Cheng Su asked Dazhi a few more questions about the project. Hearing his detailed responses, she felt particularly satisfied. It goes to show, sometimes, you really need to befriend people from all walks of life because you never know when you might need their help.
"Then according to your estimate, if I were to build a two or three-story house here, how much would it cost?" Cheng Su asked the key question she wanted to know.
Dazhi first asked about her square footage, calculated, and then said, "Conservatively estimating, it would cost at least 50 to 60 thousand, and that’s the minimum. It’ll probably be more."
Cheng Su took a sharp breath, surprised it would be so expensive. Now this was truly a big investment.
Back in the day, a thousand yuan was equivalent to about ten thousand now. A three-story house, 50 to 60 thousand?
And that’s not counting the renovation. If you include renovation and buying furniture and opening stove equipment, that would add another twenty to thirty thousand, right?
"Actually, building houses gets more expensive year by year. Labor which used to cost a few cents a day has now increased. So if you really want to build, President Cheng, the sooner the better." Seeing Cheng Su’s silence, Dazhi added.
Cheng Su certainly knew that future house prices would only continue to rise, and land would become more valuable.
"I’ve heard what you’ve said, thank you." Cheng Su said with a smile.
"What are you thanking me for? What’s our friendship worth?" Dazhi waved a hand.
"By the way, how are my Third Uncle Cheng and the others doing at your place?" Cheng Su asked him again.
"Third Uncle Cheng is very diligent and picks things up quickly. After all, we’re family, just like President Cheng, he’s quite clever. I think soon, he’ll be able to manage on his own." Dazhi praised.
"I see now that after becoming a big boss, you’ve become quite smooth-talking, giving out compliments like they’re free." Cheng Su said.
"I’m just telling the truth," Dazhi laughed heartily, then hesitated a bit.
Cheng Su noticed he hadn’t mentioned Zhang Jisheng, so she asked, "What about my elder brother-in-law?"
Dazhi pressed his lips together and said, "I’m familiar with President Cheng, so I’ll speak the truth. If there’s anything unpleasant to hear, just take it with a grain of salt and don’t take it to heart."
Cheng Su’s heart sank slightly and she said, "Go on!"
"Zhang Jisheng started out well, honest and hardworking, but these past two months, he’s been less attentive, only picking the easy jobs. I’ve heard him complain about the low wages." Dazhi showed a wry smile and said, "President Cheng, you know, my renovation team is doing quite well, but some project funds don’t come in right away. I’ve carefully calculated every material, and considering the workers’ hard efforts, I’ve tried to give high pay."
"I know this. Third Uncle also said you’re very fair!"
"For Zhang Jisheng, the wage is fully calculated, including meals, and adds up to forty yuan a month. If he still thinks it’s low, there’s nothing I can do!" Dazhi said, "I have many people working under me and can’t give him a high salary in secret, especially when he’s not attentive to his work."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Su’s face darkened.
"Maybe he’s gained some experience and found a higher-paying job elsewhere, so he’s looking down on this wage!" added Dazhi.
"He’s complaining about forty yuan, what qualifications does he have to be dissatisfied? He..." Cheng Su, in anger, thought of Zhang Jisheng’s vile behavior and got even more enraged.
"Dazhi, don’t consider my standpoint. If he really can’t do the job, just let him go. I have no other words. If he has anything to say, just tell him to come to me!" Cheng Su said with a cold face.
She was helping him find work, spending her personal connections, also for the sake of Elder Sister, but he just didn’t appreciate it!