Chapter 109: Land Contracting

“Twenty thousand? Xiao Tian, my child, aren’t you pushing your uncle and aunt to the brink? We owe over a hundred thousand in loans, and if we can’t clear them by year-end, the lenders will come knocking, seizing our belongings and even resorting to violence. It’s not about us, but I worry about Yang Yang, who’s still in college!” Su Fang employed her usual strategy of playing the poor card, sitting down on the sofa and wiping her tears.

“I only offered twenty thousand out of respect for you being my uncle and aunt. Otherwise, who’d want to pay that much for the vegetable greenhouse land? It’s already flooded and turned into a swamp. Who knows if there’ll be another flood next year?” Yang Tian chuckled, fully aware that such flooding wouldn’t happen again.

“Well… Xiao Bao, could you possibly increase the offer? We really are struggling,” Yang Ming pleaded with a trembling voice.

“Then add a bit more. They wouldn’t come to us if they weren’t facing real hardship,” the kind-hearted Li Xiuying whispered.

“Alright, thirty thousand it is,” Yang Bao said after a moment’s thought, then glanced at Yang Tian as if seeking his opinion.

“Thirty thousand then. But all the houses in Daliushu Village will belong to my family from now on. Don’t bring up inheritance issues at my place again, understood?” Yang Tian declared firmly. Since the couple was kind-hearted, he decided not to make things difficult for Yang Ming and Su Fang any longer.

“Oh, you child, we’re family after all. Is this really necessary? Those rundown houses in Daliushu Village aren’t worth much; you can have them all!” Su Fang smiled with forced sweetness.

With thirty thousand paid, the vegetable greenhouse returned to Yang Tian’s family. As Yang Tian predicted, once the floodwaters receded, the Binhai City government began reclaiming the land around Daliushu Village, following a four-step plan: first, acquiring farmland; second, placing villagers in jobs; third, acquiring houses; and finally, resettling the villagers.

The government’s subsidy for farmland acquisition was minimal because free employment placement was next.

Thanks to Yang Tian’s efforts, he scored a big bargain: his family’s land was not handed over. Although this meant no government subsidy, if he had handed it over, he’d have to pay a high price to lease it back shortly after.

“Eighty yuan per mu for 130 mu, with a lease term of 30 years. Can you accept that?” In Director Yuan Shan’s office at the Land Management Bureau, Yang Tian and Yuan sat facing each other. Yang Tian still lacked an ID card, so by regulation, he had to lease land under his father’s name. But Yuan made an exception at Yang Tian’s strong request — he didn’t want his father dragged into this risky business that he might not afford.

“Uncle Yuan, to be honest, it’s a bit expensive! Besides, there’s more than just 130 mu of land around Daliushu. I know you have a new plan, but I’d like to lease all 300 mu!” Yang Tian smiled, inwardly noting how cunning Yuan was. Yuan likely knew leasing the land to him wouldn’t make much profit, so he reserved most of it to “milk” others who wanted to lease.

Moreover, Binhai City was still undeveloped, comparable to a small county-level city domestically. How could land around Daliushu cost eighty yuan per mu?

“Ah, Yang Tian, you’re not joking, right? Using 300 mu just to grow landscaping grass seems like a waste,” Yuan laughed, dropping the money topic for now, calculating how hard it was to gain anything from this kid.

“Uncle Yuan, you’re a veteran. You know if it’s wasteful or not. I understand you’re testing my plans. Well, let me report honestly! Currently, Binhai’s main greenery is street trees, followed by parks and gardens. So, nurseries, lawns, shrubs, and flowers are also important. In a few years, community landscaping will be emphasized, requiring many distinctive trees, shrubs, and flowers. Later, as living standards rise, household greenery will grow, bringing a market for bonsai and potted plants. Considering this, Uncle Yuan, do you still think 300 mu is too much?” Yang Tian outlined his rough plan, making Yuan nod repeatedly. “Alright, the 300 mu are yours, but the price remains eighty yuan per mu. There are quotas to consider!” Yuan said, feigning reluctance.

“Then how about this: I’ll solve the employment problem for Daliushu villagers as well. You give me fifty yuan per mu. Deal?” Knowing Yuan was tough, Yang Tian played his trump card. He had heard the employment placement for Daliushu villagers was problematic—they lacked skills for factory work and required long training for sanitation jobs in the city.

