Journey 1995:Non-Stop

Chapter 41 Snow~~~
Yan Hui did start work two days earlier. The second brother was polite on the surface, but he was actually very happy. He told everyone that Yan Hui was a lucky star.

In fact, Yan Hui himself knew that his second brother did not make him the foreman because of his "ability", but because he felt that Yan Hui had some luck. Especially after hearing about the wood, his second brother began to believe in fate.

Almost all bosses have similar personalities.

As a so-called foreman, Yan Hui's job didn't change much. He still worked with Uncle Wang to move wood. The only difference was that during breaks, he could come and go as he pleased. Of course, the back room was always locked.

Now, Yan Hui can directly see some purchase orders.

The second brother's goods flow is relatively large, and the daily records are relatively casual. Ordinary people can't understand it when they look at the purchase order, only Yan Hui can understand it.

"I came here today to talk to you all about something," the second brother gathered the porters at noon. "Winter is coming soon, and everyone's been busy lately. If anyone has something to do and needs to leave, please tell me in advance. Don't just give up and delay things."

Everyone looked at each other, no one said anything. Who would just leave at this critical moment?
"Well, if no one's asking for leave, everyone should just work hard," the second brother pointed at Lao Wang. "Lao Wang has been with me for four or five years, so he should know best. Every year, the busiest time is before winter. But as soon as it snows, our market basically stops working. In the winter months, it's almost time for vacation, and we won't get busy again until after the first month of the following year. So, what I mean is, everyone should work hard and make it through this period, then it's time to go on vacation."

The biggest difference between the Northeast and other regions is that humans can't fight the elements. Liaoning Province experiences three months of extreme cold each year, making many tasks impossible. Further north, the freezing weather lasts even longer.

The only difference is that, in addition to the normal mechanical felling, there are also "wood gangs." These gangs can only transport wood up the mountain when the weather is freezing. The colder the weather, the slipperier the ground. Therefore, when the gangs arrive, a lot of wood will flow out of the mountain, and people like my second brother will definitely take the opportunity to stockpile some. How much they can stockpile depends on the warehouses and funds of each family.

"Everything has been going well this year, and my second brother pays me a lot of money. I will definitely work hard during this last period of time and have a happy New Year when I go back!" A porter spoke up.

"That's what I meant," the second brother said with a laugh. "Nothing else, let's go eat."

After his second brother left, Yan Hui saw the afternoon schedule in the store.

7 cars.

Yan Hui frowned. Was the afternoon workload so heavy? No wonder his second brother came to the meeting.

With Yan Hui's physique, he should have no problem moving two trucks in an afternoon, but if he had to move 3-4 trucks, he would probably be exhausted.

But what can you say at this point? Physical work is always like this.

In the following time, just as his second brother said, Yan Hui was so busy that he had no time to rest. Sometimes the cars at the door were lined up, and he had to speed up to load and unload the goods. He was exhausted after finishing his work every day, and didn't want to do anything, let alone have the energy to care about Song Zhiyuan.

It was originally planned that Yan Hui would visit the electromechanical factory with Lao Guo and others next Thursday, but Yan Hui was too busy to go, so Lao Guo had to take Lao Song, Lao Wu and others with him.

That night, after Lao Guo finished his tour, he came back and told Yan Hui in vivid detail how huge and shocking the machines were.

Yan Hui collapsed on the bed, listening to Old Guo's frantic gesticulations, and he sort of grasped the gist of it. The Fengtian Mechanical and Electrical Plant was a massive factory, with some of its equipment running at megawatt levels, completely different from everyday equipment. In Old Guo's description, those machines seemed to possess powers that could reach the heavens and earth.

This was just a minor incident. Because he was very busy every day, Yan Hui's wages were also very scary. If he moved 10 cars a day, Yan Hui's wages could be as high as 100 yuan! However, if it was 10 cars, he could move them from morning to late at night, and by the time he got back, he was completely exhausted.

By late October, it finally snowed. As my second brother said, the number of shipping orders dropped dramatically, and most of the people who came to pick up and deliver goods were handling existing orders.

"Boss Yan," one day, everyone was idly smoking at the door when a burly porter called out to Yan Hui, "Is there a car this afternoon? If not, I'll take a break."

"I haven't seen it yet. I'll go ask later." Yan Hui did not object to everyone's wishes.

