C17 A Year of Promise

"I've come to borrow your ox cart for a trip to the county town!"

Shen Yong cradled Lee Xiaona in his arms, gently wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes. "Stop crying! You look so ugly when you cry!"

Lee Xiaona playfully punched Shen Yong's chest with a soft fist, her tears turning to laughter. "You're such a tease! Lying! I was only ugly when I was little! I've grown up to be beautiful now!"

Lee Kun had just been cautioning Lee Xiaona to keep her distance from Shen Yong!

To his surprise, in the blink of an eye, they were embracing each other, right in front of Lee Kun!

The shock of it was something only Lee Kun could truly understand.

"Shen Yong! Let go of Xiaona this instant!"

Lee Kun exclaimed furiously, "The Yellow Ox is ill! I can't lend it to you!"

Shen Yong could clearly sense the hostility in Lee Kun's tone and demeanor, but he just laughed it off and held Lee Xiaona even closer.

"So you won't lend it, big deal! Why the temper?"

Shen Yong retorted, "Uncle Kun! I overheard your conversation earlier! You really shouldn't let Xiaona go! The struggle in the big city is tough! Every company has its cliques! Us simple country folk, when we step into those backstabbing businesses, it's like walking into a dragon's lair or a tiger's den. One false move and you've made an enemy! By then, you wouldn't even know how you met your end!"

"What do you know! You two have buried yourselves in books to the point of becoming out of touch! Don't disdain the deep games of the big city; that's what truly forges a person's character! Know how to talk to people, how to blend in, and what not to say! Those are the unwritten laws of the urban workplace! Don't think I'm clueless, I've had my share of struggles in the big city when I was younger!"

Lee Kun lectured with the air of an elder passing down wisdom.

"Uncle Kun, then why did you end up returning to our village? Couldn't handle the city slickers, huh? Hehe!"

Shen Yong taunted.

"I'm a man! Of course, I came back! But Xiaona, she's different! She's a girl; she can make her home wherever she marries! You little ragamuffin, what would you understand!"

Lee Kun was growing irritated, his voice rising in frustration.

"Uncle Kun! Xiaona isn't a child anymore! She's an adult with her own perspectives on life, values, and worldview! She should be the one to decide what kind of life she wants to lead, not be forced to do things she dislikes just to comply with your wishes!"

Shen Yong spoke with a calm demeanor, yet the reasoning in his words carried a persuasive force.

Lee Kun found himself at a loss for words.

Catching a glimpse of her father's expression softening, perhaps swayed by Shen Yong's argument, Lee Xiaona quickly chimed in, "Exactly! Dad, haven't you always said I'm not a little girl anymore? Please, just give me this one chance to make my own choice!"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Lee Kun, clutching his chest, broke into a fit of coughing before exclaiming, "Are you two trying to conspire against me and drive me to an early grave?"

"Uncle Kun! Please, don't be upset! We didn't mean to provoke you! Just give us one year! I promise that in one year's time, not only will our village shed its impoverished status, but it will also become the most economically prosperous village in the county! And if I fail to meet this goal, I won't just refrain from stopping you from sending Xiaona off to marry in the city—I'll even bow and apologize to you in front of the whole village!"

Shen Yong had no desire to anger the venerable village chief. He noted the chief's robust yellow cow munching away at the grass, the picture of health, and felt emboldened.

With a resolute heart, Shen Yong boldly laid out his grand vision, leaving Lee Kun momentarily speechless.

"What did you just say?"

Lee Kun, momentarily taken aback, questioned, "You think you can transform our village into the county's top economic powerhouse in just one year? You're young and your boasts know no bounds!"

"Uncle Kun! If you truly wish for our village to prosper, then accept my one-year challenge!"

Shen Yong declared with conviction.

"There's no one more eager than I am to see our village thrive! I dream of turning our village into a model of prosperity! Then, when I attend meetings in town, I won't be looked down upon by the other village chiefs! I'll be able to walk with my head held high, strutting with pride!"

A smile of triumph involuntarily spread across Lee Kun's face, as if he could already envision Mountain Peach Village transformed into a bustling international city.

