Chapter 141: The Qi Family's Proposal

Jiaoyan and her mother were chatting and laughing away in the kitchen while preparing the meal. Just then, Gu Chengyong walked in from outside with his sons, and Madam Feng called out for them to wash their hands and eat.

As the family sat around the table and was about to eat, they heard some commotion outside, followed by the arrival of Qi Jianyuan and his daughter, Qi Xuemei. Both father and daughter were carrying a large number of things. As soon as they stepped into the room, Qi Jianyuan said, "Dayong, tomorrow is the festival, so I brought you some festive food."

What Qi Jianyuan brought included four catties of mooncakes, a chicken, twenty eggs, and five catties of pork, along with a basket of various fruits. As a holiday gift, this was certainly a substantial amount. In particular, the Gu and Qi families had no kinship ties, so presenting such a generous gift was extremely rare.

Gu Chengyong quickly stood up. "Oh my, this simply won't do! These things must have cost a pretty penny; how could I let you spend your money like this?" He hastily declined. "Sit down quickly. Wenhxiu, fetch a chair so Uncle Qi can sit."

"What money are you talking about? The chicken and eggs are from our own place, and as for the mooncakes and pork, how much could they possibly cost? Just think about it—if it weren't for Jiaoniang's help, those two mu of land of mine would have been a total write-off. Now, not only am I not losing money, but I can even make a tidy profit. Shouldn't I come and thank Jiaoniang properly?" Qi Jianyuan placed the items on the floor, led Xuemei to sit on a chair, and then said with a warm smile, "Jiaoniang, I didn't bring too many fruits for you; just come over and pick whatever you want to eat. We might not have much else, but fruit we have in abundance."

From her spot on the kang, Jiaoyan had naturally seen those things. To be honest, combined together, these items were likely worth seven or eight hundred cash. For a farming family, such holiday gifts were truly lavish. "Uncle Qi, why are you being so formal with us? Our two families get along well, which is why I was happy to help. There's no need to bring all these things!"

"Isn't the festival coming up? I went to town today to deliver melon seeds, and the shopkeeper told me they wanted as many as I could provide. If I had any more, I should bring them over in a few days. I honestly never expected that things almost left to rot in the fields could now bring in so much money. This is all thanks to Jiaoniang. At the time, I offered to split half with you, but you wouldn't take it. I simply had to bring something over to show my gratitude." Qi Jianyuan was well-spoken, and his tone was extremely sincere.

Seeing how things stood and realizing these gifts could not be declined, Jiaoyan tugged at Gu Chengyong's sleeve. "Father, just accept it. Otherwise, the Qi family will feel ill at ease. That's just how relations between neighbors work."

Gu Chengyong naturally understood this as well, so he sighed. "Jianyuan, I'll keep the things, but you mustn't do this again in the future. We live in the same village; if anything comes up, just give a shout. As long as we can help, we will do our best."

"Dayong, I actually do have a matter I'd like to discuss with you today," Qi Jianyuan said, putting away his smile and turning serious.

"This past spring, several of our families went to the county seat together and bought melon seeds collectively. Now, my family's crop has turned out well, but the others are probably still worrying about what to do with theirs. Coincidentally, the roasted goods shop is still demanding supplies, and I don't have much left on my hand. I was thinking, why don't our two families join forces, go directly to those households, buy back their melon seeds, and make some money together? What do you think?"

Gu Chengyong was slightly taken aback. "Many families planted this?"

"Of course! There were about a dozen of us going together, and quite a few people even brought seeds back for their relatives. With such a commotion, won't everyone end up suffering losses this year? I was thinking that if we go and buy up their melon seeds, those households can also cut down on their losses," Qi Jianyuan said with an expression of regret. "Besides, since we know this is a good thing that can make money, why not seize the opportunity to make some profit together?"

Jiaoyan, listening from the side, understood the situation clearly. Not to mention, the Qi family members were quite quick-witted. These melon seeds were clearly a rare commodity here and were bound to be in high demand. If they seized this opportunity to buy up all the melon seeds from the farmers who had planted them, the quantity would certainly be substantial, allowing them to turn a neat profit. At the same time, those farmers would mitigate some of their losses.

"Uncle Qi, I agree to this. How about this—we'll trouble you to make arrangements with those households, whether they want to sell by the melon or by the seeds. Once we buy them back, our two families will pitch in and process them together, which will earn us some pocket money." Anyone who let such an opportunity slip by would be a fool. Jiaoyan was no fool; the Qi family had goodwill toward them, so she was willing to help. As for the others, she had no special ties with them, and when there was money to be made, why shouldn't she earn it?

Seeing Jiaoyan agree so readily, Qi Jianyuan clapped his hands firmly. "Good! Jiaoniang, you are as decisive as ever. It's settled then: I will put up the capital, and you can come help process them. When we sell the melon seeds and get the money, our two families will split it fifty-fifty."

"Uncle Qi, wouldn't that mean I'm taking too much? Just give me thirty percent." Jiaoyan hadn't really been counting on this for a major fortune; it was just for fun. The Qi family was putting up the capital, the labor, and the firewood, so taking half in the end felt a bit excessive.

