Chapter 13

“Except this one. Not going to any others.” Jiang Qishen stared at the familiar name on the farmer list, gave the order.
That afternoon, under the village head’s direction, the cars drove to Yang Bufan’s house.
The village head called Yang Bufan. Hung up after a couple of sentences. Said: Yangzi heard you were coming, agreed without thinking.
So two cars headed toward the end of the village.
The village head said: “Distance between farms and residential areas usually needs to be over 500 meters. Yangzi’s family and the other two major sheep farmers all live at the end of the village.”
Outside the window, sun was fierce. Clear river reflected rows of old houses. Streets empty. Every household grew plants and flowers. Unnamed flowers heavy on branches, brushing pedestrians’ heads.
Chen Cihong’s old mansion was grand and luxurious. But charged admission for outsiders.
What had Yang Bufan said before? When they were kids, they’d run around in this mansion, watched Yingge dance, cooled off. Now it charged admission.
This was Jiang Qishen’s first time in Wanmei Village. The place was shabby and small. Far from the romantic paradise Yang Bufan had described.
She was like that—unrealistic, fragile about modernity, escaped everything to the countryside, still used things that didn’t exist to make it sound better.
In his eyes, farmland had no poetry. Only flies.
The car drove a short distance. Jiang Qishen looked at the village head. Said politely: “Village head, our company always respects local customs. This visit to local farmers—any unwritten rules we should be aware of?”
The village head thought. Shook his head honestly.
“After all, we’re going to someone’s home.” Jiang Qishen chose his words.
Lao Zhang glanced in the rearview. Said: “Boss, first visit. Should we bring something? Shows the company’s thorough, has class.”
Before the village head could say “no need,” Jiang Qishen said lightly: “Get the wine from the car.”
Lao Zhang added: “This family has more women. Want to go to the supermarket, see what else to buy?”
Jiang Qishen looked at the village head: “Any supermarkets on the way?”
The village head was puzzled, strange, but also impressed by big‑city people’s politeness and class. People who did big things really covered all the details.
“Yes, right turn ahead.”
The car stopped. Boss and employee went into Xiaoling Supermarket. Cheap food, drinks, daily goods met the eye. Didn’t match the expensive wine in the car fridge.
Lao Zhang picked up a pack of Wangwang snow cakes, looked back at Jiang Qishen, immediately put it down.
Supermarket owner Xiaoling smiled. “What do you want to buy?”
Lao Zhang looked at Jiang Qishen. One glance, understood. Said loudly: “Excuse me, what does Yang Bufan’s family usually buy?”
Xiaoling looked these two outsiders over carefully. Smiled. “Spend 600, get 2% off!”
Lao Zhang asked again. Same answer. Jiang Qishen’s mouth twitched. Said no problem.
Sure enough, barren countryside only grew rude, evil man‑eating flowers. Not polite daffodils.
Xiaoling smiled. “For gifts, dried seafood is definitely classy. Like what Yangzi’s family often buys—fish maw, shark fin, nine‑section shrimp, dried scallops, dried shrimp, filefish, dried abalone, dried oysters…”
Jiang Qishen cut her off. “Give me a price. I’ll buy this whole shop.”
Xiaoling laughed awkwardly. “Just pick a few of these dried goods.”
The two carried four bulging bags of dried seafood, faces full of signs, enjoyed the original‑price discount, got back in the car.
The village head didn’t understand but was impressed.
Hesheng had left not long before. The luxury car drove into Yang Bufan’s small yard.
Lao Zhang parked. Saw Xiao Yang standing to one side, greeting them. Glanced in the rearview. Also cheerfully greeted Xiao Yang.
Yang Bufan chatted warmly with them.
She had no reason to refuse the village head. Agricultural society’s foundation was relationships. Always had to be accommodating.
Plus, being river chief was just testing water quality, helping report and clean river garbage. Very little work.
She got this easy job, 1,350 a month, all thanks to the village head’s appreciation and recommendation.
The village head and Lao Zhang got out first. The rear window rolled down halfway.
A low voice came out: “Lao Zhang.”
“Yeah!”
Lao Zhang quickly bent, leaned close to the window.
Yang Bufan followed the voice, saw the bottom half of the man’s jade‑like face in the car.
Lao Zhang slapped his forehead, like waking from a dream. Hurried around to the other side, moved the dried seafood and good wine into Yang Bufan’s house.
The village head whispered to Yang Bufan: “This is a big company’s ‘deep rural engagement’ work research. For filming. Just accept it.”
The window rolled up. Shiny glass reflected Yang Bufan’s suddenly‑understanding face.
Jiang Qishen wiped his hands with sanitizing wipes, wiped invisible dust from his shoes, checked his appearance, then elegantly got out of the car.
He looked out of place with the environment. Standing in the crowd, not the same style as others.
Gold‑rimmed glasses on his nose bridge. Expressionless, hard to please. Arrogant like the tallest, strongest ram in the pen, inspecting his territory.
Everyone saw him examine the whole environment with hawk‑like eyes. Held their breath, waiting for his judgment.
