Chapter 18 18. Lao Shi Moving Bricks

Ever since visiting the Tang family, Tang Tang felt that her relationship with Shi Liu had become closer. She would secretly tell Shi Liu any gossip she had, and Shi Liu accidentally learned a lot of unknown gossip stories.

Through Tang Tang's gossip, Shi Liu learned that Wang Zhaodi's mother was not only a brother-worshiping demon, but also seriously favored boys over girls. The reason why she let Wang Zhaodi go to high school was, on the one hand, because Wang Zhaodi had very good academic performance and was admitted to a high school in the city; on the other hand, it was to sell her for a good price in the future.

Shi Liu felt helpless. There must be something hateful about a pitiful person. Wang Zhaodi was also a pitiful person, but Shi Liu would not change her opinion of Wang Zhaodi because of that. If your mother treats you badly, you take your anger out on other people. If you have the guts, take it out on your own mother.

"Knock knock—" Tang Tang's voice came from outside the door: "Shi Liu, are you home?"

Shi Liu, who was making dumplings in the kitchen, heard the noise and hurried outside to look. Grandma Zhao saw this and said considerately, "Shi Liu, it sounds like that girl Tang Tang. Go over and take a look. Grandma will help you watch the fire."

Shi Liu didn't hesitate and hurried to open the door: "Tang Tang, why are you here at this time? I just made some buns, you can eat two before you leave." She has been eating a lot of Tang Tang's delicious food recently.

Tang Tang didn't hesitate to pick up a bun and started eating it. She looked very hungry.

Shi Liu couldn't help but shook her head: "You didn't eat?"

"Didn't you ask me to find out if there's a need for temporary workers? I just heard that two regular workers at the brick factory hit their feet while working. The injury is quite serious and they'll probably need at least a month to recover. They're looking for replacements. They're all hard laborers at the brick factory, and this kind of work can be done by anyone with enough strength. The monthly salary is 25 yuan, and they want 5 yuan, leaving the remaining 20 yuan for the replacement."

Shi Liu's eyes lit up when he heard this. Big Brother and the others couldn't do jobs that required too much technical skills, but moving bricks was definitely no problem. "When are you coming to work? Do you need two?"

"You have to start work the day after tomorrow, otherwise the brick factory will deduct your salary. I remember you said your eldest brother and his friends are very strong, so just ask your two brothers to come over when the time comes." Tang Tang narrowed her eyes happily. Oh, the pomegranate buns were so delicious, but it was a pity that she was embarrassed to come over often for free meals. "By the way, these white flour and pork are what my mother asked me to give you."

"Auntie, you are too polite. I eat a lot of pickles from your family. How can I accept these?" Shi Liu knew her own cooking skills very well. The food of the Tang family must be delicious. She was not trying to take advantage of her on purpose, otherwise they would not have sent her a thermos and seven feet of defective cloth the day after she visited the Tang family.

"Hehe, actually, this is my breakfast money for the next week. I really like the buns you make." In fact, Tang Tang was embarrassed to say that her parents, brother and sister-in-law also wanted to eat it, but they were embarrassed. She was taking advantage of the relationship between her and her deskmate, and of course it was also because she was thick-skinned.

Upon hearing this, Shi Liu accepted the cloth bag. Friendship can only last long if there is give and take between them. Besides, she is not a person who will suffer a loss. If Tang Tang keeps taking advantage of her, she will not continue to have contact with her. Fortunately, her vision is pretty good.

"Since they are in a hurry, I will leave in the afternoon and try to bring my two brothers here early tomorrow morning." Shi Liu didn't expect time to be so urgent, so she had to rush back overnight. The monthly salary for two people is 40 yuan, which can build a thatched hut in the countryside.

Tang Tang slapped her forehead. She almost forgot that her deskmate was from the countryside. This was a problem. "Then hurry up and pack your things, or you'll be too late. I won't bother you for now. Go ahead and get busy. When tomorrow comes, just find someone named Wang Aiguo."

After seeing the person out, Shi Liu went into the kitchen to pick up the meat buns, then went to the main room to tell Grandma Zhao about it so that she wouldn't worry.

Grandma Zhao also knew that it was not easy for people in the countryside to earn money. Now that they finally had a legitimate way to make money, they said they would never give it up, but just reminded Shi Liu to be careful.

Shi Liu casually packed up some things, and then hurried to catch the last bus.

The conductor looked at the girl in surprise and asked, "Why are you going to the county so late?"

Shi Liu said half-seriously, "I have something urgent to do. I need to go home immediately. Otherwise, I don't want to travel at night."

The ticket seller just asked casually. After all, those who catch the last bus are usually men, and this was the first time he had seen such a young single girl.

Shi Liu secretly thanked herself for the fact that the last bus was less crowded and the smell inside was a little lighter, but even so, she felt dizzy and her head was spinning. If she hadn't informed the ticket seller in advance, Shi Liu would have almost overslept her stop.

After getting off the bus, Shi Liu shivered in the cold wind. She walked a few steps to the dim alley and took out the bicycle from her space. She had accidentally obtained this bicycle from a check-in at a department store, otherwise she would have had to walk home this time.

Shijia Village was quiet at night. Shi Liu rode his bike all the way without seeing anyone. This was normal, as there were no electric lights in the village and people would go to bed as soon as it got dark.

"Mom, I'm back, open the door quickly——"

Su Sanlan was half asleep when she heard her daughter's voice. She woke up with a start and quickly put on her clothes and ran out. Shi Da Ge and others also heard the sound and were worried that something had happened to Shi Liu. That's why they ran back home in the middle of the night.

"Oh, my daughter, why are you back so late?" Su Sanlan was so scared that tears streamed down her face at the thought that her daughter might meet some scoundrels on the road.

Seeing this, Shi Liu quickly comforted her, "Mom, there aren't many people on the road. Besides, I'm fine."

Brother Shi said somewhat disapprovingly: "Sister, no matter how anxious you are, you shouldn't rush back at night. It's too unsafe for a girl."

The other three brothers also nodded, which showed that they were quite frightened.

Mrs. Shi quickly poured her sister-in-law a cup of hot water. Shi Liu smiled gratefully and said to everyone, "If nothing serious happened, I would have planned to come back tomorrow, but I just got some good news."

"What good news?" Su Sanlan looked at her daughter excitedly.

The other members of the Lao Shi family also looked at Shi Liu with curiosity.

"I asked my classmates to find a job for my brother and his friends. We need two people, 20 yuan a month."

"20! My dear, what kind of job are you looking for? Your four brothers have some strength but nothing else. You must not let them ruin your relationships with your classmates." Su Sanlan said with some concern: "There is no shortage of food at home. The grain will be distributed soon."

Shi Liu waved her hand and said, "It's not a very skilled job, just moving bricks at the brick factory. My classmate said two regular workers accidentally got into an accident while moving bricks and hit their feet, and the injuries were quite serious. Their families were reluctant to spend their wages, and since they didn't have anyone to cover for them, they had to find outsiders to do the work. They only took 5 yuan a month, and they also got the receipts from the brick factory."

(End of this chapter)