Part 3The Red Dust of Revival

In his mind, making money was the only measure of success.

An old man puffed on his pipe. "I heard those government jobs pay peanuts. A month's salary isn't even worth one harvest."

The crowd roared with laughter.

I didn't want to explain that while my salary wasn't huge, I held the power to decide the future of their entire township.

A woman pointed. "Look at her white shirt. It's frayed at the edges. Looks cheap. Even we dress better!"

I looked down at my designer shirt with intentional distressing—a style from Paris I picked up on a study trip.

Of course, they wouldn't know fashion. And the dust here made everything look gray.

"Just leave! If it weren't for the VIPs coming, I'd beat you out of here myself!" Sarah shouted.

Just then, the Village Chief ran over, shooing people away.

"Scram! The Inspection Team is here! The leaders are resting, but they'll be out soon. This affects our future subsidies, don't mess it up!"

Lucas's eyes lit up.

"Is it about the land contract policy? Finally!"

The Chief nodded. "And there's a big CEO coming from the city. Self-made billionaire. He's looking to partner with us."

"If our crops are good, he'll buy everything at double the market rate. No middlemen!"

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

"That's amazing! The grain collectors were squeezing us dry!"

"My kid's tuition is covered!"

Sarah shoved me.

"Get lost! Don't be an eyesore for the VIPs!"

She turned to the Chief with a fawning smile.

"Chief, I'm kicking out this old spinster. She's trying to steal my man!"

The Chief finally looked at me. His face went pale.

"Director Ava? Why aren't you resting in your room?"

I smiled politely. "It was stuffy. I came for a walk."

The Chief started sweating buckets, bowing repeatedly. "I am so sorry! Our conditions are poor..."

He turned and roared at Sarah. "Shut your mouth! This is the Director from the Central Inspection Team! Our VIP!"

Lucas froze. "Chief, you're mistaken. She came to find me. She... we were engaged. She's been obsessed with me for years."

Sarah put her hands on her hips. "Yeah! She's no VIP! She's a shameless old maid trying to steal my husband!"

The Chief looked like he was about to have a stroke.

"You idiots! You think your Lucas is some prize? Why would a high-ranking official want him?!"

Sarah kept cursing.

Lucas looked at me with disappointment. "Ava, I didn't know you sunk this low. Impersonating an official just to win me back? That's a federal crime!"

"Let me tell you, even if you were the richest woman in the world, I wouldn't want you! Give up!"

Before I could speak, a low hum came from the village entrance.

A shiny black Mercedes-Benz rolled slowly into the square.

The villagers dropped their tools and swarmed the car.

"What is that?" the old man gasped.

"Dad, that's a luxury sedan! Only big shots have those!"

The Chief rubbed his hands together.

"Quick! It's the CEO! Welcome him!"

The car door opened. A man in a sharp suit stepped out. Tall, imposing, radiating authority.

He shook hands with the Chief, then walked straight to me.

He gently wiped the sweat from my forehead.

"Motion sickness again?"