Chapter 376: Reborn in the Nineties: The Tyrant Flower Chapter 377 Hiring Workers

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Protagonist:

Chai Mi

Chai You Fu was already drunk; when a person drinks too much, their tongue loosens. But since Chai Mi had already called it "wine in the cup," Chai You Fu stopped drinking perfunctorily and then said, "Brother, Sister-in-law, Chai Mi... then I... I'll head back first. Tomorrow at first light I'm off to the county!"

Chai Mi waved her hand: "Hurry up, Second Uncle, don't dawdle. Second Aunt's numb limbs can't afford delay."

Chai You Fu's front foot had just left when Song Qiushui sidled up to Chai Mi, raising an eyebrow: "Chai Mi, you really believe him? He's not here to cry poor and swindle money again, is he? Your Second Uncle doesn't look like a good person..."

Chai Mi stacked the last two bowls on the table, producing a crisp clink: "This time it seems real. When he mentioned Second Aunt's numb limbs just now, his eyes weren't right — sweat beads were rolling down. Besides, the money isn't much." She paused, glancing at Chai Youqing squatting at the door smoking silently, "Xiu'er has made something of herself now; he wouldn't dare stir up more trouble. The money came from Father; Father knows in his heart, that's enough."

Chai Youqing gave a muffled "Mm," counting as acknowledgment.

Song Qiushui curled her lip: "Fine, pretend I didn't say anything. Right, let's talk business. Have you locked in the labor for corn stripping tomorrow? Our backyard's Little Song's daughter-in-law came asking me again this afternoon, shifty-eyed, asking if the wage could be higher. Saying twenty yuan a day — would that work? That's what she meant."

Chai Mi snorted a laugh, setting the bowls and chopsticks on the kitchen stove: "No need for her! We're paying twenty-five a day, no meals included! Slow hands, goldbrickers, big mouths — I, Chai Mi, don't want a single one! What's the point of spending money to hire people? Isn't it just for speed and peace of mind?"

"No problem!" Song Qiushui was delighted, clapping her hands, "I just love your straightforwardness, not sticky at all! Then tonight I'll get you a few people. That way your Second Aunt Sun Baihe won't have anything to say afterward. Early tomorrow morning gather everyone, don't delay getting to the fields."

"Deal." Chai Mi answered.

Song Qiushui kept her word; her action was extremely fast.

After Chai Mi finalized the news that she needed hands, Song Qiushui went straight out the door. She knew clearly that to make it to the fields early tomorrow morning, she had to lock people in tonight.

As for who works well or poorly, Song Qiushui wasn't actually very clear, but this thing can be inquired about. Song Qiushui asked around the east side of the village, and the big fellows said that Wang Er Sao's group was good. Then Song Qiushui found Wang Er Sao and settled the matter.

The next day, the sky had just shown a pale gray glimmer, far from full brightness, yet Chai Mi's courtyard was already astir with voices, lively and bustling.

Behind her followed seven or eight women from outside villages, all personally confirmed by her last night or vetted through Wang Er Sao.

These women were every one broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, arms sturdy, palms calloused — at a glance, they were good laborers who'd spent years crawling and rolling in the fields, able to shoulder heavy work. They gathered in the middle of Chai Mi's courtyard; though they'd risen too early and were still bleary-eyed, they all forced themselves alert, tightening their thick clothes, quietly asking each other or confirming wages and tasks, their eyes carrying expectation and a hard-to-detect nervousness, all looking uniformly toward Chai Mi, waiting for the employer to speak.

Chai Mi gave a simple briefing: "Aunties, sisters-in-law! Thanks for the trouble of rising this early to hurry over! Wages — we agreed dead firm yesterday, twenty-five a day! Noon meal — our house doesn't provide! The work is just one thing: stripping corn cobs! First, be fast; second, even more, be clean! See any that badgers have gnawed, or that have molded and rotted — toss them to one side, don't mix them into the good cobs! Nothing else, just emphasizing again: watch your safety."

Sun Da Jiao's eldest daughter-in-law had a booming voice, first to respond, thumping her chest in guarantee: "Understood! Chai Mi, put your heart in your belly! What our work is like, everyone within ten li and eight villages knows — a spit is a nail! Guaranteed not to let you down! Sisters, right?"

"Right! Taking money to work, perfectly justified! Can't be perfunctory!"

"Rest assured, Chai Mi! We'll strip them clean as a whistle for you!"

The other women also chimed in noisily, the atmosphere heating up.

Then Song Qiushui led them to the fields.

Because today Chai Mi knew someone might come to deliver a certificate or something for Chai Xiu, it was inconvenient for her to go out, so she could only stay home and wait.

Chai Mi had only waited a little while when an urgent bicycle bell rang from far to near, mixed with the crisp clatter of the chain.

Looking toward the sound, on the village path a figure was hunched over, pedaling a Heavy-Duty 28 bicycle with all his might, wheels kicking up a thin trail of dust, heading straight for Chai Mi's small courtyard.

"Teacher An?" Chai Mi narrowed her eyes, recognizing that familiar silhouette.

