Chapter 57

Qin Yi didn't understand Su Sa's dilemma. Seeing her changing expressions, he thought his words had upset her and quickly tried to explain, hoping to make amends, "Sorry, Su Sa, maybe I shouldn't have said those things. I hope they didn't cause you any trouble. Just forget about it!"

Su Sa knew Qin Yi had misunderstood, so she didn't bother hiding it, "No, no, Yi, I'm not blaming you. Actually, your suggestion is good, but... but I can't come up with that much money right now. You know, traditional small farms don't make money anymore, and this year there's a severe drought, so..."

Although she had decided to speak, Su Sa still felt awkward and nervous, trying hard to explain why she couldn't make money. For some reason, she didn't want Yi to think she was a foolish woman!

Qin Yi understood and felt relieved. It was good that Su Sa wasn't upset; otherwise, it could create a rift between their families, and how would they let Angel play with them in the future!

Su Sa's financial situation wasn't good, and Qin Yi had guessed as much when they were at the hospital. Now, hearing it confirmed, he thought for a moment and tried to sound casual, "How about this, Su Sa. Let's work together. I'll cover all the costs for the farm tourism project. You can own 90% of the farm, and I'll take 10%. What do you think? I think it's a great deal!"

Su Sa kept her head down for a long time without saying anything. The atmosphere in the car became tense. Angel, the most sensitive, obediently lay in her mother's arms, looking at her mother and Uncle Yi, not knowing what was going on.

Qin Yi knew that although Su Sa appeared gentle, she was a strong and determined woman. Otherwise, she wouldn't have divorced her ex-husband and returned to the farm with one-year-old Angel. Over the past two years, she had managed the farm and taken care of Angel, enduring all the hardships, but she had persisted, which spoke volumes about her character.

Perhaps she felt that the share he offered was too high, making her feel like she was being given a handout, which made her uncomfortable.

Sure enough, Su Sa's voice was low and somber, "Yi, I hope we are good friends, not in a relationship of giving and receiving handouts!"

Angel was uneasy, clutching her mother's hand and looking at Uncle Yi, "Mom... Uncle Yi... don't fight!" Her voice was filled with pleading, her big eyes brimming with tears, feeling wronged and helpless.

Seeing Angel's pitiful look, Qin Yi felt bad. If he didn't explain clearly, it might really affect their friendship.

He stopped the car by the roadside, reached out to pat Angel's head, and smiled to comfort her, "Angel, don't worry. Uncle isn't fighting with your mom. We just have different ideas, like how you want to eat a crepe, and your mom wants to eat fried fish!"

Su Sa, seeing that Angel was scared, also became nervous and quickly hugged her, soothing her gently, "Yes, yes, don't worry, darling. Uncle Yi is right. We're not fighting. We'll go to Uncle Yi's house and eat crepes later!"

Hearing this, Angel blinked her big eyes and looked at Qin Yi expectantly, "Uncle Yi, can I have fried fish instead of a crepe? I want to eat fried fish with Mom!"

Su Sa's eyes instantly welled up, and she hugged Angel's head to her chest, not wanting her to see.

Qin Yi quickly nodded, "Of course, when we get home, Uncle will make you lots of fried fish until your tummy is nice and round!"

At this moment, Angel would agree to anything. This little girl, so young and already caring for her mother, was truly a good child!

With Angel's interruption, the atmosphere was no longer tense, and the initial happiness and joy returned. Qin Yi and Su Sa exchanged glances, seeing the smiles in each other's eyes, and the stiffness from before was gone.

Qin Yi looked at Su Sa seriously, showing his sincerity, "Alright, Su Sa, if what I said earlier made you uncomfortable, I apologize, but I really didn't mean it that way."

He winked at Angel, teasing her, "Angel, now Uncle is going to discuss with your mom whether we should eat a crepe or fried fish. You should learn this. When you have a disagreement with your mom, sit down and talk it out, just like we are. Got it?"

Angel nodded obediently, looking at Qin Yi with curious eyes.

