The brigade leader was amused when he heard what Accountant Wang said.
Slapping his thigh, he said, “Isn’t it strange? For the past two days, whoever reports to me about anything always mentions Xiao Laosan’s new wife.”
Accountant Wang was bewildered: “Who else?”
“It’s Zhou Yuan’s wife. I asked her to lead the team to the commune for rehearsal. Yesterday, just like you, she excitedly ran to tell me that Xiao Laosan’s wife was praised by the head of the cultural troupe.”
Accountant Wang took a sip of tea and said in surprise, “That’s perfect. Dingdingdang said that she was praised again today, and the person who praised her was the commune’s propaganda minister.”
This was a different matter. Yesterday, the head of the cultural troupe praised her for her good dancing.
But, to be honest, good dancing wasn’t very useful in their rural village, so the brigade leader didn’t pay much attention to it.
“Tell me in detail.”
Accountant Wang took another sip of tea before slowly beginning. He had a fondness for this tea, and it was the reason he could sit for an extra half hour at the captain’s house each time.
“My daughter said that today at the commune, they were bullied, and people were always speaking ill of them behind their backs. Then Xiao Laosan’s wife used the words of the old chairman to criticize them severely, leaving them speechless. The propaganda minister happened to see this and praised Xiao Laosan’s wife for speaking well, saying that our brigade taught well.”
The captain was very pleased to hear this.
“What is Xiao Laosan’s wife’s name?”
“Su Yunyi.”
“Comrade Su Yunyi is indeed capable. Not only did she not embarrass our brigade, but she has brought us honor.”
Accountant Wang finally remembered the purpose of his visit.
He then recounted how his daughter’s money was robbed, and how Su Yunyi, with her quick thinking, not only reported it to the police but also went to the bank to retrieve the money.
“She’s not afraid of trouble, she’s very resourceful when faced with issues, and she’s a high school student. I thought she was the best candidate to take over my position. I came straight here after a quick bite.”
The brigade leader replied grumpily, “I haven’t even eaten yet, and you’re already here.”
Accountant Wang then noticed that he was indeed alone.
“Where’s your wife?”
The brigade leader’s eyes darted away slightly: “She went back to her parents’ home.”
He must have upset his wife again. No wonder there was no one to cook. How pitiful.
After some idle chatter, they returned to the topic of the next accountant.
“As you say, Comrade Su Yunyi is indeed very suitable. I’m just worried that Xiao Laosan might act recklessly. I’ll go to their house to take a look later.”
At this moment, Su Yunyi was also contemplating this matter.
She wasn’t someone with grand ambitions; she just wanted to live her current life well and take things one step at a time.
As things stood, she was inclined to take the accountant position, but she still needed to discuss it with Xiao Ze.
She returned late today. Mother Xiao had left her steamed buns and Hu Zi waiting for her; the others had already gone to help at the construction site.
She quickly finished the crispy-skinned bun with the cabbage stewed in a large pot.
Hu Zi had arranged to play with his friends in the evening, so Su Yunyi walked home alone.
Before she reached home, she heard a loud chanting sound from a distance.
As she got closer.
She saw six or seven burly men in the yard, still working, gathered in a circle. They were all shirtless, each holding a hemp rope. The rope was attached to a large stone, and Xiao Ze stood in the center, steadying the stone with his hands.
He was chanting and sweating profusely.
Mother Xiao saw her and quickly pulled her aside. Seeing her curious expression, she smiled and asked, “Yunyi, haven’t you seen this before?”
The onlookers chuckled softly.
Su Yunyi nodded shyly, “Mom, what are they doing?”
“They’re ramming the earth. Houses built on rammed earth are stable.”
“I didn’t realize your third son had this skill. His ability to steady the rammer is no less than that of an old hand.”
Mother Xiao looked at her son with pride.
A few days ago, she heard that they were going to build a house, and many people in the brigade made sarcastic remarks. Who knew that Xiao Laosan had already gotten the materials in just one day and hired people to do the work, paying them more than a day’s wage for working in the fields. Even people from the neighboring brigade wanted to come and work.
After the current round of ramming, a few more people took turns. Those who were replaced collapsed on the ground, gulping down water.
“Lao San hasn’t rested all day. He said he wants to finish ramming today, and it looks like it’s almost done.”
The brigade leader saw this scene when he arrived at Xiao Ze’s house.
Normally, when someone in the brigade was building a house, he should have organized the young and strong to help. But when everyone heard it was Xiao Laosan, they all made excuses about being busy or feeling unwell. He also had a selfish motive, wanting to teach Xiao Laosan a lesson so he would work harder in the future.
Unexpectedly, no one offered to help, yet other people’s houses were being built with great momentum.
The brigade leader secretly praised Xiao Ze’s movements and commanding presence while steadying the rammer.
It seemed that this couple was truly determined to live a stable life, and giving her the accountant position would indeed be suitable.
Just then, someone spotted him.
“Captain, why are you here? Are you here to snatch our wages too?”
The burly men joked casually.
The brigade leader took off his outer garment and joined the next round of ramming.
After the last piece of land was rammed, the brigade leader patted Xiao Ze’s shoulder and said, “Good boy, I didn’t realize you had this skill. In the future, we won’t need to hire people to steady the rammer for house construction in our village.”
He then announced loudly to everyone, “Starting tomorrow, we’ll arrange a schedule to take turns helping Xiao Ze’s family. We’re neighbors, is it shameful to charge wages?”
Xiao Ze saw the change in everyone’s expressions and quickly persuaded the brigade leader, “Captain, I, Xiao Ze, have done many bad things in the village before. Moreover, my wife is rehearsing at the commune, and she really can’t earn enough to feed us. This money isn’t wages; it’s for the brothers’ meals. You must help me with this and approve it, otherwise, this house really won’t be built.”
Hearing him say this, the crowd’s previously dejected mood was instantly reignited.
They started bantering.
The brigade leader also saw the situation. Since one was willing to hit and the other was willing to be hit, it would make him the bad guy if he tried to stop them. He also smiled and said, “What you said makes sense. Then let’s all work together to help Xiao Ze build his house as soon as possible.”
After saying that, he asked everyone to help tidy up.
Mother Xiao, being a shrewd person, brought water to the brigade leader.
“Auntie, you are so fortunate. With this skill, Lao San will establish himself. And your newly married third daughter-in-law, Su Yunyi, has been praised by leaders at the commune for two consecutive days, bringing honor to our brigade!”
Mother Xiao had never been so glorious in her life, and tears were about to stream down her face.
Her family’s life was getting better and better.
And when the surrounding people heard the brigade leader’s words, they all gasped.
Xiao family’s daughter-in-law was actually praised by commune leaders, and praised for two consecutive days.