For the sake of my hometown's development, I brought my media team back to the countryside to help the farmers. After a year of hard work, Greenridge Village became a model example for the whole state. At the year-end dividend distribution, the village chief announced with fanfare: "This year's dividend is $15,000 per person!" "But, Caleb, you only get $1.50." I was confused, thinking it was a joke. The village chief's son, Mason, pulled out a crumpled dollar bill and two quarters, throwing them in my face. "You just moved your lips and filmed some videos. That's all you're worth." Amidst the roaring laughter of the crowd, my parents also blamed me. "Caleb, everyone was working in the fields, you were indeed lazy." I sneered, clutching the $1.50 tight. In that case, the million-dollar order for next spring, I'll be canceling it ahead of schedule. 1 Hearing that I was going to cancel the orders, the villagers began to murmur in panic. "You can't do that! My peaches are almost ripe. What if the order is canceled?" "Yeah, Caleb, don't mess around!" The village chief's son, Mason, raised his voice, signaling everyone to calm down. "Don't be afraid. All he did this year was film videos and talk." "We can learn that too. Anyone can livestream." The villagers looked at each other, hesitation on their faces. I scoffed. "I contacted the channels, I built the brand, and I maintained the clients. You think learning a few tricks will let you replace me?" "So what?" Mason shouted. "We did all the work! We planted the fruit! We packed the boxes!" "While we were out in the sun and wind, you were inside with the fan on. Why should you get the same share as us?" He turned to face the villagers. "Folks, am I right?" After a brief silence, Uncle Bob spoke up first. "That makes sense. Caleb, you did put in effort, but the money... you shouldn't get that much." "Exactly." Neighbor Mrs. Lee whispered. "Anyway, you made money in the city. Coming back to contribute to your hometown is what you should do." The village chief also nodded. "Educated people have active minds. Helping out is expected, don't be so calculating." They chimed in one after another. Everyone advised me to be generous; no one spoke up for me. I looked at my parents. They sat at another table, heads lowered, faces flushed red. My mother secretly wiped away tears. My father glared at me fiercely, his eyes saying: "You're embarrassing us." Mason was very satisfied with everyone's reaction and said boldly. "Don't worry, everyone. I will lead you all to open livestream accounts." "In the future, we won't be controlled by anyone. Everyone can make big money!" He raised his arm and shouted, drawing applause from the crowd. I curled my lip and gave him a thumbs up. I struggled in the city for nearly ten years to become a top influencer in this field. If it weren't for my hometown, for helping the farmers, I wouldn't have come back. I didn't care about the $15,000. I cared about whether my efforts were recognized, whether the people I helped had a conscience. Since it's like this, there's no need for me to waste my breath on them. I put the $1.50 in my pocket, turned, and walked away. The villagers whispered behind me. "He's got quite a temper, taking it so seriously!" "Tsk, let him go if he wants. Could we not live without him before?" "Exactly. Since he came back a year ago, we've been walking on eggshells. I've been annoyed with him for a long time." My heart grew colder and colder. Greenridge Village was originally a poverty-stricken village in the state. It was only through this year that we shed the poverty label, and the village chief even received a commendation from the state. When the city reporters came for interviews, the village chief held my hand, thanking me profusely. Now, only a few months later, they've turned their backs. In that case, I'll wait quietly for them to "stand on their own feet." 2 I treated my team to dinner. When they heard the dividend was only $1.50, they all felt it was unfair for me. "Boss, let's go back. It's better than being humiliated here." "We've seen how much you've given this year. Since they don't know what's good for them, we don't need to help." I took a sip of wine and slowly shook my head. "My original intention was to help the farmers. I can't change that just because of these people's faces." "Since Greenridge Village doesn't need me, we can go elsewhere." Everyone nodded. "Boss, we're with you." Looking at these passionate young people, hope reignited in me. When I got home, my parents were already back. My father's face was iron-blue as he slammed the table. "You still have the face to come back! The whole village was watching! You've lost all my face!" My mother also cried aggrievedly. "Told you to find a proper job, but you insisted on this media stuff... Now look, you're a joke!" I was unconvinced and couldn't help but retort. "Where did I go wrong?" "You dare talk back?" My father stood up. "Why did they only give you $1.50? Don't you know in your