Chapter 1375: Deal Struck
"Xiao Zhen, if—I’m just saying if—we do end up together, I promise never to betray my family."
This was Yang Zhongyi’s most sincere vow yet.
Before Tao Yanzhen could respond, Tao Chunhe shook his head, "Xiao Zhen, don’t humble yourself. Our family doesn’t insist you marry into the Yang Family. Dad never agreed to it."
Yang Run Tai, seeing his younger uncle had compromised and that Tao Yanzhen was interested, couldn’t let Tao Chunhe mess things up.
"Actually, there’s nothing bad about this. You two can interact slowly, and there’s no deceit anymore. Besides, you already know each other now.
Isn’t that good? You both have someone you like, and since you can’t be with them, what’s wrong with being together?
Both our families are inclined too. I think it’s not bad. You should consider. You can’t remain single forever. You might as well settle it now rather than find someone who loves you later and not be able to reciprocate. That would be a real hurt, right?"
Yang Run Tai’s remark about not possibly remaining unmarried in the future persuaded Tao Chunhe, but thinking of his sister marrying a man who had feelings for someone else made him very unwilling.
Tao Yanzhen noticed her brother remained silent. She smiled, "You’re right; it’s not possible not to marry. So, let’s do it. Let’s both inform our families that we’ll try being together."
Yang Zhongyi nodded, certainly unwilling. He wanted to talk to Jing Chu, but she never gave him the chance, making it impossible to approach her.
She hadn’t even looked his way since he arrived. Even when he spoke, her responses were perfunctory.
So be it; He Run was right. Becoming friends-like spouses might be more suitable than becoming resentful partners in the future.
Being a greedy person, having given affection, I desire a reciprocal return. If it remains lukewarm, I’ll certainly crave more in the future.
"Yang Zhongyi, I don’t care how you feel inside, but if you betray my sister, or make things difficult for her, I won’t hold back."
Yang Zhongyi nodded, "I understand. Once I’ve decided, I won’t change."
"What if that girl changes her mind? What will you do?"
"Is there any if? She doesn’t even look at me. Before marriage, I can’t promise, but after marriage, I definitely won’t betray the family.
Even if my love can’t go to my wife, my loyalty certainly will."
Tao Chunhe was somewhat satisfied with Yang Zhongyi’s answer, so he said no more.
The two bid farewell and left. The Tao Family brothers and sisters remained seated.
"Xiao Zhen, why humble yourself?"
"Brother, actually, I’m not humbling myself. Watching them so loving makes me uneasy. Look, our cousin has changed a lot. She says she’s different since getting married. I’m thinking if I put a shackle on myself, could I also reel in my heart?"
"But Yang Zhongyi isn’t a good choice."
"Brother, actually, he’s the best choice. He has someone else in his heart, so he won’t demand too much from me. If I genuinely can’t move on, I won’t feel guilty towards him."
"Xiao Zhen, you’re overthinking."
"No, it’s not that. If you love your spouse after marriage while they have no feelings for you, how would you deal with it? They can’t reciprocate equally. Could you accept it?
Brother, this is quite good. So many couples live together yet apart in thoughts. At least Yang Zhongyi can be honest with me."
Tao Chunhe knew he couldn’t persuade her otherwise. Still, he felt deeply uncomfortable inside.
The Yang Family uncle and nephew returned to the Wei Family, seeing the children practicing their skills. Dong Hong had added evening lessons, so they were all training.
"Didn’t expect those two to be willing to train like this."
"They have companions, plus they’re unwilling to accept it."
"This master chose well."
"Han Xiangjun selected them, for Shi Xian."
Yang Zhongyi noticed the pretty little girl was sweaty but persisted.
The three little ones were off to the side playing. Shi Xian, however, was quite serious, while the little girl looked slightly uncoordinated.
None of the adults in the house were outside. Dong Hong was unsmiling and stern. The children were all well-behaved.
"Uncle, Yu Jie and Grandpa said they want to stay here for a few months and don’t want to go back."
"That would be too much trouble for them."
"Grandpa agreed. My dad agreed too."
"They really trust them."
The next morning, Li Yungui delivered another 500 yuan.
"Village Chief Li, there’s such an income every day," Jiang Xinyu teased Li Yungui with a smile.
"Indeed. We’ve agreed this year for Mai Qiu, not only slaughter pigs but also share profits. Every adult laborer gets ten yuan. Every child gets two yuan."
"Wow, that’s quite generous, isn’t it?"
"Yeah, it’s everyone’s money after all. Sharing the profits gives more motivation. By the way, I bought 8000 pounds of sorghum from the Lin Family Village and the Zheng Family Village, just waiting for them to deliver."
"Planning a major production of wine?"
"Indeed, we have the grain after all. I’ve already discussed with the liquor factory in the city, though we don’t have the right to sell.
The city’s liquor factory will handle the sales, but we haven’t talked about pricing yet."
That was what made Li Yungui dissatisfied. Ever since Wei Kaiyun told him about setting up a winery, he had been busy with this.
"It’s the same. It’s about finding a sideline for everyone, so it’s good to make money."
"Yeah, that’s what I think too. But if the price of this wine is too different, we just won’t sell it and will store it. I refuse to believe that won’t work."
"That’s true, aged wine is fragrant."
"Anyway, we can afford to hold onto it."
Jiang Xinyu listened to Li Yungui speak and felt he now sounded like a nouveau riche flushed with money.
Everyone knew about their ability to make money, so people naturally envied them.
Actually, they should pull in the surrounding friendly villages.
Wei Kaiyun and the others had already reached the pig farm. He had called ahead that day, so everything was ready.
Upon arrival, Wei Kaiyun discussed some matters with Red Army, always involving him in discussions.
This time they bought a hundred pigs, each weighing around thirty pounds.
Wei Kaiyun wasn’t familiar with this, but the factory manager here informed him that they had bought many sows.
"Master Wei, with so many sows, there will be very few pigs for fattening."
"No worries, that’s how things are. We’re growing too fast, and there’ll naturally be restrictions.
Having more sows is fine, as we can start breeding ourselves. In the future, focusing on selling piglets will be good, and it won’t stand out as much."