Translator: 549690339 I
Three yuan for skilled labor?
Two yuan for unskilled labor?
Wang Tieniu’s eyes widened in surprise. The average worker’s salary was only 40 yuan a month at this point in time. Normally when he built houses for others, he only charged one yuan per day for skilled labor and eighty-five cents for unskilled labor!
At Ni Yang’s, it was several times more!
Of course, Wang Tieniu was not the type to take advantage of others. Moreover, as Ni Yang was just a young girl, he certainly couldn’t take advantage of her!
“Yangyang, you don’t need to pay this much. Just give the market rate: one yuan for skilled labor and eighty-five cents for unskilled labor,” he said.
Ni Yang smiled and said, “No changes needed, but Uncle Tieniu, I have a request.”
Ni Yang continued, “I hope all the renovation work can be done within a month.”
Wang Tieniu assured, “Don’t worry about it, there are so many of us. In fact, we can even get it done in half a month.”
It was only a 50 square meter shop, and there were twelve workers in total. As the saying goes, many hands make light work. Wang Tiezhu was not boasting.
So Ni Yang’s request wasn’t really a burden.
“There’s no need to rush,” Ni Yang continued, “As long as it’s completed within a month. I plan to open for business on the 2nd of next month.”
Wang Tieniu nodded, “Alright, alright, don’t worry.”
Ni Yang added, “Uncle Tieniu, do you know who in our village is the best at cooking?”
As a manly man, Wang Tieniu had no idea.
Zhou Qingshang laughed and said, “I know. Aunt Wang Jinfang makes amazing meals.”
Despite her differences with Aunt Jinfang, Zhou Qingshang spoke the truth; Aunt Jinfang indeed was a great cook.
Ni Yang nodded and then said, “Let’s get Aunt Jinfang, too. Have her cook lunch at the construction site, and she will get the wages of an unskilled worker.” Wang Tieniu felt a bit uncomfortable, “Yangyang, your wages are already high enough, there’s no need to provide lunch.”
Ni Yang laughed and said, “Uncle Tieniu, you’re all working hard and I can’t let you go hungry. That’s settled then. I’m putting my trust on you, Uncle Tieniu. Once you’ve made arrangements, meet me at the tram station in the city around noon tomorrow or the day after. I’ll take you to the shop. Now, I’ll be going.”
Zhou Qingshang and Wang Tiezhu hurried to see Ni Yang off.
Having seen off Ni Yang, Wang Tiezhu returned to his house, still in a daze. He asked Zhou Qingshang, “Wife, pinch me. Am I dreaming?”
Zhou Qingshang laughed and said, “Look at how delighted you are, you’re not dreaming.”
Wang Tieniu sighed, “Yangyang is the God of Wealth in our village!”
Zhou Qingshang echoed, “I knew early on that Yangyang would amount to something.”
Wang Tieniu counted the money Ni Yang left on the table. It totaled 930 yuan.
180 yuan for two skilled laborers.
600 yuan for ten unskilled laborers.
And 60 yuan for a cook.
It must be said, Ni Yang had made some really sound and trusting arrangements!
Since Ni Yang trusted him so much, he must live up to her trust!
Wang Tieniu extracted his 90 yuan and handed it to Zhou Qingshang, “You keep this. I’m off to find the others.”
Zhou Qingshang accepted the money, still somewhat dazed.
In the past, Wang Tieniu had to labor for three months to earn just ninety yuan. Worst of all, finding consistent work for three consecutive months was not guaranteed!
The most he’d ever brought back seemed to be just over forty yuan.
All of these changes stirred deep feelings of gratitude in Zhou Qingshang.
With the money in hand, Wang Tieniu went door-to-door. After explaining the situation, the villagers were overjoyed and grinning ear to ear as they received the money.
Given that it was the idle farming period, a sudden opportunity to work, especially with an immediate payment that was multitudes higher than the market rates, had them naturally elated.
A season of hard farming couldn’t earn them that much.
Ni Yang really was their village’s lucky star.
The last stop was Wang Jinfang’s house.
When he arrived, Wang Jinfang was feeding the chickens.
Her husband Ni Facai, who couldn’t do heavy work due to an early injury, was cooking in the kitchen.
Seeing Wang Tieniu, Wang Jinfang warmly asked, “Brother Tieniu, what brings you here?”