Wang Zhixue jumped in fright. He turned to see it was Yang Zhigang and said with a smile, "Brother Gang, it's you!"
Yang Zhigang glanced at the hand clutching his pocket. "You silly kid, don't do that on the street. A pickpocket will know you have money in your pocket with just one look."
"Thanks for the warning, brother!" Wang Zhixue said gratefully. "Brother, let me sweep. I'm a fast worker!"
He then took the dustpan and broom from Zhigang's hands and swept the yard spotless. He dumped the trash in the woods, put the broom and dustpan away, and only then did he sling the wicker basket onto his back and head for home.
Yang Zhigang said to Brother Yong, "That's a good kid. He's proactive."
Brother Yong nodded. "Xiangyang came by last night. He said the boy is his friend's nephew and asked us to keep an eye on him, make sure nobody bullies him."
Yang Zhigang nodded. "Got it. I'll look out for him."
