Shinji Nagashima looked into the distance. The direction he looked in was a mountain range with gray rock formations.
Since he was a child, he often heard from the elders in the village that that was the location of the legendary Kakuma's lair. It was said that Kakuma was as huge as a mountain.
However, after so many years, Shinji Nagashima has never seen Gakuma.
When I was a child, I would not dare to look at the mountains because of fear. I was always worried that a huge creature would suddenly run out.
His father always said that if he didn't obey, he would be thrown into Gakuma's lair, which gave Shinji Nagashima nightmares from time to time at night.
Children from single-parent families become sensible earlier than others. As Shinji Nagashima grew up, he gradually understood that Kakuma and the like could not exist after receiving education.
If there is such a huge creature, why has it never appeared in decades? What does it eat? Even if it eats rocks, the mountain range should have been eaten up in such a long time, but nothing has changed there.
Nagashima Shinji believes that Kakuma is just a belief legend made up by the old people.
He has been smart enough to see through many things since he was a child, and he roughly understands the thoughts of the older generation, which is nothing more than asking for spiritual sustenance but not getting it.
Ever since he grew up, Nagashima Shinji has made up his mind not to let his children be the same as he was when he was a child. However, he still misjudged one thing, love.
Seeing that his child is better than himself now, Shinji Nagashima always feels guilty in his heart.
Thinking that he must get out of here, despite the objections of his elderly father at home, he finally got an opportunity to change his life after many trips around.
What's funny is that this opportunity was due to the relationship between Yuta and Rina, so Rina's father came to help.
From that moment on, Nagashima Shinji understood something. Opportunities that he could not get even if he crossed the threshold were just a matter of words in the eyes of people with real capital.
Fortunately, he is also well-known in the village. He has saved some money in the past few years and recruiting a group of workers will not be a problem.
The current mining project is the most important turning point in Nagashima Shinji's life. If he misses it, he may never encounter it again.
When the father and son returned home, an old man had been waiting in the living room for a long time. He was Nagashima Shinji's father, Nagashima Tayama.
Yuta didn't notice Nagashima Tayama's gloomy expression. Thinking of Rina, he quickly ran to wash his hands and then ran to the dining table.
"I'm gonna start now!"
After habitually clasping his hands and shouting, he immediately started to work hard.
Nagashima Shinji was thinking about the mine, so he also didn't notice that Nagashima Tayama's face looked abnormal at this time.
But maybe it's because the kid Yuta is still here, Nagashima Tayama just watched Nagashima Shinji sit down and held back the attack.
At this moment, Yuta finished three large bowls of rice in a row, raised his head and burped: "I'm so full. Dad's cooking skills are still so good!"
"I have to go to Rina's house." As he spoke, Yuta got up and ran into his room, grabbing his summer homework and running out again.
Seeing his anxious look, Shinji Nagashima couldn't help but remind him: "Don't run so fast, and be polite. Come back early and don't trouble others."
"Got it!" Yuta's voice came from far away.
Looking at his son going out, Nagashima Shinji smiled helplessly, and suddenly realized that Nagashima Tayama didn't seem to have eaten much: "What's wrong, father? Is it not to your liking?"
As the child left, Nagashima Tayama's face turned completely gloomy.
He placed a document on the table and stared at Nagashima Shinji: "Why do you still do this? I think I told you more than once that that's where Gakuma lives."
Although Nagashima Tayama's voice was not loud, it still carried the majesty of an elder.
Shinji Nagashima looked at the document for a moment, then frowned slightly and took it away: "Father, why are you looking at my things privately?"
"I asked you why you did this!" Nagashima Tayama couldn't help but emphasize his tone.
After Shinji Nagashima put aside the approval document for mining, he turned to look at his father and said, "That mine is very rich in resources."
"As long as we carry out mining, not only will our family live a better life, but the village will also become rich. This is a good thing for everyone."
However, after Nagashima Tayama heard what he said, he objected: "No! Kakuma is still living there, what should I do if Kakuma is mining the mine!"
"Kakuma, Kakuma." Shinji Nagashima couldn't help but feel impatient, and thought about pointing it out directly: "There is no Kakuma at all, those are just false beliefs made up by you."
After hearing this, Nagashima Tianshan suddenly became furious.
"Bastard!" He slapped the table, stood up suddenly, and glared at Shinji Nagashima with a stern expression: "If it hadn't been for Kakuma that large-scale landslide back then, there wouldn't be any villages here now!"
These words made Shinji Nagashima frown. He obviously didn't believe it and looked at his father: "Stop holding on to old ideas. This is the most important opportunity for our family. If you want to become a master, you must not miss it!" "
But after Nagashima Tayama heard this, he seemed even more furious. He immediately raised his big hand, bang!
A slap hit Nagashima Shinji on the face.
"You know how I taught you, you must have principles and a conscience!"
Nagashima Shinji, who was slapped on the face, was immediately a little angry. He put down his bowl and retorted: "Why do I have no principles! I will do this to bring a better life to my family and more economic development to the village." What's wrong!"
"You only know Kakuma! What's the use of indulging in such false things! Don't we need to survive!"
The more he talked, the more excited Nagashima Shinji was. At the end of the sentence, his mood exploded and he shouted loudly: "Conscience! How much money can a conscience have? The one whose wife is running away with someone else! It's not you!"
As soon as the last words came out, Nagashima Tayama suddenly lost his guard. He pointed at Nagashima Shinji and his whole body was shaking with anger.
But he still had a tough attitude and angrily said: "She's just a woman! Didn't your mother leave just like that at the beginning! You can still grow up!"
Nagashima Tayama's words opened the scars of Nagashima Shinji. The feeling of not having a mother's love since he was a child has always been a regret in his heart. Even now, he cannot let his children experience maternal love.
Without money, there is no status. Even remarriage is likely to continue the family tragedy.
Thinking of this, Nagashima Shinji suddenly stood up, slammed the table and asked angrily: "What about Yuta's future!"
"My mother ran with others! My wife also ran with others! Do you want Yuta to be like us?"
Nagashima Tayama felt pain when he heard this and stared at his son, but he couldn't say a word anymore.
The atmosphere between the two fell into silence at this moment.
