Chapter 4 — The Farming Diary of Thien Kim Trillion

My mother Vuong Que Phan quickly pulled me: "Nguyet Nguyet, quickly, those are your great-grandparents and maternal great-grandparents! Say hello!"

“Grandfather, great-grandfather, my name is Nguyet Nguyet.” I put all the obedient temperament I had practiced for twenty years at the Tri family to use.

My great-grandfather didn't say anything, just squinted his eyes and looked at me from head to toe. Those eyes were like examining the most precious out-of-season watermelon in the farm. My great-grandmother's eyes were red and her hands were shaking, holding my hand.

“Very good child... very good child... it's good to come back, it's good to come home..."

He gently wiped away the tears that flowed from the corners of his eyes.

“All these years... being alone in the city, not knowing anyone... must have been very miserable, right?”

Me: “…” Do I know how to answer this question? Is it true that I live in a luxury villa, study at an international school, and never run out of money? The biggest suffering is probably which brand of bag to wear tomorrow morning to match my outfit?

“It's... okay... Uncle, actually... it's not too hard.”

After speaking, I even felt guilty, my voice became lower and lower.

"This child is so good! Knowing that old people like us are worried, that's why he said that!" Great-grandfather nodded, his voice booming.

My great-grandfather patted the back of my hand and turned his head to signal the middle-aged man next to him. That person immediately walked up, holding a brand new wooden box in his hand. The box opened, bright golden light.

"Nguyet Nguyet, this is a longevity lock made of pure gold, weighing exactly one kilogram, my grandmother ordered it especially for you! Once you wear this, you will forever be attached to Khao Son Truan, be safe and healthy!"

One pound?!

“Dude… this is too heavy…”

Mainly... it's really heavy! Wearing this will surely forge "Vajra Ancient Power"!

“What a burden!” Great-grandfather waved a wooden stick, his spirit blazing, "The descendants of the Lam family must wear this! Come here, great-grandfather put it on for you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he quickly picked up the golden lock and hung it around my neck.

“Clack” – a slight echo.

Well… my neck…

“Very good! Very beautiful!” My great-grandmother smiled like a daisy, "My granddaughter wears this, so majestic!"

I stiffened my neck and turned to my mother with difficulty, intending to find some aesthetic comfort. Who would have expected to see Mrs. Vuong Que Phan holding her phone, happily taking pictures: "Beautiful! So beautiful! Come on, Nguyet Nguyet, smile! Mom, post it to your friends circle!" As for my father - comrade Lam Bao Quoc - raised his glass to the men in the village: "Come on, come on! Welcome my daughter back to her homeland, let's finish our glasses!"

“Exhausted!”

I stood in the middle of the crowd, as if blown away by the wind, my soul completely numb.

06

Just as I was still confused and didn't know what to do, a slightly shrill female voice suddenly interrupted.

"This is the city girl that Bao Quoc found? She looks pretty, but this body doesn't look like someone who can go out to work in the fields."

The bustling atmosphere suddenly stopped for a moment. I raised my head with difficulty and followed the voice. A middle-aged woman with curly hair in a "sheep's-wool" style, next to her is a man with a sullen face and a young girl with her head down playing on the phone. I didn't really realize it.

“Shut up! What are you talking about!” The man pulled her hand.

“I'm telling the truth!” The woman shook his hand away, looking at me from head to toe.

“I heard that I was happy in the city for twenty years, but now I suddenly return to the countryside Where can I get used to it? Don't complain about hardship and hardship for a few days and then leave for the city. Wouldn't it be a waste for your parents to hold such a grand party?"

My heart "thumped" once. Here we come! It's finally here! Life, finally dealt with me! Before I could even open my mouth, Ms. Vuong Que Phan couldn't bear it.

“Mrs. Tuy! What does she mean by that? My daughter comes to my house, what does it have to do with you whether she is familiar or not? You should take care of your family's affairs, don't have too much free time and meddle in other people's affairs!

Ah ha, Mrs. Tuy, remember it. Being scolded by Mrs. Que Phan, Mrs. Tuy still did not mind: "Sister-in-law, I'm asking because I'm worried about the common good. Look at how smooth her skin is. Khao Son Truan, I don't care for people who are idle, in the future... will he be able to do some work in the fields? How much property does our house have, does it know how to manage it? Don't come to a point where you don't know anything, just know how to spend money and enjoy." After speaking, the eyes of many people in the village looking at me also changed. My great-grandfather frowned slightly, but said nothing. My great-grandmother squeezed my hand tighter. My father Lam Bao Quoc put the glass of wine on the table and his face turned gloomy. Just as he was about to open his mouth, I took a deep breath, held the golden lock in my hand, and took a step forward.

“Mrs. Tuy is right.” I spoke clearly, "I really grew up in the city, I've never worked in the fields before, and I don't understand farming."

The corner of Ms. Tuy's mouth slightly raised.

“But,” I turned my words around, “since I'm back, I want to study properly! Dad, mom, grandparents, great-grandparents, maternal great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, I'm not afraid of suffering or being tired! I know my starting point is low, but I can learn! Learn from the simplest things! Watering plants, fertilizing, weeding… anything goes!”