Chapter 71: The Village Belle

"Uncle Yuan, the scenery around here is quite beautiful," Yun Xuan said, seated on the back of the motorcycle, gazing at the riverbanks.

Yuan Peng’s home was in the outskirts, ten kilometers from the city, not too far a journey, with cement roads laid right up to the doorstep.

"Mhm, the reservoir we just passed by draws crowds every summer," Yuan Peng nodded as he steered the motorcycle.

Motorcycles were the primary means of transportation in this area; at certain spots, meeting another vehicle could be a tight squeeze.

"There must be plenty of fish too. The land around the reservoir has been somewhat polluted, but upstream should be a bit better," Yun Xuan remarked, looking ahead at the looming mountains.

In his previous life, he was a homebody, but on occasion had ventured to the countryside to buy wild game—its flavor was truly remarkable.

The motorcycle wound through several bends before Yun Xuan finally glimpsed the village ahead.

"Uncle Yuan!"

"Brother Yuan!"

"Old Yuan, not working today?"

As soon as they entered the village, the locals greeted them. Yuan Peng was well regarded in this Stone Village.

Yuan Peng dismounted, greeting each person and handing out cigarettes.

Yun Xuan parked the motorcycle off to the side and followed Yuan Peng to the village office.

"Peng, not working today?" The middle-aged man in the village chief’s seat asked curiously as they entered.

"Second Brother, this is Yun Xuan, owner of a high-end restaurant in the city. He's come to our village to set up a plantation," Yuan Peng introduced Yun Xuan.

"A plantation? Welcome, welcome! Peng, go home and have my daughter Xiuxiu prepare lunch. I'll take Boss Yun to look around," the village chief’s eyes lit up, hurriedly pouring water.

"Mhm, Second Brother, don’t quote too high a price or try to fool Boss Yun," Yuan Peng reminded him before departing.

"My cousin is honest to a fault. So, Boss Yun, how much land do you plan to lease? Will you be planting medicinal herbs, or fruits and vegetables? I’m Lin Stone, chief of Stone Village," Lin Stone placed a cup of water before Yun Xuan with a rueful smile.

"Uncle Yuan is a good person. At first, I planned to lease ten acres for vegetables and fruits, but seeing how nice it is here, I’d like to build a villa and establish a large plantation," Yun Xuan replied, smiling as he lifted the cup.

"Ah, ah, ah." Lin Stone nearly choked on his water—a villa? A large plantation?

"Boss Yun, perhaps we should look at the land first," Lin Stone suggested hesitantly.

"Agreed," Yun Xuan nodded.

Lin Stone led the way, mounting his own motorcycle and showing Yun Xuan around the village.

...

Half an hour later.

Yun Xuan was thoroughly satisfied: the terrain was flat, water was abundant, there were no issues—ideal for cultivation.

Even animal husbandry would be viable, but seeing the existing chicken, pig, and cattle farms in the village, Yun Xuan decided simply to purchase directly from the locals.

He had already selected a spot for the villa—a perfect summer retreat.

"The river here can easily be turned into a pond. We have fish farms too, and the old swimming pools are now fish ponds," Lin Stone said, smoking by the riverside with Yun Xuan.

"It really is perfect—for both planting and breeding. Uncle Lin, could you ask if the owners would be willing to lease this plot? I’d like to rent for fifty years," Yun Xuan mused.

"Fifty years? Boss Yun, that's quite a bit—thirty acres," Lin Stone coughed, gently reminding Yun Xuan.

"I've already checked: even at the village entrance, land leases go for 850 to 1000 yuan per acre per year. Judging by city plans, it’ll be thirty years before development reaches here. I’m willing to pay 1,000 yuan per acre, paying all fifty years up front. If the land is requisitioned for development, compensation will go to you as owners," Yun Xuan said seriously.

"Boss Yun, are you serious?" Lin Stone's eyes widened.

If Yun Xuan waived compensation for the arable land, anyone would sell to him.

They could pocket over a hundred thousand with no worries, and there’s always more land to farm.

"Of course. You can discuss it with the villagers tonight, and we’ll go to the land bureau to sign the contract tomorrow," Yun Xuan smiled; his offer and terms were hard to refuse.

"No one could say no to that. I’ll call a meeting this morning, and it’ll be settled by afternoon," Lin Stone said happily.

"Oh, and if the village can help build and manage the plantation, I won’t hire outside labor. I’ll contract it all to you," Yun Xuan added.

"No problem, we have plenty of hands here," Lin Stone grinned, slapping his forehead as he thought of another benefit.

"Boss Yun, agriculture and animal husbandry are supported sectors. Once it’s up and running, you’ll get a subsidy of 3,000 yuan per year," Lin Stone whispered.

"Give that to the land owners," Yun Xuan waved dismissively.

"I’ll thank you on their behalf," Lin Stone smiled.

...

Lin Stone hurriedly convened a village meeting, calling all the landowners together, while Yun Xuan, following his directions, arrived at Lin Stone’s home.

A single-story brick house, quite ordinary, with a courtyard.

"Boss Yun Xuan, is everything settled?" Yuan Peng asked quickly as Yun Xuan arrived at the gate.

"Settled. Uncle Yuan, are you interested in taking charge of the plantation? After the contract is signed, I’ll need to build the plantation first—a wall and a villa," Yun Xuan said, looking at Yuan Peng.

Honest Yuan Peng was clearly the best choice.

"Well..." Yuan Peng frowned. If it were just contracting the construction, the materials would be Yun Xuan’s responsibility. But overall contracting meant he’d need to pay for labor upfront, which he couldn’t afford.

"I’ll cover material costs; you handle construction. Fifty thousand for the plantation, one hundred thousand for the villa," Yun Xuan offered.

"Alright," Yuan Peng agreed; the price was generous. He was honest but not foolish.

"Uncle Yuan, lunch is ready," a clear, youthful voice called from within the courtyard.

"Smells wonderful!" Yun Xuan caught a whiff of the food.

"Let’s go, time to eat," Yuan Peng said, leading Yun Xuan through the gate.

In the courtyard, beneath a large tree, three dishes were set on a stone table, their aroma wafting on the breeze.

"This... rivals the cuisine at Ye Mountain’s Distant Pavilion?" Yun Xuan was astonished. Here was just rural China, not a culinary academy.

"Boss Yun, please sit. Xiuxiu’s cooking is the best in our village, though not as refined as the high-end restaurant," Yuan Peng said, seeing Yun Xuan’s surprise.

"Uncle Yuan, here’s the soup," a girl came out from the kitchen.

Her long black hair cascaded to her waist, tied with a pink ribbon. She wore sky-blue jeans and a pink apron, her flawless, fair face lit with a smile.

She was unlike any beautiful girl Yun Xuan had ever seen; her smile gave him a sense of comfort.

"Ding-dong, a seven-point beauty detected," the cat-eared girl meowed in his mind.

(P.S.: Sorry, I was watching anime a bit late today.)