Song Yuanming, after an off-kilter first day at the construction site, seemed to undergo a complete transformation the next, no longer suffering scrapes and bruises. His serious and meticulous nature sparked a dramatic change in his movements, efficiency, and mental state.
Wei Jiaqiang was initially surprised to see him so energetic and moving bricks on the second day, but after several days of continued effort, Song Yuanming had adapted swimmingly, forcing Wei to admit that this young brother Song really was capable of enduring hardship, was well-educated, and would return to high school after the summer break, surely promising a bright future.
"Brother Song, you must work hard when you go back to school after the summer holiday!" Wei, who had hardly received any formal education and could barely write his own name, knew well that Capital University was the best in the nation. There was an underlying longing in his heart, so when he spoke to Song Yuanming, it came with a touch of sighs and envy.
"Of course." Having worked over the summer, Song Yuanming's academic goals had changed. Previously, he had studied for the sake of studying, and his diligent efforts were simply because, as a student, there seemed to be nothing else to do.
Now, his diligent studies were aimed at becoming someone useful to society, to humanity. He aspired to make a difference in the world through his own efforts, no matter how small, like his sister-in-law who ensured the construction workers were satisfied, paid on time, and received decent benefits.
It was only after getting to know Wei better that he discovered the conditions of construction workers from other provinces, unclear to him. However, he was well aware that of all the construction sites in Z city or the whole F province, the one his sister-in-law was in charge of had the best working conditions and was the most relaxed.
Many construction workers cherished their jobs, conscientiously attending to their duties, because they knew the Soup City project was significant. As long as they were willing to work hard, their remuneration would increase. Moreover, with his generous sister-in-law in charge, they were content and didn't have to endure the hardships of unpaid labor after years of toil, a common complaint on the news and television.
Like his sister-in-law Xu Xiuxiu, he wanted to change the world for the better, even if he couldn't alter it completely.
"By the way, Brother Wei, you're in your twenties, almost thirty. Are you working so hard to provide a better life for your wife and child?" Having worked together daily, Song Yuanming and Wei had grown as close as brothers. Aware that Wei was a fellow villager and their villages were nearby, Song couldn't help but inquire. Logically, at Wei's age, he should have been married with children.
"Not yet!" Wei deftly placed four bricks onto a small cart, "My family is poor, and no girl would fancy an uncultured brute like me. Being alone isn't so bad; if I'm full, the whole family isn't hungry. I'm working hard now, planning to save up for a couple of years. Then I can return to my hometown, have a look around for a suitable match, find a woman to marry, and have a child." His tone was matter-of-fact, devoid of any hint of self-deprecating mockery, as if he were simply commenting on the weather. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝔫𝔢𝔱
It was a straightforward and common view among the workers at the site: work hard, save money, and find a wife.
"Doesn't Brother Wei have any other family members?" Song Yuanming blurted out in surprise when he heard Wei speak of being the sole provider. He immediately felt guilty for bringing up what might be a sensitive issue.
"Just myself now." Wei was silent for a moment, remembering last year when he returned home from work to see his mother's frail face and hopeful eyes, which had been the driving force behind his struggles. Now, that warm presence of his mother had passed away before the previous year ended, leaving him unencumbered and alone, which was not altogether bad.
"I'm sorry, Brother Wei, I didn't know…" Song Yuanming paused his bricklaying and felt a twinge in his heart.
"It's nothing." Seeing the guilty expression on Song Yuanming's face, Wei shook his head, "Let's keep moving bricks! Otherwise, soon there won't be any left to use up top." Patting Song's back with his gloved hand, Wei encouraged him with a motivating smile.
Song immediately nodded and devoted himself to moving bricks.
Xu Xiuxiu's busy schedule had a brief pause, and she finished work early that day. After informing Song Yuanming, she headed back to the city to pick up little Cheng Guang from daycare.
Lately, family members had been taking turns picking up little Cheng Guang from school. Especially after Song Yuan Yao arrived in Z city, the responsibility of picking up and dropping off the boy had fallen entirely to Song Yuan Yao and Xu Jingjing. Xu Xiuxiu, as the mother, had completely let go of that responsibility. However, Jingjing was busy with Song Yuan Yao today with the newly opened Sichuan Pavilion branch, which was thriving and keeping them very occupied.
Xu Xiuxiu had ended her work early today, and as she left in the morning, she had arranged to pick up little Cheng Guang herself.
Around five in the evening, many parents were already waiting outside the daycare. Given the young age of the children, they all needed to be picked up by their parents. Xu Xiuxiu waited in good spirits, anticipating the excitement on her precious son's face when he saw her coming to fetch him, and she couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile.
Ding ding dang, ding ding dang, the nursery's special bell rang.
Soon enough, a daycare teacher led a group of children out of the gate. Xu Xiuxiu focused intently on the crowd of kids, and when she saw her little Cheng Guang, she was momentarily diverted by the enthusiastic little girl beside him offering him candy.
Little Cheng Guang, however, had a stone-faced expression, completely ignoring the little girl's solicitude, but his tightly pursed lips betrayed his pride.
"Chen Guang, this candy is a White Rabbit Creamy Candy, it's delicious. Try and see if you like it?" The little girl, holding a White Rabbit Creamy Candy, was so solicitous she even intended to unwrap it and push the candy into Cheng Guang's mouth.