Chapter 60: 60: Market Genius [1]
The two continued to discuss for a while and the atmosphere in the courtyard gradually relaxed.
"How’s the village been lately?"
Aunty Wang smiled, "it’s the same as always."
"Nothing new?", Benny asked, as he helped peel her vegetables.
"What new things could happen in a village?"
She laughed softly.
"Ah there is one, Just last week, there was Old Chen’s pig that escaped and ran through three vegetable fields."
Benny nearly laughed, that did sound like village news.
The two continued to chat casually for a while.
Most of it was village gossip.
Stuffs like who had renovated their house, whose child had gone off to university and which family had started making money in the city.
It wasn’t particularly important information yet Benny found himself listening with interest.
Perhaps it was because he had spent too much time worrying about investment losses and his productive employees recently.
Compared to all that, village life felt surprisingly peaceful.
Eventually, a thought occurred to him.
"Where’s Wang Jun right now?"
The moment he mentioned her son, Aunty Wang immediately straightened up.
"He went to the fields yesterday."
"The fields?"
"Yes, he took the buffaloes out."
Benny blinked.
"He stayed overnight?"
Aunty Wang nodded.
"There are several grazing areas farther out. He’ll usually stay there for a day or two before coming back."
Then she quickly added,
"But don’t worry, there is a hut in the place he take the buffaloes to hraze, that boy is very hardworking.
He might not be the smartest, but he’s strong."
A trace of pride appeared on her face.
"He can carry more than most grown men.
If you need physical work done, you can absolutely use him."
Benny nodded.
That much he knew already.
Wang Jun had always been built like an ox.
Back when they were children, Wang Jun could carry things that left everyone else exhausted.
Unfortunately, muscles weren’t particularly useful when taking exams.
That was why his life had become increasingly difficult after finishing school.
Still, Benny quietly filed the information away.
Strong, hardworking and reliable.
Actually, those qualities sounded pretty valuable.
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that his contractor idea wasn’t bad at all.
At the very least, it sounded much more promising than some of the businesses he had previously invested in.
The two continued chatting for another twenty minutes.
Eventually, Benny stood up.
"I should head back."
Aunty Wang immediately rose as well.
"Leaving already?"
"I’ll come visit again."
Benny smiled.
"Besides, I still need to think about Wang Jun’s situation."
The moment she heard those words, gratitude flashed across her face.
"Thank you, Benny."
"It’s nothing."
Benny waved his hand casually.
After saying goodbye to the little girl and Aunty Wang, Benny left the courtyard and made his way back home.
The village road was quiet as the gentle breeze drifted through the fields while the afternoon sun slowly began its descent.
Benny walked leisurely, completely unaware that his peaceful village visit was about to come to an end.
By the time he returned to his parents’ house, he immediately noticed something unusual.
The SUV was already parked outside the courtyard.
The trunk was closed while the doors were wide open.
And several bags had somehow reappeared inside the vehicle.
Benny stopped walking when Selena also spotted him.
"Ah, there you are, I’ve been looking all over the place for you."
She immediately waved.
"Come on, Benny. We’re going back now."
Benny froze.
"..."
His brain took several seconds to process those words.
He had only been gone for a little while.
How had they already reached the departure stage?
He opened his mouth.
Unfortunately, before he could voice a single complaint, Selena had already walked over.
"Let’s go."
"Huh?"
"What huh?"
Selena looked at him strangely.
"We need to get back."
Benny felt as though something wasn’t right.
Hadn’t they just arrived?
He clearly remembered spending an entire day traveling here.
Then not even a day has passed and now they were leaving already.
This couldn’t be normal.
Unfortunately, nobody seemed interested in asking for his opinion.
Hong Yueyao emerged from the house carrying the last bag.
Unlike Benny and Selena, she still had a job.
A real job in the bank.
One that required her physical presence.
Which meant returning to the city wasn’t really optional.
Seeing everyone prepared to leave, Benny eventually surrendered.
Resistance was futile.
A few minutes later, everyone gathered outside the courtyard.
Linda stood beside Ace as they watched the three young people prepare to leave.
"Drive carefully."
Linda immediately directed the reminder toward Hong Yueyao.
"Don’t worry, Aunty."
Hong Yueyao smiled politely.
"I’ll be careful."
Ace nodded approvingly.
"Come visit again when you’re free."
"We will."
Selena immediately hugged her mother one last time.
Only after several reminders and farewells did she finally climb into the vehicle.
Benny also got into the back seat.
The moment the door closed, he looked out the window.
His parents were still standing there.
Waving goodbye.
Then the engine started and the SUV slowly pulled away.
Through the rear window, Linda and Ace gradually became smaller and smaller.
Yet even then, they continued waving.
Only when the vehicle finally turned the corner did they disappear from view.
Inside the car, nobody spoke for a while.
Meanwhile, Benny leaned back in his seat and stared at the ceiling.
The trip had begun abruptly.
And somehow it had ended even more abruptly.
He hadn’t even fully settled into village life before being dragged back to the city.
Just then, his phone rang.
From the back seat of the car, Benny glanced at the screen and answered the call since the caller was none other than Lucy.
"Congratulations, Boss! The gamble paid off!"
The moment he heard those words, Benny’s expression froze.
The gamble paid off? What gamble?
A bad feeling instantly rose in his chest.
Was it because of the CEO change?
His face gradually stiffened.
On the other end of the call, Lucy continued excitedly,
"Boss? Boss? Are you there?"
