the country. Let's live in a new house, okay?"

"No, no, I want to live here!"

A "For Sale" sign was posted on the mottled gate of the house.

My mom tried to coax me for a long time, but I refused to leave.

Having no choice, my dad called the "For Sale" number posted on the gate.

Hearing that we wanted to view the house, the owner excitedly said he would be right there.

When the gate opened, we could see the yard wasn't small, but it was piled high with junk.

Upon entering the house, the overall appearance was even more dilapidated.

My parents really didn't think much of the place, but since coming in, I found myself liking the house more and more.

I hugged my mom's thigh.

"I want to live here. I like it here."

My mom looked at my dad, conflicted.

After all, I had been very sensible since I was little and rarely stubbornly demanded anything.

My dad looked at my hopeful little face.

"Buy it! If my daughter likes it, we'll buy it! Worst case, we save up and buy another one later!"

My dad made the final decision.

Hearing this, my mom didn't object either.

Afraid we might change our minds, the owner offered an at-cost price and rushed the transfer of ownership.

Looking at the property deed in our hands, our family of three stared at each other in disbelief.