noveltune Chapter 116 Land Surveying, Waiting to Get the Land Deed!
Chapter 116 Land Surveying, Waiting to Get the Land Deed!
Chapter 116 Land Surveying, Waiting to Get the Land Deed!
James returned later than anyone expected!
But he not only returned, he also brought back a key figure: a land surveyor.
Tom recognized the fat man at a glance.
Isn't this the same person who registered "Dutton House" ranch for him?
"Aren't you supposed to be an office worker? Why did you come all the way here in person?" Tom asked, his tone tinged with surprise.
The chubby surveyor grinned, his expression warm with the anticipation of a reunion with an old friend: "Hey! I never expected to run into you here! Hahaha!"
"Yes, I didn't expect you to come in person," Tom pressed.
The fat man muttered to himself: Don't you have any idea how many people are in the entire land office?
But his enthusiasm remained undiminished: "It's my duty!"
Since they've come, we can't just leave them hanging.
The location James had his eye on was on the high ground at the north exit of Paradise Valley.
Tom naturally had no objections.
He casually pulled Peter out from the side and made him follow.
"You, come with me," James gestured for Peter to follow.
Peter has come to realize these past few days that he's just a tool for Tom! He's moved around wherever he's needed.
Tom walked ahead, exchanging pleasantries with the surveyor, and naturally extended his hand to shake his.
As the hands parted, several green banknotes had already silently slipped into the surveyor's palm.
The fat man remained calm and casually slipped his hand into his pocket.
"Right here!" James waved his hand.
Their tents were pitched on this high ground.
The surveyor nodded, and without saying a word, took out his tools and started working.
As for why Tom's family insisted on settling here, he had no curiosity whatsoever.
His gaze swept over Peter beside him, and he wondered to himself: Which unlucky guy is this now?
Peter watched the fat man's skillful movements and felt a little envious. He couldn't help but want to go over and help.
As soon as he took two steps closer, the fat man immediately moved a large distance to the side, becoming wary.
Well, he got rejected! Peter touched his nose, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Let's include that hot spring in the area!" Tom casually suggested, pointing to the side.
Peter looked up abruptly, staring at Tom as if he'd seen a ghost. "Circling into a hot spring? What kind of move is this?"
The fat surveyor remained unfazed, simply taking his instruments and carefully walking around the edge of the hot spring to "define" the area.
What do you mean? Peter's eyes widened.
So, from now on, anyone who wants to soak in a hot spring will have to ask your family first?
That's right! That's exactly what Tom meant!
"Make room for the hot spring at the entrance as well," Tom added.
The surveyor quickly completed all the work and accurately marked the area on the map.
Tom stepped forward and casually brushed the dust off the fat man's clothes: "How long will it take to get the land deed?"
His hand "unintentionally" brushed lightly against the fat man's chest.
The surveyor subtly pressed his fingers against his inside pocket, his smile instantly blossoming into a radiant grin: "One month! As long as the land payment arrives, the land deed can be collected immediately!"
Not only did Tom like to hear this, but James, who was standing next to him, also showed a satisfied expression.
Only Peter behind him stared wide-eyed, his eyes practically popping out of their sockets. Did you all think I was invisible?!
The Dutton family naturally treated the land surveyor to their finest hospitality.
Before leaving, Tom generously placed a large, heavy piece of bison meat on the fat man's carriage.
These days, whether it's domesticated or wild, as long as it has meat, that's the bottom line!
According to the surveyor, there is no real beef to be seen on the Bozeman side.
Peter's heart skipped a beat as soon as the surveyor's carriage disappeared from sight.
Now it's completely clear: the Dutton family is truly determined to establish themselves in this land!
He glanced furtively at James, the head of the family.
Before the person in charge could even ask anything, Peter preemptively spilled everything he knew—no, everything he knew!
That was a complete and detailed account, ten times more so than when it was told to Tom!
What does "a wise man submits to circumstances" mean?
Peter is a living example right now!
He admitted his mistake so readily and frankly, and his confession was so thorough that it was as if the words "saving one's life is the most important thing" were engraved on his forehead!
Peter huddled in the corner, a chill running down his spine.
Apart from John and the two naive girls, none of the rest of the Dutton family—Tom, Zack, Cooper, and even the cook Jonah—look like good people.
Which immigrant who made it into the West alive didn't have blood on their hands? Kindness? That stuff was long gone!
Oh, maybe those two girls are exceptions? After all, shouldn't women have some innate softness in their bones?
Peter thought uncertainly.
The atmosphere at dinner was somewhat tense.
Tom forked a piece of meat and asked casually, "Why is it delayed for three days? If there's still no news, I'll have to take people out to look for it." His tone was calm, but it carried an invisible pressure.
Margaret, the mother, looked at her youngest son, John, her expression complex. She sighed softly, "Postman—the situation is terrible. The streets are full of orphans. We went to donate some money."
Her rough hands stroked John's soft hair.
"Child, you are lucky," Margaret's voice lowered. "Many children your age have lost their homes, become orphans, and are bullied by those damned bastards!"
"Claire!" Margaret raised her voice disapprovingly, trying to stop her from using such extreme language.
"Bullying?" Tom's heart skipped a beat. He put down his fork, his sharp gaze sweeping over his mother and aunt. "What's it to you?"
Wade picked up the conversation, confirming Tom's guess: "Where can orphans go? To the church! But the church isn't doing well this year either, and they're appealing for donations. But everyone's pockets are practically empty, so what can they donate? That's why some people go to the church to help out."
He paused, a hint of heaviness in his voice, "And then, I saw those poor children."
'
"Is that pitiful?"
Aunt Claire slammed her hand on the table, making the plates shake. Her eyes reddened, and her voice became shrill, "That's abuse! Absolute abuse!"
Wade shrugged helplessly at Tom, the gesture wide and carrying the ruggedness and a hint of powerlessness typical of Western men.
Tom's eyes turned completely cold: "So, you got into a fight with the people at the church?"
Wade nodded heavily: "It almost turned into a fight. In the end, the mayor and sheriff arrived and the farce was brought under control."
He emphasized the word "farce," making it full of irony.
"A sheriff?" Tom's pupils contracted slightly.
"Yes, his name was something like Dan?" Wade recalled.
"It seems like you all know him?"
Tom paused for a moment before slowly nodding, "I know him."
He lowered his eyes, focusing intently on cutting the meat on the plate, showing no intention of explaining the relationship between this "Dan" and himself.
Because of the cold weather, Postman had many more orphans. What about other places?
Can these orphans be adopted?
In this day and age, are children easy to raise?
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