"Alright! Uncle Kun, you've always despised gambling, but for the sake of Mountain Peach Village's future, I'll take you up on that bet!"

Lee Kun declared.

"Great! Uncle Kun! Xiaona can bear witness to our wager!"

Shen Yong said with a sly grin, "But, Uncle Kun, don't try to sabotage me just to win!"

"Silly boy! Do you really think Uncle Kun would stoop to that? I couldn't possibly sabotage you! That would be like hitting myself in the face!" Lee Kun retorted.

"Then, may I borrow your ox cart?"

Shen Yong asked, still smiling.

"Absolutely! No problem at all! My family's big yellow ox is a pro at pulling carts – obedient and knows the way! No need to drive or lead it; it'll find its way to the county town all on its own!" Lee Kun replied cheerfully.

Just then, Lee Xiaona interjected with confusion, "Dad, didn't you just say our big yellow ox was sick?"

Lee Kun, scratching his head in embarrassment, corrected himself, "Uh! My mistake! It's our big yellow dog that's sick!"

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Big Yellow, who hadn't made a peep when Shen Yong arrived, suddenly burst out of his kennel, pulling the leash taut as he barked incessantly upon hearing Lee Kun mention his illness.

"Judging by Big Yellow's spirited barking, he doesn't seem sick at all, does he?"

Lee Xiaona observed, her head cocked to one side in doubt.

"Sick! If I say he's sick, then he's sick! Rabid sick!" Lee Kun snapped back irritably.

Shen Yong and Lee Xiaona exchanged knowing smiles upon hearing Lee Kun's words, understanding the unspoken truth.

Deep down, they both realized that Lee Kun was simply looking for a graceful exit.

In no time, Lee Kun had the ox cart ready for Shen Yong.

As they prepared the cart, Shen Yong shared the news about the Juicy Sweet Peach with Lee Kun.

"Uncle Kun! I'm off to the county town to scout for new opportunities for our village's peaches!"

Shen Yong explained, "To transform our village into a prosperous community, I want to start with our Mountain Peach. The next step will be to promote our village's medicinal herbs!"

"Great! Shen Yong! That's the spirit young people should have. If you've got an idea, go for it with gusto! And remember, Uncle Kun is here to help whenever you need me—I won't hesitate!"

Lee Kun declared, thumping his chest.

"Dad, does that mean you support my research into hybrid medicinal herbs too?"

Lee Xiaona inquired.

"I'm not against it for now! But remember, we only have a year for that bet! I don't want just lip service—I'm looking for tangible changes in our village!"

Lee Kun responded, "If there's no progress by then, both of you will have to head to the city for some real-world experience! Lingering in this hollow will get you nowhere in life!"

"Don't worry, Uncle Kun! We won't disappoint you! Before you know it, our village will be raking in the cash! You'll be counting so much money you'll get hand cramps!"

Shen Yong assured him.

"Look at you, all smartened up after shaking off that foolishness, saying all the right things to win me over!" Lee Kun said with a laugh.

"Absolutely! I've got to keep you in good spirits, or else how could I expect you to lend me the cow?" Shen Yong replied, then led the ox cart away.

Watching Shen Yong's retreating figure, Lee Kun sighed, half-convinced that Shen Yong was just being clever, shaking his head in disbelief that Shen Yong could truly bring prosperity to Mountain Peach Village.

But he knew the value of youthful determination and decided to let him try. If it didn't work out within the year, he was sure Shen Yong would concede.

Lee Xiaona was eager to join Shen Yong on his trip to the county, but Lee Kun held her back, sending her to continue her research on hybrid medicinal herbs instead.

The ox cart trudged along the mountain path, unable to bear too much weight. Shen Yong had plucked the Juicy Sweet Peaches from his parents' trees, packed them into baskets, and loaded about 500 jin onto the cart—a hefty load by any measure.

Dressed in a military coat and leading the ox, Shen Yong passed by the summit of Peach Mountain. Suddenly, from the slope, a woman's cry pierced the air.

"Shen Yong! Shen Yong! Hold up a minute for your sister-in-law! Give her a lift on your ox cart!"