The bus rattled along the narrow country road, its engine groaning as it climbed the steep hills. Liu Jian sat by the window, his forehead pressed against the cool glass as he watched the landscape roll by. The city was far behind him now, replaced by endless fields of green and the occasional cluster of farmhouses. It was a stark contrast to the urban jungle he had called home for so long.
He glanced at his reflection in the window—tired eyes, unkempt hair, and a face that looked older than his 28 years. The weight of his failures still clung to him, but there was a flicker of hope in his chest. The farm was his chance to start over, to rebuild his life from the ground up.
The bus came to a stop at a small, weathered station, and Liu Jian grabbed his duffel bag and stepped off. The air was fresh and crisp, filled with the scent of earth and wildflowers. He took a deep breath, savoring the simplicity of it all. The village hadn't changed much—the same old market stalls, the same dusty roads, the same quiet rhythm of life. But to Liu Jian, it felt both familiar and foreign, like a dream he hadn't realized he'd been missing.
"Liu Jian?" a voice called.
He turned to see an elderly man approaching, his face weathered but kind. It was Old Wang, a neighbor who had known his grandfather for decades.
"Uncle Wang," Liu Jian said, bowing slightly. "It's been a long time."
"Too long," Old Wang said with a smile. "Your grandfather would be happy to see you back here. Come, I'll give you a ride to the farm."
Liu Jian followed him to a beat-up pickup truck, its bed filled with sacks of feed and farming tools. As they drove, Old Wang filled him in on the changes that had taken place in the village over the years. The population had dwindled, with most of the younger generation moving to the cities in search of better opportunities. The few who remained were struggling to keep their farms afloat.
"It's not an easy life," Old Wang said, his tone somber. "But there's a kind of peace here that you won't find anywhere else."
Liu Jian nodded, though he wasn't sure he believed it yet. Peace was a luxury he hadn't known in a long time. As they drove, he couldn't help but feel a mix of nostalgia and unease. The village was a place of memories—some sweet, some bitter. He wondered if he could truly find a new beginning here, or if he was just running away from his failures.
---
The farm came into view as they rounded a bend in the road. Liu Jian's breath caught in his throat. The land stretched out before him, vast and untamed. The fields were overgrown with weeds, and the old farmhouse looked like it hadn't been touched in years. But despite its dilapidated state, there was a quiet beauty to it—a sense of history and potential.
"Here we are," Old Wang said, pulling to a stop. "I'll leave you to it. If you need anything, just give me a shout."
"Thank you, Uncle Wang," Liu Jian said, stepping out of the truck. He watched as the old man drove away, leaving him alone with the farm.
For a moment, he just stood there, taking it all in. The silence was overwhelming, broken only by the rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. It was a far cry from the constant noise of the city, and Liu Jian wasn't sure if he found it comforting or unsettling. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and wild grass, and the sun warmed his skin, a gentle reminder that he was no longer trapped in the shadow of skyscrapers.
He made his way to the farmhouse, the wooden steps creaking under his weight as he climbed onto the porch. The door was unlocked, and he pushed it open, revealing a dusty interior filled with old furniture and faded memories. His grandfather's presence was everywhere—in the worn-out armchair by the fireplace, the faded photographs on the walls, the rusted tools hanging in the shed.
Liu Jian dropped his bag on the floor and sat down on the couch, the springs groaning in protest. He felt a lump form in his throat as he looked around. This was it—his new beginning. But where did he even start?
As if in response, a voice echoed in his mind, clear and authoritative:
[The Modern Farming System has been activated!]
[Welcome, User Liu Jian. Your journey begins now.]
Liu Jian froze, his heart pounding. "What the—"
[First Mission: Grow 100 kg of organic tomatoes.]
[Reward: 50 System Points, Soil Quality Upgrade (Level 1)]
[Time Limit: 30 days]
A translucent screen materialized in front of him, displaying the mission details. Liu Jian blinked, unsure if he was hallucinating. He reached out to touch the screen, but his hand passed right through it.
"Is this some kind of joke?" he muttered, his voice trembling. He pinched his arm, half-expecting to wake up from a dream. But the screen remained, glowing faintly in the dim light of the farmhouse.
The system responded immediately:
[This is not a joke. The Modern Farming System is designed to assist you in achieving agricultural success. Complete missions to earn rewards and unlock new features.]
Liu Jian sat back, his mind racing. He had no idea what was happening, but one thing was clear: this was his chance. If the system was real, it could give him the tools he needed to turn this rundown farm into something profitable.
But doubt crept in. What if this was all in his head? What if he was losing his mind after everything he'd been through? He clenched his fists, trying to steady his breathing. "Get it together, Jian," he whispered to himself. "You've got nothing left to lose."
---
The next few hours were a blur. Liu Jian explored the farm, taking stock of what he had to work with. The fields were in rough shape, but the soil didn't look completely dead. The system provided him with a detailed analysis:
[Soil Quality: Poor]
[Recommendation: Clear weeds, till soil, and apply organic fertilizer.]
Liu Jian rolled up his sleeves and got to work. He found an old hoe in the shed and began clearing the weeds, his muscles aching with every swing. The sun beat down on his back, its warmth seeping into his skin, and the earthy smell of freshly turned soil filled his nostrils. It was hard, backbreaking labor, but there was a strange satisfaction in it. For the first time in months, he felt like he was doing something meaningful.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Liu Jian stood at the edge of the field, his hands calloused and his shirt soaked with sweat. He had cleared a small patch of land, just enough to plant the tomato seeds he had bought from the village market. The air grew cooler, and the chirping of crickets filled the evening silence.
"One step at a time," he said to himself, planting the first seed.
The system chimed in:
[Progress: 1/100 kg]
[Keep up the good work, User Liu Jian.]
Liu Jian smiled faintly. It was a small start, but it was a start. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was moving forward.