Chapter 175 - 167: Renting a House
Chapter 175: Chapter 167: Renting a House
Song Gong was taken aback. "You’re paying us before we’ve even started working?"
Bai Zhi smiled. "Since you came to me, it means you’re sincere about taking this job. And since you’re sincere, I must show my sincerity as well. Uncle Song, I trust you, and you trust me. That’s the only way our partnership will be a pleasant one, and it’s only when people are happy that they can produce meticulous work."
Truth be told, Song Gong was deeply moved. He’d been a foreman for many years and had worked for families far wealthier, but he had never met anyone like Bai Zhi. ’To trust me this much on our very first meeting... Ten taels of silver is no small sum, and she just handed it over.’
He accepted the silver with a solemn expression, swearing to himself that he would put forth his absolute best work and build her the finest house possible.
Bai Zhi added, "If it’s convenient, Uncle Song, please find a few more workers. My mother and I are staying at Uncle Hu’s house for the time being. And while he makes us feel right at home, we’re still imposing on his space. It would be wonderful if we could move into the new house sooner rather than later."
Song Gong nodded eagerly. "Of course, that’s no problem. I’ll arrange it." He had been a foreman for a long time and knew plenty of masons, so finding more men wouldn’t be an issue at all.
And just like that, they reached a pleasant agreement. Bai Zhi saw them to the door.
Song Gong said, "We’ll be back in three days at the latest. Since the men are all from out of town, would it be alright if we made pallets on the floor in the courtyard to make do for a bit? If you could provide three meals a day, it shouldn’t take too long. With more men, we can get the main structure done in ten to fifteen days. Qingfeng and I can handle the finishing touches, and the others can head back then."
Bai Zhi looked to Uncle Hu, who nodded. "Of course. It’s just sleeping in the courtyard. But autumn is just around the corner, and the morning dew is getting heavier. I’m afraid they’ll easily catch a cold."
Bai Zhi thought for a moment, then asked Uncle Hu, "Is there anyone in the village with an empty house that’s not being lived in?"
Uncle Hu shook his head. "Everyone’s tight on space as it is, where would you find an empty house? Ah—wait, that’s not right. There actually is one empty house."
"The village chief’s eldest son has a house in our village. He moved to the city years ago and rarely comes back, only visiting for the holidays. For the past two years, he hasn’t even come back for that. The house has just been sitting empty, with the village chief and his wife looking after it."
Bai Zhi’s face lit up. "That’s perfect! I’ll go talk to the village chief about renting it. That way, the workers will have a place to stay and won’t have to sleep on the ground outside."
Song Gong was even more moved. ’Men like us who do this dirty work are never given a second glance by the patrons. Who would care if we slept on the grass or in an open field?’
He was at a loss for words. He simply clasped his hands in a salute to Bai Zhi. "Miss Bai, we will be sure to build you an excellent house. We’ll take our leave now!"
After seeing Song Gong off, Bai Zhi went with Uncle Hu to the village chief’s house. When they explained the situation, the village chief immediately agreed and even refused to accept any rent money.
"The house is just sitting empty anyway. It’s better for a house to be lived in than to be vacant. Why would I charge rent for that? We’re all neighbors here, no need to be so formal."
But Bai Zhi wouldn’t have it. She had been wanting to thank the village chief properly and was just looking for an opportunity. How could she pass up a golden chance like this? She insisted on stuffing a small, two-tael silver ingot into the village chief’s hand, then grabbed Uncle Hu and scurried away.
The village chief clutched the silver ingot, chuckling as he watched Zhi’s hasty retreat. ’That silly girl,’ he thought, ’so earnest. Renting this old house... it’s not worth nearly this much.’