Chapter Thirteen: The Idea of Building a House

“So, are you thinking of taking that money, enough to buy a house, and investing it in the village’s development?” Jiang Wenlin half-joked, half-seriously confirming.

Yet, he grew uncertain about another matter:

“But this homestead… is it meant for your second child?”

“Isn’t it allowed?” An Jianping casually retorted while sipping his tea.

Jiang Wenlin found it hard to gauge An Jianping’s attitude but pondered earnestly:

“The village doesn’t have strict rules on this.”

“Especially now that every household is developing agritourism, the application process for homesteads has become more flexible.”

“However…” Jiang Wenlin couldn’t help but reassess An Jianping’s expression.

It was impossible to say the village had no regulations on homestead applications.

But if there were rules, they could be somewhat flexible.

One thing was certain.

Even if An Jianping intended to apply for a homestead for his second daughter, it wouldn’t necessarily violate village rules.

An Jianping seemed unhurried, quietly waiting for Jiang Wenlin’s next words.

Jiang Wenlin sighed inwardly and continued:

“The original homestead your family owns doesn’t fully comply with regulations.”

“Especially since it’s been vacant for so long, suddenly applying for a homestead raises concerns in the village.”

“If that’s the case…” An Jianping set down his empty tea cup, brewed a small pot of fresh tea, and began to contemplate.

After refilling their cups, he spoke slowly:

“If this plan works out, we intend to transfer our entire household registration back here.”

“Then the non-compliance of the homestead wouldn’t matter, right?”

“As for the vacancy… if we truly decide to develop in the village, those homesteads will be the first places to be built upon.”

Hearing An Jianping’s words, Jiang Wenlin became more serious.

He looked intently at An Jianping and asked:

“Jianping, are you really prepared to return and develop here?”

An Jianping nodded slightly: “I’ve been thinking seriously about it.”

“Uncle Lin, to be honest, I took a walk around the village yesterday.”

“I found quite a few neglected places.”

“Not to mention, the mulberry groves and fish ponds—using them isn’t actually that difficult.”

“It’s just that nobody in the village has the heart to develop in that direction anymore.”

“But does your family have someone to manage all this?” Jiang Wenlin doubted.

“Why must it be a family member managing it?” An Jianping raised an eyebrow and asked back.

Yet soon after, he expressed some regret:

“Though I have many ideas, actually turning them into reality is very difficult!”

Jiang Wenlin immediately understood An Jianping’s meaning and sighed along.

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

Then An Jianping, recalling some information he learned yesterday, straightforwardly asked:

“Uncle Lin, I truly want to make a go of developing in the village.”

“So I was wondering, since all of us in the family have jobs now.”

“I don’t know if there’s any official support for this kind of development?”

“Not to mention loans and such…”

“Our family definitely has the ability to repay.”

“The village has found new directions over the years and has almost no interest in the mulberry-fish pond system anymore.”

“But I’m from the silk factory, so I know better than anyone how strong the demand for silk is these days.”

“It’s only increasing.”

“In fact, due to the rapid development of the southern province, many formerly prosperous mulberry and silkworm farms around here have gradually shifted industries.”

“The price and supply of silkworm cocoons have become significant issues.”

“If I can restore the mulberry-fish ponds in the village, I’d at most hire some help for the work.”

“At first, I might not make much profit, but after a couple of months, at least I’d break even.”

“Within a year, even if I don’t profit, the contract fees for next year should be covered!”

“Are you serious about this?” Jiang Wenlin stared intently at An Jianping’s earnest expression, not missing any reaction.

“I have no choice but to be serious!” An Jianping said helplessly. “My three children are at the age to start their own families.”

“If I don’t give it my all now, I’ll regret it later.”

“Three? So you’re not just applying for a homestead for your second child?” Jiang Wenlin reacted quickly.

“Yes, if I can develop here, I plan to apply for a homestead for each of my three children.”

“Then, using the money that would have bought a house for the eldest, I’ll build four houses.”

“Four houses?” Jiang Wenlin’s lips twitched slightly. Had he underestimated An Jianping’s means?

An Jianping nodded without hesitation:

“If I’m going to apply for a homestead for each child, it wouldn’t feel right to leave my wife and me out.”

“But didn’t you say the money to buy a house isn’t enough?” Jiang Wenlin still felt something was off.

“In the city, housing costs over two thousand per square meter! Buying a house costs over two hundred thousand, not including renovation,” An Jianping feigned helplessness.

Since he had decided to make a big move in Linjiang, he didn’t mind revealing his family’s financial situation.

“Two hundred thousand?” Jiang Wenlin muttered in disbelief.

Looking at An Jianping, he was full of astonishment.

He had assumed houses cost around a thousand per square meter, and a smaller one would be five or six ten thousand.

Even something larger wouldn’t exceed a hundred thousand, which already amazed him.

It was normal that An Jianping couldn’t gather enough money.

After all, although having tens of thousands in savings isn’t rare in the village nowadays, having one hundred thousand is still uncommon.

Yet An Jianping said buying a house costs over two hundred thousand?

No wonder he couldn’t scrape together the money!

After inwardly resenting him, Jiang Wenlin began to seriously consider.

It’s true that buying a house in the city for two hundred thousand is not easy.

But building four houses in the village might not even cost that much.

Nowadays, building a house in the village costs between ten to twenty thousand at minimum, and at most two to three ten thousand.

Even those with five-story houses rarely spend more than forty or fifty thousand.

If An Jianping built four houses simultaneously… wait, his youngest child also plans to build a house recently.

If the two families hired workers and ordered materials together, perhaps the costs could drop further.

So, An Jianping’s plan might actually be quite feasible.

But wait, he’s surely not returning to the village just to build houses.

After all, whether family members manage it or others do, relying on houses alone won’t generate much income quickly.

So, whether An Jianping will build houses hinges on whether he can successfully lease the mulberry groves and fish ponds.

Thinking of this, Jiang Wenlin finally understood.