Xie Sui had always been generous to those around him. In his previous life, although he had friends all over the world, he always felt lonely.
Reborn, with his wife and children by his side, Xie Sui lived a simple and happy life, far from the social engagements and deceit. He became even more generous.
Zhang Wenfeng was happily drinking beer. Xie Sui drove the tractor, and they returned to the village in just over half an hour.
Upon reaching the entrance of the old family home, he called for people to help unload the cement. However, besides his uncle and a few other paternal cousins and uncles, there weren't as many people to help as before.
"Dad, why are there fewer people? When will this be finished at this rate? It's time to unload the cement."
"Alas, the village head wants to repair the village irrigation channel and has called everyone away. If anyone refuses to go, their future subsidies for seeds or recommendation letters will be withheld. They have no choice.
It's alright, we'll build it slowly. Doesn't every family take three to five months to build a new house? This progress isn't slow."
Xie Sui's expression immediately turned grim. He didn't believe the village head *had* to repair the irrigation channel at this time. When couldn't it be repaired? It was clearly targeting him.
"Dad, you rest. Don't trouble yourself. Put the beer in the well water to chill. I'll go call people to unload the cement."
Uncle Xie, Xie Changjiang, went with him and said on the way, "Little Sui, your uncle thinks something's off with the village head. Is he trying to mess with you?"
"Uncle, you see it too. It's fine, I'll have a word with him. We'll see who messes with whom."
"You've been smart since you were a child, just too mischievous. Sigh, Zhao Tielin's family is really against you. He said his son is also starting a factory and will eventually drive you out of business."
Uncle Xie was jolted awake by Grandma Xie and sincerely hoped his nephew would succeed and be able to help his own son in the future. He was wholeheartedly scheming for Xie Sui.
"Don't worry, Uncle. They're just trailing behind me, eating my exhaust fumes. They treat it like a treasure!"
Uncle Xie chuckled. Although the kid's words were rough, they were satisfying to hear.
At the village head's irrigation channel, young men were scattered around working, laughing, and slacking off. The village head, Zhao Tiegang, would scold them for a while before stealing a break himself. The village head was also helpless.
Zhao Tielin's eldest son, Zhao Youfang, was among them, also slacking off. As long as these people didn't help Xie Sui, his objective was achieved.
Seeing Xie Sui approaching from afar, Zhao Youfang was gloating, waiting for him to beg everyone to go back to work, only for the village head to refuse. The thought of Xie Sui's angry and helpless expression made Zhao Youfang feel relieved.
"It's a hot day, you've all worked hard. I just brought a truckload of cement and some beer. Whoever goes to help unload the truck will get to drink beer!"
"You're generous, kid. I'll go unload it for you."
Zhao Youfang hadn't expected Xie Sui to pull this move. A few bundles of beer had lured everyone away. He stood up to block them: "The village head's arranged work isn't finished yet. If you want to drink beer, can't you do it after work?"
Xie Sui: "Whoever goes first drinks first. I don't think this work is particularly urgent. Once I'm done with my own work, there'll be no beer left for you."
What were they waiting for? With a rush, they all left without a word to the village head. No one was foolish enough not to see that the village head was causing trouble for the Xie family.
The village head and Zhao's cousins hadn't left. Zhao Tiegang looked conflicted, smoking his pipe with a wrinkled, worried face. "Little Sui, why are you back so early today?"
"Village head uncle, if I hadn't come back early, I wouldn't have known that building my house was so difficult. It's bothering you, isn't it?"
The village head looked embarrassed: "Not really, it's not urgent work. We can do it slowly. With the current slack, in a couple of months, it will be time for fieldwork, and people won't be free."
"Yes, then will I have no hope of living in a new house this year?"
Zhao Youfang snorted, "Live in it or not, it's up to you."
"Get lost! I'm talking to the village head, what's it to you? You're glaring at me, looking for a beating!"
"Try hitting me then!"
Zhao Youfang was stubborn and clenched his fists, wanting to fight Xie Sui.
"Zhao Youfang, what are you doing? Go to work!"
Zhao Tiegang quickly stopped him. They couldn't let them fight. He chided Xie Sui: "You child, your temper is still so bad. Can fighting solve problems?"
Xie Sui stared at him coldly. "Village head uncle, I always thought you were a fair and good village head. It seems I overestimated you. Fine, Xie Sui will remember today's events.
Uncle, let's go."
Zhao Youfang spat behind him: "Peh, just opening a lousy factory, and you think you're someone important? Uncle, you shouldn't have stopped me. I wouldn't have killed him!"
"If you killed him, wouldn't you have to pay with your life? Youfang, listen to your uncle, don't cause trouble, okay?"
"He provoked me first, why aren't you saying that about him!"
The village head's eyes turned black with anger. "You all think you're so great. As your uncle, my words don't count. Do as you please!"
He stopped caring. If he got himself sick from anger, no one would reimburse his medical expenses.
Xie Family Old House.
The truckload of cement was quickly unloaded. With more people, the work was fast. Afterward, they went to drink beer. Normally, who would spare money for beer? They wouldn't even spend five fen on an ice pop, let alone fifty fen on beer.
"Xie Sui, how much money do you make at your factory in the county town? Building a new house costs five to six thousand. Is the factory that profitable?"
Everyone in the village was curious about how much Xie Sui earned. Xie Sui smiled and said, "Just earning some hard-earned money. Let's put in some effort this afternoon to level the foundation. Thank you all in advance."
"There's so much work, it will take two days. We're building your house at the risk of being scolded by the village head. Will you prepare two bundles of beer every day from now on?"
The people chuckled. Xie Sui's smile turned cold. "How about I pay you a wage? Ten yuan a day, how's that?"
"That would be wonderful. Factory Director Xie is truly generous. Not ten, five yuan is fine."
"Heh heh, I dare to say it, and you dare to take it seriously. Didn't my father help your families? If you compensate my father for his labor, then I'll give it to you."
Xie Changhe was well-liked in the village. He always did his best when any family needed help. The fact that Xie Sui, such a scoundrel, hadn't had his legs broken was solely due to his father's reputation.
When villagers built houses, families helped each other and were provided with two meals. Except for when the main beams were erected or the roof was built, when professional teams were hired, who would pay wages?
Xie Changhe saw their tone was not right and quickly said, "Alright, Little Sui, you go about your business. Your father can handle the house building; you don't need to worry about it."
Xie Sui, with a cold face, drove the tractor to find Lu Tianxing to discuss important matters. If he wanted to earn his wages, with this attitude, he wouldn't give anything to these scoundrels.
There were still two packs of cigarettes under the seat. They were originally meant to be distributed to them. This incident had upset Xie Sui, so he decided not to give them out. He'd rather give them to the pigs than to these people!