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Sun Zhuzi headed home for lunch, leaving Sun Ergou feeling even more insecure without his close friend by his side. He nervously followed behind Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun, making his way towards Jiang’s village with uncertainty, lacking the little confidence he had left.
Throughout the journey, he felt uneasy, avoiding eye contact with passersby, keeping his head down to avoid curious stares.
Upon reaching Jiang’s village, interactions with fellow villagers were inevitable.
When people saw Sun Ergou behind Jiang Mixia, they were surprised. “Xia, what’s going on…”
“Xia, did Sun Ergou take something from you?”
Some were ready to discipline the mischievous child, eager to help Jiang Mixia vent her frustrations.
“It’s not what you think,” Jiang Mixia hurriedly explained with a smile. “Ergou will be working at my bamboo weaving workshop from now on, helping with odd jobs. He won’t be wandering around the village anymore. Everyone, please look out for him…”
Hiring Sun Ergou, known for his troublesome past, to work at the bamboo weaving workshop and asking for everyone’s cooperation? The villagers exchanged surprised glances but soon nodded with understanding and acceptance.
After a moment, the villagers all smiled and nodded in agreement.
“We understand.”
“Don’t worry, Xia.”
“We won’t interfere in this matter…”
Sun Ergou, who initially faced their anger, now saw them smiling at him, leaving him wide-eyed in surprise.
Upon reaching the bamboo weaving workshop, Jiang Mixia informed her colleagues about Sun Ergou’s new role at the workshop.
Her colleagues and apprentices were initially taken aback but soon nodded with smiles on their faces.
The reaction at the workshop mirrored the villagers’ response from Jiang’s village.
Sun Ergou scratched his head once again.
“Sixth Sister,” Jiang Chunyu ran in, about to look for Jiang Mixia but was surprised to see Sun Ergou beside her. “What are you doing here?”
“He’s the new assistant at the workshop, helping with nighttime security and miscellaneous tasks during the day,” Jiang Mixia explained.
“Got it,” Jiang Chunyu patted Sun Ergou’s shoulder. “You better work hard from now on.”
“Definitely,” Sun Ergou straightened his posture.
He was determined to do what he set out to do, without excuses, with a serious commitment. Especially since Jiang Mixia didn’t look down on him, he couldn’t afford to disappoint her trust.
Jiang Mixia instructed Jiang Chunyu to show Sun Ergou around the workshop and tidy up the empty room while she and Song Jingyun headed home.
She wanted to inform her parents about Sun Ergou’s new job at the workshop and have them prepare accordingly.
Preparing for lunch, organizing the room for Sun Ergou at the workshop, arranging bedding, and more.
Meanwhile, Sun Ergou followed Jiang Chunyu around the workshop.
Impressed by what he saw, Sun Ergou nodded in approval.
He had heard that Jiang Mixia’s bamboo weaving workshop was well-run, but seeing it firsthand, he realized how impressive it truly was.
Everyone had their tasks, and the products looked of high quality.
“Xia is truly amazing,” Sun Ergou praised the workshop and, in the end, praised Jiang Mixia once more.
“That’s right, my sixth Sister is indeed very impressive,” Jiang Chunyu lifted his chin proudly. “Just focus on your work here at the workshop and follow my Sister’s lead. You’ll soon see how amazing she truly is!”
Sun Ergou nodded eagerly, like a chick pecking at grain.
After a moment of hesitation, he spoke up, “Hey, can I ask you something…”
“What is it?” Jiang Chunyu, intrigued by Sun Ergou’s serious expression, inquired.
“Why didn’t you ask why Sister Liu wanted me to work at the workshop?” Sun Ergou asked earnestly.
“What’s there to ask about?” Jiang Chunyu replied. “If Sixth sister wants you at the workshop, she must have her reasons.”
“Do you trust your sixth Sister that much?”
“Of course, sixth Sister is the second most impressive person I’ve ever met. If she makes a decision or takes action, there’s always a purpose behind it, and it always leads to something good. There’s no need for questions!” Jiang Chunyu’s response was firm and resolute.
Indeed, Jiang Mixia was truly remarkable.
Her precision in dealing with people and the success of the bamboo weaving workshop spoke for themselves.
Jiang Chunyu admired her greatly, as did everyone in the village. They held her words and actions in the highest regard, without a hint of doubt.
Suddenly, Sun Ergou began to understand why Jiang Chunyu, the workshop assistants, even the villagers, didn’t question Jiang Mixia’s decisions.
However…
“Oh, earlier you said your sixth Sister is the second most impressive person you’ve met. Who’s the first?” Sun Ergou was curious.
Jiang Chunyu stood taller, his voice louder, “The most impressive person is Sixth sister’s husband!”
Sun Ergou was taken aback.
After settling in and organizing, Sun Ergou found his place at the bamboo weaving workshop. He received a monthly wage of 200 coins, with 150 coins deducted for food expenses, leaving him with only 50 coins.
With food, lodging, and a little extra money, Sun Ergou eagerly agreed. After lunch, he began assisting around the workshop.
Not an apprentice or a full-fledged assistant, Sun Ergou took on miscellaneous tasks.
Although Jiang Mixia didn’t specify his duties, Sun Ergou discovered things to do during his time at the workshop. He cleaned up broken bamboo strips, prepared them for firewood, and dried unused bamboo leaves in the sun, helping the busy workers by making tea and more.
Sun Ergou was quick-witted and observant. His careful work that afternoon impressed the workshop’s staff, altering their perception of him significantly.
People make mistakes, and as long as they are not fatal errors and can be corrected, they can be forgiven. Especially considering Sun Ergou was still a child.
Adults often have a subconscious sense of tolerance towards younger individuals, leading to a warmer reception towards Sun Ergou compared to their initial encounter with him.
Sun Ergou naturally noticed the shift in attitude from initial distance to a slightly warmer reception from the others. As he relaxed, his posture straightened a bit, and a smile crept onto his lips as he gazed at the setting sun.
Escaping a life resembling that of a rat felt like a tremendous relief.
For dinner at Jiang Mixia’s home, they had scallion oil pancakes, stir-fried pork, bell pepper with scrambled eggs, cold bamboo shoots salad, smoked pig head meat, and rice and millet porridge.
Every month, Jiang Mixia deducted 150 coins from Sun Ergou’s wage for food expenses.