This is nothing short of hard labor! It's forced labor!
She looked at the shovel in her hand, which was so heavy that she could barely hold it with both hands, and felt a deep sense of despair.
Meanwhile, the military dependents around them were working enthusiastically.
They rolled up their sleeves, revealing their muscular, sun-tanned arms, and deftly shoveled sand and mixed ash to fill the pits. Laughter and the clanging of shovels filled the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
"Hey girl, don't just stand there! Fill this hole with sand and ash, then tamp it down with the back of a shovel!"
Sister Li skillfully operated the equipment while providing loud and clear instructions.
Zi Xi gritted her teeth and followed the example of others, gripping the shovel handle with both hands and trying to shovel up the mortar piled up next to her.
But she was weak and clumsy, and when she shoveled, she not only didn't scoop up much, but also splashed a lot of dust, which landed on her skirt and little leather shoes.
Oh no, my skirt and shoes! I'm doomed!
Why is this mortar so heavy! And so sticky...?
Zi Xi screamed inwardly, but she still had to try her best to maintain an awkward yet polite smile.
She bit her lip and tried again. This time, she managed to scoop up half a spadeful and shakily pour it into the pit, but half of it spilled outside, making a mess around her feet.
Several young military dependents around her watched her clumsy and embarrassed appearance and couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle, whispering among themselves.
"Judging from her appearance, you can tell she's never done any work before."
"That's how capitalist ladies are, they never lift a finger."
Those subtle sounds and gazes felt like needles pricking Zi Xi's back, making her cheeks burn and wishing she could disappear into the ground.
Zi Xi lowered her head, staring at the tips of her shoes covered in dust, a huge sense of grievance and helplessness welled up in her heart.
[Damn, I didn't want this to happen either... Were you born knowing how to do this? What's so funny!]
Where the hell is Lao Pei? All he does is make me look bad here all by myself!
Just as Zi Xi was internally ranting and about to give up, a familiar and clear voice came with a smile.
"Sister Li, ladies, are you busy?"
"Comrade Su is here too? He really knows how to adapt to local customs, which is commendable."
Zi Xi looked up and saw that Su Wanting from the art troupe had appeared not far away at some point.
She changed into a clean military uniform, her hair was neatly combed, and she wore a perfectly measured smile of surprise and approval, as if she were just passing by.
But Zi Xi keenly caught the fleeting, barely perceptible sarcasm in her eyes.
【It's her again! She's like a persistent ghost! Coming to see me make a fool of myself, huh?!】
"Comrade Su, this job looks simple, but it's actually a technical job."
"You have such delicate skin, you have to be careful not to hurt yourself. Do you want me to... teach you?"
Su Wanting walked over gracefully, her gaze falling on Zi Xi's sand-stained skirt and disheveled movements, and the smile on her lips deepened.
As she spoke, she made a gesture to take the shovel from Zixi's hand, her actions intimate and her tone full of enthusiasm.
[Is she trying to teach me how to do things? Showing off her abilities in front of so many people? Is she trying to embarrass me even more?]
Zi Xi's internal alarm bells were ringing, and she was just about to find an excuse to refuse.
A steady footstep sounded from behind, accompanied by a calm and even voice: "No need for Comrade Su to trouble yourself."
Pei Jiwang walked over at some point; he must have just finished his work in the company, as there were still fine beads of sweat on his forehead.
He walked straight to Zi Xi's side, not even glancing at Su Wanting, and simply reached out to take the shovel from Zi Xi's slightly trembling hand.
Zi Xi felt a sudden lightness in her hand and stared at him blankly.
Su Wanting's smile froze instantly, and her outstretched hand awkwardly stopped in mid-air.
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