Chapter 4: Forced Land Sale

Around noon, most of the villagers had returned home after enjoying the wedding candies, leaving only one of Cheng Tianyuan’s uncles and his wife behind, chatting while snacking on melon seeds and sipping tea.

“Yuan, congratulations! Your new sister-in-law is beautiful, generous, and has such a sweet voice!”

“City girls are really different! Her skin is so fair, just like those rich young ladies on TV!”

Cheng Tianyuan smiled and nodded in response, “Thank you, Uncle and Aunt.”

Cheng’s uncle chuckled, glanced around, and beckoned Cheng Tianyuan closer, “Nephew, come here, I need to discuss something with you.”

Cheng Tianyuan raised an eyebrow but politely agreed and followed his uncle outside.

Xue Ling, who was helping her mother-in-law tidy up the stools, noticed them leaving the courtyard and became curious. This uncle, Cheng’s uncle, seemed somewhat familiar.

In her previous life, she remembered that before Cheng Tianyuan left home, he had signed a land transfer agreement with this uncle, selling twenty mu of their front land at a low price.

At that time, Cheng Tianyuan’s younger sister, Cheng Tianfang, had been furious. She had burst into the wedding chamber, berating her for causing trouble. She accused her of bankrupting the family, borrowing money to marry her off, and claimed that this uncle was unreasonable. They had just arrived to ask for money right after the wedding, forcing her big brother to sell the land. Cheng Tianfang, young and hot-tempered, had shouted at her angrily.

She had been desperate to escape from the Cheng family back then, and her fiery temper had gotten the best of her. Cheng Tianfang’s accusations had sparked her anger, and she had lashed out at her.

She had boldly declared that Cheng’s family had no right to complain about money, and if they couldn’t afford it, it was their own fault. If they couldn’t pay their debts, they deserved to be taken advantage of.

Cheng Tianfang had been left speechless by her outburst and had stormed out in tears.

Xue Ling suspected that this uncle was now pressuring Cheng Tianyuan to sell the land, and she couldn’t hesitate. She quickly followed them.

From a distance, she saw the uncle wearing a stern expression, pointing at a large piece of barren land in front of them, and making gestures. Cheng Tianyuan, on the other hand, had a resolute look on his face, shaking his head.

The uncle became agitated and shouted, “With your measly salary, when do you think you can pay it back? Your old man’s arm is useless; he can’t farm. You’re in the county town all the time. How can you take care of farming? It’s better to sell it to me while it’s still vacant!”

Cheng Tianyuan maintained his composure, bowing his head as if trying to reason with him.

Xue Ling felt a sense of urgency and overheard her mother-in-law calling out to her from behind. Liu Ying thought she was looking at the newly paved road in front of the house and smiled, explaining, “Ling Ling, they just finished repairing this road in front of our house. It’s so convenient! If you turn here, you’ll reach the village committee, and if you go a bit further, you’ll get to Ouyang Village. If you go straight ahead, you’ll reach the provincial road, and it’s just a short half-hour walk to the county town.”

Xue Ling nodded in realization. In her previous life, she had thought that Cheng’s village was a remote and impoverished place, similar to the poor villages in the capital. However, her perspective had been narrow.

Cheng’s village was actually very close to Ronghua County, which had experienced tremendous development in the past few years. The village had convenient transportation and had seen remarkable progress, with many wealthy families emerging.

Furthermore, Cheng’s village had been incorporated into the suburban development zone and had witnessed a surge in land prices. Families that had owned farmland and land in the past had become wealthy landowners.

The large piece of barren land in front of Cheng’s house, which was close to the main road, was sure to become valuable in the future.

Realizing this, she hurriedly walked toward the gate.

She heard Cheng Tianyuan explaining calmly, “Uncle, please give me six months. I will definitely repay you. My father’s medical bills, the money for getting married, I will repay it as soon as possible.”

“No!” Cheng’s uncle shouted, getting impatient. “I need the money urgently! Can you repay it in six months? Do you even know how long six months is? Pigs can give birth in that time!”

Cheng Tianyuan remained composed but resolute. “Uncle, how about three months? I will definitely repay you then. I’ll even add ten yuan to buy you a pack of cigarettes. Our family just got a new bride, and we really can’t spare the money right now.”

Cheng’s uncle sneered and pulled out a promissory note from his pocket. “Nephew, here’s the promissory note, and your mother’s fingerprint is still on it. If you don’t repay the two hundred yuan today, I’ll buy the twenty mu of land in front of your house. I’ll do you a favor as a relative and add another hundred yuan!”

“No!” A determined voice suddenly interjected from behind.

Cheng’s uncle was taken aback, turning around and sneering, “Oh, it’s the newlywed. Debt must be repaid; it’s only right. You’re just a newcomer; you have no right to interfere. Whether this happens or not is not your decision.”

Xue Ling raised her head proudly, her gaze sharp, and her argument well-grounded. “I’ve already registered my marriage with Tianyuan. Legally, I’m his lawful wife. Anything owned by his family, including land and houses, is also mine. If I have a share, why wouldn’t I have the right to speak?”

Xue Ling’s words were logical and strong, and her expression matched her determination.

Cheng’s uncle was momentarily at a loss for words, losing the momentum he had before. He stammered, “Selling the land because of the debt is justified. You’re just a newcomer; you have no right to interfere!”

At this point, Cheng’s mother, wiping away tears, stepped out and choked up, “Yuan, Ling Ling… We have a lot of land in our family, and most of it has been left unused because your father’s health isn’t good. If it helps, why don’t we sell some of it to your uncle?”

Cheng Tianyuan was known for his filial piety, and hearing his mother’s suggestion made him feel conflicted.

Xue Ling was worried that he might give in, so she discreetly tugged at his sleeve and turned to her mother-in-law, saying, “Mom, we can earn money in other ways, but the land is the family’s immovable property, and it can’t be sold casually.”

Cheng Tianyuan didn’t expect Xue Ling to support his decision, and her backing gave him a newfound sense of confidence.

“That’s right! We can’t sell the family’s land!”