Teacher An Baoyu's bike hadn't even steadied before he planted a foot on the ground, gasping as he jumped down.

A layer of fine sweat beaded his forehead, yet his face overflowed with irrepressible excitement. He didn't bother wiping the sweat, just shouted at Chai Mi who came to meet him: "Chai Mi! Good news! Huge good news!"

This bearing made everyone inside and outside the courtyard stop what they were doing.

Su Wan washing bowls at the door froze with her water gourd suspended in midair; Chai Youqing in the courtyard building the corn tower also lifted his head, brows slightly furrowed; even the gray donkey in the shed stopped chewing and pricked its ears.

"Teacher An, slow down, what is it? Is it Xiu'er..." Chai Mi's heart rose to her throat.

An Baoyu's voice trembled with excitement: "Notice from the province! Just delivered to the school! Chai Xiu! Our Chai Xiu! County preliminaries — essay! Math! Double first place! Direct recommendation to the provincial capital for the finals! Leaves on the fifth of next month! Both subjects!" As he spoke, he fished out a kraft paper envelope stamped with a red seal from his bosom, waving it excitedly, "Look! Official document! Big red seal!"

"Oh my heavens!" Su Wan's water gourd went "clang" as it hit the ground, splashing water everywhere. She didn't even care to pick it up, just stared wide-eyed, voice gone off-key: "Pro... provincial capital?! Mother ah, how far is that territory? By vehicle? Stay at an inn? That'll cost..." She subconsciously started calculating the enormous expense, words turning incoherent.

Chai Youqing's brows locked tighter, looking at the envelope in Teacher An's hand, then at his wife and daughter, silent for two seconds, voice low and practical: "Going to the provincial capital... is a major event. Teacher An, this competition... reliable? What can come of going? The travel fatigue, expenses definitely won't be small. And Xiu'er is so young, however she goes it's a problem..."

An Baoyu hurriedly explained: "Big Brother Chai, absolutely reliable! This competition is jointly organized by the Provincial Education Department and several key universities — extremely high gold content! If she wins in the province, the benefits for Xiu'er's future studies are huge! Maybe..." He looked at Chai Xiu, eyes full of hope, "... she could be directly recommended to a good university! Opportunity too rare!"

Chai Mi didn't wait for Father to ask further, stepping forward: "Dad, Mom! Money's business, you don't need to worry. This has nothing to do with you two. However Xiu'er goes... when the time comes, I'll send her."

An Baoyu looked at this family, a gratified smile on his face: "Good! The school's paperwork I'll handle; you arrange things at home. Tickets, lodging — the notice has requirements, the school pays. But also considering the child is young, there are many things still needing communication. Chai Mi, find time to read it carefully; anything unclear, come to the school and find me!"

"Thank you, Teacher An! Making you run such a long way!" Chai Mi thanked sincerely.

"Should be! Xiu'er brings honor; as her teacher, I'd be happy even if I ran my legs off!" An Baoyu's face showed undisguised pride. "Alright, news delivered, I have to rush back to teach. You all carry on!" He said, pushing his bicycle, and pedaled away in a whirlwind.

The sun had climbed overhead, blazing down fiercely; heat rose steaming from the fields. Chai Mi straightened her slightly sore waist, wiped the sweat beads rolling off her forehead, and called out to the women still bending over working hard: "Aunties, sisters-in-law! Take a break! Sun's too strong, all find shady spots to rest your feet, drink some water to pad your stomachs!"

Per the rules agreed beforehand, no noon meal provided, but since it's physical labor, a midday rest is still needed. Everyone brought their own dry rations and water. The women answered, stopping work one after another, scattering in twos and threes to the sparse tree shade at the field edges, or ducking behind temporary low walls stacked from corn stalks, each finding a spot to sit. For a moment, sounds of uncapping water flasks and the faint crunch of chewing dry rations rose everywhere.

Chai Mi and Song Qiushui also walked to the shade of a crooked old elm tree. Song Qiushui plopped down on the furrow ridge, fished out a cloth bundle from her bosom, took out two cornmeal cakes and a lump of pickled vegetable, handed one cake to Chai Mi: "Here, pad a bit."

Chai Mi took it, broke off a small piece, put it in her mouth and chewed slowly. Her gaze swept across the field, seeing Sun Da Jiao's daughter-in-law sitting not far behind a grass nest nibbling a cake, yet her eyes kept glancing this way. Chai Mi understood in her heart — this news had probably spread already.

Sure enough, seeing Chai Mi look over, Sun Da Jiao's wife simply shuffled over, took a big bite of cake with pickled vegetable, and asked muffled: "Chai Mi, just heard Qiu Shui mention a bit — your Xiu'er is really going to the provincial capital to take that big exam? My my, the provincial capital! How huge a territory is that?"

Chai Mi drank a mouthful of water, nodded: "Mm, Teacher An just delivered the letter, leaving early next month."

Another woman nearby also leaned in, voice carrying amazement and curiosity: "Oh mother, the provincial capital! That must cost a fortune, right? Heard that place, even drinking a sip of cold water you have to pay, expensive enough to kill a person!"

