The job market in the North Suburb of Ancient City was the busiest at eight in the morning.
Tian Xin followed the crowd, looking for someone one by one, and finally spotted Zhang Shuai waiting for work.
This person hadn't changed a bit, still with a sloppy demeanor. His clothes were filthy from head to toe, and his hair was like a bird's nest.
"Did a bunch of chickens conquer your hair as their territory? Why does it look like that?" As Tian Xin approached Zhang Shuai, she couldn't help but tease.
"Boss, it's you? What are you doing here?" Zhang Shuai was thrilled to see her, immediately jumping up from the steps and dusting off his pants.
"Good, you haven't forgotten me. I'm here to find you. Also, to check if you're still alive."
"How could I forget? Boss, I'm doing just fine. Have you eaten? Let's grab a meal." Zhang Shuai said with a smile.
"Sure, I'll treat you."
"No way, I must treat you."
The two of them went to a breakfast stall and chatted while eating.
"Are you saying to go back and lead a convoy, is the salary good? Is it stable?"
"It's better than doing odd jobs here. What do you think, want to do it?"
"Is there such a good opportunity? What's the job exactly?"
"Truck driver, hauling stones from the mountains to the village, 1500 a month, and as a convoy leader, you can earn an additional 500. Want to do it?"
"Are you talking about the Stone Factory the village opened?"
"Yes, what do you think? Can you do it?"
"Of course, why not? I can do it, boss, are you serious about helping me out? Really cool." Zhang Shuai said while munching on a fried dough stick.
"Don't keep calling me boss, call me by my name. You're even two years older than me. If someone hears it, they'll wonder what I'm doing."
"No way, you must be the boss!" Zhang Shuai chuckled foolishly and then asked, "Does the convoy need a lot of people?"
"At least five, can you find them?"
"Five is no problem, I'll contact my former workmates. But it might take a few days, I need to call and see if they have jobs right now."
"Alright, ask around. Get back to me with an answer."
Seeing Zhang Shuai's current state, Tian Xin suddenly felt a pang in her heart. This person had been drifting outside for a year, getting darker and thinner. He didn't even have a decent piece of clothing on him.
"Zhang Shuai, have you been just drifting outside like this for the past year? You didn't even call me to say where you were?"
"Eh, just messing around. Anyway, there's no one at home, it's the same anywhere!" Zhang Shuai said carelessly, "After that incident, we were all let go, and I couldn't find a suitable job, so I've just been drifting! As long as I don't starve!"
Zhang Shuai smiled bitterly. Seeing his helpless look, her heart felt heavy, and she couldn't help but recall the first time she met Zhang Shuai.
That was when she had just returned to life. One day, she was about to deliver dates to a dried fruit shop in the county and ran into Zhang Shuai at the village entrance.
This guy had dropped out after junior high, messing around the village every day.
She had heard of these things, but since their families lived far apart and Zhang Shuai was two years older, they hadn't had any interactions.
Seeing that she had something to eat, Zhang Shuai ran over to ask for some. When she refused, Zhang Shuai just grabbed a handful.
"What are you doing? These are for sale. If you want to eat, you have to pay up."
"Eating two of your dates is doing you a favor, don't whine about it. Do you know who I am?" Back then, Zhang Shuai was very arrogant!
"Won't give them to you, right? Fine, let's go to your house. I have to talk to your parents." Tian Xin dragged Zhang Shuai to reason with him.
"Talk, what do you want to talk about? Do you know who I am?" Zhang Shuai pointed at himself.
"I know, little thug Zhang Shuai! Who in the village doesn't know?"
"Who are you calling little thug?"
"Who else?"
"Seems like you need some teaching to know your own name." Zhang Shuai raised his hand, intending to hit her face. Before his hand came down, she kicked him in the leg, causing him to cry out in pain.
"You..."
"I..." She pointed at herself, looked at Zhang Shuai, and strode away with her basket.
Zhang Shuai, both in pain and angry, wanted to chase after her, but she was already driving away.
In the afternoon, when she returned, Zhang Shuai was still waiting at the village entrance, rushing over to hit her as soon as he saw her.
"Don't be impulsive, don't be impulsive, impulsiveness is the devil. It was my fault this morning, look, I specially saved some dates for you, here you go."
Zhang Shuai had been sitting at the village entrance all day, so hungry he was dizzy. When he saw something to eat, thoughts of revenge vanished. He grabbed the basket and devoured them, finishing them in no time.
"Wow, you finished two pounds of dates just like that? Did you even taste them?" She was stunned; this guy looked like a starving ghost reborn.