In the sunlight, the double‑leaf carved door gleamed. The two‑story house had large floor‑to‑ceiling windows. Won on being delicate and bright. The yard grew four‑season osmanthus. Stone table and stools under the tree. Looked not too bad, not too dirty.
What Jiang Qishen didn’t know: this ordinary‑looking small yard had been renovated for ten years. The Yang parents’ life’s work.
The village head smiled. “CEO Jiang, countryside can’t compare to Shenzhen’s prosperity. Please bear with us.” Turned to ask about the Yang parents.
Yang Bufan answered: “Dad’s watching the barn construction in back. Mom went herding sheep. Want to go in the air‑conditioned room for tea?”
The village head glanced at Jiang Qishen. Said: “CEO Jiang is here for work research. Definitely see the farm first. Xiao Liu needs to film.”
Xiao Liu and colleagues with equipment nodded together.
Yang Bufan looked a bit hesitant. Jiang Qishen took long strides. Said meaningfully: “Let’s see where you work first.”
The farm.
Outside the barn, a large open area was the sheep’s activity field. Wooden fences stood square in the blazing sun. A large truck parked in the middle. Piles of materials and construction debris.
Jiang Qishen walked over. Didn’t notice the surroundings.
Thinking Yang Bufan would have to mention him to her dad, would have to have tea and talk. Seeing her restless like this, like she’d already warned them, he mentally prepared some words.
The Yang parents were measured people. Before, they’d treated him neither too warmly nor too distantly.
Talking with them, no pressure to upgrade. Thinking of those distant few meetings, overall very good.
Her parents were quite satisfied with him. He was confident about that.
Thinking that, he slightly raised his chin. Stood straight as new sugarcane. Preset the questions they’d ask. Mentally chose his words.
No matter how right he was, he’d have to be magnanimous, stable, reliable. Explain everything clearly, logically.
Of course he wasn’t expecting anything. Just this ungrateful ex had reasonable parents. The world was small. After an unexpected meeting, having tea and talking was reasonable.
Wind brushed overhead, wrinkled and moved the gathered heat like cloth. For some reason, that foul animal manure smell in his nose, he had no time to care about.
Yang Bufan led the group, stood at the activity field entrance. Circled once, twice, again. Hid in the shade. Just didn’t go to the barn.
“Village head, the barn’s under construction. Dirty, dusty, unsafe. Let’s just look here. Anything you want to ask, film, go ahead.” Yang Bufan fanned herself with her sleeve. Face flushed.
The village head clasped his hands behind his back, looked at the bean‑sized figures working in the distance. Said: “Yeah, doesn’t look easy to get over. Would delay their work.”
“Then don’t go over.”
“Yeah yeah.”
……
Xiao Liu and the others were already snapping photos. *Click click click.* Thought: *Finish fast, leave fast. So hot. Underwear stuck to my ass.*
Only Lao Zhang noticed: the boss’s face was like a disappointed chameleon. Instantly withdrew all color. Gray like a silent film actor on black‑and‑white TV.
Logically, just looking at the environment and hygiene, he should’ve turned and left.
Scar‑faced Lao Zhang also scratched his face.
Xiao Liu’s colleague started interviewing. Asked about Yang Bufan’s family situation, farming situation, production and operations…
Yang Bufan talked freely to the camera.
“I have lots of work usually. Sheep can’t just eat grass. Need to add feed. Feed costs money, right? Need to compare prices, check goods. Also, every three months, deworm and strengthen stomachs. These medicines need technique. Like last time, the dewormer didn’t work. No worm eggs in the droppings. Ineffective. Had to redo.”
“My family has lots of pregnant ewes lately. Sometimes have to help deliver. Lambs born, work multiplies. Like, have to cook soybeans for ewes, boost nutrition, help milk. 15‑day‑old ram lambs need castration. Use rubber bands to tie the scrotum. Wait for testicles to fall off.”
“No castration? Can’t do that. A flock only has a few purebred rams. Otherwise the stock goes bad. If not castrated, they’ll mess around. Wrong generations, and they’ll go after males too.”
“My family has over two hundred sheep now. Grass often isn’t enough. So we also grow grass. Corn stalks, sweet sorghum—high nutrition, fast fattening. Grow some. Cutting grass is big work. Often need to hire help.”
“We like to feed the sheep until they’re round. Makes us happy just looking.”
“Right! Our new barn has a reinforced concrete frame structure underneath. Eco‑friendly color steel. See, the bottom layer collects sheep manure. Once a year. Very convenient. Second floor is cement brick. Tiled roof. Good insulation. Ceiling fans in the middle. Weather like this, need to cool the lambs. All materials are ready. Fastest construction, two weeks.”
……
Talking about this, Yang Bufan was unstoppable.
Her expression was vivid and relaxed. Revealed unconcealable joy. Jiang Qishen didn’t understand where this joy came from. It annoyed him.