After a busy month and a half, everyone has earned two to three thousand yuan, and it's time to take a break.

After saying that, Yan Hui went to his second brother's shop.

Since his second brother was not around, Yan Hui looked at the registration book and saw that there was another car leaving in the afternoon, and it was half a car full of goods.

Yan Hui could make the decision on such a small matter. When he returned to the warehouse, he said directly, "There is still half a truckload of goods left this afternoon. If you have something to do at home, you can leave if you want."

"Okay, then I'll leave and come back tomorrow!" The man stood up and left.

As soon as he left, the remaining people discussed with each other and followed the three of them.

"Xiao Yan," Uncle Wang looked at Yan Hui, "how are you doing? I see you've saved a lot of money this year. Are you planning on going home to find a wife this year?"

"It's too early to find a wife. I'm going home to clean up the house."

"Good boy, it would be great if the one in our family was as worry-free as you."

"Oh, please don't, please don't do our job." Yan Hui immediately shook his head.

Anyone can do physical work, but it is really hard.

Over the past six months, Yan Hui's hands have been pricked countless times. Sometimes when it hurts, he wants to go to the hospital to get a scalpel to cut open his fingers and take out the tiny bit of wood chips.

"Oh, it's true." Uncle Wang was deeply touched. He was only in his 50s and could still work. What about in another ten years?
Among the porters in this timber market, Lao Wang is one of the oldest.

"Uncle Wang, you too should save more money to set aside for your retirement." Yan Hui had actually heard about Uncle Wang's son, who is still relying on his parents at the age of 28.

"Yes." Uncle Wang agreed and supported his waist.

Ever since it started snowing, the entire timber market has been like a ceasefire, with the flow of people decreasing dramatically. Instead, the number of people in the surrounding bathhouses and mahjong parlors has increased.

In the afternoon, the second brother still hadn't returned. Yan Hui and a few others easily moved half a truck of goods, locked the door of the warehouse directly, and then locked the door of the second brother's shop.

After locking the door, Yan Hui walked to the North District.

The first snow at the end of October has disappeared. After entering November, the second snow begins and will not melt until the beginning of next spring.

The snow in the timber market was cleaned up very well, but Uncle Wang said that even in December, it would be impossible to clear all the snow. Everyone just swept the snow at the door, and that was it. After all, more than half of the shops would simply lock their doors and go back to their hometowns to celebrate the New Year.

"Old Yan?" Old Guo ran over immediately upon seeing Yan Hui. "Busy man, are you finally done with your work?"

"I'm done with my work. I'm about to die." Yan Hui shook his shoulders and took a break.

"When will you go back for Chinese New Year this year?"

"I don't know. I guess it'll be about a month or so. Isn't the Chinese New Year in January?"

"Okay, then this period will be interesting. I'm not busy recently, so I'll call them over to join us!" Lao Guo rubbed his hands together.

The rosewood business is completely different from the timber business; it doesn't rely on volume. Old Guo's father was constantly on the phone and attending dinners, but Old Guo couldn't offer much help, simply learning from his father. "So, are you going back home for Chinese New Year this year?" Yan Hui asked. Actually, asking such a question was pointless; returning to their hometown would only make them feel further away. They were all from the same hometown in Fengtian, but back home, it was like the next county.

"I can go back, but I have to wait until after the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month. People who work with mahogany are very busy during the twelfth lunar month."

"Yeah, everyone is thinking about buying good things before the New Year." Yan Hui nodded.

"By the way, I know there's a place nearby that sells cotton coats and pants for really cheap. Do you want to go with me?"

"Where is it? Is it far?"

"It's over there at 724."

"Okay, go ahead."

The two hit it off immediately, Lao Guo put on his coat, and they all went out together.

"I've been on two blind dates already," Lao Guo said helplessly as he walked down the street. "My dad isn't worried, so I don't know why my uncle is."

"Neither twice nor enough?" Yan Hui immediately became excited when he heard this topic.

"The first time, you know, the girl disliked my height. What can I do? I can't tell her that I can grow taller. Besides, I'm much taller than Lao Song!"

"What about the second one?" Yan Hui had already heard about the first one.

"The second one dislikes my hairstyle," Lao Guo reached out and fiddled with his hair.

Lao Guo’s hairstyle is actually quite popular, similar to Leslie Cheung’s hairstyle. Yan Hui didn’t think it looked ugly.

