Siheyuan: Mastery started in the 50s

Wang Qiang nodded. "You're right. It's not easy for everyone these years. But I don't want to embarrass you. How about we make a deal?"

"Trade?" Jia Zhang looked at Wang Qiang suspiciously, "How do you want to trade?"

Wang Qiang smiled, took out a bank check from his pocket and pushed it in front of Jia Zhang. "Aunt Jia, I know you are old and want to live a quiet life. This check is for 10,000 yuan. Take this money and move to another place, find a better environment. With the rest of the money, you can enjoy your old age."

Jia Zhang stared at the check, a gleam of greed flashing in her eyes. But she quickly regained her composure and pushed the check back. "Wang Qiang, are you sending away a beggar? You want me to move out for 10,000 yuan? I'm telling you, I'm determined to live in this yard, and no one can drive me away!"

Wang Qiang expected that she would not agree easily, but he remained calm. He took back the check and changed his tone and said, "Aunt Jia, I'm not trying to drive you away. I just think you're not comfortable living here. You see, everyone is arguing every day. Don't you feel annoyed? I'm doing this for your own good. If you move to a different place, the environment will be better and your mood will be better, right?"

Jia Zhang sneered, "Don't say nice things to me here. I think you just think I'm in the way. I'm telling you, I won't leave. I've lived in this yard for so many years. I really don't believe you want to drive me away!"

Wang Qiang was silent for a while, then he looked up at Jia Zhang with a firm gaze, "Aunt Jia, I'm really doing this for your own good. How about this, you name a price and we can talk about it. How much do you want for you to move out?"

Jia Zhang's eyes widened, as if she was angered by Wang Qiang's words, "You are really going too far! Do you think you can drive me away with a few dollars? I tell you, no way!"

Wang Qiang knew that the problem would not be solved so easily, but he did not intend to give up. He stood up, bowed slightly to Jia Zhang, and said, "Aunt Jia, please think about it carefully. I am not in a hurry. Tell me when you have made up your mind. We are all neighbors, and I sincerely hope that we can live in peace."

After saying that, Wang Qiang turned around and left Jia Zhang's house and walked back to his room. He knew that this deal would not end so quickly. Jia Zhang was not an easy person to deal with, but he had plenty of patience. He believed that as long as he found the right method, he could always solve the problem.

Wang Qiang walked in the alley, but he was not as calm as before. His mind kept replaying the conversation with Jia Zhang. The stubbornness and badness of that woman made him feel a little tricky. After returning home, he pondered for a moment and decided to walk around the nearby old street, perhaps to change his mood and find new ideas to solve the problem.

On the old street in autumn, the small shops on both sides of the street looked warm and quaint under the evening lights. Wang Qiang was walking aimlessly when he was attracted by a small shop selling sweet-scented osmanthus cakes. Strings of lanterns were hung in front of the shop, and the orange light reflected the words on the sign: "Authentic sweet-scented osmanthus cakes". Through the glass window, Wang Qiang saw a young clerk busy packaging cakes. The shop was filled with a sweet fragrance that made people want to go in.

"Would you like some sweet-scented osmanthus cake?" Wang Qiang muttered to himself, his lips slightly raised, and he felt a little relieved. He walked into the store, gently pushed open the door, and the bell on the door made a crisp sound.

The decoration inside the store is simple and the wooden shelves are filled with all kinds of cakes. Wang Qiang walked to the counter and saw the clerk waiting with a smile. He looked at the golden and translucent osmanthus cakes, as if looking for a kind of comfort, a familiar feeling.

"Boss, give me a box of osmanthus cake." Wang Qiang pointed at the box on the counter and tried to keep a calm tone.

The young clerk wrapped the osmanthus cake skillfully and asked, "Do you want a small box or a large box?"

"A big box, for my friends." Wang Qiang thought about it and decided to buy one more box. He thought of Jia Zhang, maybe a box of dessert could soften her attitude and make the negotiation go more smoothly.

He took out his wallet and prepared to pay. The clerk took the money and handed him a bag of exquisite osmanthus cake with a smile. "Thank you for coming. I hope your friends like it."

Wang Qiang took the bag and responded politely: "Thank you."

Walking out of the store, Wang Qiang's steps became much lighter. He stared at the sweet-scented osmanthus cake in his hand, and his thoughts began to race. Jia Zhang's picky and difficult nature really made people feel helpless, but he believed that as long as he persisted, there would always be a way to solve the problem. He thought that although the sweet-scented osmanthus cake was a small matter, it might be a good start for the negotiation.

When Wang Qiang returned to the courtyard, it was already completely dark. He pushed open the gate and found that the courtyard was quiet, with only a few faint lights coming from the rented rooms. He put the osmanthus cake on the table, and suddenly a warm feeling surged in his heart. Maybe the little sweetness in life can bring some unexpected changes.

Wang Qiang picked up the phone and dialed Jia Zhang's number. After Jia Zhang's phone rang a few times, it was picked up and her slightly tired voice came: "Hello?"

"Aunt Jia, I'm Wang Qiang. I just bought some osmanthus cake and thought of bringing it over for you to try. Is it convenient for you now?" Wang Qiang tried to speak in a calm tone.

There was silence on the other end of the line for a while, and then Jia Zhang's slightly surprised voice came: "Oh, it's Wang Qiang. Osmanthus cake? Why did you suddenly send these?"

"I don't mean anything special. I just want to make everyone's relationship better." Wang Qiang smiled and tried to make his tone sound natural. "I came here now and wanted to talk about Siheyuan again."

Jia Zhang was silent for a moment, as if considering it. Finally, she sighed and said, "Okay, come on."

Wang Qiang hung up the phone, feeling a little nervous. He knew that although Jia Zhang's attitude was a little unpredictable, it was always a good sign if she was willing to meet. He reorganized his emotions, picked up the box of exquisite osmanthus cake, and walked towards Jia Zhang's room.

When he knocked on Jia Zhang's door, it opened quickly. Jia Zhang stood at the door with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. She looked at the osmanthus cake in Wang Qiang's hand and her brows relaxed slightly.

"Come in." Jia Zhang said, her voice softer than before.

Wang Qiang walked into the room and just put down the osmanthus cake, Jia Zhang's eyes became gentler. She looked at Wang Qiang, as if she was surprised by his behavior just now, but she didn't want to show too much emotion.

"Wang Qiang, how did you think of sending these things?" She sat upright in the chair, trying to make herself look calm.