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The watermelon field lay beside Cement Road. A two-lane Cement Road passed through here, leading to Changfeng County. Chen Xuan was driving a tricycle, hurrying to the labor market in Changfeng County.
Before long, a large farm covering dozens of acres appeared before Chen Xuan. This farm was run by Chen Dafeng, a villager from Chen Family Village, who had been operating it for several years with great success. At that moment, dozens of cars of all sizes were parked along the roadside.
As Chen Xuan looked up, he could see the bustling crowd of tourists inside the farm, creating a lively atmosphere. There had always been whispers in Chen Family Village; many villagers murmured behind his back that Chen Xuan, a graduate of a famous agricultural university, had chosen to return home to contract land and open a farm instead of taking a proper job, simply out of jealousy towards Chen Dafeng's business. This had strained the relationship between Chen Dafeng and Chen Xuan's family.
Regarding these rumors, Chen Xuan merely smiled and never bothered to explain himself.
Suddenly, Chen Xuan stepped on the brakes, and the tricycle came to an abrupt stop. "Uncle Da Shan!" Chen Xuan turned to see a middle-aged man standing by the roadside, smiling and smoking. What a coincidence to run into you here!
"Xiao Xuan! It really is a coincidence," Chen Dashan replied with an involuntary smile.
Chen Xuan said, "Uncle Da Shan, my dad has been looking for you many times. When are you going to pay back the thousand yuan you owe our family? If you have money, you might as well give it to me."
"Ah, that money!" Chen Dashan's gaze flickered for a moment as he shyly replied, "I don’t have that much money on hand right now; let’s talk later."
Saying this, without waiting for Chen Xuan to respond further, Chen Dashan turned and walked away quickly, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.
What a deadbeat. Chen Xuan muttered discontentedly under his breath. There was nothing he could do about this old freeloader from his village who even his father found helpless.
Across from Da Feng Farm was a river separating it from Chen Family Village, which was only half an hour's drive from Changfeng County. Soon enough, Chen Xuan arrived at the labor market and posted his recruitment notice:
"Looking for one farm worker; meals provided; daily wage."
After posting the recruitment notice on the wall of the labor market in Changfeng County, Chen Xuan stood by, waiting for applicants to come and discuss the job.
The bustling labor market was packed with people, at least four hundred individuals searching for work. Most were middle-aged men with dark complexions, while a few were shy youths with curious eyes, lacking in education.
One by one, people approached to inquire about the job. However, after learning about the work details and pay, they all shook their heads and walked away. Eighty thousand jin of watermelons in the scorching summer heat was no easy task; the pay could only be considered mediocre.
From morning until afternoon, Chen Xuan had not managed to recruit a single person. This left him feeling anxious and almost frustrated. With a stern expression, he drove home, thinking that if things didn’t improve by tomorrow, he would have to raise the daily wage. Selling the watermelons was his priority!
Soon, Chen Xuan returned to Chen Family Village, where familiar villagers greeted him along the way.
"Xiao Xuan is back!"
"Xiao Xuan, why haven’t you gone to work yet? You’re the only college graduate in the village; don’t be foolish! What’s the point of farming?"
Chen Xuan responded to each greeting as he made his way home. His house was at the end of the village, a three-story brick building. After parking his car and entering the house, he found his Aunt Zhang Cuifang busy in the kitchen.
Chen Xuan sat down and gulped down a large bowl of cool water, wiping his mouth in satisfaction.
"Back already? Did you manage to hire anyone?" Zhang Cuifang poked her head out and asked.
"Not yet," Chen Xuan replied with a hint of frustration. "They all complain about low wages and too much work; even dozens of them couldn’t be convinced."
"I told you so," Zhang Cuifang said as she stepped out with a spatula in hand, sounding annoyed. "You’re a student from a famous agricultural university; why aren’t you working properly? What are you messing around with in the fields? Your father and I have struggled enough in our lives; we’re counting on you to make something of yourself."
"Do you really think running a farm is that easy?"
Zhang Cuifang was mumbling in the kitchen, while Chen Xuan sat silently, not saying a word. Many people had asked Chen Xuan about this issue, but he always smiled without answering, never offering an explanation.
"Where's Dad?" Chen Xuan changed the subject.
"Your dad went to your Second Uncle's house for drinks. Your cousin got promoted to section chief in Jianghe City, and your Second Uncle is over the moon about it."
"Oh." Chen Xuan pouted, saying nothing more.
"Xiao Xuan," Zhang Cuifang leaned out of the kitchen, sighing. "Let me give you some advice: sell this season's watermelons and find a job. Look around; there aren't many young people farming these days. You’re not really envious of Chen Dafeng’s business, are you?"
"How could that be?" Chen Xuan replied, a strange light flashing in his eyes as he smiled. "I’m not the type to be blinded by money."
"Then why are you planning to run a farm?"
"I'm starving; let’s eat first!" He diverted the topic again. Zhang Cuifang grumbled under her breath but eventually retreated back into the kitchen as the aroma of food wafted through the air once more.
After finishing the meal, Chen Xuan stood up, preparing to drive back to the watermelon field. Suddenly remembering the Watermelon Demon, he thought for a moment before turning back into the house. He grabbed a bucket of instant noodles and a thermos of hot water before finally heading off to the watermelon field.
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