Chapter 165

All right, let's just wait and watch the show!

Hong Bo took a sip of tea, smiling as he spoke.

During their conversation, Hong Jiafu sat very upright, clasping his hands between his knees.

Li Jiaci saw this and moved the brazier over.

Uncle Hong, warm your hands!

Thank you, boss!

Hong Jiafu stood up to thank him.

Li Jiaci pulled him to sit down again, saying, 'Uncle Hong, don't be nervous; just treat this place as your own home.'

Yeah, uncle, our boss is doing great!

Hong Bo chimed in from the side.

Only then did Hong Jiafu relax a little.

He reached out his hand and warmed it by the brazier.

Li Jiaci asked, 'Uncle Hong, where will you live from now on?'

Hong Bo put down his tea cup and took out a cigarette case.

He handed one to each person.

Just live at my place!

My wife said, living anywhere isn't as comfortable as living at home!

Besides, my uncle isn't familiar with the outside world; I'm afraid something might happen to him out there!

He's used to eating our home-cooked meals!

Hong Bo finished saying that.

He lit the cigarette and took a few puffs.

He then said: "My aunt passed away the year before last; the two of them have only one son, and he's really damn unpromising, spending all his time outside drinking with his disreputable friends. My uncle at home still has to endure that scoundrel's anger. Coming here, he can feel a bit better in his heart, save some money, and life will be easier in the future!"

Hong Jiafu lowered his head and remained silent.

In fact, when the two entered, Li Jiaci sized up Hong Jiafu from head to toe, especially his pair of hands covered in old calluses—at a glance they belonged to someone who had endured hardship.

Those who suffer hardship often fail to receive heaven's favor.

Hemp rope always breaks at its weakest point.

Li Jiaci laughed and patted Hong Jiafu's hand.

"Uncle Hong, you're blessed!"

"This nephew is closer to you than your own son!"

"Even your niece-in-law treats you with such filial respect!"

"From now on, everything will be good days!"

Hong Jiafu nodded.

"Yes, I'm content!"

Hong Bo glanced at the time and hurriedly said: "Boss, I'll take uncle home first; my wife has prepared the food and is waiting for us to return!"

"Take it slow on the road!"

Li Jiaci saw the two out of the factory.

Just as they were heading back, snowflakes suddenly began to drift down before their eyes.

A heavy snowstorm had arrived.

Fortunately, Hong Bo had Li Yihu prepare straw mats.

Otherwise, once the snow piled over the knees, nobody would be able to stand at this doorway.

The constant back-and-forth of the cart wheels would press the snow into slush.

If it soaked the shoes and pants, it would be like falling into an ice cellar.

In no time at all.

The snow fell harder and harder, mixed with ice rain, pattering against the windows.

Old Chen led the workers in moving all the timber outside into the warehouse.

Liu Jiang, meanwhile, ran to the main gate and moved the guard dog Blacky to the dormitory.

By late night.

Li Jiaci poked his head out from under the covers and glanced outside.

He saw that the windows were completely buried under the heavy snow, not a sliver of moonlight could get through.

Wang Lan whispered: "Brother, with the snow falling so hard outside, do we still have to send Brother Qiang to Bei Bang to pick up the goods?"

Li Jiaci pulled his blanket tighter and said softly: "Don't worry, our supplies are enough. The last time I went to Bei Bang I greeted Xiao Cui; he knows we have stock, and we'll resume trading after the snow stops."

"Oh, then I'll go to sleep."

Wang Lan turned over and buried his head in the blanket.

In winter, dawn comes late.

The middlemen who came to pick up the goods were also late.

This heavy snow would fall for a while, then stop for a while.

They would dare to, during the lulls in the snow, hurriedly pick up the goods and haul them to the Furniture Factory to sell.

Li Jiaci didn't get up until noon.

Looking out at the endless white snow, he shivered and lit a cigarette.

In such awful weather, even wearing three heavy coats couldn't keep out the bitter cold's assault.

The workers each wrapped themselves up like zongzi.

