Chapter 955 - 957: Agreement Reached
As soon as Zhao Guangran entered the house, he lay directly on the floor regardless of the snow on him, "I’m exhausted."
He never thought a snowball fight could be so tiring, "You guys are all bullying me."
Zhao Guangran regretted it; he’d rather be bullied by his older brother, at least his brother would give him some benefits afterward.
By the way, where’s big brother? Zhao Guangran realized he hadn’t seen Zhao Xuran and thought maybe he’s out with Gong Ruini, enjoying some couple time.
He turned his head and saw Gong Ruini was there too, "You didn’t go out for a walk with my brother."
Did he really have the nerve to ask? Gong Ruini gave a mock eye-roll, "I wanted to go for a walk with your brother, but you intervened."
Gong Ruini was angry just thinking about it, such a good opportunity ruined by Zhao Guangran.
She wondered where he went for a stroll, perhaps to chat with some elders in the village?
Thinking about it, Gong Ruini felt that was the only possibility, "I’m going to take a bath." The stickiness on her body made a bath the most comfortable option, "I think there’s roast whole lamb today."
Eating roast lamb in the dead of winter, drinking fruit wine, rice wine, and white wine, while watching the snow falling lightly from the sky, actually tastes pretty good.
Roast whole lamb, Zhao Guangran couldn’t help but lick his lips, "Nana loves lamb skewers."
Sigh, it would be great if Nana were here, at least he wouldn’t be bullied by so many people. Never mind, better not let Nana get involved; he alone getting bullied is fine, but he won’t let his girlfriend be bullied.
"Then have more yourself." A good boyfriend always thinks of his girlfriend when there’s good food.
"No, I feel like I’ve gotten fatter recently, need to watch it." Zhao Guangran sheepishly admitted he’s gotten fatter and needed to watch himself, "Otherwise, I won’t look good when I go out."
No way, Zhao Guangran cares so much about his image? Someone used to say that a handsome face beats everything, how come now he’s suddenly focused on body shape.
Gong Ruini guessed it might be because Cao Na disliked something, otherwise Zhao Guangran would never have thought of this.
"No, I’m just being cautious myself, my brother is far ahead, I want to be a handsome gentleman." Since he can’t surpass his brother in intelligence, at least he can in image.
The goal seems feasible, especially the last one, Gong Ruini thinks Zhao Guangran can definitely achieve it, but catching up with Zhao Xuran, she doesn’t think Zhao Guangran has that chance.
"Forget it, don’t say anymore." Zhao Guangran quickly jumped up, not letting Gong Ruini speak, otherwise she’d definitely infuriate him.
His body had already taken enough hits, he can’t let his intelligence be crushed too, that would be worse than death.
Suddenly, Zhao Guangran remembered he went out to buy frozen pears today, "Oh, right, there’s frozen pears, want some?"
Frozen pears, Gong Ruini wasn’t very fond of them, unlike the variety in space where she could choose any fruit, even lychee trees had been planted with seeds smuggled into the space before.
With those lychee seeds, Gong Ruini had managed to grow several lychee trees, so the stock of lychees was quite substantial.
Gong Ruini would enter the space and pick her favorite fruit to eat according to her mood, how could she prefer frozen pears?
"Quite tasty, like the frozen pears we used to have in the countryside, like jelly." Zhao Guangran actually wasn’t very fond of Beijing’s frozen pears, their taste was really not great.
But the frozen pears he bought this time tasted excellent, he’d already eaten several before, definitely a strong recommendation.
Really? Gong Ruini didn’t like frozen pears much, partly because they didn’t taste great.
"Let me try, perfect for eating while soaking in the hot spring." Yesterday Cai Meina and others drank while in the hot spring, but Gong Ruini and the kids had no part in it.
Now with fruit, she would definitely enjoy a few pieces.
Zhao Xuran walked in carrying a lot of cold air, holding several frozen pears in hand.
Zhao Guangran raised an eyebrow, wondering if his brother specifically went out to get snacks for this girl Gong Ruini, "See how nice my brother is to you."
After speaking, Zhao Guangran slipped away, feeling he was definitely unwelcome at that moment.
"Are you tired?"
"How did the discussions go?" Looking at the frozen pears from the village in Zhao Xuran’s hand.
How did negotiations go? After putting down the pears, Zhao Xuran gestured for Gong Ruini to follow him.
Gong Ruini didn’t understand what it meant, but since he asked her to take a walk, she obediently followed him.
When they arrived at a small slope, Gong Ruini noticed many houses in the village were new, but a few unsightly old houses stood awkwardly, appearing quite dated.
What’s going on? Gong Ruini looked at Zhao Xuran, puzzled by his intentions to buy a house here?
Although it’s nice here, their house in the outskirts of Beijing was equally good and convenient to live in.
"Those old houses were where the villagers used to live."
"The houses we see now were gradually rebuilt over the past two years."
Gong Ruini still didn’t understand why Zhao Xuran brought her here, was he implying that building houses is a good business for the future?
"When I helped Dad acquire land, I promised the villagers a better life." Although not very confident then.
Initially considering they might plant herbal medicines a safe bet, arriving here made him ponder changing his approach.
What bringing them a better life? Gong Ruini didn’t know much about the village but knew the income wasn’t great, with many broken houses.
How could Zhao Xuran agree to it? She didn’t understand.
"Even with Chu Ling’s help, what if someone stronger than the Chu family has their eyes on us?"
"Would the Chu family intervene if really influential people were to target us?" Their tactics might muddle those with some background, but standing up to truly influential ones was unlikely.
"But with the village’s support, they’d think twice."
"Sometimes the local clan’s power is potent." Zhao Xuran saw Gong Ruini still confused, so he carefully explained his analysis.
Clan power was something Gong Ruini knew, even decades later in more isolated places, clan influence could surpass all.
Zhao Xuran’s idea seemed a good self-protection method, but hadn’t he thought about countering those with bad intentions this way?
If they were envious of their income and used such clan power to expel them, what then, she wondered.
"Don’t worry, I’ll negotiate with them and get the signatures from clan leaders."
"More importantly, by leading them to prosperity, they’ll naturally feel grateful."
"They might not be highly educated, but possess the etiquette, righteousness, integrity of heart." Otherwise, Zhao Xuran wouldn’t foolishly lead them to riches.