"Money that should be spent must be spent. Xiu'er has this ability, can break out; as adults we can't hold her back. Even if we smash pots and sell iron we'll support her."

"Girl, your kind of drive, truly impressive! Vision! Responsibility! In an ordinary family, no matter how well the daughter studies, once they hear going to the provincial capital costs this much money, their hearts would tremble with fear first, calculate for half a day, might even delay the child!"

Chai Mi smiled at her, didn't say more, lowered her head and continued gnawing her own cake.

Chai Mi bent down, snapped a cob from the corn stalk, deftly peeled the husk, tossed it casually at her feet.

Beside her, Song Qiushui was chatting with Sun Da Jiao's wife, her voice especially loud in the hot, stuffy air.

Song Qiushui said: "Da Jiao's sister-in-law, your hand speed is really fast, how'd you train it? Teach me."

Sun Da Jiao's wife laughed heartily: "Qiu Shui girl, what's hard about this? Do it every day, hands get familiar. Look at Chai Mi — she's the truly deft one."

Chai Mi indeed worked faster herself, but if she didn't set up a stall and did this instead, there'd be no living.

Another woman interjected: "Right, Chai Mi, has your Xiu'er's matter been settled? When's she going to the provincial capital?"

Chai Mi stopped her hand: "The fifth of next month. Teacher An said the school covers tickets and lodging; our family doesn't need to worry about money."

Song Qiushui leaned closer: "Is Xiu'er going alone? You're not going with her?"

Chai Mi shook her head: "I'll just see her off at the station. Sheng Cheng has a teacher to meet her; Teacher An has arranged everything."

Sun Da Jiao's daughter-in-law clicked her tongue twice: "Oh my, Sheng Cheng! My boy has never even left the County. Chai Mi, your daughter is really going places."

Chai Mi smiled: "Whether she's going places or not is up to her. We parents just shouldn't hold her back." She turned to shout at everyone: "Aunties, time to work... don't stop your hands! Chat all you want, but don't neglect the work."

Everyone then continued working.

Wang Er Sao called from afar: "Don't worry, Chai Mi! We work for money, we'll never be perfunctory."

Another woman muttered: "Chai Mi, what's your father doing at home? Is that corn tower in the front yard built yet?"

Chai Mi straightened up: "I was just thinking about that. Father is busy alone, I'm afraid he won't manage it properly. Qiu Shui, you watch the field work for a bit, I'll go back and take a look."

Song Qiushui nodded: "Fine, go ahead. I'm here, I guarantee nothing will go wrong."

Chai Mi dusted off her hands: "Aunties, I'm going home for a bit, I'll be back soon. Qiu Shui is in charge, anyone slacking will have their wages docked!"

Everyone laughed: "We know! Go on!"

Chai Mi walked quickly back to the Courtyard; Chai Youqing was squatting beside the Corn Tower, holding several pieces of Wood and gesturing. The tower had just had a Shelf put up, crooked and lopsided, with Nails and Hammers scattered on the Ground.

Chai Mi walked over: "Father, how's the tower? Can it be finished in time?"

Chai Youqing raised his head: "Mi, why are you back? Isn't the field busy?"

Chai Mi squatted beside him: "It is busy, but this is more important. Once the corn is harvested it needs to be dried quickly; if the tower isn't Stable and collapses later, what do we do? I've had Qiu Shui watch the field."

Chai Youqing sighed: "Not enough Wood; the few pieces left over from yesterday have rotted and won't hold. I was just thinking of borrowing some from Ge Bi."

Chai Mi frowned: "Don't borrow, owing favors is troublesome. Isn't there old Elm Wood in the Firewood pile in our back Courtyard? I saw it yesterday, it's Sturdy."

Chai Youqing shook his head: "That Wood is too thick, hard to saw. This old waist of mine can't put any strength into it."

Chai Mi stood up: "I'll handle it. Father, go rest a bit, drink some water. Leave this work to me, I guarantee it'll be solid before dark."

Chai Youqing didn't move: "You're a Young Lady, swinging an axe—what's that supposed to look like? Besides, Xiu'er's matter isn't settled yet..."

Chai Mi interrupted him: "Father, here we go again! I said Xiu'er's money is none of your business. Right now the corn tower is important. The autumn tiger comes when it comes; if it rains and the corn molds, are we going to Drink the Northwest Wind?"

Chai Youqing was silent for a few seconds: "Then... fine. Be careful with your hands, don't get hurt. Need any tools?"

Chai Mi waved her hand: "The Hammer and Nails are all there. By the way, Father, sweep up the Chaos in the front yard later, don't trip anyone. Once the tower is built, just stack things right up."

Chai Youqing then stood up: "Alright. I'll go sweep the Courtyard. Take it easy, don't tire yourself out."

Chai Mi waved her hand: "Go on! So nagging." She raised her axe and brought it down on the old Elm Wood; the Wood split with a Crunch.

Chai Youqing shook his head, slowly sweeping the Courtyard with his broom.