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墨書 Inktalez
Many people say that the construction progress here in Da Mao is slow, but that's because the funds haven't been allocated properly. By the time the first batch of breeding cattle arrives in the village, the Cattle Shed and its corresponding facilities will be completed, and the workers are currently helping to build a Low Fence.
Xu Li, who came with the convoy, took a look around the Cattle Shed and then sat down with the workers to eat. He listened to their various complaints about their current situation. Despite working diligently every day, their wages had not increased at all, while prices continued to rise. The expenses for their children and elderly family members were growing, and their wives were becoming increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction. Xu Li noticed that they were drinking less; even after work, they would only have dinner and make phone calls home to check in.
"Don't you guys drink?" Xu Li asked.
A man in his thirties was taken aback by the question. He smiled wryly and shook his head. "Well, you need money to buy drinks. Don’t underestimate me; I have a child to support, and there are five elderly people at home all crammed into an apartment of less than forty square meters. I have to save up to get them a better place."
"Five elderly people?" Xu Li asked.
The man nodded. "Yes, my wife is an only child. Her brother and father both drank themselves to death, leaving her with her mother and grandmother. I also have my parents and grandmother to support—so that makes five elderly people."
"What about you all?" Xu Li turned to the other ten or so workers. Some were single, while others were struggling financially, but they all shared a common history of having once been heavy drinkers. Fortunately, they had all woken up to reality and were now working diligently.
That evening, Xu Li brought a barrel of homemade vodka from Zhang Ji Niang along with some Sour Cucumbers and smoked sausage to the courtyard where Peter and the others lived. Since no one else was staying there, it served as their dormitory.
The workers' dinner was also quite hearty, with meat and vegetables. He placed the barrel on the table with a thud. "Thank you for helping me rush the work these past few days."
As he spoke, he pulled out two packs of cigarettes from his pocket, opened them up, and distributed one pack among them while leaving the rest on the table. "As long as it doesn't interfere with tomorrow's work, feel free to drink as much as you want."
The workers were not shy about it; they took out cups for drinking and poured themselves some vodka. Peter gulped down a big mouthful, smacking his lips in satisfaction. "Ah!"
Xu Li had come with a purpose. Since he had a low tolerance for alcohol, he sipped slowly while chatting with others, listening to them express their inner frustrations. Seeing their spirits low, he thought for a moment before saying, "Since life in Irkutsk isn't treating you well, why not consider living in the countryside?"
This question left the Slavic men silent for a while. Finally, Peter forced a smile and said, "We were basically city folks to begin with; moving to the countryside means we wouldn't know how to do anything. Issues like children's schooling and medical care for the elderly would be major problems. It’s better to squeeze by in the city."
"What do you think of our village?" Xu Li finally revealed his true intention: "I won't hide it from you; I moved here from Irkutsk two years ago when I had nothing. But I had a father-in-law who treated me like a son and a beautiful, obedient wife, so I don’t want to leave this place."
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