Chapter 216
"What! This is my cousin's brick factory. You can come, but I can't?" Old Zhang shouted even louder than Old Cui.
Old Cui was furious.
This old Zhang has been lazy and gluttonous ever since the two of them worked together in the coal mine.
After the coal mine closed down, Lao Cui chose to work in the brick factory. At that time, the brick factory was hiring and asked Lao Zhang to come, but he thought it was dirty and tiring and wanted to go to the pig farm instead.
Now things are better; the brick factory owner has changed.
If it were his cousin's son, he would have rushed over to repay the favor.
I've never seen such a shameless person!
"Old Zhang, don't think I don't know what you're up to." Old Cui glanced at him sideways. "Do you really think that people who can become big bosses are fools? That they can be manipulated by you?"
Old Zhang's face flushed red, and he said angrily, "What do you mean by 'taking it easy'? Watch your mouth!"
Lei Tingjun's face darkened, and he said coldly, "What's all the noise about? If you want to argue, go outside."
Old Zhang then sheepishly shut his mouth.
Old Cui stepped forward and said, "Boss Lei, hiring people for the brick factory is, in principle, your right as the boss, and I have no right to interfere. But I just want to say one thing: the right person is the right fit. If you put a lid on the wrong pot, you can't force it to fit."
Lei Tingjun handed the Hongtashan cigarettes from his pocket to Lao Cui and said, "Take these cigarettes and distribute them to the workers. Also, find a job posting and ask around in the surrounding towns and villages to see if there are any experienced kiln workers who are willing to work. Hire as many as possible, and give them priority in terms of pay."
He paused for a moment before saying, "As for the rest, you don't need to worry about it for now. Go and get busy."
Old Cui glanced at the half-full pack of Hongtashan cigarettes and chuckled, "Alright, with your word, Boss Lei, I, Old Cui, guarantee I'll do a fantastic job for you!"
This means that Lei Tingjun will not only not replace Lao Cui, but will also give him a pack of high-end cigarettes to appease the workers.
This was an act of trust, and Lao Cui understood it, so he wasn't angry anymore.
But Old Zhang was furious. He said, "Lei Tingjun, is this how you treat your two uncles?"
Lei Xiangshun also looked a bit upset. He thought to himself that he had come to ask his nephew for help, and considering their uncle-nephew relationship, Lei Tingjun would surely give him a job. But now he was being asked to dig mud and sand.
What's the difference between that and digging fields or digging soil in the village?
When he gets back, his wife will give him a real dressing down!
Lei Xiangshun weakly opened his mouth: "Xiaojun, you see... Uncle is getting old, and I really can't do that kind of mud dredging work anymore. Do you have any other easier jobs that I can help you with?"
A hint of impatience flashed across Lei Tingjun's brow, but he patiently said, "Uncles, as I just said, the brick factory is only short of these two jobs right now. If you have experience, I would be happy to hire you. But you don't have experience and can only do masonry work, which you are unwilling to do, so I, Lei Tingjun, can't offer any other assistance."
"It's not easy for you two uncles to come all this way today, so let me treat you to lunch. After lunch, I have to rush back to take care of other things this afternoon."
Lei Xiangshun was hungry at the moment, and he quickly smiled when he heard this: "Okay, let's eat first, and chat while we eat. It's been a long time since we last met, and I also want to ask you how you've been all these years."
Old Zhang chimed in from the side, "Hey, why go out to eat? I've prepared a meal at home, just come eat at my place."
Lei Tingjun said calmly, "I won't trouble my aunt. She probably won't welcome me anyway. Uncle Zhang, if you want to go back, go back first. My uncle and I will find a place to sit down."
Old Zhang knew that Lei Tingjun was referring to the time when his wife deliberately hid his food and not let him eat when he was in junior high school, and he felt a little embarrassed.
Old Zhang: "Oh dear, that's just how your aunt is, sharp-tongued but kind-hearted. Actually, she's been talking about you a lot over the years, and she loves you like her own son."
A hint of sarcasm appeared on Lei Tingjun's face.
People are strange sometimes; they can say anything against their conscience for the sake of profit and purpose.
He didn't refute or expose Lao Zhang, but simply asked indifferently, "Is that so?"
Old Zhang awkwardly touched his nose and winked at Lei Xiangshun.
Lei Xiangshun said, "Xiaojun, let your Uncle Zhang go with you. We're the only family we have left."
Lei Tingjun felt nothing but absurdity.
The word "family" used to be so unfamiliar to him.
Now, his two closest relatives are surrounding him, reminiscing about the past and telling him eagerly that they are his closest family.
Well, Lei Tingjun is no longer the naive and arrogant young man who would get angry over trivial matters.
A person's growth is reflected in many aspects.
The most obvious example is how he treats those who once looked down on him, mocked him, and abandoned him.
Looking at his two uncles, whose temples were already gray, Lei Tingjun felt a strange sense of emotion and regret.
Back then, he lived under the roof of others, and his two uncles treated him like a stray dog that they despised.
If he had only bought a brick factory, those who had once condescended to him and given him handouts would have turned around and fawned over him.
Their faces are truly unpleasant to look at.
It's not a big deal if a person suffers a little hardship or pain when they are young.
Once you've overcome the thorns, those childhood setbacks will settle into the soil beneath your feet as you move forward.
Lei Tingjun remembers eating at the homes of these two uncles when he was a child.
He will repay what he owes.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
