My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 8
The foreman-like man squatted on the stone steps, slurping fish soup and stuffing a flatbread into his mouth. Hearing Fu Jianxu’s words, he raised his sweat- and sun-darkened face, his eyes gleaming, and sized her up.
His gaze lingered on her slender shoulders and pale hands, clearly unaccustomed to heavy labor, and his brow furrowed into a knot.
You? he barked, his voice rough with skepticism. Little miss, this is no game! Each sack of rice weighs at least a hundred pounds. Hauling them from the ship to the shore, back and forth, is no joke! Look at your delicate skin—can you really handle it?
Fu Jianxu squirmed under his scrutiny, her social anxiety urging her to retreat. But the thought of her empty rice jar and Ji Xiaoyu’s ill-fitting hand-me-down clothes steeled her resolve. Yes! I—I’m stronger than I look! Just let me try!
The foreman glanced at Ji Xiaoyu, who stood beside her, equally small and thin, head bowed in timid silence. Then he looked back at Fu Jianxu’s flushed but stubbornly determined face. Perhaps the docks were truly short-handed, or perhaps he was taken aback by her tenacity. He roughly shoved down the last two bites of flatbread, set his bowl aside, and wiped the grease from his lips.
Alright! He waved his hand dismissively, sealing the deal. You’re in! But let’s get one thing straight if you can’t handle the work, get lost early and don’t waste my time! Pay is settled daily—thirty wen per day. Be here at the first quarter of mao hour around 5 AM. If you’re fifte tomorrowen minutes late, forget about getting paid that day! Work until the last quarter of wu hour around 1 PM, with one meal provided. We’ll have plenty of small fish from our own catch—eat as much as you want!
Thirty wen!
Fu Jianxu’s mind raced with calculations. Thirty copper coins… thirty days would be nine hundred coins. Though the work would be grueling, daily pay would ease their immediate financial strain, and they’d even get to eat fish!
The overwhelming joy instantly washed away her earlier embarrassment and anxiety. Her eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly, her voice trembling with excitement. I can do it! I can do it! Thank you, sir! I’ll be here at the first quarter of mao hour tomorrow!
The foreman waved her off impatiently, as if swatting away a bothersome fly. Alright, alright, get going already! Don’t stand around blocking the way. Come find Lao Hu tomorrow.
Yes, yes, Brother Hu! Fu Jianxu replied quickly, pulling the still-dazed Ji Xiaoyu along as they hurried away from the bustling docks, their steps light with anticipation.
Only after walking a considerable distance did Fu Jianxu finally exhale a long, thorough breath, feeling as if the massive boulder that had been pressing down on her chest had finally been lifted.
Though forced to choose the most arduous and exhausting work, at least they now had a source of income. She couldn’t help but grin foolishly, turning to look at Ji Xiaoyu.
Xiaoyu, did you hear? Thirty wen! Thirty wen a day! And we can eat fish whenever we want! She excitedly shook their joined hands. Starting tomorrow, we’ll have money coming in!
Ji Xiaoyu, slightly dizzy from the shaking, looked up, her small face etched with complex emotions. This woman… she’s truly changed. She’s even willing to carry sacks at the docks now?
Thirty wen… she calculated mentally. Thirty wen could buy three liters of coarse rice or half a jin of lard. If they were frugal, they could get through the winter with hope… Her fingertips unconsciously traced the hollow of Fu Jianxu’s hand. Thinking of the money they would soon earn, a genuine smile bloomed on Ji Xiaoyu’s face. Sister Jianxu is amazing!
She tilted her head back, her eyes fixed on Fu Jianxu. I knew you’d find work! Thirty wen—that’s five wen more than the day laborers in the village!
Fu Jianxu’s ears burned at the praise, her weathered face flushing crimson. The earlier excitement suddenly melted into bashfulness. She scratched the back of her head, her voice dropping unconsciously. I-I’ll work hard!
Honestly, how does this kid know how to compliment so well?!
Back home, Fu Jianxu remained cheerful. After resting her feet for a while, she eagerly got up to cook. Today had been exhausting, and she wanted to treat her rumbling stomach properly.
Sister Jianxu’s cooking smells so good!
Ji Xiaoyu’s soft, sweet compliment from the previous night still lingered in her ears. It’s just cabbage and wild vegetables—what’s so fragrant about that? she thought, yet she couldn’t suppress the upward twitch of her lips.
Glancing sideways at Ji Xiaoyu beside her, she quickly pursed her lips to hide her smile. Today was her first day at work. Although she’d learned the way yesterday, her sense of direction was terrible, so she had to ask Ji Xiaoyu to escort her again.
Aiya, a grown woman needing her little sister to show her the way to work! a passing female worker teased.
Fu Jianxu scratched her head, her ears growing warm. She couldn’t exactly admit she didn’t know the way, could she?
But her embarrassment was quickly shattered by reality.
Heavens! How heavy is this bag of rice?!
Fu Jianxu gritted her teeth, her arms straining with taut muscles. Fortunately, the original owner of this body had been lazy but physically strong. Her face contorted with effort as she heaved the sack, she held her breath, determined to prove that a woman like her could outwork any man.
Though her movements lacked the practiced ease of the veteran workers, her sheer stubbornness kept her pace from lagging behind.
As the sun climbed higher, Lao Hu’s gravelly voice rasped, Time to knock off! Fu Jianxu dropped the last sack of rice, her arms aching so badly she could barely feel them.
Not bad for a little lady! The cheerful woman from earlier squatted by the riverbank, slicing fish into a pot of boiling water. The steaming broth, thick with fishy aroma, rose in a swirling cloud. She ladled a full bowl and offered it to Fu Jianxu. Didn’t bring a bowl, did you? Here, line your stomach.
