Chapter 910: Chapter 914: Light of Life (13)
These workers, they’re just ordinary workers. You can’t blame them for their shortsightedness because, from their perspective, they can only see the land right in front of them. Asking for more would be making things difficult for them.
Su Li thought for a moment and said, "Tell them to agree to resume work, but the condition is that they should receive the same pay and benefits as the local workers."
Everyone knew that this was a pipe dream.
If that were the case, why would Mr. Brown, the shrewd factory owner, go to great lengths to ask them to return?
Everyone knew that Mr. Brown only kept them because they were cheap; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been reluctant to let them go.
Given some more time, Mr. Brown might find another bunch of cheap workers.
In the face of vested interests, everything else must yield.
This applies to Mr. Brown and equally to the Chinese workers.
Su Li glanced at Xiao Bo, knowing it was time to test his leadership charisma.
How to speak, how to persuade others—all of it was a skill to learn.
"Trust me, give it some time, Mr. Brown will come around."
Su Li’s gaze shifted to a newspaper next to the fruit platter.
The largest section of the newspaper, in bold type, covered Mr. Brown’s Aisi Factory and their current railway project.
Xiao Bo’s gaze also fell on the newspaper, and his expression changed instantly.
"I know what to do now."
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"Damn, damn... How dare they ask this of me."
Mr. Brown had been in a volatile and unstable mood lately, even his closest housekeeper kept a meter’s distance when speaking to him compared to usual.
Despite his rage, Mr. Brown didn’t tell those lower-class people to get lost this time.
In fact, he knew it well himself, if the standoff continued, he would lose the most.
Looking on the bright side, even if the Chinese demand the same pay as the locals, he still gains.
After all, the hardworking nature of Chinese people is well-known; they don’t seem to know the meaning of the word "lazy."
Reluctantly, after much thought, Mr. Brown had to admit he didn’t have a better choice now.
For the project’s progress, the government held it in high regard, and he had previously boasted to the mayor, assuring him the project would be completed by the end of the year.
Mr. Brown threw another cup, calmed down, and finally said with a forced smile, "Okay, let’s go with what those lower-class people want."
"Once this period is over..." Mr. Brown’s face revealed a malicious smile, "I’ll make them pay, damn yellow-skinned monkeys..."
However, Mr. Brown’s plan for revenge was destined for failure.
*
"They agreed..." Xiao Bo was overwhelmed with joy.
Behind him was a long line of Chinese people, whose faces were also filled with deep happiness.
Xiao Bo: "I told them it was all thanks to Brother Su, so they all want to come over and thank you."
This small victory in their struggle made these people, who had always been oppressed at the bottom, feel as if they were dreaming.
They never imagined they could get the same treatment as local workers.
Being oppressed for so long, they themselves couldn’t even realize they unknowingly regarded such unfair treatment as normal.
If they themselves felt innately inferior, how could their self-respect and pride be awakened?
Su Li smiled, "No need to thank me, this is what you deserve." Everything is just starting.
Su Li’s actions seemed to open the door to a new world for them, making many realize: they could act this way after all.
And Xiao Bo indeed had a talent for leadership, despite having no guidance, his haphazard approach proved effective.
Lately, Su Li didn’t pay special attention but knew Xiao Bo seemed to be leading this group to win several more rights.
Chinese people traveling abroad always shared resources; as the living conditions improved here, it attracted more people to come over.
On a certain day, Su Li decided to go out for a walk on a whim, suddenly noticing the world changing too fast; or was it her illusion?
She found herself in Chinatown in Tata City.
A few months ago when she just arrived, apart from Chinatown gathering many Chinese, the surrounding areas were still regular white communities.
Due to the locals’ aggressive discrimination, ordinary Chinese compatriots seldom linger outside except for necessary outings.
But today, as Su Li stepped out, she was greeted warmly in Chinese by many compatriots.
At first, she thought it was due to being near Chinatown, but when she left Chinatown, onto other streets, she still saw many with black hair and yellow skin.
There were idle elderly people strolling with canes, young mothers and children singing on park benches, and children playing and laughing in groups.
If not for the English street signs, Su Li would have thought she hadn’t left the motherland.
Looking around, all the faces were Hua Country People, all the sounds the familiar language; even the shops on both sides of the street had only Chinese characters.
Su Li pursed her lips and continued walking, occasionally spotting a few yellow-haired, white-skinned faces quickly disappearing like rats.
When she returned and mentioned it to Liu Zhang, already steadier from working under Xiao Bo, he was surprised Su Li would ask such a question.
He replied naturally, "Is that strange?"
"We’re no longer working at Aisi Factory, Brother Xiao established his own Hua Factory, and we only hire Hua Country People, so naturally many compatriots moved here, along with their parents, relatives, brothers, and sisters, so it’s inevitable people are becoming more numerous."
Su Li: "....." Alright, she was overreacting.
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"Zhu Fei, from next month, I can’t share the lease with you anymore."
Zhu Fei had just returned from outside, opening the door to hear such bad news.
But he still forced a smile and said, "That’s fine. That white landlord lady is really unbearable; your decision doesn’t surprise me at all."
Zhu Fei couldn’t help but start considering the difficulties he would be facing next.
He hoped the next roommate would be a compatible compatriot, otherwise dealing with daily troubles was enough to give him a headache.