Chapter 139: Recruiting Troops, Mengmeng’s Wastefulness

“Looking for long-term work?” Cao Shujie looked seriously at Cao Shuchao and nodded. “I’m planning to hire. Brother Chao, are you looking for a job?”

“If you’re hiring, do you think I could fit in?” Almost 40 years old, Cao Shuchao lowered his head in embarrassment after speaking, staring at the ground.

His foot unconsciously shuffled in a small area on the ground. He was nervous, afraid that Cao Shujie would refuse him.

This was a typical case of social anxiety, struggling to communicate at crucial moments.

Cao Shujie smiled. Their families were neighbors, so it wasn’t an exaggeration to say they knew each other well.

In his impression, Cao Shujie remembered Cao Shuchao as an honest and straightforward person. No matter what work he did, he never cut corners. He was especially sincere. In Cao Family Village, no one had ever heard of him having a quarrel with anyone. If he was willing to come, Cao Shujie was genuinely open to it.

“Brother Chao, why do you want to work here? Isn’t the pay outside better?” Cao Shujie wanted to ask, as the primary reason for job hunting is usually to earn more money.

Upon hearing the question, Cao Shuchao fell silent.

Just when Cao Shujie thought he was unwilling to speak, he suddenly heard him say, “Shujie, to be honest, if I had a choice, I wouldn’t stay at home. I’d have gone out to work and earn money.”

His voice was full of helplessness, and his eyes showed fatigue. “Your aunt injured her back and can’t stand for long. Your sister-in-law is taking care of the kids and managing over ten mu of land. She can’t handle it all alone. If I don’t come back, who will do the work at home?”

“Brother Chao, I really hadn’t heard about my aunt’s situation. How did it happen? How long has it been?” Cao Shujie asked.

Since returning from Beijing, his parents hadn’t mentioned it.

He usually didn’t inquire about others’ affairs, so he was unaware.

Cao Shuchao sighed, “It was just after the New Year. I hadn’t been out for a month when your sister-in-law called to say your aunt fell and hurt her back at night. She needs someone to look after her for everything. She can’t manage alone, so I had no choice but to stop working outside.”

Once he started talking, Cao Shuchao became quite chatty. “But your aunt’s medicine costs money, household expenses need money, and your nephew’s schooling requires money. Relying solely on farming isn’t enough. No matter how little, I need to find a way to earn some money. If something urgent happens at home, I can help.”

That’s the truth. Even with a fortune, you can’t just sit and deplete it. Especially in the countryside, how many people have the wealth to live leisurely for a lifetime?

While Cao Shujie was pondering, seeing him silent made Cao Shuchao even more anxious. He asked again, “Shujie, do you think I can do it? I don’t mind earning less. I just want a place close to home where I can work long-term.”

“Your aunt’s injury, according to the doctor, means I’m stuck here for two or three years.” Cao Shuchao’s face was clouded with worry. Despite his strength, he felt he couldn’t make use of it.

No matter how hard he worked to earn money, unexpected events kept happening.

He felt it was really tough!

“Alright, Brother Chao, can you start work tomorrow?” Cao Shujie asked him.

Recalling the last village meeting when Cao Shuchao stayed behind to look for work, and hearing what he just said, some things became clearer.

“You agreed?” Cao Shuchao didn’t expect Cao Shujie to agree so readily.

Cao Shujie nodded with a smile. “Brother Chao, I was planning to hire a few long-term workers. We’ve been neighbors for over a decade. I know what kind of person you are. If you’re willing to come, of course, I’ll agree.”

“As for the salary…”

Before Cao Shujie could finish, Cao Shuchao interjected, “Shujie, I understand. It’s okay if the pay is a bit less.”

Hearing this, Cao Shujie sensed the helplessness and resignation in his words.

He waved his hand, saying, “Brother Chao, what do you take me for? Even if things are tough, I won’t dock your wages.”

Continuing, Cao Shujie offered, “The pay will be 35 yuan for an 8-hour day. You’ll get paid for however many days you work in a month.”

“Brother Chao, just to be clear, I don’t provide insurance here,” Cao Shujie joked, unable to help but laugh afterward.

Cao Shuchao quickly waved his hand, “Shujie, no need for insurance. I just bought rural cooperative medical insurance last year.”

