Chapter 429: They’ve All Shown Up

Chapter 429: Chapter 429: They’ve All Shown Up

After paying the helper team, it was the procurement team’s turn.

In contrast to the helper team, which was composed entirely of women, the procurement team of nearly twenty were all young men. They seemed even shier than the young women when they stepped forward to collect their pay.

Only one young man, who had a scar cutting through the tail of his eyebrow, appeared relatively composed. After receiving his wages, he didn’t rush off. Instead, he asked Ji Huan, "I heard you’ll be hiring again. Will you be hiring men?"

Ji Huan found his face unfamiliar; he didn’t seem to be from their village.

Widow Xie leaned in and whispered, "When Liangzi was putting together the procurement team, there weren’t enough people, so he found one from the kiln... from the neighboring village."

Seeing Widow Xie’s evasiveness, Ji Huan knew she wasn’t telling the whole story.

It wasn’t that Widow Xie was deliberately hiding something from her, but this wasn’t the right time or place to discuss it.

She gave Ji Huan a wink. "He’s a good man. He can take hardship and works really hard."

’With qualities like those, nothing else really mattered.’

Ji Huan turned back to the youth with the scarred eyebrow. "We’re hiring both men and women. You should keep an eye out for the announcement and come by then."

The youth nodded and stepped down.

Finally, it was the elders from the basket-weaving team.

Ji Huan didn’t ask them to come up onto the platform, instead personally delivering the money into Fifth Grandpa’s hands.

He had organized the basket-weaving team, so it was only right that he distribute the pay.

After everyone received their red envelopes, some tore them open on the spot, eagerly counting the money inside again and again. Others clutched them tightly in their palms, the paper growing damp with sweat, unwilling to open them just yet.

The men were more reserved, but the women gathered in small groups and immediately began discussing how to spend their money.

"Ah! I’m going to buy myself some floral fabric, and get some for my mother and father too. Our whole family will have new clothes for the New Year..."

"It’s nice being unmarried. I’ve got three little ones at home, so any new clothes will have to be for them..."

"What’s so great about new clothes? I’m saving my money to buy meat for the New Year. A big, fatty cut. My grandpa loves fatty pork..."

"I’m not buying a thing. I’m saving this money. My Da Wa will be able to start school soon..."

The entire area was an ocean of joy, and happiness was written on every face.

Ji Huan was also swept up in the atmosphere.

’I used to think making dehydrated vegetables was too much trouble and wasn’t planning on it. But looking at this now, it was well worth it. At least everyone who participated is happy, and that’s enough.’

"Quiet down, everyone!"

After giving everyone enough time for their excitement to subside a little, Ji Xuelan cleared her throat and spoke again.

"As we mentioned before, we were going to have a competition between the four teams, with a bonus for every member of the winning team..."

At the mention of a bonus, the crowd instantly fell silent.

"However, you all worked so incredibly hard that it’s impossible to pick a winner..."

That was no exaggeration.

That recent, sudden downpour had caused the West River Gully team to fall far behind. To catch up with the others, everyone at West River Gully started working as if they were possessed, practically killing themselves to get the job done.

The other three teams saw this and were spurred into action as well. The end result was a race to the finish, with no one willing to concede defeat.

"So, our Mr. Ji has made an executive decision. We’ve bought two big, fat pigs to be slaughtered right here. What does everyone say to celebrating with a proper pig-butchering feast?!"

"Yeah!"

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

Two big, fat pigs would have cost a great deal of Silver. Plus, everyone would get a share, so no one could complain.

The pigs had been bought two days earlier and were being kept at Ji Liansong’s home.

Ji Liansong and Shi Yong, along with a few young men they had called over, soon brought the pigs over on a flatbed cart.

The pots and stoves hadn’t been taken down yet, so they were perfect for the occasion.

Several skilled pig butchers swarmed forward, bleeding and dehairing the animals in one smooth, practiced motion.

Afterward, the women took over to dress the carcasses.

First, someone was sent to Uncle Fu’s to buy tofu and bean sprouts. Those who lived nearby ran home to grab their homemade pickled cabbage, while others were put in charge of preparing bowls and chopsticks.

Ji Huan had considered asking Hu Ximei to run back and see if the men at her house wanted to come over.

But she decided against it.

Neither Guan Shan nor Dabao were the types to enjoy bustling crowds. And while Ji Mingfang had become much more cheerful lately, he probably wouldn’t enjoy this kind of event either.

Most importantly, there were things braising in the pot at home that couldn’t be left unattended.

’Sigh. If some people are managing things out in the open, others have to manage things at home. It can’t be helped.’

’Oh well. I’ll just bring some food back for them.’

