Outrun The World

Chapter 34

"It does. Not everyone can do it. And you have to have a really good vision and a lot of patience, especially when something itches," He Tian chuckled, glancing at his companion who was unaware of his gamer alter-ego slipping to the surface.

"I thought people would climb all the trees."

"Nah. That would take time and it's dangerous for the climbers. More expensive too, I guess. I mean, paying so many good climbers to harvest from, like, hundreds of trees," He Tian answered. Way more expensive if one climber falls by accident, he thought.

The other guy didn't know that the activity was their very first harvest. He only told him that they would offer help but excluded the fact that he purchased this affordable piece of land from Rica's relatives who sold the property and chose to live in the city after their parents passed away. Rica was initially opposed to the idea, grumbling about bad decisions and people choosing to lose a profitable property that would serve the owners long term.

*

"I don't understand these people, really! Living in the cramped city, losing their land and working their whole lives as corporate slaves. I don't get it," she complained, before begging him to consider buying the land. They were having free coffee at the old woman's wake, the owner of that land, while Mo Guan Shan was outside, playing cards with Nato and the other kids.

"Why me, anyway? I don't know shit about kopra," He Tian had answered, although he knew that his grandfather would definitely grab the opportunity by the throat if it ever had any. Like buying land was a hobby.

Kopra is what they call the dried coconut flesh where coconut oil is produced, it is how they call the whole process of making kopras too. He Tian was aware of the potential profit and more importantly, he knew that some residents relied on the whole event to put food on the table. Harvesting coconut is a livelihood that provides for a lot of residents.

"They were planning to sell it to the mayor, all right? And if the mayor gets it, the people who live in that part of the barangay will be forced to move. . .or they will be forced to vote for him to keep their place. Bro, Sir, Mr. He, I know you have the dough, you have the heart, and frankly this is not a bad deal. If I talk to Uncle, he will surely sell it to you to save our distant relatives' houses."

He Tian stared at Rica's small, tanned face, intent and determined to convince him. She had this habit of staring hard, lips pressed in a thin line, and holding her breath as if forcibly wishing for things to fall into place.

"What if I don't have the money? Or if I'm really not interested?" He Tian smirked, just to see her annoyed.

"Then fuck you, I'll bug He Cheng. Chinese people love cheap properties, you know."

He Tian clenched his teeth at the mention of his brother. Zhan Zheng Xi had informed him that the man was looking into purchasing a property around the area and when it comes to He Cheng, the plan must involve something huge and expensive.

He sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose.

"It is reasonable for its size and potential, Rica, but it is no way cheap."

"It is cheap if you think about the profit of making kopras for the years to come," Rica pouted, breaking a bread in half and dunking it in her steaming coffee before carefully bringing it to her mouth.

She's undeniably pretty, but he never once felt like asking her out and pushing his luck. As if her sex appeal was a faucet she could turn on and off depending on the person right in front of her. Needless to say, with him it's turned firmly off, not even leaking a bit.