Chapter 7

Chapter Seven: The Kindly Old Buddha

Early in the morning, Zhao Chuxi couldn't sleep anymore after five o'clock. Living in the already completed floors of the International Mansion construction site was far more comfortable than being crammed in a pigsty with thirty or forty people. Looking up, he could see the majestic and well-preserved ancient city wall of Xi'an, and opposite was the bustling South Gate business district, with the landmark being the pure glass exterior of the Guomao Spring Plaza. Zhao Chuxi had heard from others that it was a place for luxury goods, where even a single item could cost him several months' salary. After hearing this, Zhao Chuxi couldn't help but sigh, lamenting that the rich in big cities were indeed numerous, and when would he ever be so affluent.

Sometimes Zhao Chuxi would fantasize about what he would do with one million, ten million, or even one hundred million yuan. He found that apart from buying a car, a house, and a wife, and building a beautiful and grand Hope Primary School for Phoenix Village, he didn't know what to do with the remaining money. Zhao Chuxi felt dejected and smoked, bitterly lamenting how foolish he was. No wonder Li Qingyi always nagged that for those in power, vision determined everything.

Every evening, Zhao Chuxi would sit on the balcony, staring at the dazzling night view of South Gate, much like how he used to sit on a mound in Phoenix Village, staring at the national flag. The big city was full of temptations, and behind the glittering lights and bustling nightlife, there might be unknown filth. This was what Li Qingyi had said. Before leaving the mountains, Zhao Chuxi was full of confidence, believing that he could make a name for himself in the big city with so many opportunities. He wasn't stupid or clumsy, and if others could succeed, he definitely could too. However, after arriving in Xi'an, he realized how difficult everything was. As Li Qingyi had said, a fly on the glass has a bright future but no way to go, which somewhat undermined his confidence.

Whenever this happened, Zhao Chuxi would stub out his cigarette and mutter, "You've only been in the big city for a few days. If everyone could make big money, there wouldn't be so many migrant workers on this construction site. You need to understand the rules of the big city before you can make big money, just like hunting in the mountains."

Stretching a few times and doing a few movements of the Five Animal Exercises, Zhao Chuxi carefully went downstairs, careful not to disturb the snoring and sleeping fool, Er Pang. To Zhao Chuxi's surprise, Er Pang didn't stay at the construction site every night; he would go out every few days. Zhao Chuxi had never seen him with any family members and had never heard him speak, though he rarely spoke anyway.

However, Zhao Chuxi didn't ask too many questions. Zhao Chuxi and Er Pang slept on the sixteenth floor. In the morning, Zhao Chuxi would run to the park under the city wall, always running down the stairs and never taking the elevator. From the International Mansion construction site to the base of the South Gate city wall, it took Zhao Chuxi only six minutes, with an error of no more than ten seconds, showing how sensitive he was to time. Even a small person had his own principles.

Since coming to Xi'an and entering the International Mansion construction site, Zhao Chuxi hadn't been anywhere else except under the city wall. Although he had long memorized the ten-yuan map, it wasn't that he didn't want to go; it was just that he was reluctant to spend money and miss work, which would cost him earnings.

Running around the South City Wall and returning to the construction site via the Peace Gate, this was a place Zhao Chuxi would always stop. A group of elderly people and Qin Opera enthusiasts, along with those doing morning exercises, would gather here. The elderly had formed a theater troupe for their own entertainment, and anyone brave enough could take the stage to perform. Groups of three or five would form circles for impromptu performances.

Zhao Chuxi circled around a few times, listening to the Qin Opera and humming "Three Drops of Blood." No one paid attention to his presence, only the poorly dressed Zhao Chuxi walking and stopping. He finally stopped when he heard someone inappropriately humming the Beijing Opera "The Fourth Son Visits His Mother." Singing Beijing Opera in a Qin Opera gathering seemed like a challenge.

"Once I remember the bloody battle on the beach, the blood flowed like a river, and the bodies piled up like mountains. The Yang family warriors scattered in all directions, and the soldiers fell off their horses..."

Zhao Chuxi looked around, trying to find the source of the clear and resonant voice. Finally, he found it a few steps ahead, behind a wooden archway. An old lady, dressed in coarse linen, stood out from the crowd, humming while embroidering and threading a needle, completely ignoring the others' gazes. The old lady sang with great power, and in Zhao Chuxi's eyes, she could easily perform on a grand stage.

The old lady sat cross-legged on a mat, her hair already white. Though dressed in coarse linen, her well-tailored clothes were surprising. Her face was lined with wrinkles, a testament to the passage of time, and she looked to be about eighty years old. However, her hands were very nimble, and she didn't wear reading glasses. Her entire demeanor was natural, which was why Zhao Chuxi felt she stood out from the crowd. This kind of presence was more like that of a matriarch from an ancient noble family, every gesture exuding authority.

"Young man, are you interested in embroidery?" The old lady noticed someone watching her and looked up, her eyes warm and calm, smiling gently.