Fu Jianxu hadn’t had a drop of water all morning. She licked her parched lips and murmured, Thank you. Her trembling fingers nearly dropped the bowl as she took it, scalding soup splashing onto the back of her hand. Tears welled up involuntarily.
Whoa, easy there! The woman grinned at Fu Jianxu’s clumsy struggle. Don’t push yourself so hard this afternoon. The work never ends.
There’s an afternoon shift too? Fu Jianxu’s head snapped up, her face falling even further.
It’s not even noon yet! Sister Zhou pointed to the sky. We don’t finish until the end of the noon hour. Noticing Fu Jianxu’s dazed expression, she leaned closer and whispered, The first day is always the hardest. Just hang in there, and it’ll get easier.
Fu Jianxu lowered her head and took a sip of the fish soup. The overwhelming fishy stench made her stomach churn. She forced herself to swallow, held her breath for a long moment, and finally asked softly, Sister Zhou, did you… make this soup?
That’s right! I’m Zhou from Zhou Family Village. Sister Zhou wiped sweat from her brow with her sleeve, her sun-darkened face beaming. Just call me Sister Zhou!
Fu Jianxu nodded, hesitated, mentally rehearsed her request, and then whispered, Sister Zhou… could I borrow your pot to make soup tomorrow? I… I’m actually quite good at cooking.
Sister Zhou’s eyes lit up, and she clapped Fu Jianxu on the shoulder. That’s perfect! Even I can’t stomach my own cooking!
As they were talking, a woman with a faded red hair tie strode over, grabbed a ladle, and gulped down a mouthful of soup. She spat it out onto the ground with a Pah! Zhou Daya, this soup is still as awful as ever! I told you to let me handle it!
I can’t ask you to cook every day, Sister Dahong, Zhou Daya said, scratching her head sheepishly, fully aware of her own cooking skills.
Lao Hu is such a cheapskate, Sister Dahong muttered, wiping her mouth with her sleeve and lowering her voice. He pays us peanuts and makes us take unsold fish as payment for lunch, calling it ‘free meals’…
Hey, keep it down! Sister Zhou quickly covered her mouth, glancing toward the workers’ shed. Lao Hu’s right over there…
Suddenly remembering something, she nodded toward Fu Jianxu. The new girl says she’s a good cook. She’ll take over tomorrow.
Hao Hong finally noticed Fu Jianxu, sizing her up with a few glances before grinning. New here? I’m Hao Hong. Just call me Sister Dahong.
Ji Xiaoyu had been waiting at the dock early, both to welcome Fu Jianxu home and to see how her first day of work had gone.
Amidst the grimy laborers, the woman stood out like a beacon, her pale skin dazzlingly white and her tall, slender figure incongruous in the rough setting. She looked utterly out of place doing manual labor.
From a distance, she watched Fu Jianxu furrow her brow, repeatedly bending to hoist heavy sacks of rice. Her arms trembled slightly with the effort, yet she stubbornly persisted, steadily passing each sack to the next person in line.
She actually went through with it… Ji Xiaoyu murmured, her eyes fixed on the woman. How long can she keep this up?
A moment later, she reconsidered. Whether this woman’s actions were a fleeting whim or part of a deeper scheme, Ji Xiaoyu knew she had to find a way to keep her working. She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart.
As the woman’s shift neared its end, Ji Xiaoyu spotted Fu Jianxu dragging her weary steps toward her. The woman’s once-straight back was now slightly hunched, and her fair cheeks were smudged with dust.
Ji Xiaoyu hurried forward, a gentle smile curving her lips. Sister Jianxu, you must be exhausted! You worked so hard today.
Waaah, yes, so tired
But I can’t show weakness in front of my little sister!
Fu Jianxu straightened her back with forced resolve. I’m not tired! I can still work! She pressed the thirty copper coins she had been clutching into Ji Xiaoyu’s hand. Today’s wages. For you.
Ji Xiaoyu blinked in surprise, making no move to take the coins. What… what are you giving me wages for?
Lao Hu should have some cheap small fish, Fu Jianxu whispered, leaning close to Ji Xiaoyu’s ear. Go buy some. I’ll cook them for you tonight to help you recover.
Ji Xiaoyu, thinking Fu Jianxu was simply craving fish, nodded obediently and went off. She returned shortly with two palm-sized fish and handed back the remaining coins. Twenty-five wen left.
Fu Jianxu’s eyes lit up like they were filled with starlight. Xiaoyu, you’re amazing!
She had heard that even a small fish cost at least three wen—yet the girl had bought two for just five!
Fu Jianxu took the fish but refused to take back the remaining coins. See if there’s anything else we need to buy.
Ji Xiaoyu shook her head gently. We should save more silver at home, for emergencies.
Fu Jianxu nodded in agreement but still didn’t take the coins back.
The sun was still high as they walked home side by side, their shadows merging into one on the ground.
Sister Jianxu, did you finish all the flatbread you brought today?
Yes, I did.
Was it enough?
It was enough. Actually, it wasn’t quite enough. Waaah, I’m hungry. Fu Jianxu should have been exhausted by now—her energy levels were always low, especially in unfamiliar work environments. Yet, the little girl’s incessant questions strangely seemed to dispel some of her fatigue. What about you? Did you… did you eat lunch?
I ate the flatbread you made last night, Sister. Fu Jianxu found herself relaxing in the back-and-forth conversation, but Ji Xiaoyu remained distracted, clutching the twenty-five copper coins in her hand.
What does she mean by this? Why didn’t she take the money? Is she testing me by leaving it with me? Ji Xiaoyu pursed her lips and ventured cautiously, Sister Jianxu, you should take the money. I’m afraid I’ll lose it.