Chapter 42: 42nd Chapter: Contracting the Fish Pond
Village Chief Zhang was really annoyed now, “Wang Jinshun, can your family be in two places at once? Having finally earned a little money, you might as well contract all the village land.”
Wang Jinshun pursed his lips and stopped talking; he just couldn’t stand to see the Yue Family do well, who would care about a broken pond anyway.
Lin Chunju wasn’t in a hurry, speaking leisurely, “Forget it, it was just a casual mention. If you’re willing to pay, I’ll let you have it.”
Her attitude made Wang Jinshun feel uneasy, fearing this might be a pitfall laid by the Yue Family.
Besides, however he thought about it, the fish pond was no better than a stinky ditch, hardly worth anything.
“Forget it, I think that broken place suits the Yue Family just fine; I won’t contract it.” Wang Jinshun swaggered away, feeling his task of annoying the Yue Family was accomplished.
“I’ll discuss it with the village committee tomorrow, and we can sign the contract the day after.”
Village Chief Zhang was a man of action, not willing to delay matters even during the New Year period.
Lin Chunju repeatedly thanked him and had Yue Jiannan pack some meat for him to take back.
Village Chief Zhang initially refused but eventually had to take it with him.
Jin Aijun was getting ready to leave as well, but Yue Jiandong also prepared a bowl for him.
Jin Aijun said with embarrassment, “Big Brother Yue, how can I have the face to eat your family’s food?”
Yue Jiandong consoled him, “You haven’t married yet, with no one at home to cook, don’t be polite with me, just take it.”
Jin Aijun scratched his head and was at a loss for words for a moment.
Having lost his mother at a young age, he was bullied, and it was Big Brother Yue who had helped him.
If it weren’t for his desire to save money to get a wife, he wouldn’t have involved himself in such matters.
His hands holding the heavy bowl, Jin Aijun mustered up the courage to raise his head.
“Big Brother Yue, I’m not too busy these days; I can make beds for your two kids, and also a small cart.”
“No need, that would be too much trouble for you.”
“It’s no trouble, the stuff for kids is small and doesn’t require much material. I happen to have some offcuts handy, just consider it practice.”
Jin Aijun gestured to Yue Jiandong, “My master said folks in the city like to use carts now, they put their kids on them so they don’t have to hold them all the time, it’s a real saver.”
Yue Qingqing and Yue Xiaohu were growing up. Xiaohu might not be so noticeable, but Yue Qingqing showed an excessively exuberant curiosity.
She often babbled, wanting to be carried around by family members everywhere.
Moreover, the small beds that Yue Qingqing and Yue Xiaohu slept on were revamped from old cabinets, compromising both comfort and safety.
Yue Jiandong was indeed interested, “Then, we’ll have to trouble Junzi, but we can’t let you work for nothing, even though we’re brothers, we should settle things clearly.”
With a heavy heart lifted, Jin Aijun grinned broadly, “Just give a little less.”
After everyone had left, Yue Jiannan, who had a belly full of words, couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Mom, are you really planning to contract the fish pond? Wouldn’t it be better to contract a fruit orchard like my sister?”
Lin Chunju analyzed for him, “Our Daye Village doesn’t have the convenience of transportation like Jinshan Village. Fruit is the kind of thing that spoils quickly, and if we can’t transport it after harvest, it would all rot in the orchard, maybe not even covering the cost of saplings.”
Yue Jiandong continued after his mother, “Plus, ever since Xiaofang’s fruit orchard started making money, many families in Jinshan Village have begun planting fruit trees; once there are more growers, the price of fruit will also not be good.”
Yue Jiannan then understood, but still had some reservations, “But we’ve never managed a fish pond before.”
Lin Chunju answered him with just four words.
Thanks to Wang Jinshun’s vigorous promotion, the news of the Yue Family contracting the village’s spoiled fish pond spread quickly.
There were all sorts of remarks, but most were laments about the fate of the Yue Family.
“No helping it, one has to accept their fate, the Yue Family seems destined to be poor for generations.”
“I heard it’s the widow Lin who sold her bottom-of-the-trunk dowry to scrape up the money. Tsk, it’s just like throwing money into the water.”
“From now on, it’s better to steer clear of their house, weird enough as it is, who knows if their brains aren’t right either.”
The last sentence was said by Er Gou’s wife, who had the nature of forgetting pain once the wound was healed, once again flaunting her presence before the Yue family.
Under the skeptical gaze of the people, Yue Jiandong, representing the Yue Family, formally signed the contract with the village.