After the three students were sent to clean up, Xiao Lingyu stood up and said, “We need to have a family meeting.”
Father and Mother Xiao nodded. Xiao Lingye ushered his friends to his room. His friends were curious about this ‘family meeting,’ but they knew it’d be too rude to intervene. They realized they were quite envious of Xiao Lingye. At the dorm, Xiao Lingye came from the poorest family. However, after staying with the Xiao Family, they realized Xiao Lingye was the happiest among them.
What was the use of money?
For the three, their mothers were busy socializing, and their fathers were busy working and finding mistresses. Their houses were cold. Other than the staff, there was no family at home.
After they entered Xiao Lingye’s room, Kang Le sat on the chair while Ning Weiyi and Yang Baolin lay on the bed.
Yang Baolin asked, “Yi, Le, what do you think Ye’s family meeting will be like?”
Ning Weiyi and Kang Le shook their heads. “I don’t know. Why don’t we ask Ye later?”
Ning Weiyi suggested, “How about we go and have a look?”
Yang Baolin and Kang Le rolled their eyes and said, “You can go on your own. If Ye discovers you, don’t drag us down with you!”
This was the Xiao Family’s family meeting, and they were outsiders. Furthermore, the hint was already clear enough when Xiao Lingye sent them to his room. Clearly, they were not welcome to attend the meeting.
To Xiao Lingye, his roommates were like good-natured parasites. They had been trying to endear themselves to his family. Xiao Lingye had a feeling they would stick to him and his family more often in the future. Xiao Lingye looked at his sister.
Of course, Xiao Lingye also believed that his friends wouldn’t be uncouth enough to eavesdrop on their family meeting.
…
Father and Mother Xiao looked at Xiao Lingyu as they sat at the dining table. Mother Xiao asked, “Yu ‘Er, what’s the matter? Why did you call for a family meeting?” In their family, they would only have a family meeting when there was a major event.
Xiao Lingyu said, “Mom, Dad, I plan to contract some land.”
Her family looked at her with puzzled expressions.
Xiao Lingye couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked, “Sis, don’t we already have land at home? Why do you need to contract more land?”
Their family had six Mu of land. If she wanted to grow vegetables, one or two Mu should be enough. Why the need to contract extra land? Did his sister plan to expand her farm?
Father Xiao narrowed his eyes and said, “That’s right, Yu ‘Er. Our family already has some land. Why do you need to contract more?”
Xiao Lingyu said seriously, “Mom and Dad, we’ve been eating the vegetables my friend sent me. Do you think there will be a market if I farm them at a large scale?” In other words, their family’s current land was not enough.
Father and Mother Xiao were shocked. Mother Xiao asked, “Yu ‘Er, you mean to grow these vegetables to sell?”
“Yes.” Xiao Lingyu nodded.
Mother Xiao had a question. “Yu ‘Er, I know the vegetables and fruits are so delicious because of your friend’s secret formula. However, if you plan to have a large-scale farm, can your friend provide enough fertilizer?”
Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “Mom, don’t worry. My friend will be able to supply me with as much fertilizer as I need.” After all, there was an endless stream of spring water in the farming space.
“If we start a large farm, where do you plan to sell the harvest? At the market?” Father Xiao considered the problems. “No matter how delicious the crops are, the market is only so big. If we rely on pure retail, how many can we sell? At most, I predict it’ll be several thousand catties. Then, what about the rest? Yu ‘Er, have you considered these issues?”
Mother Xiao nodded. “Yu ‘Er, your father is right. The crops are delicious, but your selling prices are too high. They are several times more expensive than normal vegetables.” She paused before continuing, “We have sold everything on our first trip to the market because we didn’t have much stock. Plus, some customers bought from us due to novelty. It might work the first few times but will this work long term? Do we have that many rich potential customers?”
Xiao Lingyu said, “Mom, Dad, I have considered all the questions you have raised. However,” Her eyes were filled with determination and seriousness as she continued, “As long as our crops can maintain the same taste, I am sure we can succeed. We won’t even need to find the buyers because they will come to us. Places like big hotels and restaurants will come to get our stock.” Xiao Lingyu blinked and said confidently, “Our crops can compete with the best farms. We’ll prove ourselves with the taste and freshness of our crops.”
Xiao Lingyu’s parents frowned and thought deeply.
A moment later, Father Xiao asked, “Yu ‘Er, we know the harvest is amazing because of your friend’s secret formula. However, once you start to plant them on a large scale, and when people realize how different they taste from normal vegetables, they’ll stand out too much. It’ll cause some trouble. Won’t that be a problem for your friend?”
Even though Xiao Lingyu said the vegetables and fertilizer were provided by her friend, Father Xiao had not seen that friend before. How did Xiao Lingyu contact that friend and how did the friend transport the stuff to her daughter?
Xiao Lingyu was flustered for a moment, but she quickly adjusted her thoughts. She had a feeling her father was hinting at something else.
Xiao Lingyu shook her head. “Dad, don’t worry. He’ll be fine.” The friend was a fictional character. Even if people went to the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, no matter hard they looked, they wouldn’t find him.
Father Xiao sighed softly. “Okay, Yu ‘Er, you have my support.”
Mother Xiao thought and said, “Yu ‘Er, I’ll support you!”
As parents, they would always support Xiao Lingyu.
Xiao Lingye raised his hands. “Sis, I’m on your side too!”
It was unanimously approved.
Xiao Lingyu said excitedly, “Thank you, Dad, Mom, and my dearest little brother!”
As long as she had the support of her family, no matter how tough and tiring the road was in the future, she would continue on.
“Yu ‘Er, have you picked out the land you want to contract?” Father Xiao asked. “Tomorrow, I’ll ask around the village.”
Xiao Lingyu told him the location of a few pieces of land.