Upon returning from school, Wang Qingchen found that Wang Youfu and Madam Yang had already distributed the money to the respective families, though Wang Qingtong’s share had been given directly to the Old Master. This was because both Wang Youfu and his wife were aware of the previous incident where Wang Youliang and Madam Tian had summarily taken all the money Wang Qingtong earned from selling flowers. This time, the couple worried that if the money was given directly to Madam Tian, she would keep it all, just like before. Therefore, they decided to give Wang Qingtong’s portion to the Old Master, reasoning that their father would never pocket his grandson’s money.

Wang Qingchen readily agreed with this course of action. After all, Wang Qingtong had always dreamed of opening his own shop. With this money from selling flowers, he could sooner save up enough to buy property, thus avoiding the need to rent a storefront like he was doing now.

Speaking of money, Wang Qingchen realized something. Since the family last purchased land, no other assets had been acquired. Yet, the family had earned quite a bit of income from selling flowers several times since then. Why hadn't his parents used that money to acquire more property?

Wang Qingchen voiced his confusion.

Wang Youfu exchanged a look with Madam Yang upon hearing this. He explained, “It’s not that we don’t want to acquire more property, but the money earned now is all from your efforts. We can’t just use all of it for the household! We already used some of the earlier earnings, secured by me, to purchase some shops and land—that’s already quite a bit. What we have now is sufficient for our family’s livelihood. Your mother and I discussed it, and all the money earned from selling flowers from now on will be saved for you. When you grow up, all of it will be yours. If we invested all this money into family assets, those assets would have to be divided when you brothers eventually separate the estate, which would be profoundly unfair to you. That’s why we are saving the money for you.”

Indeed, the fact that Wang Youfu and Madam Yang were setting aside the money earned by their second son from selling flowers was also the reason they had given the earnings from their eldest son’s flower sales to his immediate family.

Wang Qingchen was momentarily stunned. He hadn't anticipated this reason, and he felt deeply touched. This demonstrated how much his parents cared for him, fearing he might suffer a disadvantage in the future, hence their decision to hold onto the money until he was older. However, they didn't realize that Wang Qingchen didn't place that much importance on the cash. Life was currently comfortable; they lacked nothing in terms of food or clothing. While not extravagant, it was exactly right for Wang Qingchen, who preferred a simpler existence. Therefore, he wouldn't have minded much even if that money had to be divided among others later.

“Father, Mother, you should still use that money to purchase some land or shops. Money sitting idle doesn't generate more wealth. If invested in land, it not only holds value but also yields an annual income, doesn't it? As for later division of the estate, that’s not a concern either. Even if it must be divided, it will only be distributed among my elder and younger brothers. They are my kin; it means nothing to me if some of it goes to them,” Wang Qingchen said sincerely.

Wang Youfu and Madam Yang were greatly pleased upon hearing this, feeling their son was so sensible, not only refusing to hoard wealth for himself but also showing deep consideration for his brothers. In other families, or even considering the previous division of the Wang family estate, everyone scrambled to secure the best advantages. They never expected their own household to have a child who thought so much of others.

Though happy with Wang Qingchen’s sentiment, Wang Youfu worried that his son, being young, might not fully grasp the importance of money. So, he sought confirmation once more. “Qingchen, is that truly what you feel?”

Wang Qingchen looked at Wang Youfu with complete composure and nodded. “Yes. So, Father, please use that money to acquire some property!”

“Good, good! Truly my good son! Since you’ve said it, Father will find the broker in town tomorrow to inquire,” Wang Youfu said with a smile.

However, even after agreeing to invest the money in property, Wang Youfu privately resolved that even if he did purchase land, he would ensure their second son’s family received a larger share during the estate division later; otherwise, it would truly be unfair to the second son.

Wang Qingchen was unaware of Wang Youfu’s internal deliberation. Content that the family had agreed to acquire assets, he dropped the matter and returned to his room to read.

The next morning, Wang Youfu set out early with his two sons for town, eagerly heading straight for Broker Qian.

Broker Qian, recognizing an old client, greeted him warmly. “Oh, Master Wang hasn't honored my humble abode in quite some time.”

Wang Youfu felt slightly awkward with Qian’s address but, remembering his purpose, pushed through. “Not at all. The household has been busy. You know us folk who scratch a living from the soil; we rarely get a day off all year.”