“Haha, haha.” Cao Shujie couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

He thought Cao Shuchao was genuinely simple and honest. Such a person would be a reliable worker outside, but don’t expect promotions or raises.

After a moment’s thought, Cao Shujie said, “Brother Chao, I’ll give you another option: 35 yuan for an 8-hour day or 55 yuan for a 12-hour day. Which do you choose?”

The hourly rate was about the same, so there was no need to mention labor law violations.

Without hesitation, Cao Shuchao replied, “Shujie, I’ll work 12 hours.”

He wasn’t afraid of hard work, just of not earning enough.

Besides, after working 8 hours, there wasn’t much to do at home. It was better to work longer and earn more.

He mentally calculated: for 8 hours a day, 30 days a month would be 1,050 yuan. But for 12 hours a day, it would be 1,650 yuan.

Earning an extra 600 yuan a month, even if it meant working 12 hours a day, was worth it to him.

His worries seemed to fade a bit. “Shujie, I’ll come over tomorrow morning.”

“Brother Chao, from 7 AM to 7 PM. Make sure to explain to your sister-in-law so she doesn’t worry, thinking you’re up to something else,” Cao Shujie teased.

Having resolved a major concern, Cao Shuchao felt much better. He laughed, “No worries, she wouldn’t dare control me.”

“Oh… haha!” Cao Shujie laughed even louder.

He thought, “If your sister-in-law didn’t dare control you, would you have come back from outside?”

Men are all the same, keeping up appearances while suffering in silence.

Mengmeng sat in the little trailer, watching her dad talk with the neighbor for a long time. She couldn’t sit still any longer. “Daddy, let’s go!”

“Alright, alright, let’s go home now,” Cao Shujie coaxed her.

Walking back with Cao Shuchao, Cao Shujie discussed the work needed at the orchard on the mountain.

There are two main tasks: managing the fruit trees in the orchard, ensuring that withered branches and leaves are cleared promptly, and mixing feed for the cattle and sheep.

Cao Shujie knew that hiring only Cao Shuchao wouldn’t be enough, but there wasn’t a better candidate at the moment. He didn’t want to settle for just anyone, so he decided to wait and see.

A gust of wind blew by, and both Cao Shujie and Cao Shuchao felt a chill. Mengmeng, sitting in the little trailer, was even more straightforward, curling up in the trailer bed and not poking her head out. She was quite pleased with herself.

Back home, Mengmeng boasted to her mother, Cheng Xiaolin, about how impressive she was.

Meanwhile, Cao Shujie approached his parents to inquire about the incident with Cao Shuchao’s mother falling.

“Oh, that,” his father explained. “Your aunt went to the bathroom at night, and the yard was pitch black. She accidentally stepped on a stick and fell. Your sister-in-law was busy with the kids and the fields, so she couldn’t keep up.”

Cao Shujie suddenly understood the situation.

Cao Jianguo was puzzled and asked his son, “Why are you asking about this?”

“Brother Chao came to me today, saying he wanted to work with me long-term. He casually mentioned my aunt’s situation, which must be tough,” Cao Shujie replied.

Cao Jianguo hadn’t expected this turn of events. He asked his son, “Shujie, do you think Shuchao is up to the job?”

He didn’t make the decision for his son or even offer an opinion on Cao Shuchao, avoiding influencing his son’s judgment.

“Dad, I think he’s capable. I’ll keep him on for now and see how it goes,” Cao Shujie said.

Hearing this, Cao Jianguo added, “Shujie, your Brother Chao is a good person and works diligently. When you were working in Beijing and our family was busy, if your Brother Chao was around, he would come to help.”

This was something Cao Shujie hadn’t known.

Cao Jianguo didn’t say much more, as Wang Yuelan called everyone for dinner.

Cao Shujie’s house was right next to Cao Shuchao’s. The two families had lived next to each other for over a decade, always helping each other out when needed.

After parting ways with Cao Shujie at his doorstep, Cao Shuchao returned home to find his wife, Ma Wenqian, busy cooking. He approached her, coughed, and stood there without speaking.

Ma Wenqian knew her husband’s temperament too well. Without turning around, she said, “If you have something to say, just say it. If not, don’t get in my way while I’m cooking.”

Cao Shuchao wasn’t upset by his wife’s grumbling. He cheerfully said, “I found a job. It’s longer hours, but I can earn 1,650 yuan a month.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Wenqian, who was busy mixing batter, suddenly turned around and glared at him. “You’re going out again?”

