sinovels Chapter 21: Judging a Person's Age from Their Childhood
Chapter 21: Judging a Person's Age from Their Childhood
In America, if you want to know where the people are most honest and simple, it has to be the countryside.
Only here can you truly understand the meaning of "a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative." There is none of the intimidating distance and unfamiliarity of big cities. People can connect seamlessly with each other, and the sense of distance disappears without a trace.
But when it comes to indifference, rural America takes the crown. They basically don't give outsiders a friendly look, as if they've encountered invading foreigners and are ready to fight at any moment.
This is not hard to understand. Capital can be quite ruthless, leaving farmers no way to survive.
When it comes to cunning and manipulation, these farmers, who are as simple and honest as blank sheets of paper in the face of capital, are no match for the urban elites.
The result was that they were completely manipulated by the other party, and many people ended up with tragic consequences such as the destruction of their families and the loss of their land. Such examples are numerous and ubiquitous in the countryside.
Therefore, rural America is quite hostile to outsiders. They see everyone as a cunning and greedy jackal from Wall Street and are always on guard.
While California may not have the same rugged, tough-guy vibe as Texas, where everyone carries a gun and looks like they stepped out of a Western movie, their menacing expressions can still send shivers down your spine.
Sure enough, not long after the car entered the small town of Serrane in Visalia, a townsman driving a Chevrolet pickup truck that had changed hands many times arrogantly blocked Ernst's car. This display of power would probably make even a robber feel inferior and admit defeat.
"What are you doing here? We don't welcome outsiders here. If you're just passing by, turn left at the three-way intersection."
In his fifties, with a full beard, Ernst's voice was so loud that even from several meters away, Ernst felt as if his eardrums were being pounded by a small hammer.
The driver quickly turned to look at Ernst, his eyes full of questions.
Ernst simply smiled, opened the car door, and got out.
"This is the first time anyone has dared to block my way in Serrano."
"Kid, today I'll teach you a lesson... Wait, Ernst?"
Before he could even ask a question, the other party recognized him.
"Oh~, I didn't expect it to be our big star from Serane who's back. John and Arya will be ecstatic when they find out, and that girl Sisley will be overjoyed too."
John Arlington and Arya Arlington were Ernst's maternal grandparents, and the somewhat fierce-looking redneck in front of them was Linland, a long-time employee of the Ernst family for over twenty years who had watched Ernst grow up.
Immediately following was a super bear hug that almost squeezed Ernst's internal organs out—this was the redneck's unique greeting, so enthusiastic that it was almost overwhelming.
"Come with me quickly, take my car back."
He wasn't ashamed at all because his pickup truck was old and worn out; instead, he looked at Ernst's Cadillac with disdain.
"What kind of junk is this? Ernst, you should know that for us, the only vehicles we drive are pickup trucks and horses."
Ernst smiled helplessly and signaled to the driver that he could leave. When he got to Linland's car, he found several puppies in a cage in the back, all of them sickly and listless.
"What happened?"
"Oh, don't even mention it, they got parvovirus. Luckily, it was discovered early, otherwise the whole kennel would have been in trouble."
From May to August each year, dogs face a life-threatening situation due to the high incidence of parvovirus.
"Healed?"
Linland smiled. "Just picked them up from George's. They're such poor little guys, only three months old."
George is the town's only veterinarian. Ernst has been a veterinarian here since he was a child, and after all these years, it's still him. He can be considered a veteran figure in the town.
I got into Lin Lande's dilapidated pickup truck. The passenger seat was worn smooth and oily to the touch. I wondered if anyone else ever sat in that seat.
Besides the battle-damaged interior, the car also reeked of a persistent dog odor.
Even with all the windows open and the wind howling in as the car starts moving, the smell stubbornly lingers inside.
This is inextricably linked to Linland's profession; he was not an ordinary farmer employed by the Arlington family, but a highly skilled dog trainer.
The Arlington family's farm is vast, covering more than 40,000 acres and spanning three towns, though most of it lies within Serrane.
The farm's main business is grapes, not for eating but for making wine. The entire vineyard covers more than 1.5 acres and has its own winery.
In addition to grape cultivation, Whitneyton Farm also produces citrus fruits, but the yield is not comparable to that of grapes, at around 2000 acres. This is also one of Whitneyton Farm's main cash crops.
In addition, Whitney Farm also raises approximately 1,500 Engels cattle, 3,000 sheep, over 10,000 chickens, and 3,000 rabbits.
Finally, there are the herding dogs and horses. There are very few horses, and they are mostly used by the family. Any extras are usually sold to a few nearby towns.
There were many more herding dogs, about four hundred in total, including sheepdogs and cattle dogs, all managed by Lin Lande and his two apprentices.
For example, those American Bulldogs in the truck bed, also known as "Au-Bully" in China, are one of the main dog breeds.
Besides bulldogs, there are also border collies and corgis.
That's right, it's a Corgi. Who would have thought that this little short-legged creature would be such a good cattle herder?
In the West, there is a type of dog collectively known as the Hellhound, which translates to "dog that bites heels." Border Collies and Corgis are the most common Hellhounds.
Heller dogs are typically small in size with short legs, making them difficult for cattle to kick. Their short stature also makes it easy for them to move among the cattle.
Whenever they need to move the cows, they gently nip at their heels to control their direction.
"Ernst, I saw in the newspaper that you acquired MGM? And became the big boss of MGM."
With a smug look, he asked, "Aren't Hollywood actresses amazing? Aren't they incredible in bed?"
Swallowing hard, Lin Lande said with longing, "I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to share a bed with a Hollywood actress in this lifetime. If I do, I'll be completely satisfied."
Ernst wasn't paying attention to what he was saying at all, because Lin Land was driving so recklessly. "If you don't keep your eyes on the road, I'll probably be the last person you ever share a bed with."
Lin Land glanced ahead, straightened the car which had veered slightly, and then continued gossiping as if nothing had happened.
"Isn't it said that Hollywood has the Red Sofa? Is that really true? Do those actresses really strip naked and wait to be chosen when they see the Red Sofa during auditions?"
"Hehe, you must have tried it, right? You've been a little pervert since you were little, always wanting to snuggle up to women with big breasts."
Ernst was embarrassed; you really know how to bring up the very thing you don't want to talk about.
"Your Aunt Millie once said that you'd definitely grow up to be a pervert. When you were little, you would always pinch her and wouldn't let go whenever she hugged you."
Millie is Lin Lande's wife. She was a beauty when she was young, and I don't know how she was managed to win Lin Lande's heart.
Ernst cleared his throat to ease the awkwardness and quickly changed the subject, "This car is over ten years old, isn't it? How about I buy you a few brand-new Ford F-150s to use?"
"You're changing our car?" Lin Lande was taken aback. "Why?"
This is the mindset of rednecks: no reward without merit, and it also means there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Why? Of course, it's to shut your foul mouth.