Though Broker Qian said nothing aloud, he thought to himself: With the meager holdings your family has, if you call yourselves dirt-scratchers, what does that make the rest of us?

Despite his internal reservations, Broker Qian maintained his enthusiasm and ushered Wang Youfu inside.

After they were both seated and the attendant had served tea, Broker Qian opened the conversation. “Master Wang, do you have some business you need handled? I will certainly do whatever I can to assist.”

Wang Youfu then stated his business. “Nothing much. I just wanted to look around to see if there are any good plots of land or shops for sale.”

Broker Qian’s eyes lit up, sensing a deal. “How much land are you looking to buy, and what quality of shop?”

Wang Youfu pondered for a moment. “I plan to buy more this time. How large are the fields you have available? But I only want paddy fields. As for shops, if you have any good ones, I might buy one.”

Broker Qian mentally concluded that the Wang family must have recently come into a significant fortune. He certainly couldn't fathom that the money Wang Youfu now possessed was accumulated from several flower sales.

Thinking about large tracts of paddy fields, Broker Qian opened his ledger to search. He recalled having large fields, but because they were so extensive, many potential buyers couldn't manage them, so they remained unsold.

“I do have some large parcels of land, but they are sold as a mix of paddy and dry fields. I truly don't have one entirely composed of paddy fields,” Broker Qian reported.

Wang Youfu considered this. “How much dry field is mixed in?”

“There’s one parcel of about forty mu containing ten mu of dry land, and another slightly over fifty mu that probably has around fifteen mu of dry land. If you find that acceptable, I can take you to see the land right now,” Broker Qian offered.

Wang Youfu mentally calculated the approximate cost of the larger plot, finding it within their acceptable range, and expressed his desire to view the fifty-plus mu parcel.

Broker Qian was delighted. The larger the transaction, the higher his commission. He wasted no time and excitedly led Wang Youfu to the land.

Arriving at the fields for sale, Broker Qian pointed to the area. “This is the place. The owners intended to sell it after last autumn’s harvest. But the land was too large, and they refused to divide it into smaller plots, so it never sold. Out of necessity, they planted another crop of wheat. Now the wheat is almost ready for harvest, so if you are willing to buy, you would certainly have to let them harvest the wheat first.”

Wang Youfu nodded. “Naturally. Since the wheat is nearly ripe, they must be allowed to gather it.”

After speaking, Wang Youfu crouched down to examine the soil quality and the condition of the growing crops. He was quite satisfied with what he saw and then inquired about the price for the plot.

“The owners quoted seven taels of silver and five hundred wen per mu for the paddy fields, and four taels of silver and five hundred wen per mu for the dry fields. What do you think?” Broker Qian asked, watching Wang Youfu’s expression.

Wang Youfu nodded; the price seemed quite reasonable. He decided then and there to purchase the land.

Seeing Wang Youfu agree, Broker Qian immediately sent his attendant to notify the owner, fearing Wang Youfu might change his mind. This land had been in his hands for a long time, and seeing a sale finally materialize made him excited.

The notified owners were equally thrilled and rushed over with the attendant, anxious that things might fall through. The owner’s son had made a fortune doing business in another region and sent substantial funds home, allowing his parents to acquire this large expanse of land. Later, as his business expanded, he wanted his elderly parents to move to him. Thus, the couple began trying to sell the land last year. But it hadn't sold. The son had considered sending a servant to handle the transaction, but the elderly couple had grown emotionally attached to the fields they had farmed for years and refused to sell piecemeal, fearing a servant might divide and sell the plots separately. Consequently, they held on—and ended up planting another crop. Now that someone was buying, especially at a time when the wheat was nearly ready, how could the couple not be excited?

Wang Youfu looked at the elderly couple arriving, slightly breathless, and felt a touch of worry; they were so old, he hoped nothing untoward happened.

The elders knew Wang Youfu was the intended buyer and approached him directly to discuss terms. Wang Youfu was very pleased with the land, and the two parties quickly finalized the agreement to purchase the property.

When the deal was struck, Broker Qian immediately summoned the Lizheng (village head) and several villagers. In front of everyone, the land was re-measured: forty-one mu of paddy and fourteen mu of dry land, and markers were set. Only then did the group return to Broker Qian’s shop in town.