"Not at all, not at all! You're still young and don't understand the importance of a recipe. Haven't you seen how in large businesses, whoever holds a unique recipe always takes the lion's share as a major stakeholder? It's settled, no more argument. We won't let you get the short end of the stick." Naturally, the Qi family wanted to use this as a way to compensate Jiaoyan fairly. Of course, what Qi Jianyuan said about the recipe was indeed standard practice.

After a moment's thought, Jiaoyan nodded and agreed. Afterward, they discussed the acquisition price for the melon seeds. Once everything was settled, Qi Jianyuan took his leave to return home. He needed to hurry and discuss the matter with the other households. The stir he had caused by selling five-spice melon seeds was already significant, and if someone else were to steal a march on him, there would be no money left to make.

With the Qi family members gone, the Gu family resumed their meal. Wenxiu looked at Jiaoyan and smiled. "Our little sister is truly capable; she's already making money at her age. Little sister, when you grow up to become a wealthy landowner, don't forget to look out for us!"

Wenxiu's words caused everyone to burst into laughter. Jiaoyan lifted her chin slightly, her large eyes flashing with a triumphant gleam, and deliberately said, "Rest assured, when the time comes, I won't leave my older brothers behind."

Everyone laughed again, and then Madam Feng spoke. "Ordinarily, for something like this, we ought to go over and help out. However, I'm afraid your grandmother wouldn't be happy about it. How about this: we'll have your eldest brother and third brother go over to help, and your father and I won't go. As for the money earned, no matter how much it is, we'll keep it for Jiaor'er as her private savings."

Even if the old matriarch grew green-eyed at the money earned by the children, there was nothing she could do about it. If both she and her husband went to help, the money would have to be considered earned by the couple. In that case, there was no telling what kind of fuss Madam Li would kick up. Madam Feng preferred to avoid endless household squabbles, so she simply proposed this arrangement.

Jiaoyan was slightly startled. "Mother, I'm only six years old. Isn't it a bit too early to start saving private money now?"

"Not early at all, it's just the right time. The household doesn't lack that bit of silver for daily expenses; whatever money you earn, you can save for yourself. As you gradually grow older, a young lady cannot be without some private funds of her own. When you're a bit older and want to buy clothes or cosmetics that you like, you can just buy them yourself. Isn't it much more convenient to have money in your own hands?" Gu Chengyong had just finished eating; he reached out, pulled Jiaoyan into his arms, and kissed her on the cheek.

"Father, I'm already six years old and a big girl now. You can't keep hugging and kissing me all the time! Besides, your beard is prickly—it hurts and itches." Jiaoyan protested aloud, poked by her father's stubble.

The more Jiaoyan protested, the tighter Gu Chengyong held her, refusing to let go until he kissed her once more. Father and daughter dissolved into laughter, drawing smiles from everyone in the household.

Once everyone had finished eating, Madam Feng gathered and organized the items brought by the Qi family. Out of the four catties of mooncakes, she set aside two catties, cut off half of the five catties of pork, and picked out some of the fruits. "Husband, take these over to Father's place in the eastern courtyard. The elders are still there, so we shouldn't keep everything for our own enjoyment." The Gu family already had chickens and eggs of their own, so those didn't need to be sent. As for the rest, sending a portion of each was merely a token of respect from the younger generation.

Gu Chengyong nodded and, accompanied by Wenxiu, headed to the eastern courtyard. Jiaoyan didn't go along; Madam Li constantly looked at her with displeasure, and she had no desire to go receive cold glares. "Mother, let's give Third Aunt ten eggs, a catty of mooncakes, and some fruit as well," Jiaoyan suggested.

"Alright. Your third aunt's family never gets to eat anything good, so we might as well send them a separate share. The eggs will help nourish your third aunt, and the mooncakes and fruit can satisfy Wenfang and the others' cravings." Madam Feng was very pleased with her daughter's suggestion. Jiaoyan had a good disposition and never hoarded food; whenever she had something good, she knew to share it with her female cousins. Madam Feng felt her daughter was doing the right thing and naturally supported her.

Thus, Jiaoyan picked out the items as she had said and delivered them to the front courtyard. Coincidentally, Madam Zhao and the others had just finished their evening meal and were about tidying up to go to sleep.

Seeing Jiaoyan arrive with things in hand, Madam Zhao felt a pang of embarrassment. Ever since Gu Chengyong's family had returned, openly and covertly, they had truly provided them with no end of support. Especially after Madam Zhao became pregnant, Jiaoyan and Madam Feng frequently sent over good food; otherwise, given Madam Zhao's standing in the Gu family, how could she have smoothly made it through her pregnancy until now?

"Jiao'er, what can your third aunt even say? We keep benefiting from you all over and over again, sigh." Madam Zhao truly didn't know what words could express her gratitude.

"Third aunt, why are you being so formal? We are all one family; isn't it normal to send some things over? Why dwell on it so much? Just take good care of your health and successfully bring your little brother into the world!"