heart? Holding a phone all day, filming here and there, do you call that work?" My mother nodded while sobbing. "Look at Mason. He came back from working in the city last year and took the folks to the fields. That's a real man..." I listened quietly, waiting until they were tired before speaking. "Those channels, I negotiated them one by one. You really think good wine needs no bush?" "Without me, the fruit would still be rotting in the fields." My father sneered. "Come on! The harvest was good this year. Even without you, we could have sold it!" My mother echoed. "That's right. Without good fruit, the best channels are useless." My heart truly went cold. It's one thing for others to misunderstand me. But even my own parents thought of me this way. I gave a bitter smile. "Fine, I quit. You guys do it yourselves from now on." I turned and went upstairs. Behind me came the sound of my father smashing a teacup. "Ungrateful son! Can't even say a word to him? Holding phones all day has rotted his brain. One day I'll smash them all!" My mother comforted him. "Forget it, forget it. When he comes around, let Mason arrange a job for him. A proper job is the way out." Anger surged in me, but I forcibly suppressed it. For the first time, I questioned whether I should have come back. I can calculate the market, but I can't calculate the human heart. 3 The next day, as I was preparing to go out, people came into the yard. Mason led the way, followed by seven or eight young men from the village. They held sticks in their hands, their expressions unkind. My parents stood under the eaves, cowering to the side. Mason spat out a mouthful of smoke. "Hand over all the livestream account passwords, client contact info, and channel information." I frowned. "Aren't you going to livestream yourselves? Open your own accounts." "Bullshit!" Mason narrowed his eyes. "Your account says 'Greenridge Fresh Fruit,' so it belongs to Greenridge! Also, disband that team group of yours." My team had six people, all of whom had been with me for a long time. We filmed together during the day and discussed operations at night. We were like family. I objected unhappily. "That's my group, it has nothing to do with you." "Are you kidding?" Mason suddenly raised his voice. "From now on, the team is under my control!" In the yard, my six team members were pushed into a row. The youngest was only eighteen, and they all had slap marks on their faces. I clenched my fists in anger. "How can you hit people! This is illegal!" Mason laughed. "Go sue me then. Who will testify for you?" He grabbed my collar. "Hand over the info, or I won't be polite!" The villagers on the side shouted. "Hand it over! Hand it over!" Looking at them, I felt utterly chilled. Burning the bridge after crossing it, indeed. My mother persuaded me with teary eyes. "Caleb, just hand it over. Don't go against everyone." My father's face was livid. "His info is on the computer. Just grab it!" I looked up at him in shock. Not only did he not help me, but he also joined outsiders to rob me. Mason shoved me away and waved his hand. "Grab his computer and smash his filming equipment!" They swarmed into my room. Cameras were smashed against the wall, lenses shattering. Computers were unplugged, hard drives ripped out. I rushed over to stop them. Mason swung a stick, hitting me squarely on the back. I fell to my knees in pain. "Keep smashing!" Mason stood at the door, holding my hard drive, sneering. I looked up and saw my parents standing outside the door. My father's lips moved, but he said nothing in the end. My mother was crying but didn't come in. Everything was smashed, the floor a mess. Finally, Mason walked over. "Account passwords, say them now!" I slowly stood up, the pain in my back making it hard to straighten up. "Let them go first." I looked at my team members. Mason thought for a moment. "Fine." The six young people were released. They looked at me, eyes red. "Go on, go home." I had disappointed them after all. For their safety, I couldn't take them with me anymore. I hope this won't affect their original intention of "poverty alleviation and aiding farmers." The team members couldn't bear it, but they left. Now, only Mason's men and my parents remained in the yard. I recited all the accounts and passwords in one breath. Mason had someone log in and verify them on the spot, then nodded with satisfaction. "You're smart." He patted my face. "One more thing. You have to apologize to the whole village." I frowned. "What am I apologizing for?" "You engaged in all this flashy nonsense and corrupted the atmosphere!" Mason's voice was loud. "Now none of the young people in the village want to farm properly. They all want to film videos and become influencers! Isn't this your fault?" The villagers watching outside the yard began to agree. "Exactly! My kid is on his phone all day now!" "Not practical! Corrupting the children!" Listening to these accusations, I suddenly laughed. "A year ago, when you begged for my help, you didn't