chapter 12 Start improving your life

Cabin felt a bit awkward after leaving Eleanor's business card. He did have a phone, but the speaker was broken, and he didn't have a SIM card. It was pretty much a glorified clock.

Cabin gave a polite smile and said, "No need, sis. Just give me one of your business cards. I plan to change my number soon, so I'll give you a call once it's done."

"Sure," Eleanor promptly handed one of her business cards to Cabin.

Cabin didn't pay much attention to her title; he only glanced at her name.

"Eleanor... that's a beautiful name. No wonder you exude such a classic charm."

Eleanor blushed slightly at Cabin's compliment, even though she was in her thirties. She watched him leave, his robust figure truly captivating.

Cabin exited the herbal shop and headed towards the bus stop. Suddenly, he spotted a women's lingerie store across the street, which reminded him of Dagny's lingerie left in the lake. Lost in thought, he crossed the road and entered the store.

"Hi there, big brother, shopping for your wife?" a friendly saleswoman welcomed him.

Cabin nodded, feeling somewhat embarrassed as a grown man shopping for women's lingerie. "Yes, my wife. What size do you have?"

As Cabin surveyed the row of bras, the saleswoman continued to assist him. "What size does your wife wear?"

"Probably...," Cabin looked at the saleswoman, whose bosom was substantial. His hand wouldn't be able to cover it all. He said, "About the same as yours, maybe a little larger." He gestured to indicate.

The saleswoman chuckled and remarked, "Big brother, you're quite considerate. I understand what you mean."

Using the cup size as a reference, the saleswoman selected several options and asked, "Which one do you like?"

"Whichever one has good quality."

In the end, Cabin spent $180 on two sets of lingerie in different colors. The items were neatly packed, and he left the store. Today, Cabin had earned $1,600, a significant sum for the impoverished Hushan Village. Except during the autumn grain sales when they hired cattle and carts, the villagers rarely had the chance to see so much money in one day.

He proceeded to the local farmer's market, looking for beef. During his time on the border, one of his favorite dishes had been braised beef. However, in recent years, he'd been living frugally, and he couldn't even remember the last time he'd had meat.

He asked the vendor, "Hey, how much is this beef tendon per pound?"

The vendor gave Cabin a sidelong glance and replied, "The beef loin is cheaper at $3.30 per pound, but the tendon is more expensive at $3.60."

"Give me five pounds of beef tendon!"

Five pounds of beef tendon cost $18. For a man who appeared threadbare in his tattered T-shirt, the vendor wondered if he had the money to pay.

Inspecting Cabin's worn-out appearance, the vendor thought he looked like a scavenger, particularly with a bamboo basket on his back. He hadn't seen anyone buying beef from him like this before.

Cabin seemed to notice the vendor's hesitation and casually pulled out a stack of cash from his bag, tossing two bills onto the counter.

"Also, throw in a big bone. I want to use it to make soup."

"Alright!"

The vendor's eyes lit up; it seemed he had underestimated the young man. Even though he might not have much money, he was a foodie.

Five pounds of beef tendon and a large bone were added to the basket.

Cabin also spent $100 on a piece of pork loin.

In the mountain village, even those who raised pigs were reluctant to eat them. They only sold them during the New Year in exchange for regular provisions. Throughout the year, it was rare for households to have meat.

Considering Dagny was a city girl working in the countryside, Cabin thought it wasn't easy for her. So, he went to a cosmetics store and bought her some sunscreen, shampoo, lipstick, and hand cream.

When the shopkeeper tallied up the bill, he asked for over four hundred, which startled Cabin. He hadn't realized cosmetics could be so expensive. It was much pricier than the liquor he drank.

Seeing Cabin's surprise, the female shopkeeper even mocked him, saying that he didn't buy any high-end products. If he did, his pocket money wouldn't cut it.

Cabin cursed under his breath, thinking that once he had money, he would buy everything in her store and even take her home, spending a few nights with her to see if she would still dare to look down on him.

Looking at the remaining six hundred dollars, he decided to buy another barrel of liquor and get a SIM card. Even then, he'd only have five hundred left. It felt like the money disappeared as soon as he got it.

He bought a barrel of liquor and carried it back, walking the mountain road at a more leisurely pace than in the morning. By the time he arrived home, it was already past four in the afternoon.

As he entered the village, he ran into his neighbor Joshua Wang. Seeing Cabin carrying both meat and liquor, Joshua couldn't help but ask, "What's up Cabin? Did you strike it rich?"

"Not really. Just made some money from clamming. Figured I'd treat myself to better food," Cabin replied.

Joshua licked his lips and said, "I haven't had dinner yet. You won't be able to finish all that meat alone. If you don't have anyone to share it with..."

"Thanks, but if I can't finish it, I'll store it in the well. Besides, Mayor Ding lives across from me, and we often have meals together."

Cabin went home, and Joshua, realizing he wouldn't get any freebies, turned to a few villagers under the shade of a tree and said, "This kid might make a few bucks from clamming, but splurging like this, it's no wonder he's always broke!"

Most villagers who went clamming would collect some shells and clams to sell in town. However, rural folk often faced exploitation and low prices in the city. At best, they'd make a small profit, and at worst, they'd be fooled by fishmongers and end up exhausted and penniless. Many were reluctant to do it.

So when Cabin claimed he earned money clamming, not everyone believed him. But with Dagny living in his house, more than a few envied him.

The villagers also knew that a flower like Dagny couldn't stay in this impoverished and remote village for long. They speculated that she was here to gain some experience, serve a couple of years as village head, achieve something, and then return to the city for a promotion.

Cabin entered with a basket of fish, and Dagny hurriedly came over.

"Oh my, why did you buy so much?" she exclaimed.

"Improving our life, as I said. Starting today, I'm going to start earning money," Cabin replied.

Dagny was happy seeing this, but hearing that Cabin had carried all these heavy items for such a long distance made her feel sorry for him.

"From now on, carry less. Making money is not something you do in a day," she advised.

Seeing Cabin take out items like facial cleanser, sunscreen, and other cosmetics, Dagny was momentarily surprised. She couldn't believe this burly man used these products.