Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 152

Cai Xiaofeng nodded very ladylike, then sat down somewhat nervously.

Zhao Da'e kept a close eye on Cai Xiaofeng's every move, every smile, and gesture. Cai Xiaofeng became a little embarrassed by his gaze. Finally, Zhao Da'e concluded: "I must say, Cai Xiaofeng is someone whose beauty grows on you."

She is beautiful and capable. However, she has quite a few crow's feet around her eyes, which suggests that she often has many worries.

However, Zhao Da'e thought that Cai Xiaofeng's long legs were somewhat wasted on pedaling a cart. If she were used for sales or something, she'd definitely be a star…

“Xiangzi should have told me my basic situation.” Cai Xiaofeng didn’t care about the somewhat worn teacups in the small restaurant. She picked up the tea that Xiangzi had poured for her and took a sip. “I was laid off. I don’t know anything else. Before, when I was in the factory, I just ran errands and found customers. Back then, there weren’t many orders, so we went to the supply and marketing cooperatives in various towns and villages, but we didn’t actually sell much.”

Cai Xiaofeng lowered her head in shame and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Later, our manager started to bully me. He wanted me to be with him, but I didn't agree. So he transferred me to Ling County next door to sell vinegar. Sales were so-so, and just as things were starting to look up, he moved me to Ping County, and then to Chang County. I was moved four or five times in three or four years, and each time I was moved again as soon as things started to look up. Finally, he transferred me back, saying I should promote the products of newly opened small restaurants and shops in the county. In the end, he thought that wouldn't work, so he transferred me to work in the factory. This went on for more than a year. Finally, he found an excuse, saying that I made a mistake in a process while working, causing losses, and fired me, laying me off."

Cai Xiaofeng sighed and took a sip of tea: "Others who are laid off get a few months' salary back, but my last month's salary was withheld. I didn't get a single penny, and it's because I was fired. It doesn't look good on my file either. It'll be hard to find a job again. My husband used to tell me, 'Your manager has his eye on you, so just go for it. You'll be living the high life then.' I was stunned. What kind of husband tells his wife to go out and do *that*? As soon as I was fired, he immediately cut ties with me and divorced me. He was afraid I would affect his future."

Cai Xiaofeng's eyes were devoid of light, filled only with a sense of desolation and powerlessness. That helpless expression made Zhao Da'e shake his head in disbelief.

"Once it's over, I'll be out of work. I really never thought about doing that with the manager; I couldn't bring myself to do it. It wasn't worth it. Everyone has two hands; I figured I could find a job anywhere, right? But maybe I was too young. I kept hitting walls everywhere. I couldn't earn any money, and my mother's health wasn't good either. She had a stroke and became paralyzed from the stress." Cai Xiaofeng's eyes dimmed, completely lacking the radiance that someone her age should have.

Perhaps driven by necessity, or perhaps by sheer exhaustion, Cai Xiaofeng sighed, “After having no other options, I started pedaling a cart, hoping to earn some money by delivering goods. I have a rural household registration, and my family doesn’t own any land. When my mother fell ill, we ran out of money. I borrowed from many relatives, but they all avoided me. On the other hand, some people were also looking for trouble with me by pedaling the cart, making it impossible for me to find work, which made life even harder.”

Zhao Da'e nodded, then said to the owner, "Is the food ready? Bring some dishes and warm up a pot of wine."

"okay."

The owner brought out all four dishes, using an alcohol-fueled pot so the food wouldn't get cold halfway through the meal.

The wine was also brought out and placed in a large bowl with hot water inside to warm it.

“Cai Xiaofeng, right? You know Xiangzi. He's told me about you too. Life is indeed hard, but you still have to live on and make the most of it. There's no hurdle you can't overcome. A person lives for their pride, and for your mother's sake, you have to live on. I'm young and don't know much. But I know that life is tough, but you have to try to think more positively.”

There were quite a few layoffs this time, and many others voluntarily resigned. But for us, regardless of whether the opportunities outweigh the difficulties or vice versa, you have to start all over again. You used to work in a factory, so you know a lot and understand a lot. I don't actually need any more people here..."

Before Zhao Da'e could finish speaking, Cai Xiaofeng's eyes dimmed even more upon hearing "we don't need any more people."

“But Xiangzi wouldn’t have it. He insisted on helping you out. He said he didn’t want his wages and would give them to you.” As he spoke, Zhao Da’e glanced at Xiangzi.

Xiangzi was taken aback at first, then lowered his head shyly, blushed, and rubbed the hem of his clothes without saying a word.

