The family of four went to Houyizi Hutong.
Tian Dayi, no, Wang Huan, along with her elder sister Wang Xin and younger sister Wang Yu, knelt and kowtowed to Tian Jing to express their gratitude.
Tian Jing couldn't pull them up, so she let them kowtow.
After three thudding bows, their foreheads turned red.
"Thank you, Boss Tian, for saving our lives."
Wang Huan expressed her heartfelt thanks. When she was plunged into darkness, almost swallowed by it, a voice in her ear told her that Tian Jing had sent people to guard the Tian family, waiting to completely subdue them.
It was Tian Jing who had ordered them to be rescued at all costs.
She had also instructed people to take them far away from the Tian family, to show them a bigger world and let them live a different life.
She struggled to shake off the darkness that bound her limbs and forcefully broke free.
When she opened her eyes, she saw a man apologizing to her guiltily, saying he had been careless, which had caused them such great suffering.
She didn't care; she wanted to leave the Tian family, and the more suffering, the better.
Now, they were free and could finally live a life without being beaten or scolded, without having to curry favor with others.
Not kowtowing was not enough to thank Tian Jing for the gift of a new life bestowed upon her and her three sisters.
Tian Jing helped the three sisters up. "From now on, support each other and live well. That will be my reward."
Tian Jing only hoped she hadn't once again saved ungrateful wretches.
There was no need to issue warnings in advance, especially not to these three young girls who lived in constant fear.
Warnings were useless to the truly ungrateful, and even a mountain of gold wouldn't make them betray their benefactor.
Moreover, this was just a simple rescue, along with arrangements for accommodation and work. There was no fear of being repaid with ingratitude.
Wang Huan nodded vigorously, "We will, we definitely will. You rest, and we'll go make dinner."
"Just make something simple. The vegetables planted in the yard are good."
Just now, as Tian Jing entered the courtyard, she noticed that every inch of the land was being utilized efficiently.
"Mmhmm."
Wang Huan responded and pulled her two sisters out, planning to secretly buy some meat.
Du Hongjuan came over with a basket. "Wang Huan, is Boss Tian here?"
"Yes, Sister Du."
Seeing Du Hongjuan taking things out of the basket, Wang Huan felt a little embarrassed. "Sister Du, you've brought so much meat and vegetables again."
Du Hongjuan shot her a look. "This isn't for you; it's to entertain Boss Tian. I know you definitely didn't prepare any meat dishes, and you can't buy any now."
After she took everything out, she wiped her hands with a rag. "You start cooking. When my husband gets back, he'll come over for dinner too."
"I'll go chat with Boss Tian. My son has gone to his grandma's, so we'll just cook for the two of us."
Wang Huan nodded. "Alright, alright. You go keep Boss Tian company. We three can handle things here."
Du Hongjuan actually had something she wanted to ask Tian Jing. She had intended to call, but she didn't expect Tian Jing to come to the capital.
"Boss Tian, I heard the government's development plan for this area has been put on hold again. Someone is asking me to buy their house; should I buy it?"
Tian Jing nodded. "Yes, but the sales contract needs to include two clauses..."
She didn't want anyone coming back to cause trouble after the development.
Du Hongjuan frowned. "Aren't these two clauses a bit too harsh?"
They required all family members to sign and thumbprint, and that the house be vacated immediately after the sales contract was finalized.
It showed no human compassion.
Tian Jing was resolute. "If you don't agree, then forget it. We've already acquired two-thirds, which is enough."
"You can also tell them to wait for government development, as the compensation from government development is higher. Ours is a private sale."
In fact, Tian Jing could have offered a one-to-one property exchange like the government development, but she didn't want to deal with the old neighbors. Those old folks were too difficult to handle when they became unreasonable.
Furthermore, with future housing price increases, a one-to-one property exchange would be too costly. It was better to offer a two-to-one compensation in cash.
However, she hadn't collected from people at a two-to-one rate before, so how could she do it now?
Originally, she had planned to complete the acquisition of this area in two years. Who knew that the Xiao family would interfere, causing the government to bring forward its development intentions?
Although it didn't work out in the end, she no longer wanted to deal with these wavering old neighbors.
Indeed, everyone wanted to sell for more money, but if she gave in too much, these old neighbors would think she was easy to bully.
If these old neighbors felt they had sold short later, they would surely come back to cause trouble.
With Boss Tian's firm attitude, Du Hongjuan agreed. "Mmhmm, I'll explain it to them clearly."
"Also, are you still buying in the northern area? Those two families also intend to sell, but they're not approaching me directly; they're using an intermediary to relay messages."
"No!"
Tian Jing shook her head. "Tell those people in the north that it's because of those two families that we're not buying."
Du Hongjuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "Alright, I'll have someone spread the word."
Tian Jing added, "When the north has caused enough trouble, buy at a lower price. The contract should be signed as I mentioned earlier."
"Remember to have a lawyer review the new contract to avoid any loopholes or illegal clauses."
"For those two families, lower the price as much as possible. If they are willing to sell, buy from them too."
"Okay," Du Hongjuan nodded. "It's just that there isn't much cash on hand."
"I'll go and hurry them up."
Tian Jing stood up and went out to make a phone call, with Li Zhengguo following.
"Tiantian, tell Ouyang Lei to transfer all the liquid funds from that side. Also, tell him to sell all the land he holds and develop in the capital."
"Based on his investment proportion, you two can jointly register a real estate development company. Let him be the face of it; it's more suitable than you or me."
Tian Jing stopped. "Why?"
"Because of Hao Hao and Xiao Bo."
Tian Jing suddenly understood. With their two sons entering the specialized training team, their status would be different. She and her husband, as parents, needed to be mindful of their image.
"Okay, I understand."
Ouyang Lei didn't want to return. He was thriving in the south; why would he go to the unfamiliar capital where he could easily offend people?
Li Zhengguo gave him three reasons, which convinced him.
"First, you have many brothers. They may not all be of one mind. While you're there to keep them in check, they're likely not in agreement behind your back, and they might inadvertently hold you back."
"Perhaps some of your subordinates are not satisfied with you, thinking you rely entirely on our support."
"It's better for you to divide your land among them and let them each manage their own business."
"You'd also be fulfilling their desire to help you build your empire. It's like a large tree splitting its branches or a large family separating."
"Second, the south is limited in scope. You've already seized the first-mover advantage. You're just guarding your existing cake and eating it slowly."
"The development of the capital has just begun. We can point you to any location, and you'll make a fortune. Why are you still guarding a piece of cake with dozens of people?"
"If there are brothers you can't bear to part with, and who sincerely follow you, bring them along. We need people here."
"Third, my two sons are about to enter the specialized training team. Tian Jing and I are not suitable to be the bosses."
"We intend to share this large cake with you. If you don't come, I'll have to bring in my comrades."
Ouyang Lei had a question. "What is a specialized training team?"
"A specialized training team is..."
Ouyang Lei took a long time to react before asking slowly, "Is Great Hero Tian also in one?"
Li Zhengguo admitted, "Yes!"