Ji Huan didn’t dare watch the butchering, but the smell of blood made Ding eager and restless. It even tried to rush forward and only settled down after Ji Huan grabbed it and rapped it on the head several times.

Widow Xie asked, "The other three didn’t come?"

"They’re braising things at home. This is the only silly creature who followed me out. By the way, Aunt Xie, have you selected the people I asked you to?"

"I have... Um, Wuan, about that Braised Fragrance Workshop... are you really putting me in charge?"

"We’re low on seasonings and need to keep production going. My cousin will be busy with Baiwei Square soon. If you don’t help me keep the Braised Fragrance Workshop running, I don’t have anyone else suitable for the job."

"If you need me, Aunt Xie will never hesitate. But... are you sure you don’t want to find someone else to be the manager?"

Widow Xie had always felt she was fine as a helper, but not cut out to be a manager. She was afraid she wouldn’t do a good job.

"You managed your own team while we were making the dehydrated vegetables, and you did a fine job, didn’t you? Aunt Xie, I wouldn’t joke about my own business. Don’t sell yourself short. Just give it a try. If you really can’t handle it, I promise I won’t be sentimental. I’ll replace you with someone else."

Widow Xie gritted her teeth. "Alright then! I’ll take the post for now."

"How many did you pick? Who are they?"

"Besides myself, Old Gao, and Old Feng, I chose seven others."

"Bring them over. I’ll wait by the gully."

Widow Xie first went to get Aunt Gao and Sixth Sister-in-law Feng, then walked among the helpers to call over the other seven she had chosen.

Aunt Gao and Sixth Sister-in-law Feng would naturally serve as Widow Xie’s right-hand women, and Ji Huan was also quite satisfied with the other seven. They were all diligent, tidy, and didn’t cause trouble.

Ji Huan briefly explained what the Braised Fragrance Workshop was about and assigned their duties, but didn’t go into further detail.

"I’ll find time to teach you the braising techniques, but the workshop itself won’t be built until after spring. So for now, you’ll still have to work here at West River Gully. Is that a problem for anyone?"

The pots and stoves were already there, and a shelter had been erected. Ji Liansong and Shi Yong had even wind-proofed it. The only issue was that the environment was a little crude.

"No problem at all! It’s actually closer to my house."

"I was in the West River Gully team anyway, so I’m used to coming here every day..."

"Don’t you worry, Wuan..."

They had thought that once the dehydrated vegetable business was over, their next chance to earn money wouldn’t be until this time next year at the earliest.

They never imagined they would be able to continue working for Ji Huan!

To be one of the seven chosen from over sixty people—what incredible luck!

Every woman who was chosen cherished this opportunity and was filled with a resolve to do the job well.

Zhang Cuicui watched the lively conversation by the gully, her spirits sinking.

She had known that Widow Xie was selecting people and had hoped she would be chosen.

During her time working at West River Gully, she had grown to love the feeling of clocking in and out at a set time each day. It was hard work, but it gave her a sense of stability and allowed her to provide for her family.

Unfortunately, she was not among those selected.

She was not the only one who felt disappointed.

The once-chattering group of helpers suddenly fell quiet. Even the aroma of meat wafting from the pots seemed less appetizing.

Ji Xuelan passed by and saw this, understanding the situation at a glance.

"Wan just told me that there will be another large-scale hiring event after the spring, so there’s no need for everyone to be sad! Just go home and have a wonderful New Year..."

Before she could even finish, a crowd of women surrounded her.

"Is that true, Supervisor Xuelan?"

"That’s right! You’d better not be lying to us."

"Why would I lie to you? If you don’t believe me, you can ask Ji Huan yourself later."

Seeing how certain she was, the crowd’s faces immediately lit up with joy.

"Will we still be making dehydrated vegetables after the New Year? I’m going to practice my knife skills at home so I can try to move up a level and earn more money each day..."

"I don’t think so. I heard Ji Huan mention something about making braised dishes..."

Ji Xuelan chimed in, "Those seven are specifically for the braised dishes. After the New Year, the main hiring will be for Baiwei Square and the Sauce and Vinegar Workshop, though the Braised Fragrance Workshop might need more hands by then too... In short, there will be plenty of jobs. Everyone will have a chance."

"That’s wonderful!!!"

The sudden eruption of cheers drew the gazes of many people, including Ji Huan.

Her eyes met Ji Xuelan’s, and guessing what had happened, she began to smile as well.

Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, a few uninvited guests appeared.

"Well, well, Wuan! You really must be rolling in it now. It’s not even a holiday, and here you are having a pig-butchering feast!"

The speaker was Mrs. Zhu.

Behind her stood Aunt Kang, Ji Qingshan, and Ji Liantang.

And behind them, even Ji Xiu’e and Huang Juncai had come.

’Well, look at that. The whole family’s here. How complete.’