Cai Xiaofeng suddenly looked up, her eyes somewhat confused as she looked at Xiangzi, her expression complicated.

“Xiangzi’s wages aren’t high, only 150 yuan a month. Because it’s on his way, I’m paying him very little. Your previous wages should have been higher, maybe two or three times, maybe four or five times. But I can only give you 150 yuan a month,” Zhao Da’e said, feigning worry.

"Okay, okay, 150 is perfect." Cai Xiaofeng agreed without even letting the words linger in her mind.

Cai Xiaofeng used to earn more, over 500 yuan a month. But since being laid off and her mother suffering a stroke, she can barely earn a few yuan a day. Five yuan a day may not seem like much, but for Cai Xiaofeng, it's enough to buy over 20 kilograms of rice, at least enough to keep herself and her mother from starving. This isn't because Cai Xiaofeng is despicable, but simply because life is like this.

At this moment, having someone give her a job is like saving her life, and also saving her mother's life. They are like her second parents.

Zhao Da'e waved his hand and said, "That's true, but don't agree too soon. We're in a remote, impoverished area, and there are no shortcuts for you. Although the salary isn't high, you'll have to do the work of several people. And let me be clear: you're down on your luck now, but if you start thinking about kicking someone when they're down on their luck or being ungrateful when things get better, that won't be good."

Cai Xiaofeng was stunned. She hadn't expected that Zhao Da'e, despite his young age, would reveal such mature shrewdness in his words.

Xiangzi quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Little aunt, I can't."

Zhao Da'e shook his head: "Some things are like this, they still need to be in writing, with everything that needs to be said said and everything that needs to be signed. That's how it works. Of course, I don't mean anything by it. It's not like you can't do anything on your own when you make money or get rich in the future."

Zhao Da'e took out a pre-prepared contract from his pocket.

"This is an employment contract. There are many clauses, but the core points are just a few. First, Cai Xiaofeng, your job is to open up the market for bottled water in our county, and if possible, sell as much as possible. Second, your salary is 150 yuan per month, but there is a commission of 5% of the total revenue profit, which is a lot of money. Now, you can save about 20 cents for every bottle of water you sell. Of course, this refers to revenue profit. As for transportation and fuel costs, there will be appropriate subsidies."

Thirdly, this contract is in triplicate and will be notarized later. Your total employment period is ten years. If you terminate the contract prematurely, you will have to pay a substantial penalty. Of course, I don't want that day to come.

After listening, Cai Xiaofeng glanced at the terms and conditions. They basically stipulated that one must wholeheartedly sell water for Zhao Da'e and have no selfish motives, otherwise it would all be considered a breach of contract. However, at this moment, Cai Xiaofeng only wanted to work; she couldn't even afford to eat, so how could she possibly think of betraying Zhao Da'e at this time?

"I sign."

Seeing that Cai Xiaofeng had no objections, Xiangzi also had no objections.

After Cai Xiaofeng signed, Zhao Dage took out three hundred yuan from his pocket and handed it to her: "I know you're having a hard time right now, with your mother sick. Let's keep things separate. A contract is a contract. Consider this money a loan; you can pay me back when you have the money. How can you live without money right now? You still need to eat and wear clothes, and your mother is sick—all of that costs money. I don't have that much; this is all I can lend you."

Zhao Da'e hadn't had time to ask for the money from selling the water, so he only had three or four hundred yuan left in total.

Cai Xiaofeng's eyes instantly welled up with tears. When she used to work at the vinegar factory, she would sign confidentiality agreements. Back then, there were no contracts specifying how many years she would work. She just received her salary monthly—a secure job. But now that job was gone, she was down on her luck. During her most difficult time, Zhao Dage gave her a job. Although the pay might not be high, it included commissions, not a fixed salary, so with hard work, she could potentially earn more. That's how it is when you work for someone; the more capable you are, the more you earn—that's undeniable.

But no one gives you money for no reason. However, when Cai Xiaofeng was down on her luck, Zhao Da'e gave her three hundred yuan. Although it was a loan, it was the first time the two had met. Even with Xiangzi involved, Cai Xiaofeng was extremely grateful to Zhao Da'e for giving her three hundred yuan.

"I can't accept this... I... I can't accept something I haven't done right by. I... I..."

"Take it. Everyone has their difficult times, everyone has their struggles. I, Zhao Da'e, may not have any special skills, but I can't bear to see people suffer." Zhao Da'e said with some emotion, "Take it. You can pay me back when you have the money."