Li Jiaci exhaled smoke and said to Wang Lan, who was rinsing her mouth nearby: "Xiao Liu, later give Lao San some money so he can buy two sheep back; we'll have hot pot tonight!"

Okay!

Wang Lan nodded.

Afterward, still holding her toothbrush, she said: "Brother, the outdoor water pipes are frozen; you need to think of a solution!"

Li Jiaci shivered and exhaled a puff of smoke.

I know!

He came to the office; as soon as he pushed the door open, he saw Wang Yingna bending over to add firewood to the stove.

The temperature in here is much warmer than outside.

Li Jiaci pushed open the window, cracked it a little, and said: "Remember to open the window when lighting the stove from now on!"

It's all just wood, no problem, right?

Wang Yingna asked.

Seeing Li Jiaci silent, she changed her tone: "Fine, I'll listen to you!"

That's about right!

Li Jiaci walked over to the sofa and sat down.

Afterward, he took out his phone and called Wang Zhen.

"Hey, Wang Zhen Ge, do you have the phone number of the boss at Spring Happiness Restaurant?"

On the phone, Wang Zhen seemed to have just woken up, yawning as he said: "Yeah, wait while I look for it!"

After a rustling of drawers,

Wang Zhen casually asked: "What's up, you want to go out to eat in this weather?"

"Not going out to eat; I see the private rooms at Spring Happiness Restaurant are nicely warm, I want to ask who did the decoration so they can fix up my employee dormitory!"

"Oh, I say you shouldn't stay at that factory these days; your newly bought villa hasn't been lived in yet, and it's definitely warmer than your factory!"

"The villa also needs renovation before it's livable; it'll take some time, no rush!"

Li Jiaci finished his cigarette.

Wang Zhen also relayed the phone number to him.

At this moment, Wang Yingna brought over a few ears of corn and placed them beside the stove to roast.

Li Jiaci patted her shoulder and said: "Go ask Zhao Chen for some cumin chili powder, sprinkle it on these corn cobs and they'll be delicious to eat!"

"Exactly what I had in mind!"

Wang Yingna put on her down jacket and hurried out.

Li Jiaci made an appointment with the renovation worker, then lay comfortably on the sofa.

The corn cobs sprinkled with cumin chili powder, when roasted, smelled so good it was indescribable.

In the afternoon, Zhao Chen and Li Yihu set out to buy sheep.

Li Jiaci received the renovation worker's call, wrapped himself in a coat, and went to the door.

The worker glanced at the dormitory's conditions, exhaling a cold breath, and said: "At least a week is needed to finish the renovation, but once done, you'll stay warm through winter and have running water inside!"

"One week? Okay, the sooner it's done, the sooner we enjoy it!"

Li Jiaci readily agreed.

He not only needs to renovate the brothers' dormitory, but also the workers' dormitory.

The worker was also pleased, nodding repeatedly: "You guys hurry up and tidy up; as soon as my crew arrives, we'll get started right away!"

"Got it!"

Fortunately the factory is big.

There are also plenty of makeshift spots.

The big guys just throw their bedding on the ground, and that becomes a makeshift dormitory room.

Shiqiang Mucai Chang is getting better and better.

But on the other hand, Wang Zong's Furniture Factory hasn't been doing so well.

Wang Zong looked at the pile of timber just hauled back, furious, and beat up that driver.

"Damn, you've followed me this long and yet you're as clueless as ever, dragging back any sort of junk!"

"Look at this timber yourself—half of it's soaked in water; how can we use it?"

"And here, you can't see the bugs inside the wood?"

"Damn, a cubic meter of timber worth 550 bucks, and you drag back this crap for me!"

"If you don't want to work, just say so!"

That driver's face was full of resentment.

After several attempts to speak, he finally mustered the courage to say: "Wang Zong, in this heavy snow there are hardly any wood factories open; you even canceled the contract with Shiqiang Mucai Chang, so the only places I can go are those few, and this is still the best quality I could pick from among them!"

"Damn, you still dare to talk back?!"

"I don't dare, I don't dare..."

"I'll give you three hours to return this shipment exactly as is and get my money back!"

"Okay!"

The driver gave a fawning smile.