Like this joy was some magic eraser. Could erase ugliness, hide shame—
Erase her laziness in actively withdrawing from social competition, erase her stubbornness in opposing him. Become someone who seemed to have left society’s clock but was still running steadily within order.
Actually, an educated person not going into social structures to produce relations, spending days with cattle and sheep, exposed to wind and dew, no social insurance—wasn’t that free fall?
Now she was like a Sanhe god. Professional skills rusted. Future uncertain. Eating and waiting to die, enjoying it.
Plus, these two hundred plus sheep—her parents barely made a living after labor costs. She joins in, thins the profit again. Labor is completely surplus. What profit?
“Revenue?” Jiang Qishen asked.
The Sanhe god said: “Farming money is hard to calculate. Now I want to expand. When it’s scaled, can make more…”
Jiang Qishen said coldly: “Sheep price now 15 per jin. Fattened sheep, 100 jin at market. 200 sheep, 300,000. Minus lambs, medicine, feed costs, 100,000. At minimum wage 3,000 per month, your family of three, minus annual income 100,000, minus the 80,000 barn cost, plus utilities… You’d need to lose at least 50,000 a year to maintain. At these prices, bigger scale means bigger losses. You want to scale? Have you calculated the upfront investment costs?”
The logic was sound. But the words were harsh.
Except Lao Zhang, everyone present was surprised. This CEO Jiang looked polite. Why embarrass the farmer like this?
Xiao Liu couldn’t help complaining internally: *This company really sucks. No wonder when I drank one extra coffee at work, the boss complained I peed too much.*
*Turns out the boss is harsh. Top sets the example. That’s how it is.*
*If it weren’t for this job being close to home, I wouldn’t want to do it.*
But Yang Bufan smiled, gave a thumbs up. To the camera, said passionately: “CEO Jiang really understands us! Farming is hard. Especially us, insisting sheep eat wild grass, drink clear springs. But our wish is simple—want Chinese people to eat safe mutton. Even if prices are bad now, not making money, want to keep going. I believe the people’s eyes are sharp.”
“Leizhou goats are Guangdong’s signature meat sheep. Tender meat, light smell. Boost qi, warm stomach, warm and tonify qi and blood. Great for soup at New Year, very nourishing. If you’re giving gifts to friends and family at year‑end, try our mutton! Pure green free‑range. No tech tricks. Old and young love it.”
Everyone else was a bit moved. Clicked photos, nodded.
The village head patted his chest. “Every time I eat Yangzi’s mutton stew, so flavorful, can’t get enough. Yangzi, if you have funding difficulties, come to the village committee, go through the process.”
Yang Bufan nodded, thanked him. Looked back at Jiang Qishen. Slapped her forehead. “Ah, CEO Jiang, your face doesn’t look good. Is it the heat? Let’s go inside and cool off.”
First‑floor living room.
Standing AC blew cold air. The sofa area had no TV wall. A huge projector came down. Made the whole space feel modern.
Everyone sat around the kung fu tea table. Yang Bufan boiled water, made honey orchid tea.
Remembered the basin of sheep milk she’d squeezed last night. Suggested everyone try it.
Everyone was eager. So Yang Bufan went to the kitchen, got the sheep milk from the fridge, boiled it, brought it out happily.
Sheep milk, unprocessed, smelled strong.
From the moment Yang Bufan pushed the door open, Jiang Qishen felt like she was carrying a basin of hot shit, holding a manure scoop, evil smile on her face. Wherever he ran, she’d splash it.
When he came to, she’d already ladled out several bowls. Looking at that thick layer of white fat in the bowls, Jiang Qishen looked away. Felt something crawling on him.
Everyone picked up bowls, slurped loudly. He suddenly stood, moved to a rattan chair by the door and window. Ventilation here.
Just sat down. Suddenly a stray cat appeared from nowhere, crawled under the rattan chair, stuck out a paw, poked his butt through those neat little holes.
Jiang Qishen was horrified. The chair crashed over with a bang. The cat fled in terror.
The six people across from him held bowls, mouths open like prairie dogs, watched him quietly.
Silence.
Deathly silence.
Yang Bufan put down her bowl, ran over seriously, bent down, stared at his butt left and right. Muttered: “Not broken, not broken. Lucky!”
After listening, realized she meant the pants.
Jiang Qishen looked at an old person’s portrait on the wall. Vision blurred. Looking, looking, found he’d also turned black and white. Also died.
……
Yang Bufan looked at the cold profile in the car window. Smiled again. “I’ll definitely discipline that cat when I get back. So rude. So annoying!”
She pushed the door to close it. Wouldn’t close. Pushed harder. Still wouldn’t close.
Jiang Qishen gritted his teeth: “Let go!”
Yang Bufan let go. Stepped back.
Jiang Qishen pulled in his legs. *Bang.* Slammed the door. Two words from between his teeth: “Drive.”
Lao Zhang didn’t dare breathe. Hit the gas. The car drifted out, escaped this trouble spot.
He’d wanted to hint about work for Xiao Yang. Later learned the boss’s leg got pinched purple by Xiao Yang’s car door. Never dared mention it again.