Chapter 265: Followed Suit
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Binglan felt helpless since everyone insisted. However, she could not take back the fact that she had taught her brother and sister-in-law how to make tofu.
She argued, “You don’t have to feel bad, Big Brother. I’ve said it before. It’s better to teach someone how to fish than to give it to them. I only hope that our family can live good lives.
“That tofu factory belongs to Big Brother and Sister-in-law, so I won’t have to worry about you two anymore. I have plans for Wenxiu and Wenwu too. I will nurture their skills so they can also live good lives.
Su Wenzhe and his wife almost cried because of how touched they felt, but they still insisted. Ultimately, they decided to split the tofu factory’s profit 50-50.
After everyone agreed, Su Binglan and her father went to First Granduncle Su’s place to discuss buying more land.
Su Teng Village was expansive, and there was a lot of empty land behind it. However, those plots of land were not suitable for growing crops, so no one wanted to spend money on them. Thus, most abandoned those lands.
When Su Binglan said she wanted to buy 50 acres of land, First Granduncle Su was stunned. “Are you honestly going to buy that much land, Binglan?! Most of them are useless since you can’t grow crops on them.”
He said that for Su Binglan’s sake because he saw Su Binglan as his own.
Su Binglan said smilingly, “There’s nothing wrong with the wasteland, First
Granduncle Su. I have a use for them.’
“Binglan is right, Uncle. Don’t worry. Since they’re useful to us, we won’t end up with losses from buying that land.”
Su Fengmao trusted his daughter very much because he knew she was capable. The wasteland might not grow crops in the hands of others, but it would for Su Binglan.
After all, the Su family harvested more rice than the rest of the villagers, even though they used the same land. It was just that Su Binglan would occasionally help in the fields, and Su Fengmao felt that the rice had overgrown thanks to his daughter.
Su Binglan’s abilities wildly convinced Old Madam Su. She said to her husband, “Yes, others might not buy that wasteland, but I believe in Binglan’s ability to make it useful.
She was fond of Su Binglan. Old Madam Su had warmly welcomed her since she entered the house. She even made tea that she was reluctant to brew for Su Fengmao and Su Binglan.
First Granduncle Su said, “Okay, since you insist on buying that land, it’ll cost one silver tael for two acres, making a total of fifty acres for twenty-five silver taels.’
Although he was curious about what Su Binglan wanted to do with that land, he did not pry. Nonetheless, he was happy to see his family doing well.
Su Fengmao was in disbelief. “That’s too cheap, Uncle!”
Su Fengmao knew his uncle would side with him whenever he looked for him. Su Fengmao feared affecting his uncle’s prestige in the village if the other villagers discovered this.
First Granduncle Su waved his hand and said, “Most of that land is uncultivated, anyway, and the villagers know that. No one would object to my price, even if they discovered how cheap it is. You can rest assured.”
Then he stamped the documents and the land deed.
The following day, Su Binglan and the others went to the administrator’s office to settle the documents, and the land finally belonged to Su Binglan.
After bringing Su Binglan and Su Fengmao back to the village, Old Master Su sighed.
Old Madam Su said, “Was there something you wanted to tell them?” She understood her husband well, so she knew his thoughts.
Old Master Su said, “Winter is coming soon, so the villagers can’t predict whether or not they have enough food to survive. I hope it won’t get too cold this time around, so no one will freeze to death.’
If the snow covered the mountains, the village would become colder.
Therefore, it was usual for some to freeze to death if they did not have enough to eat or warm clothes to wear.
Of course, Su Teng Village fared better than others, and Old Master Su was a good person as he would give the villagers his family’s belongings, blankets, and other things to use.
However, that was not a proper solution either. The surrounding villages’ situation was even dire as people would freeze to death once winter came. That was why Old Master Su was concerned.
Old Madam Su immediately understood how her husband felt. “Don’t you remember that Binglan is our family’s lucky star? Don’t you think she has ways to help the villagers become rich?
“When everyone’s conditions improve, they will be more willing to buy blankets and other things to survive the winter. Then they will no longer be afraid of the cold.’
Old Master Su nodded. “I know that, but I can’t allow it. We can’t let Binglan shoulder those responsibilities just because she can. She’s our family treasure, but she deserves to be happy too.”
Old Madam Su laughed. “You’re overthinking again, and Binglan is a good child. If something terrible happens to the village, she won’t just ignore it. Let’s just wait and see. The villagers will bask in her glory even if she doesn’t do anything. ”
Old Madam Su’s joyfulness brought up her husband’s mood. He relaxed slightly and said, “Are you that confident?”
“Of course I am! Haven’t you seen how many people Binglan has helped with just her ideas? Take the bricks, for example. Those bricks that Zhengde made were affordable, and the villagers went and bought a lot of them so they could repair their houses.
“Fengzhi is doing well, too, because the charcoal he makes is affordable. Now the villagers can afford to buy some to survive the winter. They won’t freeze to death,” Old Madam Su became more enthusiastic as she spoke.
She continued, “Those two are good people. They knew that Binglan was the one who brought them success, so they offered her 30% of their profits, even though she did not want to accept them. Ultimately, she had to because they insisted.
“Still, Binglan buys charcoal and bricks according to the real prices instead of a discount. She follows the rules, so it’s fair to everyone. With Binglan around, our village will only improve over time.”
Old Master Su smiled when he heard these things. “Well, you do make a lot of sense.”
Old Madam Su said, “See? You were overthinking.”
After all, Old Master Su had to think about these things since he was the village elder. “I still don’t know why Binglan bought the wasteland.”
“Don’t worry. Binglan will find a use for it, and we’ll know why when the time comes.” Old Madam Su was also curious but knew what she should and should not ask.
When Su Binglan and her father were on their way home, the family did not sleep. Even Su Xuexuan and Su Xuehai were so excited that they did not want to sleep.
Liu Yinyin told them to sleep, but the duo insisted on waiting for their aunt to return. She said smilingly, “These two like their aunt very much now.” At that moment, Su Binglan returned.
Su Wenwu could not wait to ask, “Did you guys get the land, Father?”
Su Fengmao said excitedly, “Yes, we bought 50 acres! We must go to the office tomorrow and finalize the paperwork.”
Su Wenwu was so surprised that his jaw almost hit the ground..