Zhao Chuxi asked subconsciously, "Grandma, how much do you sell these for?"

"Sichuan embroidery and Suzhou embroidery have different prices. Small Sichuan embroidery pieces are ten yuan, large ones are twenty. Small Suzhou embroidery pieces are twenty, large ones are fifty. They are all small trinkets," the old lady replied calmly, then continued her work.

Sichuan embroidery and Suzhou embroidery. Zhao Chuxi didn't understand what they meant, but they looked very delicate, even though he couldn't afford them. Zhao Chuxi didn't want to disturb the old lady, so he said, "Grandma, you keep embroidering. I'll come back to buy when I have money."

"Sure, anytime is fine," the old lady waved her hand, continuing to hum Beijing Opera and embroider, maintaining her own little world, not disturbing others and not being disturbed.

After Zhao Chuxi walked away, the old lady bent slightly and said with a sharp gaze, "The old man said, 'Square cheeks, kind and stubborn. Clear eyes, strong jaw, clear thinking, strong will. Steady feet, steady voice, full of energy, good fortune. No wonder he was recognized by Sanwu. Unfortunately, his life is full of ups and downs, and he needs a benefactor.'"

The old lady, who had been kind and gentle a moment ago, was clearly a seasoned matriarch who had weathered many storms.

After returning from the base of the city wall, the workers on the construction site had already woken up and started working. Lin Sanwu was brushing his teeth and washing his face. He was already used to Zhao Chuxi sneaking out early in the morning, and when Zhao Chuxi returned, he just smiled at him.

After a busy morning, the foreman, Old Wang, finally drove back in the afternoon. The older workers knew he had gone to the bank to withdraw money. Old Wang had two cars: one was a dilapidated Wuling Hongguang used to transport migrant workers, which had brought Zhao Chuxi to the International Mansion construction site from Hujia Temple like a human trafficker. The other was a Volkswagen Passat used for finding work and handling affairs, which Zhao Chuxi had never ridden in. He often joked with Er Pang about deflating the tires one night.

After Old Wang returned, a group of people started going in and out of his office to collect their wages. Zhao Chuxi and Er Pang sat on the ground in front of the kitchen, waiting to collect their wages. Next to them sat a group led by Han Sanqiang. They weren't exactly friends, and Zhao Chuxi wouldn't consider Han Sanqiang a brother. These people would never be truly loyal, and in the face of sufficient benefits, they would abandon their brothers without hesitation. Zhao Chuxi didn't mind Han Sanqiang's persistent attempts to get close, as it made him the most powerful person on the construction site. Previously, no one took him seriously, but now, even the more tactful ones would quickly offer him a cigarette and call him Brother Zhao. After all, behind him were a group of thugs who caused trouble on the construction site, and who would dare to be unreasonable?

Zhao Chuxi didn't care about being unreasonable, but the idle Han Sanqiang and his gang might find something to do. Over time, Zhao Chuxi became the most relaxed person on the construction site, with others helping him with both big and small tasks, and he could enjoy good cigarettes and alcohol. If someone went out to improve their diet, they would call Brother Zhao first. Zhao Chuxi never imagined that one fight would completely change his situation. If he had known, he would have made a move earlier and wouldn't have worked so hard for the past two months.

However, Zhao Chuxi didn't forget that the source of all this was the fool, Er Pang. Now, only the brain-dead would dare to bully Er Pang. Indeed, in any place, background was essential, and power came from the barrel of a gun.

Han Sanqiang and his group had already collected their wages, which were not small. Han Sanqiang's wage was the highest, around four thousand yuan, while the others were all over three thousand five hundred. After all, they had to maintain order on the construction site, and if anyone caused trouble, they would be the enforcers, with the developer backing them up. During the demolition, they had done many bad things.

"Han Sanqiang, do you think the bastard Old Wang will give you how much this month?" Han Sanqiang, squatting next to Zhao Chuxi, cursed.

Zhao Chuxi now smoked cigarettes that cost over ten yuan, occasionally enjoying a pack of twenty-five yuan Furongwang that others offered to Han Sanqiang. Life was good.

"Two thousand three, as agreed. I'm a decent person," Zhao Chuxi replied with a forced smile, his demeanor somewhat sinister.

Han Sanqiang and his group exchanged glances and said fiercely, "Brother Zhao, don't worry. If that bastard only gives you two thousand three, we'll make him spend twenty-three thousand tonight."

Zhao Chuxi glared at Han Sanqiang and his group, scolding them, "We are law-abiding citizens, you know. We can't do anything improper. Besides, Old Wang hasn't given out the wages yet. Maybe he has some organizational awareness."

"That's right, Brother Zhao and Brother Lin work the hardest on the construction site and also maintain order. I've been unhappy with Old Wang giving Brother Lin only nine hundred yuan for a long time. If he doesn't make up for it today, we won't let him off," Sun Hu, Han Sanqiang's loyal follower, said angrily. He was tall and strong but always flattered others, first Han Sanqiang and now Zhao Chuxi. He had been thrown by Er Pang in a shoulder throw.

