2

“Last time I went to your house, I didn’t see you. I sat with your mom for a while, and your dad went to help someone.”

“When I got back, my mom said you had come over. That day, I went to Nánzhuāng to collect the payment for the road repair project we did for them last time.”

“Did you get the money?”

“Most of it was paid, the remaining balance will be cleared next time.”

“Your family has a wide network. Your father does all kinds of work—transportation, taking on projects. How’s the pig farm doing?”

“It’s just average. But my father loves to get involved in everything. He does all kinds of things. I’m just helping out, running errands.”

“I really envy you for having such a capable father!”

The small car arrived at the county station, and the passengers got off one by one, going their separate ways. Some people asked about the departure time for the afternoon bus. There were still three hours before the next departure. Tàohuā and Wàn Lín went to the Wùmào Commercial Building for a stroll and tried the famous local snack, “stir-fried steamed buns.” Tàohuā suggested that Wàn Lín buy a T-shirt from Yāgé’ěr and a pair of Red Dragonfly leather sandals, and she bought herself a light gray dress, which was convenient for work on the car. After work, Tàohuā got on Wàn Lín’s motorcycle and took a spin around the town.

By doing this, it was clear to anyone that Tàohuā was announcing to everyone that she was with Wàn Lín.

From then on, in flower-filled gardens and moonlit nights, in the city and the suburbs, the two of them were seen flirting and enjoying each other’s company.

Before long, the National Day holidays arrived. In an effort to show her commitment, Tàohuā gave up her spot on the company’s organized trip and handed it to Wàn Lín’s parents, hoping to further tie Wàn Lín down.

Tàohuā put Wàn Lín’s dirty laundry into the washing machine, cleaned it, spun it dry, and hung it on the balcony. She peeled two apples, handing one to Wàn Lín, who was sitting on the couch watching TV, while she ate the other. She said, “The TV commercials say that single people live a luxurious life, a world for two, and a family of three. We, as single people, should move towards that two-person world, and in the not-so-distant future, become a family of three. What do you think? Why don’t you take some action?”

Wàn Lín smiled, unsure of what to say.

Tàohuā continued, “We’ve been together for quite some time now. I can see that you’re a smart, capable person, born into a good family, never lacking for food or clothes. Your father is talented, a big shot in the area. Your mother runs the household, entertains guests, and manages everything on her own.”

“Stop flattering me. My parents are good at what they do; otherwise, how would they have built this family business? But we’re still young. We haven’t experienced much yet, and the future is ahead of us. We still need to work hard.”

“That’s true. I love hearing you talk, Wàn Lín. Unlike the younger generation now, who are all talk and no action. What are your plans for the future?”

“I think my father’s business started in the countryside. Now that it has had some success and adapted to the era of reform and opening up, it is still limited to the rural areas. In the future, I want to be a new type of farmer, someone who leaves the countryside and brings in advanced techniques from outside to use here. At the same time, I want to process our local specialties and turn them into products that can be sold. With the development of society, we’ll see rural people living in cities and urban people living in the countryside.”

“Then we’d better get married quickly, so I can be your assistant.”

“We could develop rural tourism, using our beautiful natural environment and green, organic food to open a farmhouse restaurant. Visitors from afar would come here to taste the food, enjoy the stunning scenery, and relax, reconnecting with nature.”

“That’s a good plan. We’ve eaten so much millet porridge already.”

“When that day comes, I’ll make sure my family lives a happy and prosperous life. The villagers will all have jobs, something to do, and won’t be spending their days playing mahjong and comparing scores.”

“You speak so well! Our future entrepreneur, let’s first solve the immediate problem of eating, shall we?”

After saying this, Tàohuā went to the kitchen, took two tomatoes and two eggs from the fridge, and made a tomato and scrambled eggs dish. She prepared the dough for noodles and let it rest for a while on the countertop. She then placed the pot on the gas stove and turned on the heat. Soon, two steaming bowls of tomato scrambled egg noodles were ready.

Wàn Lín opened a can of fish meat and placed it on the dining table. The two of them sat down, watching the popular TV drama, laughing and chatting as they ate.

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