Chapter 1581 - 1561: Gradually Entering a Better State (Part 2)

After she finished speaking, she looked at Marcus Quinn with anticipation. Marcus saw her standing under the eaves of the blue-tiled house, her face serene and delicate, full of radiance as she talked about starting an entrepreneurial venture to build a Holiday Village. He couldn’t help but smile deeply, nodding as he said, "Just as I thought, I’ll head to the county this afternoon to gather some materials and approach the government for loans. The government is encouraging entrepreneurship now and offers venture capital. Once the funds are released, we can buy the house. Most of the remaining villagers are elderly and children since the adults have left for work elsewhere. If we secure enough funds, we can employ these locals, so they won’t have to toil away from home but can still earn a living."

Marcus spoke with such poise and strength, as if building a Holiday Village, a project that would require a cascade of Silver, was no big deal. Somehow, Adan instinctively believed him; if he set his mind to something, he always achieved it.

Due to Marcus’s grandfather, Irving Spencer has been village head of Anfield Village for years, and that afternoon, Irving drove Marcus and the village head to Green County.

Adan stayed at the farm, observing that some fruits in the orchard were ripe while others were nearing ripeness. She quickly thought about potential markets, knowing Marcus’s grandfather had once wagered about half his wealth on Anfield Village. There were three hills, where plenty of fruit was grown—some large areas, others small. Experts were once invited to cultivate the soil, coupled with the area’s beautiful mountains and waters, resulting in strong, sweet fruit trees over the years.

Adan ate a few big and sweet red dates, bursting with juiciness. Soon to ripen were loquats and grapes, along with a grove of persimmons. The golden-yellow persimmons hung tempting her, nearly making her drool.

The biggest need for building the Holiday Village was money. In the past, Adan had substantial personal savings, enough to invest millions without batting an eye, but now she had to earn it painstakingly.

She and Marcus had a total worth of only 600,000. Marcus mentioned his grandfather had a small courtyard in Imperial City, reserved for Marcus to rest when in the city. Courtyards like that in Imperial City had soaring prices, but it was kept as a sentimental legacy by his grandfather. Marcus didn’t want to sell, and Adan agreed it wasn’t necessary.

Therefore, selling all the fruit on the mountainside was an urgent task. Furthermore, as the second half of the year approached, fish from the pond could be harvested, and the barren fields needed planting.

Adan consulted Aunt Shui and, based on her advice, created a chart that recorded the seasonal crop planting and products suited for South River. Aunt Shui mentioned there was a tea garden behind the orchard, ready for picking next spring.

Tea production was another source of income for the village elders, all thanks to Marcus’s grandfather. The villagers harvested only a small amount each year for personal consumption or gifting to friends and family.

Adan was amazed by the village’s simplicity, asking Aunt Shui, "With Marcus’s grandfather gone for so many years, why haven’t villagers, even if favored by him, harvested and sold the produce? Don’t outsiders come, given how close we are to Green County?"

As Aunt Shui picked fresh vegetables, she smiled and said, "You wouldn’t know, but within ten miles around, everyone has benefitted from Marcus’s grandfather’s kindness. Who would dare do such a thing? They’d be scorned by the village and county. When the old man was alive, we didn’t need to hire helpers for farm work. During peak farming seasons, each family volunteered their strongest men to assist. Experts from the province visited annually to check soil fertility and moisture—not only city or provincial level folks, even people from the Imperial City visited frequently."

Senior officials stayed on the farm for days on end, which is why Anfield Village and Green County have excellent public safety and high community morals. Despite Marcus’s grandfather having left years ago, it remains a serene paradise untouched by the wild urban development happening elsewhere. Authorities say Marcus’s grandfather liked peace, forbidding disturbances."

Aunt Shui spoke with a slight choke in her voice. Adan only then realized the magnitude of Marcus’s grandfather’s influence, how it must have secured this peaceful haven.

Being young, Adan never knew the fame of Marcus’s grandfather, but she grew to understand Marcus deeper. With such lineage, Marcus was surrounded by prominent figures, yet he chose his own path, having not returned for over a decade.

Marcus and Irving didn’t return for dinner, calling to say they’d be back later. Adan followed Aunt Shui, learning to cook with the farm’s earthen stove and enjoying the sweet vegetables grown in the greenhouse.

Marcus returned past eleven at night, just as Adan was about to drift off to sleep. She watched him cross through layers of courtyard corridors, lift the bamboo blinds, and remove his shoes to enter the house.

Marcus had drunk a bit, his gaze deeper than the night itself. Seeing Adan slumped on the couch, barely able to keep her eyes open, the fan dropped to the ground, with only incense still burning, he chuckled softly and approached, picking her up and placing her on the bed.

The young girl was light, frame slender, barely weighing anything in his arms, soft and gentle.

Adan woke by his embrace, unmindful of their close contact, gripping his arm as she hoarsely asked, "Marcus, why are you back so late? How did the talk go?"

Her voice was soft and tender, her intonation echoing with innocent charm.

Marcus’s usually stern face softened into a smile. He put her on the bed, leaned down, and said in a low, gentle voice, "It’s settled. The county applied for special funding from the city, and we’re getting five million. It’ll be in this week. Adan, there’s no rush for the fruit in the woods. I’ve sent it all to the city so it won’t rot, expressing a bit of goodwill too."

Upon hearing this, Adan brightened with delight, saying, "So much money was approved so quickly?"

As for the gift of fruit, Adan hardly minded, considering it proper and a form of promotion.

"These are intangible assets and connections my grandfather left me. I’ll repay the money later." Marcus said softly, stroking Adan’s hair, his voice resonating as if from deep within.

"Marcus, are we really going to open a Holiday Village?" Adan laughed softly, her eyes shining like stars.

Seeing this, Marcus felt an uncontrollable urge and kissed her forehead, laughing deeply, "Yes."