In Xiangyang Village, Old Xu was looking at the brand-new house in front of him with a happy expression. He was calculating in his mind that he should be able to move in by the end of the year. This time, he was determined to get all his sons to come back to the village for the New Year. He was going to throw a banquet to show off!
Xu Baiqiang strolled over to the front of the house and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Xu Hongshan, you're just lucky to have several capable sons. Otherwise, you really wouldn't have been able to build such a nice house on your own."
Xu Hongshan glanced at him disdainfully, "You're just jealous. It's because I'm capable that I was able to have such a talented son. You can't be envious of that."
"Hey, you're getting cocky now,"
Xu Hongshan shook his head and replied smugly, "Of course I'm smug! I'm a magnanimous person, and I'll definitely invite you to the housewarming party. Just wait and see!"
"Do I need this drink with you?" Xu Baiqiang rolled his eyes at him, then, as if remembering something, leaned closer and whispered, "Hey, I remember your family has a large orange grove, right?"
"What? What are you planning?" Xu Hongshan looked wary when he mentioned the orange grove. It was his, and no one was allowed to take it from him.
Xu Baiqiang said helplessly, "What can I do? I just heard a few days ago that someone wanted to take over your orange grove, so I asked around."
Xu Hongshan was relieved to hear this. Someone had wanted to lease his orange grove, but they didn't actually want the orange trees; they just wanted the land.
But he didn't agree. Those orange trees had been planted for four or five years, and he couldn't bear to cut them all down. Besides, he wasn't short of money now.
However, he glanced at Xu Baiqiang sideways and said, "What? You have ideas too? Don't waste your time. I will not cut down the orange trees, nor will I contract them out."
"I have no interest in those things, we're just chatting for a bit."
Every household in Xiangyang Village has a few or a dozen orange trees, but none as many as Xu Hongshan's family. They've formed a grove, and when the oranges ripen, they're a beautiful, golden yellow. These oranges are a major source of income for Xu Hongshan's family.
"No, I just don't understand, why are they targeting my orange grove?" Xu Hongshan really didn't understand. Although his orange grove was quite large, there were plenty of places in the village with even bigger land, so why were they always looking for him?
"Let's not talk about that. I heard that a new cannery has been set up in town. Do you think we can sell our oranges to them? That way, we won't have to work so hard carrying oranges around to sell them."
Xu Hongshan frowned and asked doubtfully, "Didn't you say you were only harvesting those yellow peaches? Do you want oranges too?" He had heard about it and was thinking about planting some yellow peaches, since he had plenty of land.
"I don't know, that's why I asked you. But it would be great if you could spare half of your orange grove to grow peaches..."
"No way, my orange trees are just in the season to bear fruit, I can't bear to cut them down. I can always find another place, but I still need to find out if the factory will take them. Forget it, it's too late this year, let's talk about it next year!" Xu Hongshan hesitated for a long time but finally gave up. Anyway, he had enough money now, so there was no need to work so hard.
Although she said that, she still couldn't get over it, so she secretly went to the store and called her third son to ask what he thought.
When Xu Minghan received the call from his father, he thought something had happened, since his father rarely called unless there was something wrong.
"Minghan, didn't a new cannery just open in our town? I heard they can harvest yellow peaches. Do you think I could plant a few trees?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Minghan's heart tightened, and he quickly stopped him, saying, "Dad, don't plant them. There's no need to work so hard. We still have an orange grove. Besides, think about it, if everyone plants peach trees, the purchase price will definitely be very low. You might not even be able to cover the cost of fertilizer. Don't bother. If you really can't stand being idle, come to Tianshui City. I'll find you a job. What do you think?"
"What kind of work? I won't look after your child, that's no fun." Old Xu had no interest in taking care of children and preferred to work in the fields.
Helpless, Xu Minghan could only explain, "If I don't let you take care of the child, how about I find you a job guarding the factory gate? It just means you might have to work night shifts sometimes."
"I'm not afraid of working the night shift, right? I'll get paid, right?" Old Xu was most concerned about his salary; he wasn't afraid of the hard work.
“There will definitely be a salary. If you are willing to come, then come after the New Year. I will keep an eye out for you. Don’t get involved in peach or pear trees.”
In his past life, his father saw that everyone else was planting peach trees, and he got itchy too. So he found a vacant lot and planted peach trees. But when the fruit came, the price offered by the cannery owner was too low, which made him so angry that he stayed at home for several days. So in this life, he will never let his father do it again.
Xu Hongshan's face lit up with joy upon hearing this, and he said with a smile, "Alright, alright, you better keep an eye on things. But you all have to come back for Chinese New Year this year. We're moving into our new house and we need to have a housewarming party. We can't be without you."
Xu Minghan smiled and agreed. He hadn't gone back last year, but he was going back this year, especially since it was the first year of moving into a new house, and it was time to have a lively celebration.
"Old Xu, you want to plant peach trees too? Your son is so successful, why are you still working so hard? If you ask me, you should just rest and enjoy your retirement!" People chatting in the shop couldn't help but tease Xu Hongshan when they heard what he said.
Xu Hongshan grinned and waved his hand, saying, "No, that's not true. I did want to plant it, but my Minghan was worried that it would be too tiring for me. He said it wouldn't make much money and told me not to do it."
But I can't stay idle, so he said he'd find me a job in Tianshui City, and then I'd be a paid employee.
Looking at the smug expression on Xu Hongshan's face, everyone felt a pang of envy. "You're so lucky. All your sons are successful, and now they've even found you jobs. Hey, old man Xu, could you ask Minghan to find a job for my son in the city too? Help us out, we're all from the same village, please do us a favor!"
"Yes, yes, we will all be grateful to you."
Xu Hongshan glanced at them and said, "Minghan Store is not short of people, but their renovation team will definitely need people tomorrow. If any of you have renovation skills, I can talk to them about it."
"Hey, my youngest son just started learning carpentry, do you think it's okay?"
"And my son too, ask him for me..."
Seeing everyone chatting so enthusiastically, Xu Hongshan felt a little smug. Look how popular he was! But he still said, "Don't worry, let me ask tomorrow first. I'll let you know when I have news. We're all from the same village, so we'll definitely keep the good stuff in the family. Don't worry!"
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