"The weather is indeed too hot," Lin Qi's voice drifted over, and he soon appeared at the doorway, carrying several bottles of soda.
"I bought some soda for everyone. Sit down and cool off for a bit."
The previously somewhat stiff individuals all stopped their work upon hearing about the soda. Gu Xingye was the first to step forward, grab a bottle, place it to his lips, and pop it open with his teeth. He drank half of it down in gulps, wiped the sweat from his cheeks, and let out a satisfied burp.
"All day we're doing useless things. A bottle of soda costs only a few cents. Raising our wages is what's truly practical," Liu Dashan grumbled discontentedly, also taking a bottle of soda along with everyone else.
As Liu Dashan approached, a pungent smell of alcohol wafted with him. Lin Qi's delicate brows furrowed involuntarily.
"Why are you here today?" Gu Xingye interjected, changing the subject.
Although he was also displeased with Liu Dashan, no matter what, he was brought here by their brothers, and he was also Gu Xingmin's brother-in-law. Any conflicts were best resolved privately if possible.
Lin Qi turned his head and smiled as if nothing were amiss, "I went to two construction sites this morning. Although nothing was finalized, I met a fellow villager, from Xing Mountain County next to us."
Zhao Qi chimed in, "Xing Mountain County is even farther than us."
Lin Qi nodded, "Yes, I heard he also came out with relatives and signed a contract with the Municipal Highway Bureau."
"Building roads? And with the Municipal Highway Bureau, he must earn quite a bit each month, right?" Hearing about the contract work, Zhang Tie Zhu's tone revealed a hint of envy.
For people from the countryside, permanent positions were unthinkable. Being able to come to the city to do contract work was already quite remarkable.
After finishing his bottle of soda, Liu Dashan casually tossed the bottle towards his feet, smacked his lips twice, and said, "Do we even need to ask? He's a contract worker, so his benefits must be excellent. People just can't be compared; you can only say they had good relatives."
His sarcastic tone was evident to anyone but a fool.
Gu Xingguo and Gu Xingye's faces darkened upon hearing his words, while Gu Xingmin, with his head slightly bowed, was unreadable.
Lin Qi smiled, "It's certainly not comparable to permanent positions, but it's still more than farming at home. Thirty-four yuan a month. Although food and lodging aren't provided, we all built a shelter together at the construction site. Even in hot weather, we don't need to be particular, which saves on lodging costs."
Everyone listened with varied expressions.
Zhao Qi and Zhang Tie Zhu, who had been envious of the contract workers, heard Lin Qi say it was only thirty-four yuan a month. Although food and lodging weren't provided for them either, they didn't have to endure the scorching sun, and after completing two jobs, they had already earned over sixty yuan.
What was there to envy? Compared to this, weren't they earning more than the permanent workers?
Gu Xingye and Gu Xingguo weren't overly surprised. Based on their understanding of Chen Li Shu, it was entirely within expectations. As long as you worked with her, she would always prefer to earn less herself to distribute more to everyone.
Liu Dashan, however, was dismissive. Already slightly tipsy, he assumed Lin Qi was just trying to fool everyone. He blurted out, "We don't know, so whatever you say goes. Earning money from your own relatives with a clear conscience, that wife of Gu Lao San is truly shameless."
"Liu Dashan, watch your words. If it weren't for the fact that you are my second brother's brother-in-law, who would bother bringing you here?"
Gu Xingye pointed directly at Liu Dashan and said, "Does Xiao Lin have any reason to lie to us about this? The wages are in your pocket. If you don't believe me, go ask around outside. What kind of job pays sixty to seventy yuan a month!"
"Alright, Third Brother, say a few less words," Gu Xingmin, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up and rebuked Gu Xingye.
The reason he allowed Liu Dashan to cause trouble was that he also wanted a raise. They had been working for some time, especially on this recent job. He knew that the entire project was five thousand yuan. Even after deducting wages and material costs, at least two thousand would remain.
So, while they were doing the heavy labor, Chen Li Shu was taking the lion's share. Without them, could Chen Li Shu earn this money? Fundamentally, she didn't treat them as family.
Seeing his brother's displeased expression, Gu Xingye asked, "Second Brother, what are you thinking?"
Gu Xingmin replied, "What can I be thinking? Aren't we working together every day?"
Lin Qi took out forty yuan from his pocket and handed it to Liu Dashan. "Brother Liu, it was agreed that everyone would get sixty yuan after this job, with an additional twenty yuan bonus. Although we're only halfway through, it's not easy to travel such a long distance. Here's forty yuan for you."
Liu Dashan, who had been somewhat intoxicated, sobered up considerably at Lin Qi's action. "You, what do you mean by this?"
"Coincidentally, there's a train back to the county town this afternoon. Or, if you want to continue this job, I can help you find another place. However, you need to drink less. After all, construction sites are not like here. If there's a safety accident, it could cost a life at any moment."
Hearing his words, Liu Dashan was completely sobered up. He didn't take the money Lin Qi offered. While he was fearful, he was also very angry. "On what grounds are you kicking me out? The job is only halfway done. Besides, without me, could you have completed the job within twenty days?"
Lin Qi didn't get angry and continued to smile affably, "Brother Liu, you say that. We can't afford the expensive ones, but we can always find a couple of cheaper ones. As the saying goes, three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang. Even if they're not as capable as you, they can at least make do."
Liu Dashan's face turned red and white from what he was told. He turned to Gu Xingmin, looking for help, "Brother-in-law, this job belongs to your third brother's wife, right?"
He usually caused a fuss because of his imbalance and certainty that with Gu Xingmin's relationship, Chen Li Shu wouldn't do anything to him even if she found out. Who knew that Lin Qi, just a messenger, was taking it seriously?
Gu Xingmin got up from the ground, looked at Lin Qi, patted his shoulder, and smiled, "Brother Liu, feel free to say anything my brother-in-law did wrong, but kicking him out is a bit much."
However, even though his face was smiling, there was little amusement in his eyes.
"Alright," Lin Qi nodded with a smile. "I'm a straightforward person. With your words, Second Brother, I'll get straight to the point."
Lin Qi's initially smiling eyes turned cold the next moment.
"Liu Dashan, not only were you passively slacking off during work hours, but you were also drinking. The bonus is canceled, and five yuan will be deducted from your wages."
Lin Qi paused and continued, "Also, I didn't see what your work was like before, so I didn't hold it against you. But if I catch you one more time, you'll be paid and sent away immediately. This is a workplace, not a place to raise loafers!"
"You're just another damn laborer. What right do you have to deduct my bonus and wages? My brother-in-law is the elder brother of that woman surnamed Chen!" Liu Dashan was unconvinced, his veins bulging on his neck as he looked at Lin Qi.