Ding Zhongming didn't dare to ask directly, and indirect inquiries were tricky to navigate; after all, this matter was too sensitive.
However, he already had an idea. He felt there must be an opportunity to talk things over with Luo Ziling and subtly express his intentions.
Quickly, the group entered the orchard.
By the end of April, cherries in the South had ripened.
The cherry season in the South would be nearing its end by the May Day holidays, so this was the best ti for cherry picking.
Spring in the South was nearly over, and all the peach, pear, and plum trees hung with fruit, with no flowers to be seen.
Yang Qingyin regretted this, and she smiled at Luo Ziling and said, "If we were here in mid-spring, it would have been beautiful."
"The Southern spring is a sea of flowers; you definitely can't see such scenery in the North. The ornantal peach blossoms by West Lake bloom more than half a month later than fruit trees; now, the ornantal blossoms are gone, only the citrus blossoms are starting," Luo Ziling smiled and said, "Next spring, let's spend our ti in the South. When the southern flowers bloom and wilt, we'll return."
"Sumr in the South is filled with fruit, don't you want to eat fruit?" Yang Qingyin playfully smiled, "Seeing those red cherries, I'm almost drooling."
"Just go in and pick them yourself; fresh fruit tastes the best. Don't worry about hygiene issues; the old man just said there's no pesticide used, at most so dust—it's okay to eat a bit of earth."
Upon hearing Luo Ziling's words, Yang Qingyin imdiately called Luo Yuqing and Dai Shulan to join in picking cherries to eat.
"Uncle, sir, they're all inside picking cherries. I've instructed them, they won't pick recklessly, and we'll pay you the set price," Luo Ziling didn't go in to pick; instead, he went over to greet Jin Fangliang and his father, "Don't worry about them, let them enjoy themselves. Co, sit down, I'll check your health."
Fearing they wouldn't believe him, Luo Ziling used his phone to find a previous article related to him, showing it to the father and son, and then proudly said, "My dical skills are quite good; you should trust . Though I injured myself recently and can't treat you, I can check you up. I'm not staying in Yuezhou permanently; any illness can be treated at the hospital, and soone will help you with dical insurance, reducing your treatnt expenses. Officials will oversee things; you needn't worry."
"Really, thank you!" Jin Fangliang held back for a while before finally uttering this, "Without you, our father and son wouldn't know what to do today."
"It's your story that moved us; your eting in this lifeti is a blessing for both. Hopefully, your lives will beco more stable in the future," Luo Ziling straightforwardly said, "I originally thought of donating so money to you, but knowing you surely wouldn't accept, how about this: I contract your orchard's profits for the next ten years, paying you now in one go. But I also have demands; you must tend to these fruit trees well. I'll co every year to taste them. The fruit we can't finish will be available for others to pick. As for the chickens and ducks you raise, I can't consu them all, so you can decide about them," Luo Ziling said, smiling as he looked at the father and son, "How about it, interested in cooperating?"
Jin Fangliang and his son hadn't expected such a proposal from Luo Ziling, sowhat incredulous.
Jin Fangliang wanted to refuse but ultimately couldn't speak.
He knew, Luo Ziling wished to help him still, wanting to assist him in building a house soon so that he and his elderly father could enjoy a new life. The temptation was tangible, great for him, and wasn't in the form of charity; he really couldn't refuse.
"Okay!" He finally agreed, though reminded, "These fruit trees have a lifespan of about ten to fifteen years; they've been growing for four, beginning to bear harvests, getting better yearly but declining slowly after several years. You must consider these aspects."
Luo Ziling shook his head, "I don't wish to know these. I just need your guarantee, a promise on the fruit's quality, mustn't be contaminated; I don't care about the quantity."
"Okay!" Jin Fangliang agreed again.
"How much do you estimate your orchard's fruits sells for in a year?"
Jin Fangliang thought for a mont, then hesitantly ntioned a number, "About fifty to seventy thousand."
"What's the cost?"
"Around twenty to thirty thousand."
Luo Ziling considered for a mont, then said, "Here's the plan: I'll pay you a hundred thousand a year, sign a ten-year contract, paying you one million upfront for ten years' output. Will that work?"
Jin Fangliang was startled by Luo Ziling's proposed amount, which was an extravagant sum, seemingly unattainable for him.
He knew, based on the orchard's fruits, that earning a million in ten years could be possible. But annual costs were significant, with actual benefits being only a few tens of thousands.
Luo Ziling's offer of a million, though physically disabled himself, his mind was sharp.
A million dispatched to the bank would yield three to four thousand in annual interests, more than the profits from cultivating fruit and poultry yearly.
He could see, Luo Ziling was aiding him.
Unwilling to be pitied, his instinct was to decline.
Yet before he spoke, Luo Ziling continued, "I refuse to hear any excuse; I only ask for your guarantee on the fruit quality. Honestly, I'm from Yuezhou, but rarely return here, so often I still need you to ship it over. We'll absorb shipping costs; it's all included here. Plus, it might be delivered to other friends, and the costs for hiring help during harvest—you'll manage these, alongside inflation yearly, also accounted for. Truthfully, we still gain the upper hand, spending so money to get fresh, uncontaminated fruit annually—a worthwhile venture."
With that, without waiting for the father and son to reply, he waved his hand, "Let's fix it, follow my lead. I won't deceive you."
"Well!" Jin Fangliang finally agreed, "Let's abide by your terms. To be honest, I do need money; without it, I can't get the house built. The land foundation we've acquired is nearing expiration."
"Alright, we'll discuss specifics later. I'll check your health first; later, I should enter and pick cherries. Watching them eat so eagerly, I'm nearly drooling myself."
"Thank you so much!" Old Man Jin trembled as he spoke, wiping away tears, "You truly are my benefactors!"
"Thank you, deeply thank you!" Jin Fangliang echoed gratitude.
Seeing the state of the father and son, Luo Ziling felt warmth in his heart.
The sensation of helping others indeed was wonderful.
User Comments
0 comments from readers