Chapter Six: Inspection

Jiang Village and Lin Village are two completely adjacent villages. The road at the entrance of Jiang Village cuts Lin Village into two parts. One of these parts is the third of Lin Village that borders Jiang Village. However, this one-third is not measured by the village’s entire land area, but by the population residing there.

To put it bluntly, the one-third of Lin Village’s people living closest to Jiang Village have truly had the worst luck. Lin Village has undergone land requisition twice so far. One of those times was several years ago when a four-lane road, running through one-third of Lin Village, was constructed. Unfortunately, even after that round of requisition, the total land taken from Lin Village amounted to less than a tenth. It was the major land requisition a couple of years ago that almost entirely connected Rong County and Lin Village. Yet, this so-called new district with its factories still had nothing to do with the remaining one-third of Lin Village’s residents.

When An Jianping and An Jianmin rode their motorcycles through the village, they found that this one-third of the village had already transformed beyond recognition. Nearly half of the houses had been rebuilt, and these new homes were noticeably taller than typical rural houses.

An Jianping couldn’t help but ask, “Jianmin, have many families in Lin Village built new houses?”

“Most of those who have money have already built,” An Jianmin replied, slightly slowing down as they approached the still-standing barriers.

As locals of the neighboring village, though the new district had been under strict closed management since its inception, now that the factories and roads were largely completed and ready for use, the barriers seemed more like a deterrent to keep idle villagers from wandering inside.

Carefully navigating through the gap in the barriers that the villagers mentioned, An Jianmin cautiously steered his motorcycle inside and continued the conversation.

“Unlike our village, many people in theirs know that once these factories are up and running, this area will definitely have a steady flow of people. So, they’re preparing to do business catering to factory workers.”

“In other words, these factories haven’t yet fully started operations, and not many workers have moved in.”

“But once all the factories begin working, I guess every household in this closest part of the village will start renting out rooms.”

An Jianping nodded in understanding. He now realized that the people of Lin Village were not so much foresighted as they were lucky—like a blind cat catching a dead mouse.

As he pondered this, An Jianping took in the view of the new district before them: an endless stretch of factories lay ahead. Wide roads circled the area, with most factories either completed or still under construction.

Occasionally, heavy trucks roared past, and busy figures could be seen intermittently within the factory grounds.

“This road is truly newly built, probably widened on purpose,” An Jianmin said enviously, revving up the motorcycle.

The two steadily advanced along the freshly paved road, observing carefully.

Most of the new factories had completed construction. The remaining work involved office buildings, fencing, landscaping, and ancillary facilities.

In some factories, numerous figures were clearly moving about, suggesting that even if full operations had not yet commenced, partial work was already underway.

While many vehicles came and went, the majority were large trucks hauling factory equipment. An Jianmin’s motorcycle narrowly passed by these long trucks every so often.

As they watched, they realized that although the new district was bustling, the transportation system wasn’t quite ready for full operation.

Still, considering the booming garment industry over the past two years, they could gradually understand the situation.

After circling the district, An Jianping and An Jianmin still couldn’t ascertain just how many factories there were.

They had never imagined that the largest surrounding village, Lin Village, once transformed into a factory zone, would be so astonishing.

But the clearer their view, the more certain they became about the news An Songyu had heard.

Returning through Lin Village, the brothers parked their motorcycles, and An Jianmin finally voiced the thoughts he had been holding back.

“Third brother, I remember it was you who got Songyu an internship at Xianquan, right? You asked your former night university classmates to help arrange it?”

An Jianping nodded, already guessing what his younger brother wanted to say but didn’t interrupt.

An Jianmin licked his lips and continued, “If we ask her about the guests on the top floor recently, wouldn’t that make her very uncomfortable?”

“Keeping guest information confidential is a basic requirement for every hotel employee,” An Jianping said, recalling the training his daughter had undergone when she first joined the hotel.

An Jianmin sighed hesitantly but didn’t pin all his hopes on this.

After some mutual discussion, the brothers entered the courtyard.

Inside the spacious yard, Jiang Shanshan was tidying up some vegetables to bring back home for An Jianping. Though it was early March, a transitional time with fewer fresh greens, the southern province was known for having just two seasons.

Even in early spring, a variety of vegetables were never lacking.

Especially in Jiang Village, which had developed rural tourism over the years, fresh vegetables were available year-round.

An Jianping didn’t intend to go inside but bid farewell in the courtyard.

Jiang Shanshan pointed at the vegetables she had packed and quickly said, “Third brother, let Jianmin ride you to the village entrance to make catching a ride easier.”

An Jianping did not refuse. Before leaving, he said to the couple, “Xiaoyue has been doing very well in her studies and life lately.”

“However, this year she faces the college entrance exam. Besides the monthly holiday, only Saturdays and Sundays are free from early and late study sessions.”

“Now that Xiaoyu is here, she can help tutor her a bit.”

“Thank you, Third Brother. If Xiaoyue gets into a good university, it’s all thanks to you!” Jiang Shanshan felt both grateful and relieved.

She had long been concerned about her eldest daughter, who had lived at Third Brother’s house since entering high school in the city.

But she had never found the right moment to ask.

“Don’t mention it, sister-in-law. If the child learns well, it's due to her own ability and hard work,” An Jianping said earnestly, looking at the couple.

“We parents are only here to help solve minor life issues.”

“Yes, yes, Third Brother is right. If the child succeeds, it’s because she’s capable!” An Jianmin laughed as he urged An Jianping to leave.

Whenever they talked about education, Third Brother always showed great respect for the children.

Compared to him, they parents felt like step-parents.

Still, An Jianmin was deeply grateful to his Third Brother’s family. Without their help, his eldest daughter would have had to board at school for three years of high school, unable to focus fully on her studies before the college entrance exam.

When An Jianmin returned An Jianping to the village entrance, he saw his wife seemingly waiting in the yard.

Jiang Shanshan clenched her hands inwardly, having wanted several times to ask Third Brother the purpose of his visit.

But thinking about all the kindness they had received from Third Brother’s family, she simply couldn’t bring herself to ask.

Perhaps it was better not to ask at all, sparing herself the inner turmoil over whether to borrow money or not.

Coincidentally, An Jianmin also didn’t know how to break the news of the land requisition to his wife.

They exchanged a few glances and silently agreed: for now, say nothing and ask nothing.