In June, the southern town was so stifling it felt like a sealed steamer. Lin Wanxing had just finished her college entrance exams. Her score wasn’t high enough for a top university, and even the tuition at an ordinary second-tier college would be a heavy burden for her family.
Her parents had worked away from home for years and rarely returned. Growing up, she had relied on her uncle, Lin Jianjun, to help look after the household.
At seventeen, she was innocent and unsure about the future. All she wanted was to ease the strain on her family and help her parents shoulder some of the burden of daily life.
That evening, Lin Jianjun strolled into her family’s old apartment building with a cigarette in his pocket. As soon as he came in, he settled himself on the sofa like he owned the place and casually stubbed out his cigarette in an empty can on the coffee table.
“Xingxing, now that your exams are over, what are you planning to do?”
Lin Wanxing poured him a glass of cool boiled water and stood obediently nearby.
“I don’t know, Uncle. The results just came out, and tuition is a bit expensive. I’m thinking of finding a part-time job.”
Lin Jianjun looked her up and down. The girl had delicate, clean features and had been pretty since she was little. A calculating glint flashed through his eyes, but he put on a kind smile and patted the seat beside him.
“Sit down. Tell your uncle honestly: do you want to make big money?”
Lin Wanxing paused, then sat down, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
“Make big money? But I don’t know how to do anything.”
“Silly girl, you don’t need to know how to do anything.” Lin Jianjun leaned closer, lowering his voice. His tone was confident and earnest. “Your uncle has a way. I know someone down south who can get you a job for a couple of months. They’ll cover your meals and lodging…”
