Chapter 11.1: New Road Dispute

　　With the village chief’s assistance, Su Ling finally secured some rice seedlings. Taking advantage of the perfect weather today, he hired over a dozen villagers to help with the transplanting.

　　At first, he stood alongside the narrow path that bordered the field, watching intently. After just ten minutes, he found the process of planting rice seedlings fascinating and could not resist the urge to try it himself.

　　However, Su Ling simply could not fathom plunging his bare feet into the muck of the paddy field. His obsession with cleanliness made any prolonged contact with the dirt unthinkable.

　　To help Su Ling, Li Dahai came up with a brilliant idea. He fetched an old pair of his father’s rubber work boots from his house and lent them to Su Ling.

　　With that, Su Ling shielded his head from the sun under a wide-brimmed straw hat and rolled up his track pants, readying himself for the muddy rice paddy ahead. His black rubber boots gripped firmly onto his calves as he gingerly stepped into the mire. Grasping a bundle of rice seedlings in hand, he mimicked Li Dahai’s practiced motions, clumsily planting sprouts into the waterlogged earth.

　　Unlike the tidy rows of seedlings meticulously planted by others, Su Ling’s efforts sprawled in a chaotic tangle, a scene almost too painful to witness. As he looked over the disparate outcomes, he could not help but wonder what exactly set his approach apart and why his efforts had missed the mark so drastically.

　　“Now, Brother Su,” Li Dahai began patiently, holding up a bundle of seedlings, “the seedlings mustn’t be planted too shallow or too deeply. They should be planted at a depth of one to two centimeters.” 

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　　Plxsdpvayvkdt vbl rasrla vlnbdkiwl, Nk Pybyk lmrzykdle, “Uzypr vbl assvp blal yv vbl cypl okvb uswa kdelm yde xkeezl qkdtlap, vbld qszzso vbl zkdl sq vbl assvp yp usw lypl vbl pllezkdt esod yde zlv kv pkdj pxssvbzu kdvs vbl lyavb.”

　　Maukdt swv vbl vlnbdkiwl bkxplzq, Fw Nkdt qswde vbl pllezkdt pvkzz pllxle vs hlla sqq yv yd ydtzl. Wwaasokdt bkp caso, bl kdiwkale, “Tso nyd R cl pwal R’x rzydvkdt vblx yv vbl aktbv elrvb okvbswv y awzla?”

　　Brsd blyakdt vbyv, Nk Pybyk’p qynl zkv wr okvb y casye takd. “Psd’v osaau,” bl alyppwale, “kv’zz nsxl vs usw dyvwayzzu. Kwpv jllr yv kv, yde pssd usw’zz cl yczl vs fwetl vbl elrvb rlaqlnvzu cu qllzkdt yzsdl.”

　　Fkdnl bl oyp vbkavlld, Nk Pybyk vskzle vbl pskz okvb bkp taydeqyvbla. Tkp qkapv pbsv yv vaydprzydvkdt pllezkdtp xkaasale Fw Nkdt’p nbysvkn xlpp, lyadkdt bkx pvlad alcwjlp. Jwv wdelvlaale, Nk Pybyk rlapkpvle, osajkdt vkalzlppzu qsa vball vs qswa eyup. Ebyv cltyd yp nzwxpkdlpp pssd lhszhle kdvs pjkzz, lynb plppksd pbyarldkdt bkp vyzldv okvb tasokdt ralnkpksd.

　　“Wllz, bwb?” Fw Nkdt rsdelale yzswe yde tldvzu tayprle y pllezkdt clqsal pzsozu ralppkdt vblx kdvs vbl psqv lyavb. “Nkjl vbkp?”

　　Fw Nkdt’p blyav zlyrle okvb fsu yp vbl pllezkdt raswezu pvsse wraktbv, cwv bkp pxkzl iwknjzu qyzvlale yp kv vkzvle shla kd vbl dlmv kdpvydv.

　　Wkdl, twlpp R’zz byhl vs eswczl xu lqqsavp vbld.

　　Rd sdl nsadla, Fw Nkdt vaykzle Nk Pybyk, nyalqwzzu rzydvkdt pllezkdtp yv y pzso rynl. Ylydobkzl, sd vbl srrspkvl pkel sq vbl qklze, vbl hkzzytlap bl bye bkale czkvgle vbaswtb vbl vaydprzydvkdt, pokqvzu nshlakdt yd ynal kd obyv qlzv zkjl plnsdep. Fw Nkdt nswze dsv blzr cwv xyahlz yv vblka ypvswdekdt lqqknkldnu.

　　Indeed, each profession has its experts. Masters can emerge from even the most ordinary fields!

　　Yet, Su Ling’s muscles screamed in protest, each step a testament to his labor in planting just three rows of rice seedlings. Utterly spent, he leaned heavily on Li Dahai for support, hauling himself out of the paddy field and plopping himself onto the soft grass at its edge.

　　Noticing Li Dahai was about to return to the backbreaking work, Su Ling patted the grass beside him and called out, “Dahai, why don’t you take a break and sit with me for a bit?”

　　“No need, Brother Su. I’m not tired at all.” Li Dahai declined with a shake of his head.

　　“You’re not quite of age, so does this count as child labor?” Su Ling paused, wiping his hands with the towel draped around his neck. He leaned over, grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the crate nearby, and offered it to Li Dahai.

　　Su Ling not only paid fair wages but also looked after his hired hands, ensuring they had drinking water and a hearty lunch.

