The moment she finished her speech, Ms. Fang and Shao Yunduan exchanged a look with each other, falling into silence.
Shao Yunduan threw a sneaky look at her, feeling both helpless and having no idea what to do.
He sighed inwardly. Well, it was not her fault. She was a daughter born in a noble family who had no idea about how farmers' families were living.
Buying land? That land was all barren…
But seeing the sparkle in her eyes as well as the obvious passion, Shao Yunduan just could not help but hold back his intention of refuting her.
Ms. Xu got a bit anxious, as she said with a smile, "Fifth Sister-in-law, what are you buying barren land for? It is so difficult to sort and clean up these places, and what grows out of such land is nothing more than beans and peanuts. Why bother wasting the money on the land that doesn't even produce good things? We can just buy some good land with the money."
Ms. Xu had her own plan. Qiao Xuan had the money to buy land, which she was jealous about. But she was happy as well.
Even if Qiao Xuan bought the land in her own name, they were still one family and Ms. Xu and her family should be able to get some profits out of them too.
Also, even if they lived separately in the future and may not be able to share much land with the family, Ms. Xu and her family would still get some share.
No one would complain about getting too much land!
Ms. Fang did not think highly of Ms. Xu, but she still nodded in agreement.
She said with a smile, "That is true, Ms. Qiao, your sister-in-law is right! We can use the money to buy fertile land! The price might be higher, but those wonderful fields produce grains, which is something this barren land would not be able to match!"
Qiao Xuan smiled. "You are right, Mom and Sister-in-law, but I still want to buy some land first to plant fruit trees and some other things, as well as for breeding some hens. I can buy some watery land later too. Please, Mom, just say yes."
Ms. Xu did not want to give up. So she insisted. "But, Sister-in-law, don't blame me for talking too much. You don't know much about the difference between lands. Just listen to what Mom says! It is very painstaking to open the barren lands outside the village, and no good things would grow out of that, let alone the land in the back of our yard, where the soil is no thicker than one inch and stones are everywhere! Just don't waste any money on either of them!"
Ms. Fang agreed.
Shao Yunduan suddenly said. "Mom, Sister-in-law, if Ms. Qiao wants to have a try, what about letting her do that. It doesn't matter what she wants to plant."
Ms. Fang accepted her son's words, and after a moment of contemplation, she nodded.
Ms. Qiao was spending her own money and she could do whatever she wanted. What she as the mother-in-law could do was to make some suggestions rather than make decisions on her behalf.
If those fruit trees, peanuts and beans could grow well, then they would be able to get something, which was better than nothing.
Ms. Fang nodded and said with a smile, "Since you have made up your mind, then do as you want. Also, remember to write your name on the land contract, and keep the contract well."
"One more thing, however, we are still living together, so half of the income should be handed out to the big family and you can do whatever you want with the rest, even selling for money. That is a rule applicable to everyone in the family."
"I got it, Mom!"
Qiao Xuan smiled and nodded.
She could keep her land contracts and be in charge of her own lands. That was already a great thing given to someone who was living in a big family. Many people had no choice but to hand out all she had, before they started to live separately.
But must she hand out half of the income? That was something she needed to discuss with them.
She was willing to do that, except that she did not want the other sections of the family to take advantage of what she handed out.
Ms. Fang smiled and nodded, feeling very satisfied by how Qiao Xuan reacted.
Her son's wife was a very understanding girl. He was lucky to have a wife like this!