Among the six bricklayers Luo Jingyan hired, there was one named Wu Youfang. He was the most senior and skilled bricklayer among the six. Because he was the oldest, the other bricklayers all respectfully called him Uncle Wu.

Uncle Wu is the leader among these people. He is the one who recruited and formed this small group, so he has the most say in the group.

He watched as Zhuang Feifei's workers drank sugar water and ate apples, comparing the treatment of the workers on both sides in his mind. The more he compared, the angrier he became. He simply threw down the tools in his hand and squatted down, refusing to work.

Seeing that he was giving up, the others also dropped their tools and sat around him.

"Look at the treatment of workers over there, and look at the treatment of workers here. We're worlds apart. I'm so frustrated with this job, I quit. Let whoever wants to do it do it." The worker who made this complaint was named Li Jianliang.

Other workers also complained, "We all work together, we're all building houses, and the owners are all educated youth. Why can the educated youth in Zhuang give the workers such good treatment, but the educated youth in Luo can't?"

"It's probably because Luo, the educated youth, isn't as rich as Zhuang, the educated youth." As soon as he said this, three people glared at him. He then added, "People strive for higher positions, just as water flows downhill. Who doesn't want to earn higher wages and enjoy better treatment? I also want to drink sugar water and eat apples whenever I want. Sigh, no matter what the reason, Luo, the educated youth, is just not as good as Zhuang, the educated youth."

They implied that Luo Jingyan had mistreated them, so they lay on the ground, refusing to continue working for her.

When Zhuang Feifei saw that the workers on Luo Jingyan's side were slacking off, she knew that her tactics must have worked, and she couldn't help but smile.

Finally, Luo Jingyan will suffer a setback and we'll get to see her make a fool of herself.

Having a cheat code in life is like having a cheat code, it's that awesome.

When Luo Jingyan returns and sees her workers not working properly, she will definitely be very angry. She is waiting for the show to begin.

Luo Jingyan brought back hot water from the educated youth settlement with a thermos. From a distance, she could see that the workers on her side had stopped working. The six of them sat together like hens huddled together, each with a stern face.

They were just like they were during their usual rest periods. Normally, they would discuss the problems that arose during construction and get back to work immediately after a short break. But now, they were all listless and lacked any motivation. They were like mud lying on the ground, devoid of any spirit.

In stark contrast, Zhuang Feifei's workers were all wielding their tools, working enthusiastically and with great energy.

Luo Jingyan immediately thought of the reason for the workers' slack, and her gaze involuntarily shifted to Zhuang Feifei, the owner of another plot of land.

Zhuang Feifei, meanwhile, was looking down at her with her chin held high, displaying an arrogant and contemptuous expression. Her gaze seemed to mock her, treating her as a defeated opponent.

Seeing Luo Jingyan so humiliated made her feel incredibly happy and satisfied.

Luo Jingyan merely glanced at her indifferently, seemingly unconcerned. Upon seeing this, Zhuang Feifei felt a sudden tightness in her chest.

Why does Luo Jingyan always act like she doesn't care? Does she really not care? Isn't she angry with herself?

That's how people are. It's like the interaction of forces. The more you try to anger someone, the less likely you are to succeed, and the more likely you are to become angry yourself.

At this moment, Zhuang Feifei felt this way; she felt depressed and bit her lip.

Luo Jingyan, there will be times when you cry.

Luo Jingyan walked up to the six workers and realized that they were probably influenced by Zhuang Feifei and were dissatisfied with how she treated them.

As usual, she asked them, "What's wrong with you? Why aren't you working? Did something happen?"

The group looked at each other, too embarrassed to speak. Finally, the other five looked at Uncle Wu, hoping that he, as the leader, would bring up the issue.

Uncle Wu is in his fifties and is usually very concerned about his image, so he was even more embarrassed to say it.

They had agreed on the wages and benefits with Luo Jingyan beforehand, and both sides agreed. Now that Luo Jingyan's side has done nothing wrong, their strike is clearly their own fault. However, when he saw the treatment of the workers on Zhuang Feifei's side, he felt it was very unfair and couldn't swallow his anger.

He hesitated for a moment, unsure how to begin, then simply turned his head to the side and remained silent.

The other five people looked at each other, unsure of how to tell Luo Jingyan.

Seeing their guilty looks, Luo Jingyan asked, "Are you tired or thirsty? I brought you some water, have some. If you're tired, take a rest, and then go back to work. Just don't delay my construction progress."

Luo Jingyan placed the water bottle in front of them, but none of the boys were in the mood to drink.

Just then, Zhuang Feifei was handing out apples over there. The workers were making a ruckus, like it was New Year's. The six people on this side couldn't help but turn their heads to look. When they saw the workers holding bright red apples, they couldn't help but feel envious again.

A moment later, the worker named Li Jianliang finally spoke to Luo Jingyan.

“Luo Zhiqing, it’s not that we’re being picky. Look at Zhuang Zhiqing over there, not only does she pay her workers higher wages, but she also always treats them to sugar water and apples. They can drink sugar water and apples as much as they want. Our workers here are paid less, they only drink plain water, and they don’t even get an apple a day. They do just as much work as they do. Luo Zhiqing, even if we don’t say it, you should be able to see it yourself. The difference in treatment is too great.”

After listening, Luo Jingyan didn't say anything. She simply picked up the kettle and poured every last drop of water onto the ground.

He gave her unreasonable opinions and went too far, even refusing to let her drink his water.

"So that's why you stopped working for no reason. You were upset with me because of this. I think I paid you well, brought you water, and gave you extra apples. I think I've treated you fairly well, at least better than the treatment you've received before."

I didn't expect you to still have complaints about me. You just think that I did a bad job. Why don't you examine yourselves? Are you right? First of all, the wages and benefits I gave you were agreed upon in advance, and you were very happy at the time. I did not mistreat you in any way.

Secondly, the neighbors are treated well because their owners are wealthy. My abilities are limited. If you want to take advantage of me, it's your greed, not my fault.

These people want to take advantage of her, and she will never tolerate them.

Even if she has plenty of sugar, an endless supply of apples, and lots of money in her storage space, she won't give any of it to these few people.

At worst, these people will quit, and she'll find someone else. It's not like she'll stop building houses just because she leaves these people.

Several people felt that Luo Jingyan was right, but they still felt uncomfortable.

"Why do we do the same work as others, but don't get the same treatment? Why?" Another man with a thick beard muttered, glaring at Luo Jingyan twice.