　　For drinking water, he brought back mineral water from the mini-mart. At lunchtime, he teamed up with Aunt Zhang to whip up a feast of rice noodles in a large iron pot over the rural stove. The noodles brimmed with meat, shrimp, fried eggs, shiitake mushrooms, and dried squid, generously filling everyone’s bowls. The villagers dug in enthusiastically, lauding Su Ling for his generosity in adding such a variety of delicious ingredients. In a place where pork was a rarity and seafood even more so, his gesture was especially appreciated.

　　With a grateful smile, Li Dahai accepted the bottle of mineral water. “In our village, you’re considered an adult at just fifteen. Over in West Village, Ah Zhang’s mum is already on the hunt for a wife for him!”

　　Helping himself to a bottle of water, Su Ling deftly unscrewed the lid as his features etched with bewilderment. “Ah Zhang? He’s only fifteen as well?”

　　Isn’t fifteen a tad young for marriage? And the bride, is she underage as well? Marriages where either party doesn’t meet the legal age requirement are against the law, aren’t they?

　　Li Dahai shared, “He dropped out of middle school at thirteen and began working at his uncle’s restaurant in town. Now, he’s earning up to two thousand yuan¹ CNY 2,000 is approximately US $275.21. a month washing dishes and bussing tables.”

　　Knitting his brows, Su Ling questioned, “Since the nine-year compulsory education is free of charge, why didn’t he finish middle school?”

　　Li Dahai absentmindedly plucked at the grass beside him as he elaborated, “The middle school is in town, which makes it really inconvenient for us villagers to keep traveling back and forth. Since his father wouldn’t pay for his rent in town, Ah Zhang couldn’t continue his studies. Plus, his grades weren’t great, so he didn’t think he had what it took to succeed in school. That’s why he wanted to drop out and start earning money to support his family. Once he makes enough, he plans to build a new house, get married, and have a son to carry on the family name.”

　　For someone like Su Ling, who had spent his entire life in a developed city, the circumstances Li Dahai described seemed utterly incomprehensible. Yet, this was a common sight for the youth in impoverished rural areas. As Li Dahai’s words sank in, a heavy weight settled upon Su Ling’s heart. These young people should be brimming with youthful vigor and grand ambitions. Yet, due to the grip of poverty, they were forced to shoulder the burdens of family far too soon. Like birds with clipped wings, they were confined within the cage of their circumstances, denied the freedom to soar to great heights.

　　Even as children, they bore burdens that should never have been theirs to carry.

　　When he noticed Su Ling had grown contemplatively quiet, Li Dahai tossed the grass aside, rose to his feet, and gave his trousers a firm pat. “I should be getting back to work now, Brother Su.”

　　Su Ling proposed, “If I were to cover your tuition fees, would you be willing to continue your studies?”

　　Li Dahai whipped his head around, his eyes widening in sheer disbelief. “Wait, you’re saying I can still go to school?”

　　Su Ling’s tone was tinged with warmth as he reassured, “If you want to, I can sponsor your studies—whether it’s high school, university, or even postgraduate studies—until you’re ready to start your career.”

　　A glimmer of hope ignited within Li Dahai’s dark eyes as he parted his lips, seemingly on the verge of accepting Su Ling’s offer. But just as quickly, his expression fell, his gaze downcast in a look of dejection. “My grandfather…” he murmured, “he would never agree to this.”

　　If he were to leave for school, who would be there to look after his grandparents? His grandfather had struggled with his mobility since the stroke last year, while his grandmother was no longer able to manage the household duties on her own. And with his parents away for most of the year, he was the only one who could provide the support his family so desperately needed.

　　Noticing his troubled expression, Su Ling persuaded, “Leave the matter of your grandfather to me. I’ll have a talk with him and make sure he’s on board with you pursuing your studies.”

　　Warring emotions flickered across Li Dahai’s countenance as he grappled with the decision. With a hesitant lilt to his voice, he replied, “I appreciate you trying to help, Brother Su, but… let’s forget it.”

　　With a small sniff, Li Dahai flashed a faint smile toward Su Ling. Then, he stooped to gather a bunch of seedlings before wading into the paddy field.

　　Su Ling’s gaze followed Li Dahai’s slender frame, his brow furrowed in thought. This child clearly has an insatiable thirst for learning, yet circumstances threaten to derail his future. What a shame!

　　With the strength in numbers, the team of over a dozen workers set to the task at hand, successfully transplanting rice seedlings across seven acres of paddy field in a single day.

　　As the day drew to a close, the setting sun painted the fields in hues of scarlet and amber. Birds glided gracefully through the vibrant sky, their calls blending with the peaceful air as they returned to their nests. In the distance, Mount Phoenix stood majestic, bathed in a mesmerizing orange glow. Meanwhile, villagers strolled homeward, their faces beaming with contentment and their pockets full.

　　Streaks of earth and grime marred Su Ling’s clothing, leaving his once-tidy outfit in a state of disarray. Clutching his sports shoes tightly in his hand, he trod barefoot along the gravel path.

　　After a clumsy tumble along the field’s edge, his work boots were drenched in muck, and his clothes were stained to match. On the brink of tears, he threw caution to the wind, ripping off his muddy boots and boldly sinking his bare feet into the mud. Bracing for the worst, he was surprised to find the sensation far less dreadful than he feared.

　　Once someone broke their principles, they would abandon all restraint.

　　After transplanting the last few seedlings, he was filled with an immense sense of accomplishment as he stood back to admire the lush green expanse of paddy field. In the face of such beauty, the mud clinging to his body seemed insignificant.