“You’ll solve their employment? How?” Yuan was surprised but smiled.

“They’ll work in my plantation spraying insecticide and weeding—that’s their strength. They can definitely manage. Plus, working close to home means no housing arrangement is needed, and their lifestyle won’t be disrupted!” Yang Tian had thought it all through; having villagers work for him would earn his family respect.

“Good idea, but this isn’t under our bureau’s jurisdiction. I can’t decide!” Yuan joked.

“If you give me the fifty yuan per mu price, I’ll take it to Mayor Lang. The employment funding goes to your bureau. How about that?” Yang Tian was confident. Since Mayor Lang was responsible for this, he had a good chance.

“I see… alright, I’ll make an exception again!” Yuan agreed readily. As long as he didn’t lose money, he had no reason to refuse. Employment placement was a headache for Lang as well, so he immediately consented. By regulation, the funds would first go to Yang Tian, who would then reimburse the Land Bureau, allowing Yang Tian a small profit.

After over a month of hard work, the land lease was basically settled, with Zhang Xiuxiu’s considerable help. Without her family connections, city officials wouldn’t have been so accommodating.

So, after the big deal, Yang Tian decided to treat Zhang Xiuxiu to dinner at Golden Coast.

“Aha, Yang Tian, should I call you classmate or boss now?” Zhang Xiuxiu joked playfully. Since Yang Tian was treating, she didn’t hold back and ordered a feast.

Her formidable bodyguard, Xia Dong, stood motionless by the door as usual.

“Whatever you prefer! Honestly, thanks for your help with the land lease. I’ll toast to you,” Yang Tian said steadily. Though he preferred to keep distance from Zhang Xiuxiu, he wasn’t ungrateful.

“That’s more like it! Cool, Boss Yang treating me alone—this is no ordinary treatment!” Today, Zhang Xiuxiu wore a French-style beige miniskirt and shiny black stockings, exuding mature allure. Unlike usual, she didn’t wear her signature pink oversized sunglasses, deliberately showcasing her enchanting eyes.

“Miss Zhang, you flatter me. I know you want to thank me for helping your brother because of your special bond—it’s rare. You’re a good person, a good sister,” Yang Tian said earnestly, something he rarely expressed to her.

“Nonsense, of course I’m a good person!” Zhang Xiuxiu was momentarily touched but quickly became playful again.

“Good people get good returns!” Yang Tian smiled knowingly. He realized if Zhang had a second chance like him, she wouldn’t have let Yang Tian get beaten up or end up like this. She still carried guilt for Zhang Zhi, much like he once did for Yang Xueling.

“Right, good people get good returns! So, Boss Yang, will you watch a movie with me tonight?” Zhang Xiuxiu seized the moment. Since Yang Tian had invited her to dinner, she wasn’t letting him off easily.

“Movie? The Academy Theater is fine, but Paris Style isn’t. I just leased the land, so I’m short on cash!” Yang Tian was straightforward, mainly because he didn’t like spending extravagantly at such upscale places.

“Don’t be like that! If you’re short, I’ll help you! Didn’t you say you wanted to make that your first investment? Haha, but you can’t escape tonight. I’ll pay for the movie—Academy Theater it is. Afraid I won’t dare go?” Zhang Xiuxiu raised her eyebrows mischievously, then called to Xia Dong behind her, “Xia Dong, book the Academy Theater for tonight. Have them screen Titanic!”

Xia Dong understood and left immediately.

“Who would’ve thought a city girl like Miss Zhang would like such a pure romance movie…” Yang Tian murmured. In 1998, the wild age, urban girls usually preferred wilder love stories. Zhang was rare.

“I just love pure romance, so what? Come on, stop eating. Let’s go watch the movie!” Zhang Xiuxiu dropped her chopsticks, grabbed Yang Tian’s hand, and headed out, barely able to wait.

Yang Tian shook his head helplessly, but seeing her enthusiasm, he had no choice but to agree. She had asked before but he refused; now it would be unkind to say no again.

P.S. Recommended friend’s new book: “God’s Armament,” book number 1275267. Synopsis: Carrying a bug skill called Soul Flame from a game, Tang Huang transmigrated to Eternal Big 6. Here, he forges powerful soul equipment from Soul Flame. With these, he writes a dazzling legend in Eternal Big 6.