Xiangzi added, "Your aunt lent it to you, so just take it."

Xiangzi wasn't well-off, and he wanted to help Cai Xiaofeng, which Cai Xiaofeng really couldn't accept.

"Then I'll keep it, and I'll definitely return it to you later." Cai Xiaofeng didn't try to be coy, after all, her family's current situation didn't allow her to be coy.

"Boss Zhao..."

"No, no, no, it's better to call me Little Aunt. Just go along with Xiangzi's way of calling me. It's a little disadvantageous, but not much." Zhao Da'e chuckled.

"Little aunt, don't worry. From now on, I, Cai Xiaofeng, will do anything for you, even die for you." Cai Xiaofeng was truly moved to tears. You have to understand what three hundred yuan meant to her at that time.

Zhao Da'e's image instantly became towering in Cai Xiaofeng's mind, like an unapproachable mountain.

The saying goes, "A scholar will die for one who understands him, and a woman will adorn herself for one who appreciates her." In that instant, Cai Xiaofeng silently vowed to herself that from now on, she would follow Zhao Dage's lead without question.

"Alright, let's eat first, then drink," Zhao Da'e said. "But I won't drink, I'm too young. Boss, do you have any AD calcium milk?" Zhao Da'e asked.

The shop owner was a little confused: "We really don't have that. If you want a drink, I'll go out and buy some for you."

"Thank you very much," Zhao Da'e said. Her biggest dream when she was a child was to drink a bottle of AD calcium milk, but she was too poor to afford it back then. Now she'd treat herself to it.

Small restaurants like these in the north might be called "sparrow restaurants" or "fly restaurants" in the south.

Yes, the hole-in-the-wall restaurant is a place Zhao Da'e will never forget in his life.

The special feature of these small restaurants is that they're run by a husband and wife team; they can cook whatever you order. Even if it's a dumpling place, they also offer stir-fries and drinks. Most importantly, the prices are affordable, and the owners are incredibly easy to talk to.

Of course, the difficult-to-talk-to boss would have closed down long ago. So when Zhao Da'e asked for AD calcium milk, the boss went out to buy it without finding anything wrong with it.

A little while later, the shopkeeper returned with a tray of bottled water and handed it to Zhao Da'e. Zhao Da'e opened one, took out a straw, and then held it up, saying in a serious manner, "Let's have one. I won't say much more. From now on, Xiangzi will be in charge of hauling the water, and Cai Xiaofeng, you'll be in charge of selling it and developing the market. Because I don't know exactly how much we need or how much we'll sell. Xiangzi, I'll reimburse you for your gas money. There won't be any wages for the next two months, but don't worry, your aunt won't let you lose money."

Xiangzi chuckled, his face flushed. He'd do anything, even lose money, let alone not lose money. He wasn't after anything else, just wanted to spend more time with Cai Xiaofeng: "Little Aunt, don't worry. Leave this to me, I'll handle it perfectly."

For the first time ever, Cai Xiaofeng poured herself a glass of baijiu (Chinese liquor). She didn't care about the alcohol content anymore. She raised it and said, "Little Aunt, I dare not make any grand promises. But I will do my best. I... I'm bad at talking, it's all in the liquor."

With that, Cai Xiaofeng gulped down a glass of baijiu in one breath.

Xiangzi took a look and gulped down a glass of baijiu.

Zhao Da'e chuckled, tore off the plastic film on the AD calcium milk, and gulped down a whole bottle of AD calcium milk.

The three of them thoroughly enjoyed the meal and ordered a lot of dumplings.

As the saying goes, "A thousand cups of wine are too few when drinking with a bosom friend, but even half a sentence is too much when talking to someone with whom you don't click." Zhao Da'e, watching Xiangzi's ambiguous gaze towards Cai Xiaofeng and Cai Xiaofeng's grateful expression, couldn't help but feel a secret delight: "Tsk tsk tsk, people's hearts can be bought off. With these two right-hand men, at least I won't have to worry about food and clothing anymore. Xiangzi and Cai Xiaofeng will be my right-hand men from now on."

Time flew by. After the meal, Zhao Da'e asked Xiangzi to take Cai Xiaofeng home, while he himself took a donkey to find Kuang Shouyi to ask for money.

Kuang Shouyi did the math and then gave the money to Zhao Da'e.

Zhao Da'e went to several other water vendors to collect money, and it wasn't until evening that he finished. He collected a total of about 3,200 yuan.

In winter, the days are particularly short, and it gets dark very quickly. Zhao Da'e hailed a donkey and happily rode home.