Seeing Jin Gen’s mother uttered a torrent of words in one breath. Yan Huan realized that she had never noticed Jin Gen’s mother’s eloquence before. She lifted her bowl and brought it to her mouth. Meanwhile, Jin Gen’s mother’s voice was still ringing in her ears. She sounded like a pimp who was trying to convince the customers, telling her how perfect the outside world was. In Yan Huan’s opinion, although the outside world had its own hustle and bustle, the mountain was quiet and tranquil. Besides, she never thought that she had a better life in the city than in the mountains. She once lived in the city as well. Look what happened to her. Yan Huan, despite being the best actress, ended up being pushed into the Sea River and was brought here by the water.
It was a complex and cruel world out there. On the other hand, the villagers would spend their whole lives here. How can they possibly face the ruthless world when they can’t even complete their ledger as they sell their eggs?
Besides, who can say for sure that the villagers will continue living in poverty? Soon, they will be freed from poverty. Soon, this place will be developed. The village will transform into a big city with electricity, televisions and phones. The children can go to school easily without having to cross the mountain roads.
She refused to believe in this unrealistic idea as Jin Gen and his mother’s words were usually groundless.
However, it was evident that Changsheng’s mother was convinced. After all, Changsheng’s mother’s ultimate dream was for her unborn grandchild to attend a good school and university. In fact, all the other villagers shared the same wish as well.
The villagers were tired and afraid of staying poor. No one ever returned to the village once they were offered an opportunity to leave this place. Hence, because of Jin Gen’s mother’s unproven remarks, the young men in the village, and Changsheng’s mother, were all moved by the proposal.
Yan Huan rose to her feet and brought her bowl into the kitchen. She kept it nicely after washing it. When she came out of the kitchen, Jin Gen’s mother had already left. Meanwhile, Changsheng’s mother was lost in thoughts. No one knew what was on her mind.
“Aunt, why did she visit?”
Yan Huan brought Changsheng’s mother to a chair before she sat down beside Changsheng’s mother.
At this moment, Changsheng’s mother desperately needed someone else’s opinion. Therefore, Yan Huan believed that Changsheng’s mother would definitely tell her the reason behind Jin Gen’s mother’s visit.
As expected, Changsheng’s mother grabbed Yan Huan’s hand.
“Xiao Yan, you knew that Jin Gen has just returned, right?”
“Yes.” Yan Huan nodded. “I saw him.” It was hard for her to not notice him. He wore the same suit everyday, which seemed as if it had not been washed for days. On top of that, he was always wearing the same appalling pink necktie as he walked around the village, flaunting his outfit regardless of the weather. Even when it was windy or snowing, he had no intention to remove his suit, although his face was ghastly pale and his nose was runny due to the cold weather.
From Yan Huan’s perspective, he had clearly lost his mind.
“Jin Gen has really made a fortune this time.” Jin Gen’s mother’s words were still lingering in the mind of Changsheng’s mother. She was definitely tempted to try it out.
“Jin Gen’s mother said that Jin Gen came back in the hope of earning money alongside the villagers. He has chosen Changsheng, saying that he is a diligent and strong man and should be working on a farm. I reckon that Changsheng is rather adept in farming. Jin Gen’s mother said that it’s an agricultural development zone where they grow all sorts of vegetables of superior quality. Anyone who knows farming can give it a try. They also offer a salary of more than 3,000 dollars per month. If he does well and the boss appreciates him, he may even obtain a house for free. In that case, we can move to the place and don’t have to live in this poor valley anymore.”
Changsheng’s mother got increasingly excited as she spoke, as though her imagination could materialize within the next second.
She was smiling, anticipating a better life.
Yan Huan, on the other hand, was not smiling. Instead, her expression grew sombre.
“Aunt, do you know about the pie in the sky?” Yan Huan asked Changsheng’s mother.
Changsheng’s mother was confused by Yan Huan’s question. “He’ll be earning money with his own hands. It’s a very good opportunity for him. Besides, he is going to earn the money by himself instead of getting free money. Why is this a pie in the sky?”
Yan Huan knew Changsheng’s mother’s intention. She had had her heart set on the purportedly happy life that was mentioned by Jin Gen’s mother. Nevertheless, one needed to stay alive to live a happy life. Who knows where Jin Gen will assign Changsheng to work as a labor? She never believed that something would just fall into her lap, such an opportunity was too good to be true. Perhaps there really is such a good offer where they can earn up to a few thousand dollars in a month and gain a house by working on the farm. But, it will hardly happen to this small village.
All in all, the only person who she mistrusted the most was none other than Jin Gen.
Yan Huan believed that Changsheng’s mother knew Jin Gen’s personality and behavior better than her. She never judged the villagers by their cover as she was not a member in the village. There were good and bad people here, but they were never the worst, unlike Jin Gen, whom Yan Huan found as the most unreliable man in the village.
The words that came out of his mouth were never true. None of the words he said were trustworthy.
Instead of believing Jin Gen and his mother, she would choose to believe that pigs might fly.
“Why? You don’t think it’s a good idea?” Changsheng’s mother asked Yan Huan. “If he works there for a few years, we may be able to live a better life.”
“Aunt, life in the village is actually not that bad…” Yan Huan said with a smile on her face. As her words settled, she realized Changsheng’s mother’s expression had turned sullen. She was rather upset as this was her first time seeing Changsheng’s mother pulling a face. Does she think that I’m blabbering? Am I being too frank? Does Changsheng’s mother think that I’m trying to hinder her son’s road to ultimate wealth?
Glowering, Changsheng’s mother immediately got to her feet and left the scene. Yan Huan quickly followed.
“Aunt, I think…”
Before she uttered another word, Changsheng’s mother replied by slamming the door in her face.
“Aunt…” Yan Huan continued to knock on the door, but Changsheng’s mother ignored her and kept the door shut.
Yan Huan heaved a sigh. Changsheng’s mother must have thought that Yan Huan was stopping her son from making a fortune and expecting him to continue living in poverty in the village. However, she merely felt that they should not believe Jin Gen as what he said was unreliable.
It seemed that Changsheng’s mother hated her for what she said.
The small village was serene and quiet as usual. The sun rose and set at the same time everyday. However, things had changed recently as most of the youths in the village were longing to leave the village as they wanted to set foot on the wonderful world out there that was full of various opportunities.
Little did they know that, although the city was indeed full of vigor and money, there were also lies and dangers beyond their imagination.