say that." "Still dare to talk back?" Mason slapped me hard. It was heavy. I tasted blood in my mouth. "Kneel! Apologize to the folks! Say you're sorry to Greenridge! Sorry to the clan!" I stood still. "Did you hear me!" Mason was about to strike again. At this moment, my father suddenly rushed in. "Ungrateful son! Kneel!" He pressed down on my shoulders. I looked at him in shock. "Dad?" "Kneel!" My father's eyes were red. "Apologize to Mason! Apologize to the whole village! Our family can't afford this shame!" My mother also came in, crying and pulling me. "Caleb, just give in..." In the yard, villagers formed a circle. Some were silent, some sneered, some pointed. "See, studying made him stupid." "Deserves it. Should have been dealt with long ago." My knees were forced down by my father, the wound on my back hurting even more. I looked at my father's calloused hands, hands that once carried me on his shoulders. Now, he was forcing me to kneel to those who humiliated me. I said word by word. "I. Won't. Kneel." My father raised his hand and slapped me. Harder than Mason. "Kneel!" I looked at him, suddenly finding him very strange. In the end, I knelt. Not out of submission. But because my heart died. Mason smiled triumphantly. "Should have done this sooner. Remember, in Greenridge, you have no say. Get out." 4 They left. The villagers dispersed. Only the mess in the yard remained, and my figure kneeling among the debris. My parents stood under the eaves, silent for a long time. Finally, my father spoke. "Tomorrow, go to Mason's house and apologize formally. If the village chief sees your attitude is good, maybe he'll let you stay in the village and make a living." I didn't speak. "Did you hear me!" My father roared. "When will you stop making me worry!" I packed up the items I retrieved and spoke slowly. "I won't go." My father raised his eyebrows, anger rising again. "You dare!" I looked straight at him, heart dead as ash. "From today on, I am not a member of the Caleb family, nor your son." My mother burst into tears. "Caleb, you're the only son in the family, you can't do this..." She pulled me. "Everyone is doing this for your own good. Why can't you understand?" I pulled my hand away, looking at them coldly. "No parents would force their own son to kneel to others!" "If you are willing to kneel and beg, that's your business!" "I, Caleb, must live with dignity!" Saying the last sentence, I got worked up too. My eyes widened, ears turning red. My father shook with anger and raised his hand. This time, I didn't let him. I pushed him away, and he stumbled back two steps. My father's eyes widened in surprise. "Ungrateful son, you dare raise a hand against your father!" I ignored him, turned around, took out my suitcase, and packed my few belongings. Luckily, the portable hard drive deep in the drawer was still there. Inside were the core data I had saved since I started livestreaming. When I went downstairs, my father and mother were still at the door. Seeing me leave, he stamped his foot in anger. "Go then! Get out of this house! Never come back!" I looked back at them once. "Don't worry. Even if you beg me, I won't come back to this house!" I prepared to drive away, but my back hurt terribly. I went to the village clinic first for some medicine. The village doctor, Dr. Zhang, was an outsider. He opened the door and examined me. Just as I was about to get the medicine, his wife came out from the inner room. "What is he doing here?" The woman screeched. "Mason said anyone who helps him is going against the whole village!" I frowned. "I'll pay." The woman pointed at the door. "We won't sell even if you pay. Leave quickly!" I was pushed out the door, hearing the woman's voice inside. "Don't meddle! The whole village stands with Mason now..." I smiled bitterly. So this is the retribution for a good person. No wonder. No wonder Greenridge Village hasn't escaped poverty for so many years. Anyone who wants to contribute to their hometown would be disheartened by this. Enduring the pain, I drove to the county town. After seeing a doctor, I took out my phone and dialed a number. "Secretary Chen? This is Caleb." "Yes, the one doing self-media in Greenridge." "You said last time you wanted to invite me to your village to have a look?" "I'm in the county town now. I have time tomorrow." Chen Village. Poorer, harder mountain roads. Better fruit, but no good channels. They asked me three times, but I never agreed. Because I was a Greenridge man. But now, not anymore. I opened my phone album and looked at the photos taken this year. The first livestream, only my old fans watched, sold 7 orders. The first shipment, chaotic, even the shipping labels were wrong. First time on provincial TV, villagers surrounded the camera, smiling brightly. Flipping to the end, photos of the dividend meeting. The village chief and Mason stood on stage, high-spirited. In the corner, I was blurred into a shadow. How ridiculous.
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