After inspecting the last batch of reed bundles, Chen Zhenming, wearing a padded coat and a fur hat, smiled and shook Li Long's hand.
"Comrade Xiao Li, it's been a pleasure working with you! I've been inspecting these reed bundles for several years, and working with you this year has been the most pleasant experience. Few rejects, fast deliveries, no trouble. Very good, very good. I hope we can work together often in the future."
"Absolutely." Li Long smiled, put the money away, and shook Chen Zhenming's hand. "I hope we'll have more opportunities to work together too."
After waving goodbye to the truck, Li Long surveyed the yard and said with a smile to Li Anguo and the others,
"Second Older Brother, Brother-in-law, Junfeng, Junshan, let's put in a little more work and get this yard straightened out. Then we can take a good rest tomorrow and the day after!"
"Sure." They were used to the work by now, and to following Li Long's instructions. Although experts said fifteen days was enough to form a habit that was hard to break, in fact, once they had earned their first five yuan, their first ten yuan, and their first twenty yuan, they-even Chen Xingbang-had quickly grown accustomed to following Li Long's arrangements.
Follow his arrangements, earn money.
That was enough.
Hadn't they come here to make money? The work was a little tiring, but could it be worse than going hungry? Impossible.
With full meals every day and money to earn, a little exhaustion was fine.
They piled up the stripped reed leaves, pressed them together with reed ties, and tied them into bundles. They did the same with the remaining untrimmed reeds, stacking the bundles with the rejected reed bundles. They would make good kindling in winter or fuel