Shen Yao then shared her thoughts with her family, clarifying her intentions.
Upon hearing that Shen Yao wanted to lease mountain land for fruit trees and cultivate the land for planting, everyone's brows furrowed. It wasn't that they wanted to dampen her enthusiasm, but the climate in their southern region was mild, so no household lacked vegetables and fruits. They questioned the feasibility of large-scale cultivation, not to mention whether it could be done well, and more importantly, who they would sell the produce to. Farming nowadays didn't yield much profit, otherwise, so many people wouldn't be working in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
"Don't worry, I've met many senior students from the agricultural department at school. They have access to many improved seed and fruit tree varieties that not only have high yields but are also easy to grow." Shen Yao's claims about agricultural seniors were, of course, fabricated, but she had her space. Could she not trust what was in her space?
"Really? But you're studying finance, aren't you? How do you know people in the agricultural department?" Shen Huaisang was highly skeptical.
Shen Yao: "What? Can't I make friends?"
However, Shen Yao wasn't entirely lying. The agricultural university was right next door to hers, and Shen Yao and her roommates often visited. To put it politely, they "visited," but in reality, they went to "steal vegetables." They were, however, discerning and never touched anything with a sign or label. Agricultural seniors and students: Try touching just one, you dare. *Side-eye dog emoji.*
"Then I'll convert our family's guesthouse into a rural restaurant, offering dining, entertainment, and everything in between. I'm sure people will like it." Shen Yao's obsession with rural restaurants was profound; it was her future retirement spot!
Hearing that the guesthouse would be turned into a rural restaurant, the Shen family members nodded repeatedly. Compared to farming, this idea sounded much more reliable, but...
"Yao Yao, can this rural restaurant really succeed? What if no one comes?" Shen Jun was quite doubtful. His guesthouse only managed to break even; it wasn't making any money. This was the problem Shen Jun couldn't fathom: their guesthouse was so well-decorated, yet its business wasn't as good as their neighbor's. Shen Jun didn't realize that precisely because their guesthouse was too lavishly decorated, giving the impression of being expensive, people were hesitant to even inquire. This rural restaurant would require further renovation and the opening of a restaurant, all of which cost money. If no customers came, the loss would be substantial.
"Don't worry, it'll be absolutely fine. Why do so many people from big cities love traveling to the countryside? Isn't it to experience a slower pace of life? If we set up our rural restaurant well and promote it, people will definitely come." Shen Yao was very confident in her plan. Why did people nowadays enjoy watching rural videos? Because it was fun, interesting, and uplifting! They knew that farming was hard work, but that didn't stop them from wanting to experience it. So, if there was a rural restaurant that could meet their demands, offering food and activities for a small fee, why wouldn't they indulge?
"The only trouble now is hiring a chef," Shen Yao said, then looked expectantly at Shen Huaimin.
Shen Huaimin shivered under his sister's gaze. "How about I come back and help you?"
Shen Yao beamed upon hearing this but feigned modesty, "That wouldn't be very polite, would it? After all, Big Brother has his own restaurant. If you come back to help me just like that, I'm afraid Sister-in-law might be unhappy."
Shen Huaimin, seeing his little sister's expression, knew she was teasing them. "You mischievous imp, your sister-in-law dotes on you so much, and you're trying to provoke her."
Ning Min also nodded and lightly tapped Shen Yao's head in agreement, "It's like I've doted on you for nothing." She then turned away, pretending to be angry.
Shen Yao wasn't afraid at all and acted with impunity. "Anyway, your restaurant's business isn't great. It might be better to put it on hold for a while. Perhaps there will be a surprise!"
"Oh? What surprise?" Shen Huaimin asked with great interest.
"I won't tell you. You'll know when the time comes. Just trust my judgment," Shen Yao said, not revealing her plan. Her idea was simple: once she leased the land, she would plant it full of vegetables. She would also designate a plot to be watered with spiritual spring water, and these vegetables would be exclusively for her elder brother's restaurant! With vegetables grown from her space's water, she was confident she could revive the restaurant.
"Alright, I'll see what surprise you can give me," Shen Huaimin decided not to press further. In fact, he and his wife Ning Min had discussed closing the restaurant during this time. Since a rival restaurant opened across the street, their business had declined significantly. It was unavoidable, as the opposite establishment hired specialty chefs from various regions, attracting most of the customers. However, giving up the restaurant was truly difficult for him. Now that his sister claimed she had a way to bring his restaurant back from the brink, he decided to treat it as a last resort. Even if it couldn't be saved in the end, as his little sister suggested, he could still help out at home.
Ning Min had no objections. She had grown up in the Shen family home. If she hadn't felt pity for her husband struggling alone in the county town, she wouldn't have moved there. (The reason Ning Min grew up in the Shen family home will be explained later.)
Shen Jun and his wife smiled happily upon hearing their son say he would return to help. Being together as a family was what truly brought happiness.
However, someone was displeased. Shen Huaisang looked at his sister with a mournful expression. It wasn't fair that she had arranged everything for his elder brother but left him out.
Shen Yao got goosebumps from her third brother's gaze. She had never seen someone unhappy about not being assigned a task. Did her third brother have some peculiar hobby?
"Third Brother, why are you looking at me like that? Aren't you driving the three-wheeled vehicle?" Shen Yao asked.
"Yao Yao, your third brother said he was helping Uncle Zhang. Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang went to the city for a check-up today," Song Qiuwan quickly explained. However, seeing her son's mournful expression, Song Qiuwan couldn't help but want to laugh. From childhood, the family had doted on the youngest daughter, and the competition for affection played out daily, akin to the palace dramas being aired now.
Uncle Zhang? Shen Yao searched her memory for a long time, finally recalling a person deep within her mind. Uncle Zhang was from their village. Uncle Zhang's son was in the same batch as her third brother when they joined the army and had been comrades for several years. Because of this, the two families had a good relationship. Later, Uncle Zhang's son retired from the army and became a police officer, but he was later killed in the line of duty, leaving behind the elderly couple. Therefore, their family did whatever they could to help Uncle Zhang's family.
"Oh, I see. Then Third Brother, you can stay with Dad. When Dad is busy with the rural restaurant, you can help out." Shen Yao didn't assign any specific tasks to Shen Huaisang because she knew that the reason he was staying home was simply due to a leg injury that prevented him from returning to the military.