CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 70: LUMBERJACK

"I said, get in line in an orderly manner!"

Before Qin Yao’s words were fully spoken, three black shadows cut graceful arcs through the air above everyone’s heads.

"Thud, thud, thud," came three dull thuds from behind, and Shunzi, who had just raised his fist, looked back in surprise.

He saw the three people who had just been standing in front of him now crumpled at the end of the line, seemingly in a daze on the ground, as if not yet realizing what had happened.

After a three-second silence on the empty ground, the cries of pain began, and the three curled up on the ground, feeling as though all their internal organs had been displaced, the dull pain unending.

Shunzi looked forward and then back at the three wailing on the ground, and finally at Qin Yao, who stood beside him with arms crossed. He felt as if something was blocking his throat; he wanted to speak but couldn’t, his face flushed.

She didn’t even glance back at the three on the ground, and everyone else in line looked around in confusion, completely unaware of how those three had been thrown through the air.

Because her speed was so fast, too fast for normal human reactions to keep up with.

Only the three on the ground knew what happened, supporting each other painfully to stand up, they pointed together at the woman at the front with a spine straight as a pine, wanting to roar in anger.

Her expression was indifferent; she tilted her head slightly, her dark eyes glanced sideways, not even at them, but at the yellow dust on the ground.

The three felt a chill starting from their feet shooting straight to the top of their heads, a collective shiver.

The mountain wind swept through, like a tangible murderous aura stabbing into their hearts, causing them to catch their breath.

The wind lifted the hem of her simple blue clothing, her high ponytail whipped wildly in the wind, as if about to transform into a demon wielding a long blade from hell!

Such a domineering, terrifying aura overwhelmed them, instantly shattering their psychological defenses.

They dared not say a single word more or cast a glance, fleeing in a hasty scurry, just wanting to leave this place as quickly as possible.

Seeing the three who had seemed so menacing, now fleeing into the mountains as if possessed, the men gathered at Landlord Ding’s gate to apply for short-term labor finally realized they had been thrown out by the woman at the front.

"Sister-in-law, you..." Shunzi began to stammer nervously as he spoke.

Qin Yao gave him a reassuring smile and looked at the dozen or so people behind her, "I believe that whether it’s men or women, as long as they have skills, everyone should stand together and compete fairly."

"I came early for the job application, so I’m first in line. Those who came later should follow the order and line up behind me; it’s only reasonable."

This remark served as both an explanation and a warning — if anyone tried to cut in line again, they’d end up like those three!

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Luckily, no one else came later with the same overbearing attitude as the previous three.

As time passed and the messy queue grew orderly.

Of course, Qin Yao and Shunzi remained at the front.

As the sky tinged with red clouds, the gate of Landlord Ding’s house finally opened.

A middle-aged man in silk and a square hat stepped out with someone who looked like a steward.

He asked as soon as they approached, "Who was making noise outside my gate just now?"

Shunzi whispered to Qin Yao, "That’s Landlord Ding."

Qin Yao acknowledged this, taking responsibility, stepped forward, and nodded at Landlord Ding.

Landlord Ding scrutinized her, frowning, "It was you?"

The steward next to him was also surprised and reminded her, "The jobs we offer outside are heavy labor; we’re not looking for a cook."

Qin Yao replied, "I’m here to apply for the labor job, and also, the fact that I’m a woman is obvious, does it need repeated confirmation?"

She wasn’t cross-dressed, yet they were acting as if they were dancing in her danger zone by repeatedly questioning.

The steward hadn’t expected Qin Yao not to lose her temper with the three who cut the line, yet get fired up over his comment. He sheepishly closed his mouth and looked at his master.

Landlord Ding had stood inside the door, watching through the crack as Qin Yao flung the three line-cutters away.

Then, hiding behind the door, his eyes were nearly popping out of their sockets, never in his life having seen such a powerful woman.

The steward had even remarked, if not for her being a woman, they could have employed her as a personal guard.

Nonetheless, whether she would have agreed was another matter.

"I need ten lumberjacks to build a school for my descendants. Do you know how to chop wood?" Landlord Ding asked Qin Yao.

Having reached the final step of the interview process, to keep the job, whether you know how or not, you have to say you do!

Qin Yao confidently said she knew, and she pulled Shunzi over, "He’s even more skilled than I am, an expert at chopping wood."

Inside, Shunzi’s inner voice cried for help!

He had no idea how to chop wood! That wasn’t an easy job, and chopping the tree incorrectly might cause it to fall and kill someone!

Qin Yao gave him a reassuring look, and only then did Shunzi nervously swallow, nodding repeatedly at Landlord Ding.

Landlord Ding cautiously looked at the two, probing, "What relation are you two?"

Qin Yao quickly replied, "He’s my husband’s sworn brother. My husband fell suddenly ill and couldn’t make it, so I’m here to apply in his stead."

For some reason, hearing that Qin Yao had a husband put Landlord Ding’s mind at ease; he signaled the steward to register the two of them, meaning they were selected.

Ecstatic, Shunzi bowed deeply to Landlord Ding and happily followed the steward into the courtyard for a simple registration.

They recorded their names and places of origin, then gave them each a wooden token, which served as their work ID.

"Start work at 7 a.m., finish in the late afternoon. Before starting, register at the house, receive breakfast, then set out with the foreman. Lunch will be delivered to you. Two meals a day, plus ten cents as payment. If there are no issues, put your fingerprints on the document."

Qin Yao automatically translated the steward’s words into a modern format in her mind.

Start work at 7 a.m., end at 5 p.m., two meals included, and earning ten cents a day.

"How long is the lunch break?" Qin Yao asked.

The steward gave her a curious look; it was the first time someone had asked him about the lunch duration, others usually just followed the foreman’s schedule.

Nevertheless, he answered her, "Fifteen minutes for lunch."

Fifteen minutes for a meal — not even enough time for those who eat slowly to visit the bathroom.

With a total work time of ten hours, Qin Yao rolled up her sleeves and pressed her fingerprints, accepting it as it was.

Both of them pressed their fingerprints, took the wooden tokens, and moved to the middle of the courtyard to wait.

Shunzi said excitedly, "Ten coins a day, and two meals included!"

It seemed he had already forgotten that they didn’t actually know how to chop wood.

Qin Yao responded with a faint "hmm." She had thought the landlord’s house would be grand and luxurious, but upon entering, it was quite ordinary, similar to old-style courtyards in the capital.

But compared to the thatched cottages in the village, it was a mansion.

Shunzi’s excitement lasted until the foreman, Ding Wu, led the group to the pine forest and assigned him the task of chopping wood. Only then did he grip the saw with trembling apprehension and wake up to reality.