QTIMP -Chapter 312 Character Persona – Vain (Part 6)

Today was the day Si Yangui was moving houses. He had taken some time out to pick Si Qiu up. She sat in her father’s car, waiting for the movers to finish helping him relocate.

It was already early winter. The people helping with the move only had a pair of white cotton gloves each, and the fingertips of some gloves were already worn through.

The exposed fingers and wrists were covered with cracks. Ordinary people at the bottom of society spent their youth trading their health for money, and when they grew old, they spent money trying to buy back their health.

“Boss, this is the last coffee table. Once we move it upstairs, we’re done. Take a look and see if there’s anything else you need.”

The man handed him a cigarette and said, “Brother, although the furniture inside has been arranged, the place is filthy. Do you know anyone who can clean it? Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it. I’m not the stingy type.”

Si Yangui knew that this big brother was indeed generous and easy to work with. However, all the people under him were either old coworkers who had worked together with him before or brothers who had retired from the army.

They were fine with physical labor, but when it came to delicate cleaning work, they might end up ruining their reputation.

At this moment, Si Qiu leaned against the window of the agricultural pickup truck and called out to the people outside.

“Uncle, Uncle! Someone can clean your house. I wonder what price you’re willing to pay?

“I guarantee they’ll work neatly and efficiently. They absolutely won’t damage your furniture, and they’ll clean everything properly.”

The man turned around and exclaimed in surprise. Seeing such a clean and adorable little girl, he suddenly felt like teasing her. He tucked the unlit cigarette behind his ear and asked gently,

“Really? If they’re that good at working, won’t they be very expensive?”

Si Qiu waved her little hand.

“Uncle, expensive things have a reason for being expensive. The only disadvantage of expensive things is that they cost more, but cheap things have many more disadvantages. You’re not someone who lacks money. Of course, you should spend money to buy service and quality.”

The man burst out laughing.

“Hahaha, brother, your little daughter is quite the clever one! Fine, fine, I’ll spend money to buy this service. But I wonder how much your high-quality service costs?”

Si Qiu turned around and looked at Si Yangui.

“Dad, how big is Uncle’s house? How dirty is it inside? Are there any difficult stains that need to be cleaned?”

When Si Qiu saw that Si Yangui was about to answer, she quickly waved her hand.

“Dad, Auntie Wang, ask her to find two capable women. Have them bring their tools, and they can clean the whole house in one afternoon.”

Si Yangui’s eyes lit up when he heard this, and he nodded.

“Your uncle’s house is about eighty to ninety square meters. It’s not particularly dirty, but there are some paint stains from when the walls were painted that dripped onto the floor. Those might be a little difficult to clean.”

Si Qiu nodded and turned back to the man.

“Uncle, based on what my dad said, three hardworking people would need at least two hours. If there are any delays, it’ll take three hours. Normally, one person earns three yuan per hour. That would be twenty-seven yuan total. How about you give twenty-five yuan? I guarantee we’ll clean it until you’re satisfied.”

To be honest, this price was actually not cheap.

After all, at this time, hiring a live-in nanny only cost a little over four hundred yuan a month.

However, after thinking for a while, the man still nodded.

“Alright. Tomorrow my wife, child, and mother-in-law are coming over. The weather is freezing cold, and it won’t be convenient to clean after they arrive. If it’s already cleaned properly, they can move in immediately.”

After reaching an agreement, Si Yangui called his brothers over and prepared to leave. He drove them back first to the large factory building where they lived.

Si Yangui had bought two vehicles and this factory building all at once. The vehicles could be parked inside the factory, and individual rooms had been separated inside for the brothers to eat and live in.

The vehicles were under his own name, but the factory building was registered under Si Qiu’s name.

He planned to put all fixed assets under Si Qiu’s name in the future.

After all, who could blame him? This little girl’s dream was to become a landlord!

They did not only help people move houses. Sometimes they also took on odd jobs at construction sites. After hearing this little girl’s conversation today, he had been given a new idea for making money.

Thinking about the old, dilapidated two-story building next to the factory, he remembered that it had originally been a small collective grain processing factory. Later, after it went bankrupt, the place gradually became abandoned because it was some distance away from the city center.

That was why he had been able to buy the factory building at an extremely low price and renovate it.

But with the money he had now, buying the small building would be a little difficult. He planned to discuss it with Si Qiu that night and exchange the remaining gold bars as well.

That evening, Wang Cui came back carrying a pound of meat. The three slightly hungry children immediately rushed over when they saw her.

“Second Aunt, are you done with work?”

Wang Cui smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “Yes, I’m done. And I have to thank our Qiuqiu for finding such a good job for Auntie.”

Once winter arrived and the ground froze, all the construction sites around here stopped working. Her husband, Old Meng, would go out to do heavy labor carrying sacks, while she stayed at home.

Si Qiu was being held by Si Yangui, while Meng Dazhu took out several pieces of candy. He handed one to Si Qiu first, then gave the rest to his two sons.

“That’s right. It only took two hours, and they actually paid six yuan. Plus, it’s much easier than working at a construction site.”

When Si Yangui had found workers, he had offered two yuan and fifty cents per hour, but since Wang Cui was in charge of organizing everyone, he gave her an extra fifty cents per hour.

After the work was finished and inspected, the wages were paid immediately.

For these housewives, wasn’t this the kind of work they normally did every day anyway? Although the employer’s requirements were higher, the money was also honestly paid.

After all, construction sites only paid fifteen yuan for a full day, but workers had to work twelve hours. Besides, was there any job at a construction site that wasn’t exhausting?

Now that they wanted to build a long-term relationship with Si Yangui and hoped to have steady work in the future, they worked quickly and efficiently.

That night, the two families ate together. During the meal, Si Yangui told the couple that he wanted to find several people specifically to do this kind of work, with the intention of having Wang Cui lead the group.

If they agreed, Brother Meng could also continue helping them move houses. After all, his moving business had become fairly stable now.

The main reason Si Yangui considered them was because he felt the couple’s character was quite good.

Wang Cui was willing to do it. Her two children were already older and no longer needed her constant attention. Being able to earn some extra money was naturally a good thing. However, she still needed to discuss it with her husband.

Si Yangui let the couple discuss it among themselves, while he took Si Qiu home to talk about selling the gold bars and buying the small building.

Si Qiu naturally had no objections. Putting aside everything else, buying that entire piece of land would be beneficial in the future—even if there was demolition and redevelopment later, it would be worthwhile.

Although it was currently located on the edge of the city, as the city continued to expand, sooner or later this area would be included.

As for why she didn’t encourage Comrade Si Yangui to take advantage of the current trend and invest in stocks—Si Qiu always felt that this thing was just like gambling. Once someone got addicted, it was hard to quit.

It was better not to cultivate that kind of habit. She wanted her father to honestly focus on running a real business.

Meanwhile, in the Meng family’s house, separated by only a courtyard wall, the couple was also discussing the matter.

While washing clothes, Wang Cui asked, “Dazhu, do you think what Brother Si said is reliable?”

Meng Dazhu was repairing a stool nearby. When he heard her question, his hands stopped moving.

“Brother Si used to be a soldier. He probably wouldn’t lie to people. Besides, he’s educated and has seen more than the two of us. I think it should be trustworthy. Cleaning houses is definitely better than you working at construction sites, exposed to wind and sun all day.”