Ye Jiaxing struggled to swallow the food in his mouth before saying to his father:
"Father, we can’t stay here and be old farmers forever. We don’t even know how good the sky is outside."
Ye Jiaxing’s father shook his head. "How could it be so easy! If I don’t do well at a job at home, I can quit and continue being a farmer, eating the vegetables we grow.
No matter what, we won’t starve to death. But once outside, it’s different. There are too many unknown risks!"
Ye Jiaxing’s mother also joined in to persuade him, "Your father is right. There is nothing wrong with being farmers here at home, without so many risks!"
Ye Jiaxing..., his parents still didn’t understand him. Being young and ambitious, he didn’t want to remain a small farmer in this small place.
"Father, you are not old yet. How can you think about retiring?" Ye Jiaxing looked at his father, intending to refute further. He then added:
"I’m young and want to venture out with my father. Once we find a place to settle, we can bring my mother to the Capital City."
Ye Jiaxing’s father..., I am indeed not old yet. I still have to witness my grandchildren’s growth before I think of retiring. Yet, his son’s words stirred a slight desire in him to venture out in his lifetime and work for the Boss, where a residence should be provided.
"Is... working outside really safe?"
Ye Jiaxing’s mother, hesitant and worried about her son’s words, said:
"It’s not as good outside as you think. It’s just another job. If you and your father go venturing out, I’ll have to go too, and by then, even buying vegetables will be very expensive!"
At that moment, Ye Jiaxing could not worry about those things, constantly talking about the future and how everything was already agreed upon.
It was only a matter of signing a contract; they would depart tomorrow. If they didn’t agree, he would still leave tomorrow!
Seeing his son so determined, Ye Jiaxing’s father could only eat faster amid his hesitation.
Watching her husband with that expression and the son being so resolute made Ye Jiaxing’s mother sigh, prompting her to eat faster.
She needed to pack things for the two men, "Rich on the road despite a poor home," getting the luggage ready, preparing dry food for them to eat for breakfast on the road?
Ye Jiaxing, having finished his meal, waited for his father to eat his last bite, then spoke to him:
"Father, let’s go to the estate now to sign the contract and finalize the departure time for tomorrow!"
Ye Jiaxing’s father nodded, and the father and son walked out of the house into the alley, where they saw a friend of Ye Jiaxing.
"Ye Jiaxing, I was just looking for you. Where are you and your father going?"
Ye Jiaxing did not hide it from his brother: "My father and I are going to see Steward Li Zhihao. We are both going with him to the Capital. We are now heading to the estate to sign the contract."
"Ah! You’re also going to the Capital? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Does everyone going to the Capital have to sign the contract? Why haven’t I heard my father say anything about it?
No, I must go home and talk to my father. I want to go to the Capital too. You go ahead, we will catch up soon!"
The friend hastily said a few words and ran back home in a rush.
Ye Jiaxing..., his friend also intended to go to the Capital. Although it was good to have company, would Li Zhihao agree?
The father and son quickly ran, wanting to sign the contract without having to queue.
Li Zhihao had been busy these past few days. He ate dinner a bit late but was just readying the contract papers, with many peoples’ names and several sheets of paper.
The contract was prepared beforehand; just needed people to sign their names and stamp their fingerprints. Each party would receive a copy.
Li Zhihao was not previously aware of these matters but had gradually learned. This was a kind of contract where one didn’t have to sell themselves into servitude. If one party breached the contract, they would be deducted a month’s salary.
If they breached the contract, they would have to pay the other party an additional month’s salary.
"Steward Li, we father and son have arrived!"
Li Zhihao... both father and son were drenched in sweat, more anxious than he was? They seemed eager!
"Have you made your decision? Think carefully, once you sign the contract, there’s no turning back!"
Ye Jiaxing’s head was sincere, and his father was nodding too, displaying such well-behaved expressions that made them appear to be honest employees.
Li Zhihao took out some papers and a pen from the desk and asked father and son to sign their names.
He had not informed those people about the contract signing previously, but by tomorrow morning, he would have them sign the contracts before departure. This might delay things a bit, but he felt it was necessary.
The father and son had just signed the contract when suddenly a group of people entered his home.
Li Zhihao... I didn’t inform you either; why are you so proactive? They aren’t from the estate, so what are they doing here?
Then, a father who worked at the estate came with his son, who also signed the contract, as there was a vacancy.
"It’s kind of inappropriate for you guys to do this, isn’t it? Doesn’t your son have a job at the factory? Did he resign? You didn’t ask me beforehand!"
Then those people explained, saying that after signing the contract here, they would go back to the village and speak to their boss, and their sons would work as staff.
If one day the boss opened a bicycle shop in the Capital City, these assemblers and staff would be useful too.
Li Zhihao... You’ve thought too far ahead. It seems I have no choice but, if one day I truly open such a shop, I really would need people .
Are you planning too cautiously?
In the end, Li Zhihao agreed. With these young and strong lads, the manpower was just right, and he wouldn’t have to worry about hiring externally.
He took out the contract papers, had them take the pen to sign, and also explained the rules to them. Those who couldn’t read were made aware of the contents of the contract, so they were advised to think it over before signing.
Indeed, some of the farmers were illiterate, but luckily their sons knew some characters and read out the contents of the contract to them.
They thought the terms were fair, and although it didn’t specify the wages, they knew the boss’s character and hoped that the wages would increase when they were outside.
Ye Jiaxing... his friends were all together; this was an adventure they were embarking on together. He should be happy, yet appeared somewhat apprehensive about the future!
Brother Lai saw that so many people were visiting Li Zhihao at the estate even at this late hour.
Then he saw Ye Jiaxing and was furious: "You little rascal, come out here!"
Ye Jiaxing... this troublemaker, why was he causing problems again?
With so many people around, why did he single him out?
"Haha, Brother Lai, could it be that you really want to lend me some money? Or are you going to tell me who you like?"
Just as Ye Jiaxing finished speaking, a friend signed and came out:
"Ye Jiaxing, it’s good to borrow money from Brother Lai, but what do you mean by asking Brother Lai who he likes?"
Brother Lai... Were these two rascals showing off in front of me? What nerve!
"I’ll thrash you two rascals, what are you talking about? You’ve got nothing better to do after eating, have you?"
Ye Jiaxing and his friend laughed and ran away, laughing heartily as they exited the estate, making sure Brother Lai couldn’t catch them and not further provoking him!
Brother Lai... these rascals deserved a beating, how come they are so lucky? Li Zhihao, this jerk, would rather hire others but not me!