Chapter 50: Returning Home and the Cycle

As Carter drove his Mustang into Georgia, it was already late August. On the afternoon of August 24th, Carter returned to Douglas with Melissa.

Compared to the anonymity before departure, Carter's return this time made the small town of Douglas seem much livelier. Carter's cross-country journey, spread by word of mouth over the past two months, was now well known in Douglas.

"Hey, Carter! You're back?! Not dazzled by the glamour of the big city, are you?"

"Welcome home, Carter!"

"Was New York fun?"

Questions like these, starting from Carter's entry into town and continuing until he returned home, never ceased. Chuckling and evading the curiosity of the neighbors, Carter didn't even bother to take a shower when he got home. After greeting Jenny with a "I'm back," he went straight upstairs and threw himself onto the bed.

On the other hand, Melissa was excited to see her mother, showcasing her trip's acquisitions one by one to Jenny. Where she bought this dress, how much this outfit cost—she chattered incessantly, her excitement carrying all the way upstairs, prompting Carter to turn on the air conditioning and cover his head with a blanket.

"Carter, wake up. Dinner's ready, and Anna's here. Get up, eat first, and then you can go back to sleep."

"Ugh, fine!"

Drowsily awakened, Carter twisted his head to glance out the window, attempting to use the sunlight to gauge the time. However, the summer sun wasn't much help, leaving the outside still bright.

"Anna, how was your holiday with Jenny?"

After washing his face quickly in the bathroom, Carter came downstairs and greeted Anna with a smile, finding her both familiar and unfamiliar.

Anna had graduated already, and Carter had asked her if she wanted to travel with him as a graduation trip, but she declined to accompany her boyfriend instead. There weren't many opportunities for them to spend time together, and they'd only have fewer in the future.

"Not bad. Joe and I found jobs at the supermarket downtown. I'm a cashier, and he works in the warehouse. Also, thank you for the gifts you brought me, but it seems you forgot about Joe."

"We're not married yet. Why would I buy him gifts? He needs to become my brother-in-law first."

Rolling his eyes, Carter found it amusing how lovebirds and engineering students were similarly peculiar species. They didn't seem to listen to sensible words. Besides, even if Joe and Carter's relationship back in Blake's time was complicated, Carter didn't have good impressions of him now.

Not to mention past grievances, even at present, the job Joe found wasn't much different from not finding one at all. Employees at American supermarkets or convenience stores were usually either older ladies or young students working part-time. Hardly any ambitious young person would consider working at a supermarket full-time.

However, there was no need to say such things. Jenny was already getting dissatisfied:

"Carter's right. You're just dating, Anna. Why should he give gifts? Besides, he hasn't given anything to Carter or Melissa."

"Mom! We just graduated and don't have much money. When Joe starts earning, how could we forget you guys?!"

Hearing her mother's dissatisfaction with her boyfriend, Anna hurried over, distracting her with her affection and helping out with the chores.

At first, Carter was surprised by the scene before him, but he had gotten used to it now. Influenced by future intellectuals, Carter had always thought that American families were very independent, believing in things like letting children become independent at 18, not caring about them after they leave, or daughters ignoring their parents after marriage.

Only after actually experiencing it did he realize that this was all nonsense. While family independence in America was indeed much higher than in China, it didn't mean they cut off all ties. Especially before the daughter was married, it was normal for the son-in-law to frequently visit. How could they easily take away someone else's daughter? Dream on!

In terms of educating children, it was similar to China. The so-called independence at 18 was just a result of different cultural and social contexts. For example, in America, as long as they weren't full-time employees, hiring 14-year-old kids wasn't considered child labor. Even hiring a 14-year-old for part-time work wasn't illegal. Add to that the early release times of American schools, the relatively low cost of living, and the restless nature of American children without money, it was natural for them to think about it.

Doing part-time jobs at supermarkets, convenience stores, and other places to earn pocket money was common in American society. Due to differences in laws and culture, American children started part-time jobs earlier than Chinese ones, making them seem more independent. In reality, Chinese children often worked part-time during university as well. It was just that before university, they couldn't, or didn't have time to, do part-time jobs.

The so-called independence at 18 was nothing more than financial independence. When it came to major expenses like tuition fees and rent, they still relied on their families' support. Of course, exceptions like Carter were excluded.

"Hmm, I'll wait to see how he performs. He doesn't show any sincerity; he just wants to deceive us, the Blake family's daughter. How dare he!"

Jenny huffed, even though she knew that her opposition to Anna's relationship with Carter didn't hold much weight. What she had set her mind to, she would do.

After a lively yet cozy dinner, Carter had no inclination to go out. After chatting with the women in the house for a while, he retired to his bedroom early to catch up on sleep.

The next morning, with the sun rising, Carter drove Anna to work at the supermarket and then headed to the bank. After being away for two months, Carter found himself missing his wooden chair with the cushion.

"Carter, you're here. I heard you were back yesterday. Did you have a pleasant trip?"

Goodman, who was prepared, stood at the bank's entrance and greeted Carter as he approached in the only Mustang in Douglas.

"It was alright. I found a few promising leads. I'll give you the list later, could you keep an eye on them? By the way, how's the bank been these past two months? Still stable?"

As they walked toward the stairs, Carter inquired.

"It's been mostly stable, but the probability of bad debts has increased a bit. Exxon in the south of town borrowed $3,000 two years ago, which was due three days ago, but we still haven't received the money. And there's Marin's in the west, with a $2,000 loan due next week. It looks like there might be trouble there too."

"Is Exxon the one who runs the farm? $3,000 shouldn't be such a big deal. I remember they have quite a few tractors; couldn't they just sell a few to pay it off?"

As he pushed open the office door, Carter felt a bit uneasy. He had anticipated an increase in bad debts, but having his own money scammed still didn't sit right with him.

"That's what I thought too. I even went to see him personally. Speaking of which, something strange is going on. There's a tractor company called Vicks; they've been selling brand-new tractors like hotcakes recently. Exxon wanted to sell a few tractors to settle his debt, but now, no one seems interested in buying from him. He's even willing to use the tractors as collateral, but Carter, what's wrong? You look so strange!"