Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Jin Aijun’s Promise
Land was the very foundation upon which the village people’s lives depended.
The gap between the rich and the poor in each household mainly depended on how much land they occupied.
The Yue Family had three brothers, yet they only had one plot of land—not enough to even consider splitting.
So when this news was suddenly heard, everyone was emotionally stirred.
Even Yue Qingqing vocalized her opinion twice, and Zhang Ying laughed while touching her little nose.
Yue Jiandong was the most composed and recovered the quickest, “But our family’s three hundred dollars might not be enough. I heard that now leasing land requires a lease of over ten years.”
Yue Jianxi also scratched his head, “And with the land in the village being so sparse, who would want to rent to us? Leasing barren land is not worthwhile either.”
The barren land had long been uncultivated, covered in weeds, making the soil fertility poor.
It would need several years of good maintenance to yield a good harvest, something the Yue Family could not wait for.
Yet Lin Chunju was resolute, “Old man Jin passed away half a year ago, and his only son, Jin Aijun, has been apprenticing with the old carpenter for several years now and won’t become a farmer either.”
Upon hearing this, the Yue Family realized Lin Chunju had long planned this and knew everything thoroughly.
“We might not have enough money, but we can talk to Jin Aijun and pay him for the land in installments, increasing it a bit every year.”
Yue Jiandong nodded, “Junzi and I have a good relationship; he should agree.”
Lin Chunju decided, “Good, eldest, you go tomorrow and feel him out. If he agrees, we’ll go talk to the village chief.”
That night the Yue Family slept very well, filled with dreams of hope and anticipation for the future—all sweet dreams.
Ever since she stopped breastfeeding at night, Yue Qingqing had been put back in the eldest brother’s room.
Zhang Ying held Yue Qingqing and kissed her repeatedly, never tiring of looking at her.
Yue Jiandong, the tough man that he was, felt a wave of sourness in his heart at this moment.
“You kissed the little one, why not also give the big one a kiss?”
Zhang Ying blushed and spit lightly, “Such a big man, and still jealous of his own daughter?”
Yue Qingqing giggled nonstop, as if mocking her own father.
Only when she saw that her daughter was becoming sleepy did Zhang Ying reluctantly place Yue Qingqing in the makeshift crib next to her.
When she lay back in her bedding, she found her side had long been made warm by her husband.
Yue Jiandong, embracing his wife, envisioned, “Old man Jin’s land, although neglected for half a year, won’t be impacted much. Next spring, we’ll burn some straw, till the land a few times more, and the yield won’t be small.”
Zhang Ying snuggled into his shoulder, “I never imagined that our family could buy another plot of land. Life will likely get better and better.”
“It definitely will!”
Early the next morning, Yue Jiannan’s eyes were red with evident lack of sleep, trailing behind his big brother like a little tail.
“Big brother, when are you heading out?”
“Do you think Jin Aijun is up yet?”
“Mom, isn’t the food ready yet?”
Lin Chunju was both annoyed and amused, “Did you grow thorns on your bottom? Sit still for a while; that plot of land isn’t going anywhere.”
Only then did Yue Jiannan settle down a bit, slurping down half a bowl of porridge before looking up again.
“Brother, why are you eating so slowly today?”
Finally, unable to bear it anymore, Yue Jiandong flicked his finger on his head, “Don’t talk while eating; you’ll choke soon enough.”
Even so, the rest of the Yue family was also restless.
Yue Jiandong finished his breakfast at double speed and walked quickly towards Jin Aijun’s house.
Jin Aijun had just gotten out of bed, and his face showed surprise when he opened the door.
“Brother Yue, why are you here so early? What do you need?”
Yue Jiandong looked around, “Let’s talk inside.”
Once Jin Aijun understood Yue Jiandong’s intentions, he seemed troubled.
“Brother Yue, I indeed have no plans to farm, but this land is the legacy my father left me. I can’t just give it away.”
Yue Jiandong quickly grasped the deeper meaning in his words.
“Junzi, you can rest assured, I am not looking to lease the land for free. We might not have much money at home, but we can pay the rental for one year upfront, and depending on the harvest, we’ll increase the rent next year.”
Jin Aijun was startled, unable to help himself from saying, “Where does the Yue Family get their money?”
Yue Jiandong didn’t tell the truth, “Ah, it’s all from mother’s dowry before. We had no other choice but to sell them in town a while back.”
Many people in the village knew that Lin Chunju came from a wealthy family and having some valuables was not surprising.
But little did they know that during those tough years, Lin Chunju had already sold everything she had.
Jin Aijun’s face brightened, thumping his chest in assurance.
“Brother Yue, rest assured, we brothers have been close since childhood. I will definitely lease this land to your family.”
Yue Jiandong felt a weight lifted off his chest and a surge of joy rose within him.