Chapter 170: A Family Meeting
Gu Sanlang clapped. "Well said, Sis!"
Gu Zhang looked at the children filling the room, a gratified smile on his face. "Alright, then let’s all hear it."
Gu Fei blinked. "Then I guess this is our first family meeting."
"From now on, whenever there’s something important, we can hold a family meeting."
Gu Zhang smiled. The term "family meeting" sounded novel, but he understood the meaning immediately.
The court has its morning audiences, and for major issues, they hold council meetings. It was the same idea.
"Good. Then call everyone in. We’ll start our family meeting now."
A short while later, a brazier was set up in the main hall. Gu Fei had Lian’er pour tea for everyone, then went into her room. She soon came back out carrying a plate of sunflower seeds and a dish of beef jerky, which she placed on the eight-immortals table.
Everyone stared eagerly at the sunflower seeds and beef jerky on the table. Gu Fei said with a grin, "A meeting should feel like a meeting."
Sanlang pointed at the plate of sunflower seeds. "What’s this? Is it for eating?"
Gu Fei picked up a sunflower seed, placed it between her teeth, and cracked it open with a light bite. The kernel popped into her mouth, and she placed the shell on the table.
For a moment, everyone forgot about the meeting. One by one, they picked up sunflower seeds and tried to crack them open like Gu Fei.
Gu Sanlang was the most impatient. He grabbed a small handful of seeds, stuffed them in his mouth to chew, and then spat everything out with a PTHOO.
Mrs. Chen shot him a glare. "Why did you grab so many? Didn’t you see Little Fei only ate one?"
As Gu Sanlang spat, "PTEW, PTEW, PTEW," he yelled, "What is this stuff? It tastes awful!"
Gu Fei shook her head. "Third Brother, you have to be elegant when you eat sunflower seeds. You’re not supposed to eat the shell."
"Look, like this—"
She picked up another sunflower seed and demonstrated again.
Gu Sanlang waved his hands dismissively. "Forget it, forget it. I’m too impatient for this."
To maintain his image as the family patriarch, Gu Zhang resisted the urge to grab a seed, even though his heart itched to try.
Gu Fei carefully shelled a few seeds and handed the kernels to her father.
Chewing on the sunflower seeds, Gu Zhang felt a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. ’My daughter is so thoughtful,’ he thought. ’Not like these stinky brats, who only think about themselves.’
He cleared his throat. "The meeting will now come to order!"
Everyone quickly sat up straight. Only then did Gu Zhang say, "Then I’ll talk about our family’s plans. We now have twenty mu of land. After the new year, we’ll plant chili peppers."
"Your mother will be in charge of this."
Mrs. Chen pointed to her own nose. "Me?"
Gu Zhang nodded. "Little Fei said that chili peppers are just a type of vegetable, and they’re easy to grow. You’re an expert at growing vegetables. When to sow the seeds, when to transplant the seedlings, when to water them—you can figure it all out. Whatever you say, we’ll do."
Mrs. Chen looked at the eager pairs of eyes all around her, puffed out her chest, and was suddenly filled with heroic spirit. "Alright, then. It’s just growing vegetables, isn’t it? When it comes to growing vegetables, I’m not afraid of anyone. Once spring comes, we’ll plant the seeds!"
Gu Zhang nodded. "There’s also the pond. I’ve decided we’ll raise pearl clams and fish in it. The eldest and I will take the lead on this."
Gu Sanlang chimed in, "Dad, why raise clams? There’s not much meat inside the shell. Besides, can you even eat them?"
Mrs. Chen shot him a sidelong glance. "All you know is eating. Be quiet and listen to your father."
Gu Zhang took a sip of water. "We’re raising pearl clams to cultivate pearls."
"I asked around today and found a family that raises pearl clams. I’ll go get a cartload of them tomorrow. By March or April of next year, we’ll be able to breed our own clam spat."
As soon as Gu Zhang finished speaking, Gu Erlang asked, "Dad, can you really grow pearls inside those clams?"
Gu Zhang nodded. "You really can. I went to see for myself today. There are quite a few families that raise pearl clams."
Gu Sanlang shouted, "Pearls are worth a fortune! Does that mean our family is going to be rich?!"