Su Sa, who had been maintaining a serious expression, couldn't help but laugh at the two of them, shaking her head helplessly.

Qin Yi, of course, was being deliberate. Without creating a relaxed atmosphere, they wouldn't be able to talk freely, "Alright, let's talk about the farm. For the farm tourism project, we just need to buy a few horses, a few cows, and a few sheep. The key is to build some accommodation cabins, but in the early stages, simple prefabricated wooden cabins will suffice. We can also prepare some tents. For city people, it's precisely these rustic elements that attract them, allowing them to experience a break from the city's hustle and bustle."

Qin Yi summarized in his mind and continued, "All in all, it will cost about $100,000. A 1,000-acre farm is worth about $1,000,000, so in the end, I'm still making a profit."

"But that's not how it works, Yi. You know the farm has almost no facilities and isn't worth $1,000,000. We only have one horse, and we need at least ten horses, ten cows, and some sheep, which will cost several tens of thousands of dollars. With the horses and cows, we need stables and barns, prefabricated cabins, heating, and labor. All these expenses add up, and $100,000 is definitely not enough!"

Su Sa looked at Qin Yi seriously, "Yi, I don't want you to feel sorry for me!"

Qin Yi scratched his head, wondering why they were back to this topic.

"Alright, alright, Su Sa, just listen to me."

Qin Yi spread his hands helplessly, "I understand everything you said, but when we start the farm tourism, we won't have many visitors. So, expanding and renovating the farm facilities will be a long-term process. We can take it step by step. At least for the first six months, you'll have some savings, and we can work together to build a small hotel. We can discuss it then."

As he spoke, he patted Angel, a smile appearing on his face, which made Angel blink and smile at him. He continued, his voice gentle, "Moreover, I just want Angel to be happy and to find a dedicated financial manager for the ranch. There's no pity or charity here, only friendship and, of course, business."

He then looked at Su Sa, his gaze sincere and clear, "So, your job now is to play with Angel and make her grow up happily, and to ensure that our ranch and farm finances are in order. That's it. How about it, Su Sa, can you do it?"

Su Sa's heart skipped a beat. "Ours?" This word was...

Seeing Yi's expectant gaze, she nodded slowly, "Of course!"

Qin Yi smiled, started the car, and drove off, "Alright, Su Sa, we've resolved our differences. The farm tourism project is set!"

Su Sa was about to nod but suddenly realized something. Farm tourism? Weren't they just talking about finances? She looked at Qin Yi, feeling a mix of amusement and frustration, "Yi, you... you didn't say that before..."

Qin Yi didn't give her a chance to speak, "It's settled, Su Sa. If you still feel uncomfortable, help me with the financial planning and save on taxes by the end of the year. That will be a big help!"

"Alright, Su Sa, don't worry so much. We're all happy, right? We'll watch Angel grow up happily!" He then turned to Angel, who was looking at him from her mother's arms, "Angel, are you happy?"

Angel nodded immediately, smiling brightly, "Angel is very happy, Uncle Yi is happy, and Mom is happy!"

The little girl's requirements were simple. As long as she had her mom and Uncle Yi to play with and some good food, she was content!

Seeing Angel's bright smile, Su Sa felt that this was fine. Yi was right; they were all happy. If so, why worry so much?

Seeing Su Sa smile and not say more, Qin Yi knew the matter was settled. He smiled at Angel, "See, Angel, Uncle and Mom have resolved their issue. Now let's go home and eat."

"Wow, we're going home! Uncle Yi, can I have a crepe besides the fried fish? Can I? Uncle Yi!"

Angel smacked her lips, looking at Uncle Yi with longing. She loved fried fish but also liked crepes, which she hadn't had in days and really wanted to eat!

Qin Yi found it amusing but couldn't refuse, "Of course, if Angel wants it, she'll have it!"

Su Sa patted Angel's head, who was cheering, and teased Qin Yi with a smile, "Yi, you'll spoil her!"

Qin Yi laughed heartily, taking Su Sa and Angel, and they gradually disappeared down the road.

PS: The recommendations today are great! Thanks for everyone's support!