Li Long had gone to return the tractor and still had not come back. Meng Hai and the others were making good progress at Talihaal's winter camp. After finishing that afternoon, Li Xiangqian saw that there was still time, pointed out the direction, and had them take their tools and carry the materials over to Bek's winter camp.
They ate well, earned good wages, and could even take meat home. Meng Hai and the others were honest workers and felt they should not waste the time left. They ought to get more done.
People who shirked would usually drag their feet at a time like this, but Meng Hai and the others would not. As Meng Hai put it to the others in private, the employer treated them well in every respect, so they could not do something so shameful.
Li Xiangqian helped carry things too, talking as he went:
"I'm telling you, Li Long must have gone hunting. We'll definitely have more meat to take home today-even if we don't, there'll definitely be meat for dinner."
"Director Li, you have that much confidence in Li Long?" Ma Xiaoyan asked, panting as she followed.
"Of course. He works under me. How could I not know him?" Li Xiangqian paused, let out a long breath, wiped away his sweat, and said with a smile, "I'm telling you, Li Long's quick-witted. Whatever the job, he's got ideas. He's just a little lazy and doesn't like physical labor.
"If you expect him to work away alongside us, that's impossible. He'll always come up with a different idea-but honestly, I've never met anyone with a sharper mind."
Li Xiangqian was not saying this just to praise Li Long. He had real experience to back it up.
When he first met Li Long, Li Long