As for Er Pang, he was eating steamed buns and the duck necks and braised meat that others offered him. For Er Pang, eating and drinking were the essence of life.

The prospect of more money made Zhao Chuxi secretly happy. Taking advantage of his current status on the construction site, he should renegotiate his wages with Old Wang and ask about Er Pang's wages. If Old Wang had any sense, Zhao Chuxi believed he would make some changes.

Sure enough, when Zhao Chuxi and Er Pang went to collect their wages, Old Wang and the accountant quickly offered them cigarettes and tea. Zhao Chuxi didn't put on airs, calling Old Wang "Brother Wang" and the accountant "Brother He," giving them face. Han Sanqiang and his group wanted to come in but were stopped by Zhao Chuxi.

"Chuxi, this is your first month's wage, three thousand yuan. We all see how hard you work on the construction site. This is a reward, and your wage will be four thousand from now on. If you have any objections, you can tell me," Old Wang, nearly forty, was much more experienced in dealing with people than the young ones. He had been in the industry for many years, and Zhao Chuxi's current status on the construction site was well-known. Despite being the foreman, all the teams on the International Mansion construction site called Zhao Chuxi "Brother Zhao," making him a rising star.

Zhao Chuxi was delighted to hear that his first month's wage was three thousand and would be four thousand from now on, but he kept his joy hidden, calmly replying, "If it weren't for Brother Wang giving me a job, I wouldn't know where I'd be, and I wouldn't be making this much money. When Brother Wang has time, I'll treat you and Brother He to a meal. In the future, Brother Wang, you can count on me to handle things on the construction site."

One gave face, the other returned it, following a set pattern. Nothing unexpected would happen unless someone disrupted it.

"Er Pang, this is your wage, two thousand yuan. From now on, it will be two thousand five hundred," Brother Wang said happily, handing the money to Er Pang. Now, everyone on the construction site called him "Er Pang," and no one dared to call him a fool.

"Money, money," Er Pang took the money with a grin, his eyes more excited than seeing a naked beauty.

Two thousand, two thousand five hundred. Zhao Chuxi was unhappy but didn't show it, waiting for Brother Wang to continue. Unfortunately, in the face of direct interests, the pattern was disrupted. Brother Wang said nothing more, only, "Take the money and buy some food to improve your diet. Let the next person come in."

At this, Zhao Chuxi's face changed, and he coldly said, "Brother Wang, is that it?"

"Chuxi, what's wrong? Do you have something to say?" Brother Wang asked, pretending to be clueless.

Zhao Chuxi stood up, and a Type 65 pistol appeared in his hand. He played with it skillfully and said angrily, "Brother Wang, who works the hardest on the construction site? I think you know better than anyone. Two thousand, two thousand five hundred, do you think you're giving alms to beggars? Do you really think Er Pang is a fool? Five thousand wouldn't be too much."

"Five thousand, that's a bit much. A skilled worker only makes six or seven thousand a month," Brother Wang said reluctantly, while the accountant, Old He, signaled him to calm down, saying, "Chuxi, let's talk this out."

Zhao Chuxi glared at the accountant, took a few steps forward, and slammed the pistol on the desk, saying angrily, "Damn it, Er Pang has been on the construction site for a year, and you only gave him nine hundred yuan a month. Have you lost your conscience? He could make nine hundred yuan a month begging on the street. Look at the work he does. I've been holding back my anger for a long time. If you don't explain this clearly today, you won't be leaving."

When Zhao Chuxi got angry, Han Sanqiang and his group outside rushed in, and Han Sanqiang cursed, "You bastard, Brother Zhao is giving you face. Two thousand five hundred, you're making a lot."

"Out," Zhao Chuxi didn't let Han Sanqiang and his group in, telling them to leave. He didn't want to make a big scene.

Han Sanqiang and his group left without a word, never having seen Zhao Chuxi so angry.

Old Wang dared to offer such a low wage because he thought raising Zhao Chuxi's wage was enough, and Zhao Chuxi should be grateful. Er Pang was a fool, and he wouldn't know the difference. By giving Er Pang two thousand five hundred, Zhao Chuxi could take a thousand six hundred as a kickback, and both would benefit. However, he was wrong. Zhao Chuxi wasn't that kind of person. If he did that, the old monk would rise from his grave to scold him, and Li Qingyi might leave Phoenix Village the next day.

When Zhao Chuxi got angry, and Han Sanqiang and his group rushed in, Old Wang was completely intimidated. He had no courage to haggle and quickly asked, "Chuxi, what do you want?"

Zhao Chuxi lit a cigarette, thought for a few seconds, and said, "Er Pang's wage should be the same as mine, four thousand a month. Not a cent less. If you don't want us to work here, you can kick us out, but we'll leave a lasting impression