Chapter 40: Divergence of Opinion

It must be said that the temptation Tong Chuxue offered was truly immense, yet the requirement to sell one's land was so heartless that it barred countless people who might have wanted to give it a try.

This, however, was precisely the effect Tong Chuxue had anticipated. Originally, she had only intended to bring the third branch of the Luo family into this business. But since helping them meant she could not avoid dealing with the rest of the Luo family, she decided to cast out this massive lure and let them resolve the internal conflict themselves. If they could not come to an agreement, then so be it; the third branch would not be worth any further effort on her part.

At the Luo residence, the members of the third branch huddled in the living room after returning from the village meeting. The younger children were busy with chores, while the older ones had been called in to listen. Old Man Luo had passed away from illness several years prior, and now, the household was headed solely by Old Madam Luo.

"Speak up, everyone. What are your thoughts?" Old Madam Luo asked.

In truth, she saw no suspense in the matter. She only asked because the village head had specifically gathered everyone together, and she was simply following the momentum. It was impossible that anyone would actually be foolish enough to sell their land to go into business with Tong Chuxue.

The eldest son of the Luo family spoke first: "Mother, I think that girl from the Tong family is just playing around. Business is not that easy; how can she say she will make money and actually do it?"

"Exactly, I agree with Big Brother," the second son added. "I've seen Tong Chuxue come by our house a few times. She’s just an ordinary country girl. Perhaps she and Xu Jinnian can no longer make ends meet and want to drag others down with them."

Old Madam Luo looked at her eldest and second sons with satisfaction; she knew no one would be that stupid. Still, she casually asked, "Third son, what is your opinion?"

This time, Luo Changhua did not yield to his mother’s wishes. He said bluntly, "Mother, I have discussed it with Chunyan. We want to work with Chuxue."

Old Madam Luo stood up from her chair in shock, her face filled with disbelief. Before she could react, the eldest brother spoke up: "Third brother, have you lost your mind? That girl is only how old? You are actually taking her words seriously?"

"I haven't lost my mind, Big Brother," Luo Changhua said, appearing very calm. "I think it is worth taking the risk. That girl from the Tong family is not one to speak without substance."

Moreover, Luo Hui'an had privately told him about the sale of dendrobium, and he knew that the girl was no simple person.

"Third son, I think you've been bewitched," Old Madam Luo said, her eyes narrowing as she stared fixedly at him. She then asked with sudden, stern suspicion, "You wouldn't happen to have set your eyes on Xu Jinnian, would you?"

Luo Changhua was an honest man; he never imagined his mother would drag Xu Jinnian into this. The second brother chimed in with a sudden, feigned realization: "I knew it! Xu Jinnian has been visiting our house every so often. Third brother, don't tell me you really have feelings for her?"

Being misunderstood in such a way, Luo Changhua’s face flushed red. He retorted angrily, "Don't talk nonsense! This has nothing to do with anyone else. I just think that girl Chuxue is truly capable."

Lin Chunyan, Luo Changhua’s wife, grew anxious and defended him: "Mother, every time Jinnian comes over, she is with me. Changhua has barely seen her. You cannot slander him like this."

But Old Madam Luo would not be swayed. "Third son, do you really intend to sell the land?"

Selling land was an incredibly heavy topic for a farming family. Luo Changhua could not speak plainly, so he said euphemistically, "Mother, I just think we could try. If it works out, we can just buy the land back."

Old Madam Luo was incensed. She grabbed a small broom from nearby and struck Luo Changhua with all her might. He did not dodge, taking every blow, but the old woman was aged and soon grew breathless. "I see you’ve been blinded by a fox spirit, actually wanting to sell the family’s land! I tell you, it’s impossible! Even if I die, you will not sell a single piece of land belonging to the Luo family!"

Luo Changhua, however, heard something else in her words. Logically, if Old Madam Luo were to pass away, the land would be divided equally among the three sons, yet she claimed he could not sell a single piece.

The eldest brother was also against the decision. "Third brother, the family land doesn't belong to you alone. Our livelihood depends on these few acres. How can you say you want to sell it? If you really want to do this business with the girl, then you should..."

Luo Changhua looked at his brother with a cold gaze. "Should what?"

The eldest brother’s righteous posture softened slightly. He looked at his mother, then at the second brother, as if having made a difficult decision. "You should do it on your own."

"What does 'do it on your own' mean, Big Brother?" Luo Changhua asked.

Old Madam Luo brushed the dust off her clothes, her mind racing. "Third son, the family land cannot be sold. But if you really want to do this, why don't you move out? In any case, Lin Chunyan is already arranging Hui'an's marriage. Your branch would have to live independently sooner or later."

In the Luo family, the eldest son’s children were also of marriageable age, but Old Madam Luo had never mentioned living independently. Yet, when it came to Luo Changhua, she suddenly insisted on following the village "tradition."

Such traditions were not mandatory; in truth, whether to split the household was entirely a matter of family preference and private affairs.

"Mother, are you saying you want to split the family?" Luo Changhua’s heart sank to the bottom of a ravine.

"Third brother, don't blame Mother. Selling land for business—how could that ever succeed? To avoid dragging the whole family down, Mother has no other choice," the second brother explained hypocritically.

Lin Chunyan had not expected things to reach the point of splitting the family. She said urgently, "Mother, Changhua only wants what is best for the family. Chuxue is a capable girl; even if we did lose money, she wouldn't just ignore us."

The second brother disagreed. "Third sister-in-law, business is always about personal profit and loss. If you make money, it’s yours; if you lose, it’s yours. I’m afraid that if things go wrong, that girl Tong Chuxue will turn her back on you in an instant."

Lin Chunyan shook her head. "Chuxue is not that kind of person. Besides, Jinnian wouldn't let her be like that."

At this moment, Luo Hui'an, who had been silent in the corner, walked up to Old Madam Luo and asked, "Grandmother, you, Uncle, and Second Uncle are all unwilling to participate in this business, is that correct?"

Old Madam Luo looked at him suspiciously. "Your uncle, your second uncle, and I all disagree. Hui'an, your father has been bewitched; his head is not clear."

"If that is the case, then let us split the family," Luo Hui'an said calmly.

Luo Changhua heard his son’s words and opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

The eldest and second brothers were so surprised they could not close their mouths. When had Luo Hui'an become the one calling the shots for the third branch? However, having them split off was not a bad thing for the remaining two branches.

The two brothers exchanged glances. The eldest said, "Mother, the third branch agrees. I don't think splitting is a bad idea."

The second brother added, "Mother, since Hui'an has said so, the third branch must have already thought it through. You can just say it's because Hui'an is old enough to be wed, and splitting the family now is reasonable and proper. Others won't say a word."