The Price of a Cheap House

After ten years studying interior design overseas, I came back to my hometown to do work that mattered to the people who raised me.

I offered the full package, from site survey to soft furnishings. The materials were chosen by hand. The price was fair to the bone.

The town had just gone through a redevelopment. Everyone was getting new units. With the new family policy, every family wanted a third bedroom too. My business was good. Customers from the next county were driving in.

Then a girl just back from a city college kicked open my studio with her phone on a livestream and her neighbors at her shoulder.

"This is the dishonest one. Look at her. She has been ripping the village off."

"In the city, an eighty-square-meter unit can be done for twenty thousand dollars. She is charging eighty."

"That's a sixty-thousand-dollar margin. Sixty thousand. Right out of our pockets."

The village fell in line behind her. They demanded the difference back. When I refused, they smashed my studio. They beat me into a coma. The pile-on online killed me.

When I opened my eyes again, I knew exactly what I was going to do.

I would refund every single one of them. And then I would tear out every single thing I had installed.

Let's see what twenty thousand dollars actually buys you.

A burst of noise outside dragged me out of my sleep. I sat up abruptly, looked around, and my heart started pounding.

This… this was my studio?

Had I been reborn?

Before I could think any further, a rapid series of knocks slammed against the front door.

My chest tightened. I hurried over and pulled it open.

Crystal Mason.

The college girl who had just come back from the city, and the one who led the online harassment against me in my previous life.

She held a phone gimbal in one hand, her face full of righteous anger. She leaned back to whisper something to Mrs. Walters behind her, then suddenly shoved the camera right up to my face.

"This is her! Everyone, take a good look at this person!"

I straightened slightly and rolled my eyes at her.

"Miss, my renovation studio is closed today. Please leave."

Instead of backing off, she let out a mocking laugh.

"Renovation studio? You actually dare to call this a studio?

"I think it's more like a scam operation!

"With your skill level, who gave you the nerve to charge that much?!"

I leaned against the doorframe, letting my gaze sweep over the angry villagers behind her. A chill ran through me.

"Oh? Then, when I was measuring your homes for free, drawing plans for free, redesigning layouts for free… why didn't you call me a scam then?"

My voice was not loud, but the exhaustion in it was impossible to hide.

This small town was where I was born. Even after leaving for years, I came back after finishing my studies, determined to help the people here.

And yet, in my previous life, just a few words from her were enough for them to smash everything I had.

Mrs. Walters stepped forward from behind Crystal, pointing at me with a face full of anger.

"You can't say it like that! How were we supposed to know back then?!"

"If Crystal hadn't come back and told us, we'd still be in the dark!"

"She's a college graduate from the city. Why would she lie to us?"

Her voice grew louder.

"And you, after your father died, you ran off with your mother. Who knows what kind of things you learned out there!"

Anger flared in my chest. But the moment I noticed the camera, I hesitated.

I knew all too well the power of public opinion.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm, and addressed the livestream.

"Everyone, the materials I use are formaldehyde-free and fully certified. I selected them carefully myself.

"On top of that, I provide site measurements, drawings, and layout design completely free of charge. How could it be expensive?

"If you want a full materials list, I can provide it to you, item by item."

Crystal did not care. She cut me off arrogantly.

"I studied in the city for three years. Don't you think I know what renovation costs there?!

"My classmate's place, 100 square meters. Full renovation, hard and soft, just twenty thousand!

"And here? You're charging eighty thousand! Where's your conscience?!"

Twenty thousand?

I let out a cold laugh internally. Just the material and labor costs alone would not come close to that.

Even in my previous life, I refused to believe a house could be done properly for that price.

Seeing me stay silent, the villagers started shouting.

"Exactly! Do you even know what eighty thousand means to us?! That's enough for my son to get married!"

"Making sixty thousand off a single job. You're not afraid of karma?!"

"That's right! You need to compensate us! Return the dirty money!"

In my previous life, I had stood firm. I believed I was right. I poured my heart into every design.

I remembered how I argued, how I explained costs and value, and how all it earned me was more accusations and abuse.

That helplessness still lingered.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of emotion. My lips twitched slightly.

"Fine.

"I'll give you all full refunds."