Chapter 2: Women Only Affect the Speed of Making Money

Lin Junsheng knew that only through his own efforts could he change his current situation and finally make his mother, Li Aimei, abandon that absurd idea of exchanging brides altogether. Recalling the family storm triggered by the bride exchange in his previous life, during which Li Aimei even threatened to take her own life, the pain still lingered deeply in his heart. How could such a heavy old societal shackle be easily dissolved with just a few words now?

Lin Junsheng slowly stepped out of the house to get some fresh air, hoping it would lift his spirits. The May sunshine had begun to show the fervor of summer, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and young wheat shoots intertwined. Outside his door stretched vast, boundless farmland. A gentle breeze swept through, causing the wheat seedlings to sway softly. Standing on the ridge between fields, Lin Junsheng gazed into the distance, unconsciously humming a familiar tune:

“We once sang in the fields, hoped through the winter, yet never awaited the sunlight in this autumn scene...”

The song carried a faint, almost imperceptible sadness. Perhaps he truly would never see the day when his family’s wheat ripened. He must journey afar, carrying his script, to change his destiny.

Lost in thought, a familiar voice interrupted him.
“Junsheng!”

The village’s elderly party secretary approached with a broad smile. His back slightly hunched, hands habitually clasped behind him. Lin Junsheng looked up, recognizing the old man, and hurried to greet him.
“Is there something urgent that requires your personal visit?”

The old secretary smiled, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. Educated minds were simply sharper and spoke without beating around the bush.
“In the surrounding villages, you’re known for your veterinary skills in animal husbandry. The Liu family next door is a large cattle breeder, and their cows are about to calve soon. They’re worried something might go wrong, so they specifically asked for you to come and help oversee the process.”

Lin Junsheng frowned slightly, instinctively glancing at his injured leg.
“Well... I’m limping now and moving awkwardly. I’m afraid I can’t manage it properly.”

The old secretary waved his hand dismissively, smiling.
“No problem, no problem. They said as long as you go, they’ll pay you ten yuan plus two yuan a day for food. The food money is just an excuse to make you feel secure taking the pay. You’re in need of money right now, aren’t you? This is a good opportunity.”

Hearing this, Lin Junsheng’s heart stirred. Indeed, he needed money, especially now when he urgently required funds to go to Shanghai for treatment of his leg injury.

Of course, there was also the debt of more than two thousand yuan hanging over him. He feigned contemplation for a moment, then reluctantly accepted the job.
“That Liu Chuangen is well-known across the neighboring villages as a professional cattle breeder. Each calf costs several dozen yuan. If there’s a difficult birth, they’ll pay extra.”

He tried on the role of a “bonus collector,” teasing lightly. The old secretary laughed heartily.
“Well, I can’t decide on that, but I’ll take you to talk to Old Liu.”

With that, he led Lin Junsheng towards his home. Standing at the old secretary’s doorstep, Lin Junsheng couldn’t help but marvel. The gray brick house was majestic, far beyond the modest mud-tiled house he called home. The old secretary stopped and wheeled out his treasured Phoenix-brand 28-inch bicycle. This bike was his pride; when he first bought it, the whole village gathered to see, celebrating with two strings of six-meter-long firecrackers. Lin Junsheng looked at the bicycle, feeling a pang of envy. Who in the countryside would spend 120 yuan on a bicycle? And one needed a bicycle coupon for the purchase, which would expire if not used. He didn’t know how many favors and how much effort the old secretary had put in to get this bike. But none of that was his concern now. His only goal was to earn enough money to get his leg treated in Shanghai.

“What are you standing there for? Go get your clothes,” the old secretary urged.

Back home, Lin Junsheng saw his mother, Li Aimei, bent over chopping firewood with powerful blows of her axe.
“Crack!”

“Mom, I’m going to Liu Chuangen’s in the neighboring village,” he said.

Li Aimei stopped her work, looking up at her son with slightly furrowed brows.
“Why are you going?”

“The cows there are about to give birth. They’re afraid of complications, so I’m going to help,” Lin Junsheng explained.

A flicker of worry appeared in Li Aimei’s eyes.
“Can you still do that work? Your leg hasn’t healed yet.”

Lin Junsheng smiled, patting his chest confidently.
“Mom, it’s my leg, not my hands. It won’t affect my work.”

With that, he turned back inside. From an old, somewhat worn red wardrobe, he retrieved a rough cloth shoulder bag that had accompanied him through countless school days and began packing a few changes of clothes.

Once ready, he faced his mother again, his tone tinged with earnest pleading.
“Mom, please don’t talk about bride exchanges with my sister anymore, okay?”

At these words, Li Aimei’s expression darkened instantly. She shot her son a sharp look, her voice laced with displeasure.
“I can’t let you be a bachelor all your life. If the Lin family line ends, how can I face your father’s spirit?”

Lin Junsheng shook his head helplessly, offering a resigned smile.
“Mom, that’s an old-fashioned view. We’re not inheriting a throne. So what if I’m a bachelor? Times have changed. Life isn’t about carrying on the family line; it’s about pursuing your own happiness and dreams.”

Li Aimei grew anxious.
“Bah, what nonsense are you talking? If others hear you say that, you’d better watch out.”

At that moment, the deep voice of the old secretary came from the doorway.
“Junsheng, hurry up. It’ll be dark soon.”

Lin Junsheng responded and then looked at his mother once more.
“Mom, I’m leaving now. Remember, I’ll handle my own affairs. Don’t worry. And please, no more talk of bride exchanges.”

With that, he slung the rough cloth bag over his shoulder and strode out the door.

He sat on the heavy old secretary’s bicycle, bouncing along the country road. After about two hours, his backside ached from the jolting ride. When the crimson sunset bathed a small, modest two-story house ahead, Lin Junsheng couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. The house was not only imposing in appearance but its courtyard was carefully paved with gray bricks, covering nearly two hundred square meters. Liu Chuangen was indeed a wealthy cattle breeder.

Just as he stepped into the courtyard, a burly, scarred old man greeted him—it was Liu Chuangen himself. Beside him stood a fair-skinned, beautiful woman in a white dress, a red headband crowning her youthful presence. This was Liu Chuangen’s daughter, Liu Jingjing, though they had little interaction in the previous life.

“Old Liu, I’ve brought the person you asked for,” the old secretary said.

Liu Chuangen smiled, patting Lin Junsheng’s shoulder.
“Junsheng, having you here puts my mind at ease. Let me introduce you—this is my daughter, Liu Jingjing. She just returned from studying in Shanghai.”

Lin Junsheng extended his hand politely, smiling.
“Hello, Liu Jingjing.”

She also extended her slender hand, shaking his lightly.
“Hello, Lin Junsheng.”

“Let’s go check on the cattle!”

At this moment, Lin Junsheng was focused on earning money; even with such beauty by his side, he barely spared her a glance.