Chapter 2

Earning 500 dollars in 20 days would be just as impossible as ranking in the top three nationally. Oliver worked the fields and did construction work when he could, while Ava spent her days making shoe soles. Even working themselves to death, they barely made a few dozen dollars a month. It would take them over a year of not eating or drinking to save as much as 500 dollars! "Do you think I'm stupid? If you pull off these two things, I'll even call you my father!" Of course, Rowan wouldn't believe his words. He wiped his tears. "Enough talk. Come on, we're going to the police station. I'm making sure you rot in jail!" "Rowan! I'll do anything for you. Please spare my son. I'll… I'll kneel to you!" Oliver frantically dropped to his knees. If this went to the police, there would be no way to contain the scandal. "Dad!" Josh rushed to help his father up, but Oliver slapped him across the face. "Don't call me Dad! I didn't raise an animal like you! What sins did I commit to deserve this?" Josh stayed silent. Nothing he could say would help now. Then suddenly, Janice spoke up, "I believe him." Everyone turned to look at her. Biting her lip, determination flashed in her eyes as she said, "Dad, I believe in Josh. If he fails, we'll both die right in front of you!" "You!" Rowan wanted to curse more. But seeing blood seeping from his daughter's bitten lip, memories of her being such a good daughter all this while flooded back. No matter how furious he was, he could not bring himself to be angry anymore. He collapsed to the floor and wailed, "Oh, my dear wife… I've failed you! I'm so useless!" Both families were a mess—some kneeling, others crying. The atmosphere was suffocating. Finally, everyone calmed down after what seemed like forever. Janice had gotten dressed. Rowan glared at Josh and gritted his teeth. "20 days. That's all you get. If you fail, I'll… I'll kill your whole family!" "Mr. Holt, I swear I'll do it. Trust me!" Josh replied confidently. Rowan gripped his sickle tighter but finally fought down the urge to kill Josh right there. Like Josh said, what was done was done. What choice did they have other than believing in his miracle? After watching Rowan and Janice return home, their door was slammed shut. Ava glanced at the nosy villagers outside before quickly closing their own door. She turned to Josh and said, "Josh, pack your things and go. Anywhere. Your father and I will handle this." "Mom, I'm not running away. I made a promise to Mr. Holt, and I've got to keep it. Plus, there's Janice!" "You foolish child!" Oliver exploded and said, "Which of those promises can you possibly keep? Are you waiting to get arrested? Stop talking nonsense and go before Rowan changes his mind, and it'll all be too late!" Seeing his parents' desperation, Josh had an idea. He asked Ava for all the money they had. It was not much—just over 20 dollars and some food stamps. After making an excuse about buying supplies, he left for town. He bought ten pounds of pork, some seasonings, and flour. When he came back home, his parents had packed his travel bag. But Josh started making dough instead of leaving. "Josh, is this food for your journey?" Ava asked, coming over to help. Josh just mumbled a yes. He knew his parents would freak out if he told them the truth. Actually, he planned to sell sandwiches in town. This kind of street food was completely unknown here—it would definitely be a hit. With the cost just being over 20 dollars, he could probably make it back in a day. He would even earn a good profit. Josh had it all figured out. He had done this year's college entrance exam questions countless times in his previous life. He wanted to make up for never getting into university. He could absolutely score perfect marks, even on the essay portion, which usually cost people points. But to ease tensions between the families, he had to prove himself to Rowan. Making money was clearly the quickest way to do that. The next morning, he loaded everything onto a flatbed cart and was about to head out. But as soon as he opened the door, he saw a few villagers gathered at the Holts' doorway. They were talking excitedly about something. Josh moved closer and heard someone telling Rowan, "Rowan, it's settled then! 668 dollars for the betrothal gift—we'll scrape it together somehow and bring it tomorrow. Then we'll pick a good date for the wedding! Man, Caesar really lucked out getting such a good bride. What a blessing!" Josh's blood boiled. He dropped the cart handles and rushed over, shouting, "What are you doing? Who's marrying Caesar?" When he reached the door, he saw Janice crying inside. She looked up at him with tears falling down her face pitifully. "Well, if it isn't Josh making all this noise." Caesar Kain, a big, burly man, chuckled smugly. "Mr. Holt here agreed to let me marry Janice." "Bullshit! Janice would never marry you!" After saying that, Josh turned to Rowan. "Mr. Holt, what about our agreement? Besides, Janice needs to take the college entrance exam!" "College? What nonsense! What's the point of a girl going to college? That's useless!" Rowan glared at him with eyes full of anger and anxiety. Yesterday, Caesar's father had sent another matchmaker. Rowan had rejected them a few times before, but he hesitated this time. First, his daughter was no longer a virgin. With few villagers knowing yet, a quick marriage might keep it quiet. Second, 668 dollars was more than most families in the surrounding villages could afford as a betrothal gift. As for Josh, Rowan had not believed a single word he said. Top three in the national exam and making 500 dollars in twenty days? He could never pull that off! Caesar was getting angry too. He shoved Josh aside and said, "This is our family business. It's got nothing to do with you! Get lost before I beat you up!" He was tall and strong, and he had a few of his relatives backing him up. Josh was clearly outmatched. But Josh didn't back down. He gritted his teeth and told Rowan, "He offered 668 dollars, right? I'll give you 700 dollars! No, 800 dollars! Mr. Holt, give me 20 days. I'll bring you 800 dollars, and Janice will marry me!" "Josh, are you fucking crazy?" Caesar roared when he heard someone was trying to steal his bride. He aimed a kick at Josh. Then he grabbed a nearby pole to strike with, but Rowan quickly held him back. It was not to protect Josh; he was just afraid Josh might blurt out the truth in the heat of the moment. Then, he and his daughter would lose all their dignity in the village. Just then, Janice's voice rang out from inside, "I'm not marrying anyone! I'm going to college! 600 or 800 dollars? What am I, a piece of pork for you guys to buy and sell?"