Chapter 256 - 256 Land Rental Crisis (3)

256 Land Rental Crisis (3)

“Aiyo, Second Uncle, what a rare guest!” Shi Banghua looked at Old Man Shi who came to the door. Although he said that it was a rare guest, his expression revealed a mocking smile.

Old Man Shi stopped in his tracks and his face darkened. He really wanted to turn around and leave immediately.

However, when he thought of what he was about to do, he could only stay.

Old Man Shi glanced at him and said angrily, “Don’t talk in such a weird way. I’m not stupid! Come in, I have something to tell you!”

He was speaking to Shi Banghua with the attitude of an elder.

Shi Banghua pursed his lips and rolled his eyes. He did not argue and followed them into the living room.

As soon as he sat down, Shi Banghua said, “Second Uncle, you don’t visit unless there’s something important. Why did the north wind blow you here today?”

Old Man Shi glared at him sharply and said, “Alright, don’t play dumb with me. I’ll lay the cards on the table. Shi Lichun’s family wants to rent land. Will you rent your family’s land to them?”

“Rent it to them?” Shi Banghua said disdainfully, “My family has a good plot of land, why should we rent it to them? Are we just helping them show off that their family is rich?”

“So, you’re saying that you won’t rent the land to them?” Old Man Shi asked after confirming.

“Of course. My family has to farm their own land. With their few hundred dollars rent, what’s the use of it?” Shi Banghua said. “I plan to plant watermelons next year.”

“Plant watermelons?” Old Shi asked suspiciously. “The kind that doesn’t use pesticides or fertilizers?”

“That’s right!” Shi Banghua did not hide anything and said, “I heard that this is called green food without harm. This year, many of those watermelons were sold at a high price. Many people plan to plant watermelons next year. Everyone is planting them, so, of course, I planted them too.”

However, Old Man Shi said worriedly, “But Banghua, the owner of the watermelon shop is the friend of Shi Lichun’s niece. I heard that she gave a high price for the watermelons this year because of her friend. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have bought so many watermelons and wouldn’t have given such a high price.”

When Shi Banghua heard this, he sneered and said, “Hehe, Second Uncle, do you think you believe it?”

Old Man Shi nodded and said, “I believe it. Many people have to consider relationships when doing business.”

Shi Banghua shook his head and said, “Second Uncle, you’re wrong. Nowadays, doing business doesn’t rely on favors. It’s completely based on benefits. Which boss would be willing to do a loss-making business now? This year’s watermelons were sold for such a high price, but Gao Wenwen didn’t even frown when she bought them. In this situation, isn’t it because the watermelons she bought satisfied her, and she didn’t lose anything at all? Business is about benefits.”

Old Man Shi shook his head and said, “They want benefits as well as favors. What if they don’t want the watermelons you grow next year?”

“If Gao Wenwen doesn’t want it, there will naturally be other bosses who want it,” Shi Banghua said confidently. “I don’t believe that Shi Lichun can grow good watermelons, but, Shi Banghua, am not able to? As long as the watermelons I grow next year are good, do I have to worry about selling them?”

“Besides, the watermelon market is not good this year, and the watermelon business is not good. Then the watermelon market will definitely be good next year. Therefore, I’m keeping that piece of land to plant watermelons. Shi Lichun’s family can forget about renting my land.”

Whether the watermelon business was good next year was not measured by the market this year. However, Shi Banghua’s words were based on his past experience.

“So, next year, are you sure you want to plant watermelons on the flat mountain?” Old Man Shi asked.

“Yes.” Shi Banghua nodded and said, “For the time being, we will plant watermelons. However, we will have to wait until spring to decide what to plant. We might even plant peanuts!”

“I think it’s feasible to grow peanuts!” Old Man Shi nodded and said, “One acre of land can yield 100 to 200 catties of oil. At least 3,000 to 4,000 dollars is much better than planting rice.”

He did not think highly of planting watermelons because the person who collected them was Gu Qingming’s friend.

If she rejected the watermelons they planted, wouldn’t they lose a lot of money?

Although he could find another boss, who knew if the other boss would lower the price?

Shi Banghua said, “Secondly, just say it. Why are you looking for me?”

Old Man Shi said, “I won’t rent my land to them. Hmph, they bullied my family in the past. Why should I rent my land to them? If I don’t rent it out now, let’s see what they can do to me.”

Shi Banghua nodded in agreement. “That’s right, they’re bullying us. If we don’t rent our land to them, what can they do? Can they kill people?”

Old Man Shi said, “Little Hua, we’ve agreed that we won’t rent the land over there to them.” When he said Little Hua, it felt like he was calling his eldest grandson.

Thinking of his eldest grandson, Old Man Shi looked into the distance.

He wondered how his eldest grandson, Xiao Hua, and his mother were doing.

However, he was cursing Yuan Chunjiao in his heart. “This b*tch, don’t even think about bringing my eldest grandson to marry another man.”

When he was free, he had to go to the Yuan family village again to bring his eldest grandson back.

After the two of them agreed not to rent the land to the Shi family, they left Shi Banghua’s house and went straight to Shi Bangjian’s house.

However, the reason why Shi Bangjian’s family did not rent his land was different from their family’s situation.

The main reason why they were unwilling to rent the land was that they had a grudge against the Shi family.

However, Shi Bangjian was unwilling to rent the land because he wanted a higher rent.

Therefore, if they allied with him, they would face the situation of him switching sides at any time.

However, Old Man Shi felt that he had to make a trip this time to clarify Shi Bangjian’s attitude.

When he arrived at Shi Bangjian’s house, he heard Shi Bangjian talking to his son about this.

“This time, Shi Lichun’s family wants to rent land. Our house is next to their house and is the central location. If they want these lands to be in one piece, they will definitely rent our family’s land. Hmph, renting land is too cheap. Such a large piece of land should be at least 5,000 dollars. Without 5,000 dollars, we will say that our family wants to plant it and not rent it!”

His son, Shi Xiaohai, said worriedly, “Dad, is this wise? Aren’t we offending them by doing this? We don’t have any grudges against their family. Isn’t it a little unreasonable to make things difficult for them for such a small amount?”

Shi Bangjian said nonchalantly, “If there’s no conflict, can we ask for more rent? Their family is so rich. What’s wrong with paying more rent to support us? Xiaohai, you’re 25 years old this year. You’re going to marry a wife. Once you like a girl, you have to give her the betrothal gift immediately. Where would you get the money for the betrothal gift? Don’t your mother and I have to think of a way to get some money?”

Shi Xiaohai was a little embarrassed. He said, “But we can’t ask for money like this, right? This is just making things difficult for people. In the future, if we need their help, what should we do?”

Shi Bangjian was speechless,