No living fields on the autumnal equinox. The father of Dog limped and drilled in the field, his footsteps as loud as the sound of corn cobs falling to the ground. Father's legs were not good, but he could break corn faster than Dog. Father scolded, "Dog, why are you so slow? Where did all the food go?"
Dog had no words, making the corn stalks rustle. Dog ran a sound and image store in the city and did less farm work.
When they finally reached the end of the field, both grandfather and grandson were out of breath. They saw Director Ma from the village committee also panting at the edge of the field.
"Director, are you here to harvest corn?" Father quickly approached and smiled.
Father's agricultural burden had been waived by Director Ma because of Father's bad legs and Dog's absence. Father hadn't neglected Director Ma; every time Dog sent money home, he gave two bottles of wine to Director Ma.
Director Ma wiped his face and said, "I can't do it anymore. In my youth, this kind of work was like playing."
Father frowned and said, "Director, don't be so formal, we have Dog."
"Alright!" Director Ma looked at Dog and said, "Dog, help me harvest the corn."
Dog rolled his eyes and glared at his father.
In just two trips, Dog and father brought the corn home.
Father frowned again. Dog had no choice but to walk into Director Ma's cornfield.
With more people, the work was less. Before noon, Dog helped Director Ma bring the corn home.
Director Ma patted his clothes and smiled at Dog, saying "Thanks nephew."
Dog extended his hand.
"What?" Director Ma was surprised.
"Wages," Dog shook his hand and said, "Won't you pay me wages?"
Director Ma said, "W...ages?"
"What? Am I working for free?" Dog sneered.
Director Ma stopped being surprised and pulled a long face. "Five yuan!"
"Kid stuff?" Dog shook his hand again.
"Ten yuan!" Director Ma gritted his teeth.
"Just ten." Dog muttered to himself, "Not worth it."
Director Ma slapped the money into Dog's palm with a slap. Watching Dog walk away, he spat hard.
It was dark, yet Director Ma couldn't sit still. He went out, found Father, and started talking.
Father was greatly surprised and hurriedly took out the money for Director Ma. "This kid is too disrespectful!"
But Director Ma didn't take it. He coldly said, "Autumn has come, it's time to collect the agricultural burden. You better prepare the money."
Before Father could say anything else, Director Ma left without looking back.
Father cursed Dog, angry until his lips trembled.
Dog wasn't convinced and shouted, "Working for money is natural! What's wrong with that?"
The next day, Dog returned to the city without even saying goodbye.
Father didn't leave the house for three days. He was ashamed to see Director Ma and also feared the ridicule of the villagers.
In the blink of an eye, the crops in the field were harvested cleanly. No living fields on the autumnal equinox.