Chapter 071: A Companion in Study

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“Little Bao, what are you all dawdling about for? How are we going to settle this matter?” Su Fang, clearly running out of patience, called out irritably when she saw Yang Tian and Yang Bao coming out from the backyard.

“It’s like this, Auntie,” Yang Tian began, keeping them in suspense for a moment before continuing, “my parents have made their position clear, so here are the two options they’re offering—see what you think. First, we’ll give you all our vegetable greenhouses, but you’ll need to pay us a hundred thousand yuan. I think our greenhouses are worth at least that much, don’t you? The second option is to go by the usual rules: we split the land half and half, each family farming their own share. You won’t need to pay us anything, but you’ll have to dismantle all the greenhouses that are currently on your land. If you want to build new ones, you’ll have to do it yourselves.”

As soon as Yang Tian finished speaking, both Yang Ming’s and Yang Bao’s families were taken aback. Yang Ming and his wife hadn’t expected that Yang Bao and Li Xiuying would truly be willing to give up the greenhouses. Selling them for a hundred thousand wasn’t expensive at all—they’d make that back in just a couple of years.

On the other hand, Yang Bao and his wife wondered if Yang Tian was asking too much. With the inevitable flooding next year, the greenhouses would be ruined. If Yang Ming’s family wanted to rebuild, they’d have to pay a hefty price, and now Yang Tian still wanted to make a hundred thousand off them.

Yang Xueling wasn’t entirely pleased either; she thought they ought to ask for two hundred thousand. But Yang Tian felt the price was fair. Even with the impending disaster next year, these greenhouses—being a new and promising venture—could easily fetch eighty thousand, if not a hundred thousand, if sold outright.

“Wait, are you really willing to sell? Little Bao, are you really going to hand over all the greenhouses?” Yang Ming and Su Fang were half incredulous, half delighted. Over the years, the greenhouses had made Yang Bao’s family a tidy sum. Would they really give up such a lucrative asset for just a hundred thousand?

“Money is important, but family is family. Since you’re so set on running the greenhouses, you might as well be the ones to do it. We’ll move on to something else. Times are changing, and there’s money to be made in all kinds of ventures. We shouldn’t let a bit of cash ruin family harmony, don’t you agree, Mom and Dad?” Before Yang Bao could respond, Yang Tian said this with a smile.

“Yes, if you really want them, just give us some money and take them,” Yang Bao agreed after a moment’s pause, especially when he saw Yang Qingtang’s face turning green with anger. He felt it was time to let Yang Ming and Su Fang suffer the consequences of their greed and lack of filial piety.

“Oh Ming, it seems we really misjudged Little Bao. He’s still as honest as ever; I thought making money might have changed him! Little Bao, don’t take what I said to your brother earlier to heart. You know our family isn’t doing well, the factory isn’t thriving, and Yang’s in college now—our income is low, expenses are high! When the old man lived with us, we took good care of him, and you know that, too!” Su Fang immediately switched gears, walking over to Yang Bao and putting on a pitiful act.

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“I know, and from now on, you don’t need to worry about the old man. You can have all the greenhouses, and we’ll even give you some technical guidance. But we won’t budge on the price—your sister-in-law and I worked from dawn to dusk to build up this business, as you well know!” Yang Bao’s resolve hardened at the mention of Yang Qingtang.

“I know, Little Bao, your sister-in-law understands where you’re coming from. But Bao, Yang Yang—your nephew—he’s in college now and it’s costing us a lot. Your brother’s not much of an earner, otherwise we wouldn’t bother you with this. How about this: eighty thousand instead of a hundred, and let’s count the other twenty as your contribution to Yang Yang’s education, all right?” Su Fang even managed to squeeze out a few tears as she pleaded poverty, impressing Yang Tian’s family with her ability to cry on cue in front of everyone.

“Um...” Yang Bao hesitated. Su Fang had brought up his nephew Yang Yang, and he was momentarily at a loss for how to respond, even though he knew it was just Su Fang’s excuse—after all, Yang Yang was still his nephew.

“Why don’t we settle on eighty thousand? We were poor before, and never bought much for Yang Yang. Let’s consider this a bit of compensation,” Li Xiuying, ever kindhearted, spoke up.

“Oh, you’re really generous! In that case, eighty thousand it is—let’s call it settled,” Su Fang jumped in, grinning broadly.

Yang Tian nearly fainted; Su Fang could switch from tears to laughter in a heartbeat—what a performer. But since his parents were kind by nature and had picked a middle ground, he said no more.

“Auntie, since we’re talking about money, let’s treat this as a business deal. Family or not, let’s make things clear from the start. We’ll sign a contract, and once that’s done, everything’s settled—no backing out. For example, if my parents change their minds and don’t want to sell, that’s not allowed; the contract stands. And if you and Uncle lose money on the greenhouses, you can’t blame us or ask for your money back. Is that acceptable?” Yang Tian paused, then laid things out plainly in front of their neighbors, wanting to prevent any future trouble.

With a contract in place, they couldn’t go back on their word. But Yang Tian knew their character—if they lost money next year, they’d be back pestering his parents, maybe even trying to break the contract. Best to shut Su Fang up now, before she had a chance to cause trouble.

When next year they lost everything, she’d have no choice but to hide away and cry in secret.

“Of course! If we lose money, that’s on us, not your fault. If you can make money, why can’t we? Don’t worry—if I come complaining if we lose, I’m not worthy of being called a person! Let me tell you, your aunt isn’t that kind of person!” Su Fang declared loudly.

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Yang Tian knew that by next August, she’d regret those words so much she’d want to slap herself.

“Auntie, since big brother Yang Yang is going to college and we’re giving you two thousand for that, when my brother and I go to college, will you each give us two thousand as well?” With the matter of the greenhouses settled, Yang Xueling piped up with a question that left Su Fang speechless.

With all the neighbors watching, she couldn’t say no outright, but she didn’t dare agree either. If she promised now and didn’t pay up later, the whole village would laugh at her.

Seeing Su Fang’s awkward expression, Yang Tian doubled over with silent laughter, thoroughly impressed by his little sister’s quick wit.

A few days later, Yang Ming and his wife brought over eighty thousand yuan and signed the contract with Yang Bao and his wife. Then, full of anticipation, they began running the greenhouse business.

After selling the greenhouses, Yang Bao and his wife couldn’t help but feel a bit lost. With nothing to do at home, Yang Tian found something for them: renting a house in Luohe Town to accompany Yang Xueling while she studied.

Yang Bao could also take a job at Zhang Qiang’s textile factory to get familiar with its operations and gain some experience before taking over as plant manager at the Binhai City branch next year.

This new plan sparked their interest, so they left the house in Yang Qingtang’s care and moved to town to keep Xueling company, though they still decided to return to Daliushu Village every week so Yang Qingtang wouldn’t get too lonely.

Yang Tian and Huang Juan also promised to come back for weekends whenever they could, to keep Yang Qingtang company, practice calligraphy, and chat.