Transmigrated into a seven-year-old child, my fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens.

Wow!

A woman's eyes widened: "The Li family is blatantly robbing us! The government already asked the villagers to give them places to live for free."

"But the village chief is different. Instead of setting a good example, he actually rented out his own room to disaster victims, taking the opportunity to make money against his conscience. Now he has even doubled the rent."

"you do not say!"

An old woman chimed in: "They're too greedy. Life isn't easy for anyone these days."

Just then, another woman walked over, spitting as she spoke: "You don't know, that old woman Chen's older brother is also going to raise the rent. It seems they're in cahoots and have already planned it."

"Birds of a feather flock together," the crowd murmured.

Chen was furious, her face turning ashen: "Are you all just bored and have nothing better to do? Meddling in other people's business. And don't be jealous, if you're so capable, then take her to live in your house. If you're not, then shut your mouths!"

"Let's go~ let's go~"

Gao Lan and Chen Rong, who were standing nearby, chased the crowd away.

"Aunt Chen, please be more lenient!" Zhao Di wanted to plead with Chen Shi again.

Mrs. Chen said impatiently, "Young lady, don't blame me for being heartless, I have no other choice. Have you thought it through? I don't have the patience for this!"

"Either you get 200 coins a month, or you pack your bags and get out of here."

At that moment, a cold voice rang out: "Heh~ 200 coins a month? I think you're just obsessed with money!"

Summoning Lotus!

Zhao Di's eyes lit up; it was her younger sister Zhao Lian's voice. She quickly turned around and saw that it was indeed Zhao Lian.

"Sister, you're finally back!" Zhao Di cried tears of joy.

Zhao Lian rolled her eyes at her: "Second sister, you're too spineless. How can you let them bully you like this? You should use your fists when necessary."

When Zhao Lian first entered the village, she heard others talking about going to the village chief's house to see what was going on. She was curious about what kind of excitement was there at the village chief's house, but she never expected that it would be about raising the rent.

Zhao Lian remembered that when she signed the contract, it said in black and white that it was 100 coins a month. She never expected that they would dare to raise the price.

"Where is the village chief? Where did the village chief go?" Zhao Lian looked around for the village chief, wanting to find him to settle the matter.

"Sister, it's no use! Aunt Chen said that the village chief's words don't carry any weight."

Seeing Zhao Lian return, Madam Chen felt a little guilty, but since she had already started, she could only bite the bullet and say, "Young lady, there's no room for discussion. The rent must be increased."

Zhao Lian reached into her bosom and pulled out a piece of paper: "I have a contract in my hand. If your Li family wants to go back on their word, you'll have to pay me five taels of silver."

"What!"

Chen's eyes widened like saucers: "Five taels of silver? You might as well rob us!"

Why didn't her husband mention this?

“You won’t give it to me? Then we’ll report it to the authorities and let them judge the matter. Everyone can testify for me that the Li family threw my things out and maliciously raised the rent. Who’s willing to testify? I’ll give each person ten coins.”

There's something good to watch now!

Hearing this, the crowd, who were just about to disperse, immediately perked up and stopped in their tracks.

An old woman said indignantly, "Young lady, we can't stand it anymore. They are the village chief's family, and they should be giving you the room for free."

"But now not only are they collecting rent, but in just two months, the rent has increased by half again. This is blatant robbery! Putting everything else aside, even I, as an old woman, can't stand it anymore."

"The village chief is here! The village chief is here!"

Those with sharp eyes saw the village chief return.

"Zhao Lian, you're back!" Upon hearing that Zhao Lian had returned, the village chief dared not hesitate for a moment.

Zhao Lian sneered: "If I hadn't come back, I don't know how my second sister would have been bullied by you. Village Chief, we had a written agreement in black and white back then. What kind of nonsense is it to go back on your word now!"

The village chief was speechless for a moment, then muttered, "This was all my wife's idea."

"I don't care. It's written here that if you change your mind and raise the rent during this period, you'll have to compensate me five taels of silver first."

Chen pinched the village chief: "You old fool, what's going on? Why didn't you say so sooner!"

The village chief looked aggrieved: "You didn't even ask me!"

A smug glint appeared on Zhao Lian's lips: "Enough nonsense, hand over five taels of silver, or we'll have the officials settle this."

Upon hearing that she would have to pay five taels of silver in compensation, Chen's legs went weak.

Suddenly, a commotion arose not far away. It turned out to be Yan Guihua and her group, who had just been bargaining with Chen's brothers.

Chen Laoda and Chen Laoer said that the rent had increased from 200 coins to 400 coins, which was like cutting off Yan Guihua's flesh.

She was already heartbroken at earning 200 coins a month, and now she was even thinking about raising it.

Upon hearing that Zhao Lian had returned, Yan Guihua and her daughter-in-law rushed over without stopping.

"Grandmother, don't worry, don't worry. They have to pay us compensation. If they dare not pay, I'll make them suffer."

Just now, Chen grabbed the village chief's ear and asked him what was going on. The village chief could only recite the words on the contract.

Mrs. Chen was dumbfounded; she had truly shot herself in the foot.

The Chen brothers, who were standing nearby, also came over. Seeing their sister's worried face, they had no idea what had happened.

When Chen saw her elder brother from her maternal family arrive, she asked in surprise, "Brother, what brings you here?"

"Third Sister, I heard what you all said about raising the rent, but this old woman doesn't want to. So, how's it going? Is it settled on your end?"

"Hey bro, what's with all this talk about price increases? Let's not talk about it anymore, it's all your brother-in-law's stupid mistake!"

Hearing what Chen said, Chen the eldest and Chen the second were furious!

This is truly a case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead; they could have earned 200 coins a month before...

But now, not only has the money that was in hand vanished, but it also has to be given back.

Chen Lao Da and Chen Lao Er then declared, "Young lady, this has nothing to do with us. It's all my sister's fault. If you want money, go ask her!" With that, Chen Lao Da and Chen Lao Er turned and left.

Watching them leave, Madam Chen stamped her feet anxiously, "Brother, why are you doing this? Come back quickly!"

Who knew that the more Chen shouted, the faster they walked.

Zhao Lian smiled smugly: "How about it? If you agree to pay me five taels of silver, then I won't report you to the authorities. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite. If you see the authorities, you will not only have to pay me the silver, but you will also get a beating."

The village chief wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "Zhaolian, this old woman of ours has long hair but short brains. You are a magnanimous person, don't take it to heart."

Zhao Lian said seriously, her face stern: "I'm sorry, but I'm petty. I can't stand by and watch my family be bullied."

Zhao Lian originally wanted to return the lease and bring them to the capital.

If they were warm and generous, I would have been too embarrassed to ask them for help, but things are different now.

They actually took advantage of my absence to raise the rent by half, giving me a perfect excuse to retaliate.

The contract stated that it was one month's rent as deposit and one month's rent in advance, and that the deposit would not be refunded if the tenant did not stay for more than three months.

During this period, the landlord is not allowed to raise the rent under any pretext; otherwise, he/she will have to pay a penalty of five taels of silver.

Since they are heartless, she shouldn't be blamed for being ruthless either. She can use this opportunity to strike first.