Chapter 6 — The Farming Diary of Thien Kim Trillion

Mrs. Ba sat washing vegetables by the well and raised her head: "Tuy, have you heard? This is called scientific farming. Your agricultural calendar should be put away." Ly Tuy's face turned red, and after a moment he choked out a sentence:

“Knowing... knowing how to read books is nothing terrible!”

“Nothing terrible,” I sat down and turned on the computer again.

“Just helping dad save some money, earn a little more profit, and not let people look down on his children and grandchildren with old calendars.”

On the screen is a graph comparing agricultural product prices in the region and on e-commerce platforms. Ly Tuy craned his neck to look, probably not understanding anything. She pouted: "They always make colorful boards, bright red and blue, making their eyes dizzy."

"Farming is to rely on the experience passed down from our ancestors, the results are exchanged for the calloused hands on our hands. Can you eat all that fancy technology? Can you see that the fields are lacking in fertilizer?"

A few ladies working nearby also stopped and looked towards us. The atmosphere was somewhat tense.

"Dear sir, this chart shows that in July, our vegetable purchasing prices were forced to decrease by 15%, while online selling prices increased by 10%."

“This is data analysis, helping you earn more and avoid being oppressed without knowing how to fight back.”

Ly Tuy was stunned by what I said.

"Speaking... speaking like a opera! How can farming be so complicated..."

At this time, my third uncle was still sitting laughing at the well and said: "Tuy, if you don't know, don't talk nonsense! This is called science! Do you know what science is?" There were a few chuckles and words of agreement around. Ly Tuy couldn't take it anymore, his hand holding the vegetable basket shook, finally he glared at me angrily, gritted his teeth and said:

"You're very good! You're really good! We farmers are honest, we don't play your fancy games!"

I watched her leave, then lowered my head to look at my white hands. To be honest... I'm not sure if I can carry the hoe.

08

The next morning, I woke up very early. Wear a work outfit. Blue fabric shirt, blue fabric pants, quite fit, just stiff fabric. I want my dad to teach me how to farm. Lam Bao Quoc almost dropped the pipe in his mouth: "Do you really want to learn?"

"I really want to! But... can I... teach a little bit of science?"

My father waved his hand loudly: "Of course it has to be scientific! Everything our family does must be scientific! Come on, I'll take you to get acquainted with our land first!" Five thousand acres of greenhouses, each growing a different type of fruit and vegetable. My father talked endlessly as if he were reciting the names of treasures, but I was listening blindly. In the end I could only remember one type of plant: weed.

"Nguyet Nguyet, see? This area is a test field, growing a new tomato variety, the plants are still small, the grass grows very quickly. Today's task is to remove all the grass from this place, remember not to damage the young plants."

Dad gave me a hoe to pull weeds: "Use this, it won't make you tired. I'll go over there and take a look, just do it slowly. If you don't understand anything, just call." I picked up the tools, squatted down, and began the first real labor session in my life - completely different from taking care of a decorative garden at home. Honestly, weeding is quite a stress reliever. It's just that I've been squatting for too long and my legs are a bit numb. I was spitting very hard when the phone rang. I took off one muddy glove and had difficulty pulling my phone out of my pocket. The screen flickers two words: [Van Vu]. Ah, I almost forgot about him! Tham Van Vu, my boyfriend, is currently studying graduate school abroad. He is the type of "a gentleman who was raised properly from a young age" like in the novel, with a noble and polite temperament. Before, we were together, just like "matching each other". But now... it's truly a fairy tale colliding with reality. He called now, could it be... that he's already back?

“Hello?”

"Nguyet Nguyet, I'm home. Surprised? Are you free this afternoon? Let's go see a movie, then go to your favorite restaurant, I've ordered your favorite sturgeon caviar! Where are you, I'll come pick you up."

I knew it right away. I was both a little happy and had a feeling that was hard to put into words.

"This afternoon..." I glanced at the endless green patch before my eyes and held the grass I had just pulled in my hand, "I probably won't be able to go... I have something to do."

He started to coo: "I called you as soon as I got off the plane. Just come with me for a while, let's put other things aside..." He probably thought I was preparing to go to the spa or shopping with my close friends. I took a deep breath and decided to tell the truth.

"I'm... pulling weeds, a bit busy." My voice was extremely serious.

On the other end, he smiled softly, gently and pampered:

"What do you like again? Is the cart full? Or is it a limited item? Send the list here, I'll buy it for you if you like it."

I was dumbfounded and hastily explained: "No, Van Vu, it's pulling real grass. In the field. Using my hands. Pulling real grass." He was curious: "Um? Are you signing up for a new experiential activity? In which suburban area? Let me send the driver to pick you up." You have given my actions an explanation that fits your worldview. In your mind, I am probably following the green living trend, experiencing "touching nature". I sighed, knowing that just talking wouldn't be able to make him understand. At this moment, you and I... are already people from two different worlds. My heart suddenly felt sour.

"Van Vu, I'm not kidding. I'm not in the city. I'm going home, my biological house, in Khao Son Truan."

“Huh?”

“My real family is farmers. I'm actually weeding the fields.” I try to be as concise as possible.

“What?” He was stunned, "Real family? What is it?"

It seems that the Tri family still hasn't had time, or doesn't know how to tell outsiders about this.

"Well, it's a long story... In short, I'm studying farming now, so don't bother me for now. I still have a lot of work to do."

“What? What are you saying? I can't follow you.”

I stopped for a moment, trying to keep my voice calm:

"Forget me, Van Vu. We... can't anymore."

Before he could answer, I immediately hung up. I squatted down, buried my face in my palms, tears overflowing uncontrollably. Goodbye, limited edition bags! Goodbye, my favorite Michelin restaurant! From now on, I am an emerging farmer of Khao Son Truan. Goodbye Van Vu, in the end... our identities are still too different. I wiped my tears. Impossible! I still have a lot of weeds to pull.