Qin Yang disdainfully looked at the meal that Li Wei was trying to feed him, reaching out to grab the spoon, “Just have Bai Xiaoming deal with it, there’s nothing worth seeing anyway.”
With the spoon snatched away, Li Wei knew his brother’s temper well, and put the lunchbox on the small table in front of him.
“What do you mean ’nothing worth seeing’? This is all your accomplishment. You’ve shouldered so much pressure and risked so much for today’s success. Not to mention anything else, even this arm of yours nearly stayed there forever. If you ask me, the May Day Labor Medal next year and the unit’s major breakthrough awards are yours by right.”
“It’s all just an empty title,” Qin Yang said, eating with his head lowered. What he wanted wasn’t just these things.
Li Wei pulled over a chair and sat next to him, immediately noticing the letter on the bedside table, with a stack of letter paper and a pen next to it.
“Thinking of replying to your sister-in-law’s letter? You want me to ghostwrite it for you? You dictate, I’ll write.”
He chuckled as he picked up the letter paper and pen, with an air of ’don’t be too polite with me’.
Qin Yang gave him a disdainful glare, which amused Li Wei even more.
“What, you’re embarrassed? We’re both married men, what’s there to be shy about with me? Those private words between spouses, you probably don’t understand as much as I do. After all, I’ve been married two years longer than you.”
The more Qin Yang listened, the darker his face got, “Shut up now, or get out.”
Li Wei laughed even harder, the paper he pinched rustling, “Alright, my good intentions are mistaken for unkindness. But seriously, aren’t you planning on telling your sister-in-law about your injury? If I were you, I would’ve sent a letter home long ago, having your sis-in-law come to take care of you so that you lovebirds could spend some time together. Yet here you are, keeping her in the dark.”
“I’ll be better in a few days,” Qin Yang put the last bite of rice into his mouth, looking at the lunchbox and said calmly.
“Injuries to muscles and bones take a hundred days to heal, it’s not just a matter of a few days. The doctors have said it; if you don’t treat that arm properly, even drawing will be a problem in the future. Even with proper care, it’s uncertain to what extent it will recover. You know how much the leadership values you, don’t be negligent. The good days will just be starting once this project is complete.”
Within the entire group, Li Wei and Qin Yang were of similar age, and they had the best relationship. This was truly heart-to-heart advice.
Qin Yang nodded again, “I know.”
“I know, I know. You say you know everything, but you don’t take yourself seriously. Do you really think you can keep it from the family? Not replying to letters, won’t the family suspect something?”
Li Wei had no way to deal with his brother, cleaning up the lunchbox and taking it to the water room to wash.
Qin Yang picked up the letter, gently rubbing it, his deep eyes filled with a touch of tenderness.
She was so busy, she might not even notice whether he had replied to her letters.
Let’s wait a few more days. In a few days, maybe he could hold a pen. As long as he could hold the pen, he would write back to her.
As December arrived, the weather day by day grew colder. Lin Chuxia had long adjusted her commuting times; even so, the store’s procurement staff were among the hardest working.
When Lin Chuxia arrived at the store, she saw Hou Xiaobao delivering precooked food to the store.
Blowing on his hands while unloading the goods, he was still in the same clothing as when she first met him, which seemed much too thin for this winter cold.
Today the wind was a bit sharper, and even in her thick cotton coat she felt the cold standing outside. What good was that thin clothing?
“Houzi, what time did you get out today?”
When Hou Xiaobao saw it was Lin Chuxia, thinking she was asking about work, he immediately stood up straight.
“I started at 5 AM today, first went to the meat shop to pick up meat, then delivered ready-to-eat food to the train station area; this place is the last stop for delivery. After moving this cargo, I’ll make another trip to the chicken farm.”
His day’s work consists of riding a tricycle between a few stores and the chicken farm.
Life is simple, and the shop takes care of food and lodging; Hou Xiaobao is very satisfied with his current job.
Lin Chuxia slightly frowned; 5 AM is the coldest time of the day.
Hou Xiaobao has been working here for almost a month, and there are still a few days before payday.
She turned her head to Qin Han, “Big brother, take out some money from the account later. Ask sister-in-law to find time to go to the mall to buy three coats, one for each of the shop’s delivery staff as a benefit from the shop.”
Only now did Hou Xiaobao realize why Lin Chuxia asked him what time he started his day, and he quickly waved his hands, “Mr. Lin, I’m not cold. You may think I’m not wearing much, but once I start pedaling the bike, I don’t feel cold.”
A military coat costs thirty to forty yuan, a month’s salary.
He had planned to save another month’s salary and buy one even if it meant biting the bullet, but the boss had noticed.
“Alright, no need to act tough,” Lin Chuxia deliberately put on a stern face, “Wear the military coat when you get it. Don’t catch a cold; delivery is an important part of the shop’s work. If you fall ill, I’ll have to find someone else on the spot.”
She wonders if Jia Liang and Hou Xiaobao are scared by her, especially Hou Xiaobao, who always seems so timid when speaking to her.
She’s not that fierce with her employees.
Hou Xiaobao stood up straight and nodded solemnly, “Yes, Mr. Lin.”
He suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of emotion. He had never had anyone care about whether he was cold or hungry. It was as if he had always been the redundant one since childhood.
But Mr. Lin not only provided him with a job, but he was also paid just for sleeping, and now he even worried about whether he was cold, willing to spend a lot of money to buy military coats for them to wear.
He must work hard and not let Mr. Lin down.
In the afternoon, Zhang Gui Lan came with the military coats.
Besides Hou Xiaobao, the other delivery staff included Qin Han and Sun Bingnan.
With four flatbed carts, Qin Han and Sun Bingnan had one each, and there were two for Hou Xiaobao, one for transporting raw meat and one for ready-to-eat food.
Hou Xiaobao happened to be at the shop and immediately put on the military coat, smiling like a fool.
Chen Chunhua remarked on the side, “You guys have it good, monkey. Before even getting your salary, you’ve already got a military coat to wear.”
One military coat is worth a month’s salary; this is like doing a month’s work and earning two months’ salary.
Qin Lihua joked from the side, “Is Aunt Chen considering cycling and delivering goods too? If you did this job, my fourth aunt would surely give you a military coat as well.”
Chen Chunhua stiffened and waved her hand, “I can’t do that. I can’t even ride a bike, let alone a tricycle.”
And those goods. Ready-to-eat food is one thing, but hauling raw meat and chickens every day is no light task.
Qin Lihua secretly curled her lips, thinking that Aunt Chen’s sour words did not go unnoticed by her, still young. Her fourth aunt’s decisions were not for others to judge.
She had seen clear during these days working at the shop. Although the shop belongs to her fourth aunt, it’s called Qin’s Bun Shop. Her second uncle, second aunt, fifth uncle, and fifth aunt also work there. She’s part of the Qin Family. The shop is part of the Old Qin Family’s business. If outsiders criticize the shop, it’s as if they are criticizing them; she did not stand by idly.