“Cao Shuchao, how many times have I told you? I have to take care of our son, manage over ten mu of land, and look after your mother. Do you think I’m a beast of burden? Even if I had three heads and six arms, I couldn’t manage it all. Are you trying to work me to death?” Ma Wenqian was clearly upset.

Despite the scolding, Cao Shuchao wasn’t annoyed. He quickly waved his hands and said, “It’s not what you think. I found a job right here in our village. I’m not going anywhere.”

“In our village? Do you think I’m stupid? Where in our village can you earn money? Who would…” Ma Wenqian started to say, but then she suddenly remembered something. Pointing next door, she asked, “Are you talking about Uncle Jianguo’s place?”

“Yes, I saw Shujie heading up the mountain earlier, so I followed him and asked if he was hiring,” Cao Shuchao explained everything that had happened with Cao Shujie.

After listening, Ma Wenqian stopped cooking. She told her husband, “Shuchao, take 200 yuan and go to Uncle Hua’s supermarket. Buy two boxes of good milk, some ribs, cakes, cookies, and more eggs. I’ll bring the good wine from home, and we’ll visit Uncle Jianguo.”

“What for…”

Before he could finish, his wife interrupted, “Shuchao, are you so dense you can’t see the obvious? Of course, we’re taking it to Uncle Jianguo’s house.”

“You’re so clueless. Why would Shujie’s brother hire someone like you if he could find someone smarter?” Ma Wenqian was exasperated with her husband.

But there was nothing she could do. The saying “marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog” was deeply ingrained in her. Plus, their son was already in middle school. At their age, what was the point of making a fuss?

After being scolded, Cao Shuchao finally understood. He quickly nodded and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll go right away.”

Watching her husband head inside to get the money and prepare to leave, Ma Wenqian worried he might mess it up. She decisively said, “Forget it, come back. I’ll go buy the things. You take out the good wine from the west room and wait for me at home.”

Half an hour later, as Cao Shujie’s family was eating, Ma Wenqian and her husband, Cao Shuchao, arrived with a large pile of goods.

As soon as they entered, they called out to Uncle Jianguo and Auntie.

Cao Jianguo and Wang Yuelan stood up to greet them.

Cao Shujie and his wife, Cheng Xiaolin, also came over.

“Brother Chao, Sister-in-law, what’s all this?” Cao Shujie immediately noticed the things they were carrying.

There was a box of wine, two boxes of milk, and three red plastic bags filled to the brim, clearly gifts.

Before Cao Shuchao could speak, Ma Wenqian quickly said, “Uncle Jianguo, Auntie, Brother Shujie, I heard from Shuchao that you’ve done us a great favor.”

Cao Shujie didn’t know how to respond.

His wife, Cheng Xiaolin, stepped in, “Sister-in-law, Brother Chao, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? Come in and join us for a meal.”

Cao Jianguo also realized what was happening. He said, “Chao, what’s all this? Take it back and let your mom and the kids have it.”

“If you keep doing this, don’t bother coming to my house,” Cao Jianguo said, looking a bit emotional.

Ma Wenqian quickly replied, “Uncle Jianguo, we really mean no harm. I just found out how much Brother Shujie has helped us. Uncle Jianguo, you know our situation. This great kindness…”

“Qianqian, don’t say that. Whenever we’re busy, haven’t you and your husband always come to help?” Wang Yuelan said as she came over to take Ma Wenqian’s hand, inviting the couple to sit inside.

They certainly couldn’t accept the gifts and would have to return them later, but Wang Yuelan understood how the couple felt at the moment. It was better to chat and have a conversation first.

Mengmeng held a peeled egg in her hand. She raised it and stuffed half of it into her mouth. The pale yellow yolk crumbled and stuck to her lips, making her cheeks puff out.

Feeling choked by the egg, Mengmeng mumbled, “Mom, water, water!”

As she spoke, she began to spit out the egg from her mouth.

Seeing her daughter like this, Cheng Xiaolin was instantly annoyed. She pointed at the egg Mengmeng had spat out and said, “Mengmeng, why did you spit it out? You’ll have to eat it again later.”

But Mengmeng wasn’t having it. She grabbed the water bottle and took several big gulps.

With her antics breaking the tension, the adults couldn’t help but laugh, and the atmosphere in the room lightened considerably.