Chapter 13: The Idea of Building a House

“So, are you thinking of just taking that money—the kind that could buy a whole house—and coming back to the village to develop things?” Jiang Wenlin confirmed, half-joking and half-serious.

However, he became somewhat uncertain about another matter

“But this homestead land... are you planning to apply for it for your second child?”

“Is that not allowed?” An Jianping asked back casually while sipping his tea.

Jiang Wenlin couldn't quite grasp An Jianping's attitude.

Yet, he began to consider the matter with extraordinary gravity

“The village doesn't have specific regulations regarding this.”

“Especially now that every household has started developing agritainment businesses; the application process for homestead land isn't as strict as it used to be.”

“It's just...” At this point, Jiang Wenlin couldn't help but observe An Jianping's reaction again.

To say the village had no regulations regarding homestead land applications would certainly be impossible.

But to say there were regulations didn't mean there wasn't room for flexibility.

However, one thing was certain.

Even if An Jianping truly intended to apply for homestead land for his second daughter, it wouldn't necessarily violate village regulations.

An Jianping seemed not to be in any hurry at all, quietly waiting for Jiang Wenlin's next words.

Jiang Wenlin let out a silent sigh and continued from where he left off

“It's just that your family's original homestead land wasn't quite in compliance with the regulations to begin with.”

“Especially since it has remained vacant until now; the village has its concerns about a sudden new application for homestead land.”

“If that's the case...” An Jianping set down his empty teacup and began to think while brewing a small new pot of tea.

Only after the fresh tea was poured into both of their cups did he speak slowly

“If this plan works out, we were already planning to move our entire family's household registration back here.”

“If we do that, the issue of the homestead land not meeting requirements would be resolved, wouldn't it?”

“As for the vacancy... if we truly decide to develop things in the village, those plots of land will definitely be used for construction immediately.”

Hearing An Jianping's words, Jiang Wenlin grew more solemn.

He looked at An Jianping earnestly and asked

“Jianping, do you mean you are truly prepared to come back and develop things here?”

An Jianping nodded slightly. “I am indeed considering it.”

“Uncle Lin, to be honest, I took a stroll around the village with you today.”

“I noticed there are quite a lot of abandoned places.”

“Setting everything else aside, utilizing the mulberry groves and fish ponds wouldn't actually be that difficult.”

“It's just that no one in the village has the heart to develop them in that direction anymore.”

“But can someone from your family manage all that?” Jiang Wenlin asked, somewhat skeptical.

“Why must it be a family member who manages it?” An Jianping raised an eyebrow and countered.

But immediately after, he added with a hint of regret, “It's a pity that although I have many ideas, it's very difficult to actually make something happen!”

Jiang Wenlin instantly understood An Jianping's meaning and couldn't help but sigh along with him.

For a moment, the two of them were at a loss for how to continue the conversation.

An Jianping, thinking of the information he had gathered yesterday, asked directly

“Uncle Lin, I truly have the intention to develop things in the village.”

“So, I was thinking—since every member of my family currently has a job...”

“I wonder if there is any government support for this kind of development?”

“Not even looking at other things, just regarding relevant loans and such...”

“Our family has the ability to repay loans.”

“The village has found new directions for development over the years, and almost no one has any thoughts regarding the mulberry-fish ponds anymore.”

“But I am still with the silk factory; naturally, I know the demand for silk more than anyone.”

“It is constantly increasing.”

“In fact, because of the rapid development of Southern Province in recent years, many local areas that used to do well in silkworm rearing and mulberry cultivation have gradually switched industries.”

“The price and source of cocoons have become significant problems.”

“If I can restore the mulberry-fish ponds in the village, at most, I would just need to hire some people to help with the work.”

“In the beginning, I won't say we'll make much, but after two months, we could at least break even.”

“In a year, without necessarily making a huge profit, we should at least be able to cover next year's contracting fees!”

“Are you serious?” Hearing An Jianping's overly serious plan, Jiang Wenlin couldn't help but stare intently at his face, not missing a single reaction.

“I have no choice but to be serious!” An Jianping looked even more helpless. “All three of my children are at the age where they need to establish themselves and start families.”

“If I don't make an effort now, I'll likely face their grievances.”

“Three? So you mean you don't just want to apply for homestead land for your second child?” Jiang Wenlin asked, his reaction incredibly quick.

“Yes. If I can truly develop things in the village, I plan to apply for a plot of homestead land for each of my three children.”

“Then, using the money intended for buying the eldest's house, I will build all four houses.”

“Four houses?” Jiang Wenlin's lip twitched slightly. Had he underestimated the depth of Jianping's wealth?

An Jianping nodded without hesitation

“Since I plan to apply for a plot for each child, it wouldn't be right for us old folks to hog one for ourselves, would it?”

“But didn't you say the money for buying a house wouldn't be enough?” Jiang Wenlin still felt that something was off.

“That house in the city is over two thousand yuan per square meter! Buying one house would cost about two hundred thousand, and that's not even counting the renovation costs,” An Jianping said, feigning helplessness.

Since he had already made up his mind to make a major move in Linjiang, he naturally didn't mind revealing his family's financial standing.

“Two hundred thousand?” Jiang Wenlin muttered the number twice in a daze.

When he looked back at An Jianping, his eyes were filled with disbelief.

He had originally thought that with houses costing around a thousand yuan per square meter, even a small one would only cost fifty or sixty thousand.

If it were larger, a hundred thousand or so would have been enough to amaze him.

It would be normal for An Jianping to be unable to scrape the money together.

After all, while "ten-thousand-yuan households" were no longer a rarity in the village, it was likely that very few households had savings as high as a hundred thousand.

And yet, An Jianping was saying he needed two hundred thousand to buy a house?

No wonder he couldn't afford it!

After a moment of intense mental judgment, Jiang Wenlin began to consider the matter seriously.

It was true that two hundred thousand wouldn't be enough to buy a house in the city.

But to build four houses in the village, that amount might not even be fully used.

Nowadays, building a house in the village cost anywhere from ten to twenty thousand at the low end, and perhaps twenty to thirty thousand at the high end.

Even those that were built to a full five stories wouldn't cost more than forty or fifty thousand.

And if An Jianping's family built all four at once... wait, it seemed his youngest was also planning to build a house recently.

If both families hired workers and ordered materials together, the construction costs might even drop a bit more.

In that case, An Jianping's idea was actually quite feasible.

Wait, he certainly didn't come back to the village just to build houses.

After all, whether it was for his own family or for someone else to manage, it would be difficult to generate much income through housing alone in a short period.

So, the key to whether An Jianping would return to the village to build houses...

Was whether he could successfully contract the mulberry-fish ponds in the village?

Thinking of this, Jiang Wenlin finally realized.