CHAPTER 454: CHAPTER 448: SNEAKING IN

The youngster looked back at Zhao Hanzhang, and seeing that she wore patched clothes but was clean and tidy and seemed a bit better off than him, he couldn’t help but roll his eyes and say, "You say ’cut in line’ and just cut in? I’ve been standing here from the start, you’re the one who didn’t see."

Fu Tinghan turned back, frowned and looked at him, his expression becoming somewhat stern, "I’m with her."

The youngster wasn’t afraid though, he snorted, grabbed Fu Tinghan, and threw him aside, then stepped forward to stand in his place.

Zhao Hanzhang reached out to steady the staggering Fu Tinghan, and after stabilizing him, pushed him behind her, stepping forward so she remained just a step away from the youngster, "Buddy, that’s unreasonable, cutting in line is one thing, but why get physical?"

The youngster was quite annoyed and pointed a finger at Zhao Hanzhang, saying, "You dare accuse me of cutting in line again... Ow!"

With a cheery smile, Zhao Hanzhang twisted the finger he pointed at her, causing him pain. Frustrated, he tried to kick Zhao Hanzhang, but as soon as his leg lifted, Zhao Hanzhang kicked him back, hitting a precise point on his calf, causing him to kneel before her on one knee with a thud.

Still holding his hand, Zhao Hanzhang chuckled, "Wow, buddy, you’re too polite. Cutting in line isn’t great, but no need for such a grand gesture!"

Since she was on a covert mission dressed as a commoner, she had to act like a real refugee, not as Inspector Zhao Hanzhang but as Refugee Zhao Hanzhang, a bit stingy.

Zhao Hanzhang held onto his hand until he sweat from the pain and started begging for mercy, at which point she relaxed her grip.

She patted his shoulder, grabbed a bone on it, and lifted him up, laughing, "Buddy, one must follow the rules. I hate it when people don’t. The rule for queuing here is ’first come, first served,’ so go to the back and don’t cut in again!"

The youngster was furious, clenching his teeth, rubbing his finger, he left the queue and saw the government official noticed them and started heading over. He shot a malicious glare at Zhao Hanzhang, lowered his voice threateningly, "You two just wait, I won’t make it easy for you."

With that, he ran off before the official arrived.

Fu Tinghan only had time to say, "We’re not siblings..."

But aside from Zhao Hanzhang, nobody else heard him.

Zhao Hanzhang watched the youngster run away, turned back, and smiled at Fu Tinghan, then lowered her head to avoid the approaching official.

The official, looking displeased, came over to Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan, banging a gong near their ears as he shouted, "What’s the ruckus? Even with work given to you, you’re not behaving. Keep it up and you’ll be kicked out to the last spot in line!"

He didn’t recognize Zhao Hanzhang, mainly because she was covered in grime, her face smeared with yellow mud mixed with some juice, and had her head down. Those who had only seen her from afar on the street couldn’t recognize her.

One should say, it was hard for anyone who hadn’t interacted face-to-face with Zhao Hanzhang to recognize her by face alone; after all, people usually identify others starting with their clothes, unless they have special talents. Most people recognize others by assessing their attire and demeanor first.

Zhao Hanzhang obediently listened to the scolding, only raising her hand to rub her ears after the official left.

Fu Tinghan also breathed a sigh of relief; the noise was indeed too loud.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang frowning discomfortingly, he asked worriedly, "Are you alright?"

Her hearing was exceptionally keen.

"I’m fine," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Note it down, tell them to treat the refugees better later."

Fu Tinghan nodded, asking, "Shouldn’t we punish them?"

"Forget it, if I punish them for this, they’ll resent me inside, even if they don’t say it," she said, "It’s almost New Year’s, usually around this time, the government offices are closed for holidays, and officials rotate for rest. Because of my order this year, the offices aren’t closed, and they had to brave the cold to work, it’s understandable they have complaints."

"Understanding doesn’t mean I support it, so no punishment, but remind them they need to pay attention in the future."

Fu Tinghan nodded, "Alright, I’ll keep it in mind for you, and remind you if you forget."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed, and while they talked the line quickly moved forward, soon it was their turn.

Zhao Hanzhang stood in front of Fu Tinghan, didn’t swap their positions, went straight ahead to register first.

"Name, age, origin, who else is in your family, any special skills? Things like literacy, sewing, weaving count."

"Third Sister Zhao, fifteen, from Yu State, Liang State; I have a mother and brother, but we got separated; special skill, uh," Zhao Hanzhang appeared conflicted, then said, "Does having great strength count?"

The registering officer glanced up at her briefly before saying, "Can your strength compare with a man’s? If not, then no, don’t mention the obscure ones. Go grab a wooden stick and wait on the side, the foreman will come pick you all up for work later."

Zhao Hanzhang hurriedly asked, "What’s the pay? Could you tell me the wages, and are they paid daily?"

This question isn’t asked often, especially by women, so the officer again looked up at her, feeling she seemed oddly familiar.

Zhao Hanzhang bowed her head, softened her tone, and whispered, "I need to earn money to find my mother and brother, is the pay good..."

Behind her, Fu Tinghan shuddered noticeably; Zhao Hanzhang sensed it and glared back at him discreetly.

Fu Tinghan lowered his head to suppress his laughter, waited until he calmed down before stepping forward to the officer, "We came together, I am literate, could you arrange for us to work in the same area?"

The officer immediately forgot his vague impression of Zhao Hanzhang, seriously assessed Fu Tinghan, seeing his scholarly demeanor, promptly asked, "What’s your name, age, origin, besides literacy what else are you skilled at?"

He asked, "Are you good with numbers?"

That he was indeed.

Fu Tinghan hesitated for a moment before nodding, and answered his questions one by one, "My name is Fu Dalang..."

"Good!" The officer seemed pleased, noted everything down, took out a wooden stick, marked it with ink, and handed it to Fu Tinghan, "Wait on the side for a bit, the foreman will come to collect you all for work soon."

After pausing, due to Fu Tinghan, he also gave Zhao Hanzhang some face, saying a few more words, "Your pay is fifteen cents a day, yours is ten cents, the site provides two meals a day, it’s all written on the notice, since you can read, you should know."

He did know; that pay was settled after discussion with Zhao Hanzhang. The person in front just wanted to reconfirm it.

Fu Tinghan took the stick, agreed, and led Zhao Hanzhang aside to wait for the foreman.

Quite a few were waiting with them, and when the number reached twenty, a dark-faced young man arrived, waved them over, "Everyone, follow me."