Khang came downstairs, rubbing his sleepy eyes. As soon as he smelled the fragrant aroma, his eyes lit up, and he scurried right into the kitchen, looking at me with a sparkle in his eyes.
"Go change your clothes, then come down to eat."
Khang pouted. "Okay." He dragged his feet, turning his head back to look at the plate of lush green vegetables with a look of deep longing.
My grandfather chuckled as he helped bring the rice to the table. "This boy, he knows how to win people over. He's a good kid."
I silently carried the plate of food and placed it on the table. Khang had already come bounding down the stairs, which made me frown. He sat obediently next to my grandfather, his previous impatient demeanor completely gone. He grinned, picked up a piece of vegetable for Grandpa, and quickly had him smiling with his sweet talk.
I lowered my head, mentally calculating the things I needed to buy in town later: I had to buy some corrugated iron sheets to reinforce the fence, stock up on more daily necessities, and pick some of the older vegetables from the garden to sell...
Suddenly, a streak of green appeared in my bowl. I looked up in surprise.
Khang said reproachfully, "Can't you do anything but bury your head in your bowl? This bok choy is so crisp and delicious." After speaking, he picked up another piece for me.
Actually, I wasn't very fond of this type of vegetable. I only cooked a lot because Grandpa and Khang liked it, but I couldn't bring myself to refuse his kind gesture.
After the meal, Khang fought to do the dishes. He insisted on doing them, saying he couldn't just be a freeloader; he had to work. I showed no reaction. If he wanted to do it, I'd let him. Even if he did nothing at all, with only three people in the house, I could still provide for him.
Borrowing Uncle Ba's pickup truck, I loaded it with the surplus green vegetables and, with Khang, set off for town. On the way, Khang pressed his face against the window, looking around curiously, chattering non-stop about his discoveries. I was used to these scenes, so I didn't find anything new in them. I just let him chatter in my ear.
The closer we got to town, the more Khang gradually fell silent. I was a little surprised but didn't ask. When we arrived at the vegetable market, he seemed hesitant. I could clearly feel his anxiety.
I pressed some cash into his hand. "I'll sell the vegetables here. You go buy whatever you need. We'll meet back here later."
Khang blinked, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He looked at me with a bright smile. "Orders received! I guarantee the mission will be completed." After speaking, he walked away with a brisk gait.
I shook my head, my heart feeling a bit heavy. The weather was getting hotter and hotter. There weren't many sellers at the vegetable market, but there were quite a few buyers. Most of the farmers brought corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes—things that could be stored for a long time.
The moment my bundle of fresh, tender greens was unloaded from the truck, a crowd of people immediately gathered. I didn't know the prices in town, so I still sold at the old price of ten thousand dong a kilo. Borrowing a scale from the old man next to me, I sold out all the vegetables on the truck in no time.
Just then, another person came to buy. It was a middle-aged woman. She looked haggard, and her sallow face made her look even older. "Young man, do you have any vegetables left? Please sell me some more. My children haven't had any vegetables in so long..." the woman said, tears streaming from her cloudy eyes.
I was helpless. I never expected the town to be in such a state, but I really had sold everything.
The woman asked me hesitantly, "Will you be coming again next time?"
I thought about the vegetables at home; there weren't many left. I probably wouldn't be coming to sell anymore. Seeing me remain silent, the woman quickly wiped her tears and went to the other vegetable sellers.
The old man selling next to me gave me a look and said in a low voice, "You're a real fool. I was about to tell you just now, you sold your vegetables too cheap. In this drought, the greens in the fields stopped growing a long time ago. The supermarket in town isn't selling vegetables anymore either." With that, the old man sighed. "I don't know when this heat will ever end."
He looked at me, his eyes darting around, then offered me a cigarette. "Hey kid, how do you grow your vegetables? Teach this old man; I promise I won't tell a soul."
I took a step back, not accepting the cigarette, and mumbled a few words. Seeing that I was unwilling to talk, the old man spat on the ground, turned his back, and started cursing into the air, then began badmouthing me to the other sellers.
Disgusted, I packed up my things and sat in the truck. If it weren't for waiting for Khang, I wouldn't want to stay here for another second.
I have always been a quiet, cold person. My emotions are muted; I don't understand empathy or pity, and I live a detached life. I didn't want to bring more trouble home; the incident from the other night was a lesson.
I stared blankly out the window, my mind in chaos. There was still no sign of Khang, and he didn't seem to be using his phone. I couldn't contact him for the time being. I thought for a moment and decided to go buy my things first. If Khang didn't see me, he would probably wait here.
At the hardware store buying some tools and materials, I ran into a few young men from the village.
"Phuong, I really admire you. That well of yours is so precious right now. The tap water has been cut off for several houses in our village."
Another chimed in, "Man, who knew the drought would be this bad this year? I filled in my old well. Now all I can do is stare."
I nodded without replying, not joining in. These guys had invited me to go drinking and chat in the village before. I didn't enjoy it, but I couldn't outright refuse to interact with the villagers. When those people gathered, it was all about flattering each other. I disliked such occasions. They also knew I had come back to the countryside to farm, and their words carried a hint of mockery, which I pretended not to hear. After inviting me a few times and seeing my indifference, they stopped asking.
The one who acted as their leader was Cuong, a short but sturdy man. After working outside for a few years, he had become glib and was used to being flattered by the villagers. Seeing that I was ignoring him, his face still held a smile, but a look of hatred flashed in his eyes.
The person I dealt with at my house last night was Cuong. I didn't want to expose this matter, nor did I want to see him again. This time, he kept his distance. He only watched me from afar and didn't approach to chat. He looked at me warily, a hint of fear in his eyes.
That was for the best. It saved a lot of trouble.