Chapter 87 (1/2)
Chapter 87: The Value of Art II
Without saying any bold, visionary words, I stuffed the pouch into my pocket, carried the bag Mom had prepared and walked out .
I knew they were looking at me from the door and I knew that if I looked back, I wouldn't be able to leave .
I could feel the hot tears rolling down my face but that did not stop me from moving forward .
The village road connected straight to the county town, and I didn't know how long I had walked for .
Because I was ignorant, I walked in the middle of the big road .
A ma.s.sive cow-transporting vehicle honked his horn at me .
I jumped, startled . The driver stopped his truck beside me and shouted kindly, ”Where are you going, little fellow? Need a lift?”
”I'm heading to town . It's alright, I'll walk slowly,” I declined .
”The nearest town is about 63 kilometers away . Where are you from? Why are you here?” he asked suspiciously .
I ignored his question, went over to the side of the road and continued on my way .
The driver drove next to me and honked his horn again . He stopped his lorry, opened the truck's pa.s.senger door and gestured for me to get in .
After a moment of hesitation, I obliged .
It was my first time in a vehicle .
As if knowing that I was a bit naive, he extended his hand and shut the door for me .
He then proceeded to buckle me up, which startled me .
I struggled, attempting to break free, but the driver quickly explained that it was just for safety .
At that point, I was convinced that perhaps not every driver was bad .
On the way, he asked a lot of questions and I answered them one by one .
I learned quite a lot from our conversation .
”How much money do you have? Are you going to the city?”
After some thought, I carefully replied, ”I have no money . ”
”Then that's going to be problematic . In order to survive in the city you'll need at least 3,000 if you're thrifty,” he shared .
”Why that much?” I asked, unable to comprehend that much amount of money .
”Let's start with the food alone . Food is expensive, a bowl of noodles costs over 10 dollars and that won't even fill your tummy . Plus, without money, you're not going to be able to move about in the city . The most I can do for you is to send you to town,” he explained .
”How much will I need to get from the town to the city?” I asked .
”It depends on the city you're planning to go . The best or just the average ones?”
”What about the best?” I asked immediately .
”The best city is Beijing and you'll have to take an airplane to get there . That stuff's even more expensive than a car . One trip will cost you over a thousand dollars . You don't have that kind of money for sure, so that's out of the question,” he answered .
I lowered my head, pondering over his words .
After a short pause, he sighed . ”Don't be upset . If Beijing's where you wanna go, join me at my goods transportation factory . We specialize in slaughtering cows . If you'd be willing to work as a butcher for a few months, you'll save enough money for Beijing . ”
I nodded happily . ”Yes, yes! I'm willing to work . ”
Three hours later, we arrived at a small factory .
He had me wait outside while he went ahead to talk to some people inside .
A man in spectacles walked out and stared at me . ”Name? Age?”
”Chalk, 23 . ”
”What a trendy name . Have you ever cooked at home? Do you know how to cut meat?” he pushed his gla.s.ses up, smiling .
”No, but I can learn . ”
”Identification card?” he asked .
I took it out from my bag and he instantly s.n.a.t.c.hed it over .
I moved to take it back, but he just smiled and said, ”I'll keep this for you . Three months of training, no salary but food and lodging provided . You'll get 1,500 a month when you start working, but for the first five months, half of it will be taken away as part of your entrance fee . At the end of the fifth month, you would've gotten me 3,750 and only then will I return your card to you . Interested?”
”Why do I have to pay an entrance fee when I'm here to work?” I asked somewhat angrily .
He only returned my glare with a smile . ”This is not the place for you if you can't take hard work, but I don't know if other places would be willing to accept you . ”
The driver came over to my side . ”This is the biggest slaughterhouse in town . Other places might not even offer you 500 a month . It's worth it here . ”
After some time, I asked the man in spectacles, ”So at the end of the fifth month, you'd get yourself and me 3,750?”
”Yes, half for you and half for me, and you will get your card back . No tricks . ”
I nodded . ”Okay . I'll do it . ”