Chapter 612 - Chapter 612: News of the Holidays
Chapter 612: News of the Holidays
Translator; EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“It was freezing last night. 1 could hear the wind constantly blowing against the window frame.’
“That’s right. Still, my family and I feel warmer than before since moving into our new house. Our new place has no air leakage, so it helps us stay warm.”
“That kid who helped build our new house is talented. Our house can withstand an earthquake and keep us warm during winter.”
“Yeah, I didn’t need charcoal last night, either. My brick bed didn’t get cold at all.
“Although the charcoal here is cheap, we usually can’t bear to use it. People from other villages come here to buy charcoal, too.”
“Su Fengzhi and his two sons must be busy making a lot of charcoal to keep up with the demands.’
“It is winter, after all, so more people need charcoal. Su Wenlin and Su Wenchi are capable enough to keep making more charcoal, but they still hire people to help them.”
“Don’t forget about Su Zhengde’s bricks. They’re so good that my nephew used the red ones to build his new house.’
“Oh, right. My son wrote me a letter. He said he would return to live and work here so that he won’t have to be so far from home.’
“That’s right. It’s best to stay close to home. My son and daughter-in-law earn excellent monthly income and bonuses.”
Everyone chattered while shoveling snow and returned home afterward to make breakfast. One could see many houses from afar through the snow. Soon after, smoke arose from these houses’ chimneys.
It carried a dense aura of the mortal world. Everyone could smell the aroma of food in the smoke.
In the past, most families in Su Teng Village could only afford to eat porridge in the morning. Even so, some could not even afford porridge. Those people could only make soups to fill their stomachs.
However, things changed, and the people in Su Teng Village lived prosperously. Every family could afford to eat three daily meals, and their food was more nutritious.
Even if these families did not cook eggs, they could make porridge. But the porridge was better than the ones they made in the past, containing more meat and vegetables.
Many families could afford to boil eggs for their children, especially those families who were less willing to use oil to fry eggs.
After breakfast, most left home to work in the embroidery shop, tofu factories, wineries, brick factories, and cured meats stores. The market was lively, too. Some had the day off today and chose to sleep in.
Usually, the parents were reluctant to wake their working children and would let them rest at home on their days off work.
Su Teng Village’s atmosphere improved exponentially because of the Su family’s rules. Parents and children were more dutiful toward each other, making every family live harmoniously.
Everyone knew they could not work for or keep their jobs with the Su family if they did not have good characteristics. However, Su Teng Village had a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Everyone was kind and generous and would help each other even when the conditions were less than favorable. Every household lived well together these days.
Since the village’s conditions had improved, everyone became more amicable. Due to Su Teng Village’s influence, the atmosphere in surrounding villages also began to develop toward more beneficial lifestyles.
Some villages did not fare well in the past but changed over time. Even those who were calculative and selfish became kinder and more generous.
Although changing was hard for them, they eventually grew accustomed to it. They felt they had improved because they could work for the Su family and earn money. These folks were willing to improve themselves and changed from being selfish to becoming more generous and helpful.
It was all because they knew the Su family’s hiring principles. The family would only hire those with good morals, who were dutiful and loved their
tarni1Y members.
These villagers were willing to be more responsible for their actions to work for the Su family. Those who were unfilial toward their parents and in m laws became dutiful.
At the end of the year, everyone thought of the changes they had gone through and became emotional.
After entering the embroidery shop, the workers clocked in and started to work. The rules at the embroidery shop were not too strict, so the workers usually chatted while working.
Everyone discussed their daily lives and the heavy snow last night. They even talked about Su Binglan’s return.
“Miss Su has finally returned.”
“l heard Miss Su plans to give us a vacation for a few days. She told her parents about it when she returned yesterday.”
When Shen Qiuhua and Su Fengmao went to the tofu factory in the afternoon, they told their managers about the vacation. Everyone was excited when they heard the news. Since the news usually spread like wildfire throughout the village, those at the embroidery also heard about Su Binglan’s plans.
Everyone worked harder as they were most concerned about their salary, bonuses, and vacation.
“Really? We only have ten days left before New Year. Are we going to get our vacation so early?”
“That should be it. I heard Mr. and Mrs. Su telling the tofu factory workers that.”
Everyone started calling Su Binglan’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Su.
The workers’ eyes lit up when they realized they could have a vacation for the New Year. They looked at the person who had told them about it and exclaimed, “That’s great!”
“Yeah, 1 don’t know when we’ll return to work next year.”
“Still, the news might not be accurate. Let’s not be presumptuous and continue working hard until we get confirmation.”
Everyone cherished their jobs. After all, their family’s conditions had improved thanks to their monthly salaries and bonuses. Moreover, they could get off work early daily and not feel tired. They even had rest days.
Even those who went to work for wealthy families did not have such benefits.
“l heard the shopkeepers and stewards working in towns and countrysides only have days off for the New Year. They don’t have weekly rest days like us.”
“We’ll only be receiving next month’s salary in eight days. I hope we get paid in time for the holidays.”
“l think it’s best to take my vacation later this week. Then I can get this
month’s salary and bonus. If that’s the case, my parents will be thrilled.”
“If I take my vacation earlier, I can take my family to town to shop. Then we can prepare for the New Year.”
“That’s true. I want to prepare noodles for my family.”
The embroidery shop workers were of different ages, so each had different thoughts and plans. The older workers wanted to go home earlier since they preferred making early preparations for the holidays. After all, they had parents and children to care for.
Meanwhile, the younger workers felt they needed to earn as much as possible while their parents or caretakers handled New Year preparations.
The remaining workers wanted to bring their families to town to buy New Year’s goods because their families were better off this year.
At that time, these workers could be more generous and wear nicer clothes when shopping. That way, these workers could feel proud when with their family members.
After all, they had earned a lot by working hard. They could feel more at ease when spending their hard-earned money and would not feel guilty. Some even felt they were too busy to go shopping and play with the children.
Nonetheless, the town would be lively before New Year, so bringing children to the fun would be good..