Chapter 1617 - 1581: Fragrant Crab Roe (Part 2)

"For planting Ginseng, we also purchase it, and the price is certainly different from the wild ones. If the medicinal effect of what you plant is better than those from southern Yunnan, we are willing to cooperate a second time," Mr. Gao said with a smile.

That was settled. Marcus Quinn and Alina discussed it and found it feasible. Once the reputation of wild Ginseng was established, it would be easier to sell the cultivated ones later.

A little past 3 p.m., Irving Spencer brought the villagers back. The wild Ginseng they dug up this time was about the same as yesterday’s, around 1,500 pounds. The villagers, as usual, entrusted Marcus Quinn to handle it all. Since Marcus Quinn didn’t go digging this time, everyone thought if they followed the previous rule of whoever dug it gets it, it would be unfair to Marcus Quinn.

Marcus Quinn originally could have dug up the wild Ginseng himself and not shared a penny with them, so the villagers discussed it with Irving Spencer. They decided that each household would still be rewarded according to their labor, but everyone would give half to Marcus Quinn as a gesture of gratitude.

These villagers were honest and diligent farmers. They didn’t understand grand theories, nor did they possess much boldness, but they were stubbornly rational. Previously, they worked with old Mr. Quinn, and now they followed Marcus Quinn. Therefore, everyone was willing to give half to the Quinn Family. If they didn’t, they’d feel uneasy, as if they were taking something from the Quinn Family for nothing, and couldn’t sleep well at night.

So Marcus Quinn just took Alina to the county to buy some things, and when he got home, he saw the villagers had split 750 pounds of wild Ginseng for him.

Marcus Quinn didn’t refuse and accepted it all. With the kindness of a bushel of rice, begets the bitterness of a picul, Marcus Quinn understood this nuance well.

The North Gate Pharmaceutical Factory purchased all of it at a price of 1,800, and then Cedric prepared the contract, printed it out, and signed it with Marcus Quinn, marking this matter as settled. In the future, the transactions would go through logistics and bank transfers without the need for face-to-face meetings every time.

Alina was somewhat dazed seeing 1.35 million come in a day.

Each household received the money and merrily gathered in the yard, reluctant to leave. Seeing the liveliness here, the people from the North Gate Pharmaceutical Factory were also unwilling to leave, so they stayed for dinner that evening.

Uncle Shui cooked the dinner. In high spirits, he invited everyone in the village to join the meal and even brought out some fine wine he had been saving for years. The villagers dined at the canteen, with the elderly at one table, the children at another, and the men at yet another, creating a bustling scene.

After drinking too much, the villagers, wiping their tears, held Marcus Quinn’s hand and cried. One started crying, and then a few others followed. Seeing the usually aloof and silent Marcus Quinn surrounded by villagers, looking a bit bothered, Alina couldn’t help but laugh cheerfully.

Marcus Quinn returned home late that night, carrying a faint scent of alcohol. Seeing his wrinkled clothes, Alina couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Standing under the light, Marcus Quinn looked at the cheerful Alina, feeling she was more beautiful than flowers. He reached out to hold her slender arm and said in a low voice, "Alina, what are you laughing at?"

The day before, after everyone dug up and sold the Ginseng, some elderly folks called their sons and daughters. These people came home today, filled with emotion seeing their wives and old parents having made money by digging wild Ginseng with Marcus Quinn.

Marcus Quinn felt he was covered in the smell of alcohol and other people’s tears and snot, but he was held by the legs, unable to break free, and could only watch Alina slip away.

"Marcus Quinn, how many more days do you think we can continue digging for wild Ginseng?" Alina had been holding the account book, calculating. This 1.35 million was all Marcus Quinn’s, and coupled with the previous amount, Marcus Quinn now had a small fortune. And with the Holiday Village opened, life was getting better and better.

"Irving Spencer says we’ve dug up a small patch; I think maybe four or five more days, and we’ll be done," Marcus Quinn’s eyes burned as he looked at her, his voice low, "Alina, is this money enough to marry you?"

In the man’s mind, Alina was a little fairy from heaven, priceless beyond measure. He had worked hard to earn money because he wanted to give her everything.

Alina’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded. It was enough. If her father were still here, she would inherit the Chase Family’s assets, worth billions, and the Yarn Family’s betrothal gifts would also be over a hundred million. Marriages in powerful families differed naturally from ordinary ones, but these millions were earned by Marcus Quinn through his hard work.

He treated her so well that even without money, she would still be willing.

Seeing her nod, Marcus Quinn immediately smiled joyfully, wanting to embrace her. But remembering the smell of alcohol and others’ tears on him, he stood foolishly in place, laughing deeply, "Then after we’ve sold all the Ginseng, the forest fruits, and planted the winter wheat, let’s find time to register our marriage. Alina, should we inform your family?"