CHAPTER 6: CHAPTER 6: PAID WORK

Leaving the factory area, Qi Yun called Li Zhuoyue.

"Old Li, can you make another 2300 of those boxes for me this morning? It’s quite urgent."

The person on the other end responded, then quickly communicated with someone nearby before returning to say, "No problem, send me the address, and I’ll have someone deliver them to you around eight o’clock tonight."

"Alright, thanks!"

With only two semi-automatic machines at his shop, agreeing to finish by tonight definitely means he’s rushing the work for me.

Li Zhuoyue joked, "Just saying thanks is useless, aren’t you going to treat me to hotpot?"

Qi Yun laughed heartily and responded cheerfully, "Of course!"

After hanging up, he called Wei Yong next.

As soon as the phone rang once, Wei Yong’s slightly anxious voice came through: "Old Qi, how did it go? Did you close the deal?"

Qi Yun’s lips curled up, feeling a bit excited too, as this business deal could bring him at least a month’s worth of income.

"Yes, the other party needs 2200 boxes. You should get a few people to start washing the apples now, and the boxes I ordered will be delivered to your warehouse tonight."

"Really?! Old Qi, you’ve done your ol’ brother a huge favor this time!" Wei Yong’s voice was trembling with excitement.

Qi Yun timely reminded him: "Don’t celebrate too soon. Make sure the quality is guaranteed, otherwise, if we can’t fulfill the order, don’t blame me."

"You can absolutely trust the quality!" Wei Yong assured confidently, patting his chest, "I won’t hire outsiders; later I’ll call my own family to help."

"That’s fine, I won’t be going to the stall tonight; I’ll also come over later to help."

...

After organizing everything, Qi Yun got on his electric motorcycle and headed home, feeling ravenously hungry after a busy half-day.

At home, he cooked some noodles, paired with that fiery lady, and settled a simple lunch.

After eating, he went over to Little Yellow Hair’s store.

He saw Old Wang with a slicked-back hairstyle, leaned back in a recliner, watching a female dance streamer with an intriguingly complex expression on his face.

The father-son pair’s hobbies are quite similar.

The difference is, Old Wang doesn’t spend a penny on those female streamers, benefiting for free.

As the year’s end approached, many workers living in the urban village were returning home, so Old Wang’s fruit and vegetable store wasn’t getting much business, letting him stay at the shop these days.

Seeing Qi Yun coming in, Old Wang gave him a calm glance: "Not delivering food today?"

"Um, got some things to do today." Qi Yun replied, also settling last night’s bill for the groceries.

"Can Wang Bin help me with some work this afternoon?"

"Sure, I’ll keep an eye on the store." Old Wang didn’t ask further, feeling assured about Qi Yun’s integrity after a year of acquaintance.

Little Yellow Hair behind the counter perked up upon hearing this.

Ever since he realized his beloved female streamer’s gender, he became disillusioned with the internet, no longer seeking love online, leaving him feeling quite empty inside.

"Where are we going, Brother Qi?" Little Yellow Hair put on his coat, eagerly stepping out.

Outside, Qi Yun mounted the electric motorcycle, turned to look at Little Yellow Hair sitting at the back and asked, "Did you bring money?"

"I have five thousand bucks, what, do you need payment to work with you?"

Qi Yun, cigarette in mouth, spread his hands: "Loan me a bit, I’ll repay you tomorrow."

Without another word, Little Yellow Hair took out his wallet and handed a stack of reds to Qi Yun.

The electric motorcycle quickly vanished around the street corner.

Arriving again at Wei Yong’s warehouse, Qi Yun now not only had the purchase contract in his pocket but also an invoice.

At the warehouse entrance, several large water tanks were set up; Wei Yong was pouring apples into them.

Besides him, there were three women.

Seeing Qi Yun arrive, Wei Yong quickly greeted him with a smile, yesterday’s worries long gone.

He casually wiped his hands on his clothes, took out a cigarette from his pocket, offered one to Qi Yun, and helped light it.

"I’ve called my wife, daughter, and sister-in-law for help, definitely ensuring the apple quality."

Qi Yun nodded, got off and walked over to the water tanks.

He’d seen Wei Yong’s wife and daughter before; during busy summers, he’d often help sell fruits in the evenings.

The other woman who looked about 28 or 29 should be his sister-in-law.

"Qi Yun’s here, this time you’ve been a great help, we must thank you properly later." Wei Yong’s wife greeted politely.

Qi Yun waved his hand, laughing, "Sis, we’re friends, no need to be so formal."

The sister-in-law also looked over, her gaze showing a hint of something different.

Noticing her gaze, Qi Yun confidently met her eyes and smiled politely.

"Come on, Binzi, let’s get to work." Qi Yun rolled up his sleeves and bent down to help.

After waiting for a while with no movement behind him, he turned bewildered, seeing Little Yellow Hair standing there dumbfounded, eyes a bit evasive.

Qi Yun hesitated, then followed his gaze, noticing Wei Yong’s daughter unpacking boxes in the corner.

Understanding dawned.

"C’mon, Binzi, let’s get to work!"

Little Yellow Hair snapped out of it and hurried over.

As Qi Yun washed apples, he stole glances at Little Yellow Hair, whose hands were clumsy and eyes frequently wandered towards Wei Yong’s daughter.

He chuckled internally.

Both are close in age; Wei Yong’s daughter has a sweet look, having just gotten into Shizi University this year.

Though Little Yellow Hair graduated from Lanxiang, he’s fairly well-off, not lacking in means.

But for a girl freshly into college, she’s not yet mature, often not prioritizing material wealth.

So, he figured Little Yellow Hair didn’t have much of a chance, likely ending up in a similar plight as his last ’brotherhood’ affair.

In subzero weather, tap water felt icily penetrating, even with rubber gloves, the chill couldn’t be kept at bay.

Seeing Qi Yun take part in the work, Wei Yong advised, "Old Qi, you don’t have to do this, go handle your business."

"Yeah, Qi Yun, you guys should rest, it’s alright for us as family to manage, it’s not right to have you do this." Wei Yong’s wife echoed.

Qi Yun smiled, "No worries, I brought help; if you’re really bothered, just prepare some hearty dishes for tonight."

On hearing this, Wei Yong grinned, "Alright then, I’ll have your sister-in-law whip up a couple of hearty dishes; we’ve got a good bottle at home I’ve been saving, I’ll bring it out to reward you today."

"..."

Swiftly they began working until around six o’clock, almost having washed all the apples. Then Wei Yong’s wife took their daughter home to start dinner.

Qi Yun and the others tidied up the area, neatly placing the apples on boxes, then followed Wei Yong home for a meal.

Wei Yong also rented a place, not far away, in an old neighborhood right behind the warehouse.

Upon entering, the dining table was already laden with a feast.

Beer duck, braised fish, cured meat...

Ever since living alone, Qi Yun hadn’t eaten such a bountiful meal in ages.