Chef Hua
Chapter 197 - 122 Buy Land (2) (2 more updates) _2

Chapter 197: Chapter 122 Buy Land (2) (2 more updates) _2

Hua Ermiao was straightforward and couldn’t keep things to herself. As soon as she entered the Zheng Family house, she got straight to the point,"Zheng brother, I won’t beat around the bush today. I came to ask for your help to scout out a piece or two of land. We don’t really understand all the various procedures, so we’re relying entirely on your help. Taihe talked my ear off about it, but I didn’t quite follow. All I heard was something about needing to exchange the white deed for a red deed at the Government office, and I didn’t understand what that meant, you...

Zheng Yakuai smiled upon hearing this, nodded, and said, "Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I understand what Taihe means. Although changing the white deed for a red deed at the Government office involves paying some tax, it offers better security. I always remind the villagers who buy land through me about this. Whether or not they’re willing to spend the money depends on them. Since you’ve come to me today, needless to say, I’ll make sure everything is handled properly for you. You won’t have to worry at all. But what kind of land did you want to buy?"

Hua Ermiao then turned her head and sneakily elbowed Hua Xiaomai. Although it didn’t seem forceful, Hua Xiaomai wasn’t prepared and almost tripped, catching herself on the table to stabilize.

"We don’t want paddy fields, just two plots of dry land will do." She glared at Hua Ermiao and then smilingly said to Zheng Yakuai, "I heard that the village lands are divided into three grades—top, middle, and bottom, each with different yields. I’d say directly to you, Big Brother Zheng, we want the top-grade plots. If it could be close to our home, that would be even better. Furthermore, the direction of the land must be good, receiving plenty of sunlight every day. That’s about all."

"Top-grade land?" Zheng Yakuai echoed with a chuckle, "It seems, Xiaomai, that the stall you set up by the river is indeed doing very well. You must have earned quite a bit of money, right? Ah, I’m so envious! Wait a moment, let me check my book first to see if I have something readily available. If not, I’ll go out and ask around this afternoon."

With that, he went inside and brought out an old book, looked through it carefully and nodded, "Hmm, as for dry land, I do have two or three spots. One is closer to your house, just average quality, but it’s located on the west side. Just a couple of steps out your door—it’s a total of three mu, costing four diao per mu; if you insist on top-grade land, there are two mu available near the southern part of the village... Ah, right near your old family home, each mu costing six diao. That’s a fair price. I’ll leave off talking about the last spot since it’s too remote."

Hua Ermiao pondered for a moment.

One mu of top-grade land was six diao; buying two mu would cost twelve diao. Although not cheap, the money they currently had was more than sufficient. It wouldn’t affect their daily lives even if they bought the land.

She was eager to make a decision, but Hua Xiaomai quickly grabbed her and smilingly said to Zheng Yakuai, "Big Brother Zheng, whose land is that two mu of good land in the south of the village?"

Zheng Yakuai picked up the book again, flipped through it, and nodded, "Ah, isn’t that Widow Qi’s? A woman living with her two children, she’s been having a hard time. This spring she couldn’t even afford to buy seeds, leaving her fields fallow. If this continues, those good two mu will turn into wasteland. She’s also eagerly waiting to sell it; rest assured, I’ve seen the land myself and it’s really quite good, six diao per mu, you won’t be at a loss."

Widow Qi? Was she the one who sent a dead turtle to the Jing Family’s old house, causing their entire family to be bedridden with stomach aches during the New Year?

Hua Xiaomai thought for a moment and then shook her head, "Her house is also a bit far, not quite suitable. Brother Zheng, if there really are no other options, could you help us look around again?"

Hua Erniang didn’t understand her intention and turned her head to look at her, frowning, "I actually think this place is quite suitable. It doesn’t stand out in any special way. Why bother finding another location?"

"Never mind that." Hua Xiaomai didn’t want to discuss it further; she only looked towards Zheng Yakuai, smiling, "Is that okay? It would be a big help."

"What’s the trouble, it’s precisely my job!" Zheng Yakuai’s job was to interact with people and trade, incredibly sharp in doing so. Seeing this, he immediately burst into a smile, "No problem, I’ll go out and inquire in a bit. At the latest by the day after tomorrow, I’ll give you a definite answer. Top-grade fertile land, plenty of sunlight, close to home, right? I’ve got it all noted down!"

Hua Xiaomai thanked him and pulled Hua Erniang out of the Zheng Family’s house.

"What are you doing?" Not two steps out, Hua Erniang couldn’t hold back and burst out, slapping Hua Xiaomai hard on the shoulder, scowling, "The Zheng brothers wouldn’t deceive you. If he says it’s good land, it definitely is. Since it’s already available, why bother looking elsewhere? Isn’t this superfluous and also wasting time... "

"Maybe her property really is good land, but have you forgotten what kind of person Qi Widow is?" Hua Xiaomai took a sharp breath, rubbing her sore shoulder, "If it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t have had stomach pains and rested in bed for several days. Just thinking about it makes me angry. Since her land is good, it will definitely sell eventually. I just don’t want her to profit from our family’s money, okay?"

Hua Erniang had indeed forgotten this detail and paused slightly before bursting out laughing, hugging Hua Xiaomai, "Ah, you really do have a conscience."

"Of course." Hua Xiaomai rolled her eyes at her, "Moreover, if I remember correctly, there has always been discord between Lady Jing and Qi Widow, right? If we buy Qi Widow’s land and let her profit, the old family house definitely won’t feel pleased."

"Why should we care about them? When I do something, do I need their permission?" Hua Erniang was very dismissive, rolled her eyelids to the sky, and pouted, somewhat childishly.

"Indeed, we don’t need their approval, but you also don’t have to worsen your relationship with your in-laws because of an outsider." Hua Xiaomai patted her back like soothing a child, softly persuading, "There are so many fields in the village, and Brother Zheng does this professionally; he’ll surely find us a suitable one quickly. Even if we really cannot find any, by then, buying Qi Widow’s land won’t be too late, right?" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to give a recommendation ticket or monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)