"Impossible," Yan Hui walked in front of Lao Guo and looked at him carefully.

"Yeah, who knows! What a bullshit aesthetic!" Lao Guo is a bit emo.

"Maybe they're being tactful? They're just saying they don't like you, but they're too embarrassed to say it directly?" Yan Hui told the truth.

"Will you die if you don't tell the truth?" Lao Guo stretched out his hand and punched him.

Yan Hui took a punch but laughed heartily: "What can I do? Besides, there's no need to rush. It's best for you to focus on your career first."

"That being said." After throwing this punch, Lao Guo had no strength left and let out a long sigh.

"By the way, you have been working so hard recently, have you saved three or four thousand?" asked Lao Guo.

"Almost there," Yan Hui nodded, "How about you?"

"I can't save much money. It's all with my dad. But I still have a thousand yuan. What happened last time was a big blow to me. If I don't have any money, I can't do anything."

"Is there any way you can make money recently?" Yan Hui heard something else.

"Some of the scraps left over from machining at my dad's factory are also redwood. I took them to a craftsman to make small gadgets and sold them. They're selling pretty well."

"Aren't you wasting the workers' wages?" Yan Hui was puzzled. "According to what you said, the wages are too high."

"I'm learning it too. My dad supports me. But it's still too slow now. When I have money, I'll build an automated factory and do automatic engraving."

"Do you still have those little gadgets you mentioned? Let me see them. If there's anything suitable, I can help you sell it."

"Yes," Lao Guo said, and then took out a wooden Pixiu from his pocket.

“Is this a Pixiu?”

"Well, it attracts wealth and treasure, and only brings in, never out. This thing has a good meaning, and many bosses like it. I string it with a red string, and it sells very well."

"I don't think the carving is very good," Yan Hui thought for a moment, "This little thing must be a waste of time."

"Isn't this carving good? You understand this, too?"

"When I was in the forest farm, there was a shop owner there. His carving skills were very good. I think they are better than yours," said Yan Hui.

"Is this true?" Lao Guo looked unconvinced.

"Then let's not go to 724 first. Come to my place first and I'll show you."

Of course, Old Guo didn't believe that a country boy could become a master, so he followed Yan Hui to the mobile home.

Yan Hui came down from the forest farm and bought two wooden sculptures. One was a peace locket, which he had already given to Yan Yan. The other was a carved statue of Guan Yu, which he had originally intended to give to his fourth uncle. However, after returning from the mountain, he encountered Shan Ge borrowing money to start a ginseng business with his fourth uncle, and their relationship became strained, so Yan Hui never gave it away.

The place where Yan Hui lived was just a wooden house with no space to put things, so Old Guo had never seen this wood carving before. When Yan Hui took it out, Old Guo was stunned.

"This isn't rosewood, it's carved from catalpa!" Old Guo is a connoisseur. "The carving is truly remarkable. Look at this spot, he followed the grain of the wood. What a brilliant eye! Where is this person now?"

"Ah?" Yan Hui didn't expect Lao Guo to ask this question, so he told him everything he knew.

"So he's a marginal figure in the forest farm, and he'll give in if the crane driver threatens him. That's great! I'll invite him over!" Old Guo grew increasingly excited as he spoke. "I want to emulate Liu Bei from the Three Kingdoms period and visit him three times!"

"Come on, are you really planning to go so far to hire someone? This trip is not only about the travel expenses, the key is that it is really inconvenient there without a car, and you can't even go up the mountain. Although my fourth uncle knows the phone number of the forest farm, who will pay attention to you if you call like this? Unless your father asks my fourth uncle to help ask, I definitely don't have the face to do that." Yan Hui felt that Lao Guo was overthinking it.

"This matter is more important than you think, Lao Yan. When you open your own shop, you'll understand how important talent is. Let me tell you this, if we can poach this person, my dad will at least reward you and me with 2000 yuan!" Lao Guo's vision is really not low. "Let's split it 50%!"

"Deal." Yan Hui immediately became excited.

"Come on, take this wood carving and go find my dad and the carver. They know the value of it better." After saying that, Lao Guo excitedly took Yan Hui's hand and ran out together.

As Yan Hui ran, he understood what Lao Guo meant, and his emotions began to get excited.

(End of this chapter)