The blazing sun was high in the sky, marking the peak of midday. Liu Tian, a young man in sweat-soaked clothes, walked out of his potato field carrying a hoe on his shoulders. Because of long-term labor, his skin was somewhat darkened, and his hands were covered with a layer of callus unimaginable to people his age, appearing incredibly coarse.
Nevertheless, his face was still radiant with a smile, emitting a bright aura.
Behind him stood a mixed black and white mongrel dog, a scraggy creature yet with eyes often glowing with ferocity. It panted heavily, evidently struggling under the hot weather as well.
Then, his neighbor, Auntie Zhang, came huffing towards him with heavy steps, her surplus of flesh shaking like waves with each move she made.
"Liu Tian, hurry... hurry, Qiang Zi is at your place asking for his money again," she exclaimed anxiously, her face covered in sweat.
"What! The date isn't even due yet, and this damn Qiang Zi is already here. I'll teach him a lesson. Da Huang, let's go home." Liu Tian's face changed color, and he threw the hoe he was carrying on the ground, called out to the mongrel, and started to run.
"Slow down, careful not to trip!" came Auntie Zhang's concerned voice. Liu Tian's pace, however, did not slow down but quickened instead.
He raced towards home, with Da Huang, the mongrel, surpassing him in the race back to his house.
"Isn't that Liu Tian? What's the hurry? What's the matter?"
At that time, people returning from working in the mountains spotted Liu Tian's frantic figure and couldn't help but ask each other with curiosity.
"Do we even have to guess? It must be Qiang Zi going to their home to collect debt again."
"Oh dear, speaking of which, he's really a pitiful child."
"Yes, in Xiahe Village, Liu Tian's family is indeed the one struggling the most. His parents have long passed away, leaving behind his poor, sick grandfather. No matter how good his academic performance is, what can it do? Medical treatment costs money, and he's in debt from the village mobster. Now he's being pressured again."
Amid the discussions and sighs from the villagers, powerless to assist and continuing to walk home, the clamoring of dogs could be heard.
"WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!"
Before Liu Tian even reached home, Da Huang was quick to rush towards the courtyard with a bark, prompting Liu Tian to involuntarily hasten his steps.
" Li Dawei leisurely adjusted his hair and revealed a smug smile.
Not to mention Li Qiang, even he as the village chief had always been envious of the fertile land of Liu family. If he was not indifferent towards farming, surely he would have taken this fertile land for himself. But this worked out, after all, the saying goes "don't let the water your field needs flow into others' fields".
*Cough, cough….*
Upon hearing the two people casually finalizing the business of buying and selling land in front of him, old man Liu was so angry that he fell to the ground, coughing loudly and looking like he was about to lose consciousness.
"You're just owed a few thousand yuan and you want my land? No chance." Liu Tian, holding a brick, rushed in. Choosing to prioritize his grandpa's health, he quickly helped him sit up, pulled a medicine bottle from his worn-out pocket, and gave him a pill. His grandpa's condition began to improve.
"Tian'r, you're back. Grandpa is fine." Old man Liu slowly stood up. His aged face broke into a faint smile, signaling to Liu Tian that he was alright.
Seeing that his grandpa was fine, Liu Tian then picked up the brick from the ground, turning to face the two men, his eyes fierce and angry, gripping the brick tightly in his hand.
Seeing Liu Tian, the two men couldn't help but show mocking smiles.
"You kid, what are you trying to do? Repaying a debt is natural and righteous. Don't think that because you're the first one from our village to get into university, you don't have to repay it." Li Qiang said with a sideways glance.
In this Xiahe village, the Li family is the largest one, while on the other hand, the Liu family is only Liu Tian's. Even Liu Tian wouldn't dare to overstep his bounds.
"If I remember correctly, at this time last year, news of you becoming a university student was well-known around Xiahe Village. But look at you now, do you bear any resemblance to a university student?" Li Dawei sneered upon seeing Liu Tian brandishing a brick.
Last year during the college entrance exam, Liu Tian achieved an impressive score, reaching the threshold for the top universities nationwide. However, due to a lack of money and his grandfather's illness at home, these plans eventually led to nowhere.
Before this, however, Liu Tian had been the child every family wanted, well-known to all. Every family would use Liu Tian as an example for their kids: "You should learn from Liu Tian, become the top scorer in the county, and we'll definitely support your university education."
Those who had heard enough of such praises previously couldn't help but deride Liu Tian's current predicament.
"If my boy could get into a prestigious university, he wouldn't be a wimp like you, refusing to study." Li Qiang said with a faint smile.
He had the right to say this. As the village tyrant, he got a significant share of every good thing in the village. The food and clothing were indeed the best in Xiahe Village; otherwise, he couldn't have put on so much weight.
"Screw you! Whether I got into university or not has nothing to do with you! And don't even mention your good-for-nothing son – I wouldn't even consider him to wipe my shoes!" Liu Tian, still holding the brick, stood between the old man and Li Qiang.
What's in the past is in the past. Now that Li Qiang is causing trouble, Liu Tian isn't the type to cower. He doesn't lose his fighting spirit.
"You've still got a week until the repayment date. You're not welcome here, scram!" Liu Tian couldn't be bothered to argue with Li Qiang. He simply glared at him and scolded.
"You!" Li Qiang was momentarily speechless from Liu Tian's rebuke. Liu Tian's hand was gripping a brick, appearing as if he was ready to risk it all. It was quite menacing.
"Fine, I'll come back for you in a week. Since the village head is here too, don't blame my family for being harsh if your family refuses to pay up then!" Li Qiang lashed out in anger. There was reason behind what Liu Tian said, besides, he wasn't as desperate as Liu's family. There was no need for him to risk everything.
"You're the one who owes money," retorted Liu Tian, watching the two of them leave, "If you dare to antagonize my grandfather again, I will not pay." He threw the brick he was holding onto the ground.
Ignoring the angry look on Li Qiang's face, he turned to kindly ask, "Grandpa, are you okay?"
Liu Old Man sighed and waved his hand, "I'm fine; it's just hard on you, kid."
Liu old man believed that if Liu Tian could go to college, he would surely be able to secure a good job based on his own hard work, forever breaking free from the dust and hardship of this mountain.
"As long as you're okay, Grandpa. I believe our family will definitely improve. I absolutely refuse to live a life of mediocrity. There are abundant resources in these mountains, surely we can carve out a piece of heaven for ourselves!" Liu Tian looked around at the surrounding peaks, clenching his fist and speaking affirmatively.
