278 Father and Mother (2/2)

Xiao Luo hurried over to help.

They soon loaded up the things Xiao Luo had bought into the small storage space of the trishaw.

Then, Xiao Luo hopped on and squeezed into the single-seat with his father, and they turned around, heading toward the farm.

The road to the farm was indeed in bad condition, and there were big potholes everywhere. It would definitely take a toll on a small car with a low chassis, but an SUV could still negotiate the trail without much effort. Somehow the motored trishaw was managing, but with its worn-out shock absorbers, it was a jarring and bumpy ride all the way.

”Dad, why didn't you spend the one million dollars I transferred to you last time?” asked Xiao Luo.

Xiao Zhiyuan was maneuvering the motored trishaw with some effort and said, ”That's your money, son, I've put it in fixed deposit for you.”

”But I transferred it to you so that you can pay off the debt and do some upgrading for the farm. For starters, you can have this road totally paved with cement, it'll be more convenient for vehicles to enter and exit the farm.”

Xiao Luo had not expected his father not to even touch one cent of the money and continue leading such a frugal life. There was really no need for that, as he had already mentioned to his parents a long time ago that he was now the boss of a company. He was doing well enough and was not short of money.

”The farm is a career that I want to develop for the second half of my life. The cost of construction, investment, and production are my responsibilities, how can I burden you with my responsibilities?” Xiao Zhiyuan said.

”Dad, the money is for you and mum, as a token of my appreciation. I don't want you both to have such a difficult life,” Xiao Luo said, as he tried to keep his emotions in check. ”I still remember you telling me about your ideal retirement life, it was to take leisurely walks in the park and play chess with other people. I can help you realize all your dreams now.”

Xiao Zhiyuan looked at him with a smile and said, ”These can wait for a few more years. Your mum and I are not that old yet, we'd be laughed at for retiring so early.” He paused for a moment and continued, ”I just want to put in these efforts for the sake of my dignity, I must prove this to the people that had criticized me for choosing this new career.”

Xiao Luo knew what his father meant. He remembered when his father first got back to the village, he had mentioned that he intended to start the farm. His family and friends, and even fellow villagers were pessimistic about such a venture and felt that this industry had no future. They started talking behind his back, and his father was subjected to much ridicule. So Xiao Luo could appreciate his insistence on developing the farm and making it a success for them all to see; it was his way of getting his own back.

”Your mom used to be weak and always in poor health, feeling dizzy and tired every now and then. Since she started working on the farm, her health has improved visibly. Not only has her appetite improved, but her long-term spinal problem has also stopped bothering her,” Xiao Zhiyuan raved, a smile forming on his face. ”It's like what the old people say, humans are born to work. If one just lazes around the whole day without doing anything, one gets sick easily, and wouldn't be able to lead a long life.”

Xiao Zhiyuan looked contented, and he was never one to shy away from a challenge; he was an optimist.

Xiao Luo shook his head and sighed. ”Dad, you always have your reasons.”

He had wanted to persuade his father to give up on the farm and retire peacefully, but he was well aware of his father's character, and it would not be an easy task to persuade the old man.

The farm was located between two mountains that stood close together, but the valley in between was relatively flat and wide. The edge of the farm gradually got higher in altitude as it got closer to the foot of the mountains.

The plot of land was previously abandoned and had been overgrown with weeds and shrubs everywhere. To set up the farm and operate it properly, his parents had invested all their savings into it. They even borrowed money from his two aunts and mortgaged the farm for a 200,000 dollar loan from the bank.

His father had a lot of entrepreneurial experience and understood the challenges of running the business.

Tucked in the farm, a single two-story building was built at the foot of the mountain. As the motored trishaw made its way into the farm, dogs began barking, but as soon as they recognized the sound of his father's vehicle, they immediately stopped. The dogs ran up, with their ears flattened and tails wagging as they greeted their master.

They had three dogs at the farm, and although they hadn't seen Xiao Luo for a whole year, they certainly remembered him as they came up to him and whined excitedly.

”Son, you're back!”

A plainly-dressed woman came running out, rubbing her hands together.

”Mum!”

Xiao Luo jumped off the trishaw and walked over toward her.