A jinx, me? But I bring good fortune to my whole family!

"What happened?"

Actually, the jobs the forest farm is hiring for aren't exactly great.

Carrying timber is hard labor, but it's winter now, and there are too many idle people in the nearby villages. There aren't many jobs that can earn money, which is why it's become so sought after.

"The new factory manager who was transferred to the forest farm is surnamed Zhang; he's Zhang Aidi's cousin!"

The captain reluctantly handed over the paper. "He'll personally oversee the recruitment. Zhang Aidi just went in, and he'll definitely hold you responsible for this. Jianguo, this job is probably in jeopardy!"

Gu Jianguo's brows furrowed deeply, and Su Xiulan asked worriedly, "When did her cousin become so capable?"

Zhang Aidi's family used to be extremely poor. After she married into the family, she was never empty-handed whenever she went back home. She was the legendary "brother-supporting demon".

However, her uncle's family seems to be doing better.

"I'm not sure about that either. You should still take the child and try it tomorrow! There are quite a few people who want this job, so logically they shouldn't be openly targeting you!"

After finishing his speech, the brigade leader hurriedly left. There were quite a few people who wanted to work at the forest farm, and as the brigade leader, he had to make sure everyone was notified. Otherwise, if someone reported him, it would be troublesome.

Nuannuan frowned and quickly contacted her friends in the online space.

[Xiao Lü, Xiao Jin, what kind of person is that new factory manager? Is he like Zhang Aidi?]

Little Green silently rolled her eyes.

Never seen it before! Don't know anything about it!

Why don't you ask Xiao Hei? Have him go out and inquire?

Nuannuan's eyes lit up; she was right.

I'll have Xiao Hei inquire about it tomorrow. It would be even better if he could find something on the factory manager.

The mountains were blocked by heavy snow, and the morning air felt like it was carrying knives; if you took a breath, your lungs would freeze solid.

Under the old, crooked tree in the forest farm, a large group of men stood in a dark circle. Each of them had their hands tucked into their sleeves, their military overcoats stiff as iron, and their eyebrows and beards covered in white frost. Today was the day the forest farm would decide their fate. In those days, a dollar and fifty cents a day was more tempting than eating dumplings during the New Year.

Su Xiulan stood at the edge of the crowd with Da'an and Xiao'an. The three of them were so thin they looked like sticks, standing out conspicuously among the group of burly men. Nuannuan was wrapped up tightly, looking like a festive red lantern, clutching Su Xiulan's clothes tightly, her big, dark eyes looking blankly at everyone.

"Oh, what a rare guest!"

A sarcastic voice broke in. Zhang Sandong swaggered over, his brand-new Dacron cotton-padded jacket quite conspicuous, and the red armband on his arm practically shoved into someone's face.

Because they caused Zhang Aidi's arrest, he now finds fault with everything about the Gu family.

"Team Leader Zhang." Su Xiulan stood ramrod straight, her expression calm.

"The forest farm hires strong laborers to carry timber, not to play around with cats and dogs." Zhang Sandong spat a mouthful of yellow phlegm on the ground, glanced at the group, and sneered, "These two weaklings, going up the mountain to be wolf food? Our forest farm doesn't keep useless people, so get the hell out of here."

"The team leader said there will be fair competition, and we'll work based on our abilities!"

Being looked down upon in front of so many people made Xiao An so angry that the veins on her neck bulged.

"By your own ability? Sure!" Zhang Sandong narrowed his triangular eyes, his pupils full of calculation. "Then let's do it the way it is. See that pile of unpeeled red pines on Laolongpo? They're yours. If you can carry them down from there, I'll respect you as a real man."

These words immediately caused an uproar among those around them.

"Isn't this ridiculous? What kind of place is Laolongpo? You can slip and slide even walking empty-handed, let alone carrying frozen timber? They're trying to kill people!"

"Does this kid have a grudge against the team leader? Otherwise, why would he be given this job?"

Another person nudged the one who had just spoken, "Isn't that a good thing? We'll have one less competitor!"

Everyone laughed and joked, and not a single person spoke up for Xiao An.

Da'an was so anxious that he was about to rush forward, but Xiao'an held him down tightly. Xiao'an knew that his older brother's physique was only impressive in appearance, but actually weak. Moreover, his older brother was introverted and couldn't handle this kind of situation at all.

"I'll take this job!"

"Alright, I'd like to see just how stubborn you really are."

"Everyone come over, because there are so many people signing up this time. Each family can only send one person at most, and it won't cost extra if you send more."

"Come up the mountain with me. I'll arrange what you need to carry. Of course, you can also work together and split the timber you bring back."

After explaining the rules, Zhang Sandong waved his hand and led everyone into the mountains.

He didn't forget to turn back and give Xiao An a mocking look.

Nuannuan squatted on the ground, looking at Zhang Sandong's arrogant appearance, her little mouth pursed tightly.

【Little Black, go keep an eye on this bad uncle. If he dares to do anything naughty, you can go to his house and poop in his pot!】

【Gah—Received, will arrange!】

The little black cat on the branch flapped its wings and circled above Zhang Sandong's head in a show of defiance, leaving a white dropping in the process. Zhang Sandong was so frightened that he shrank his neck and barely managed to avoid it.

The assessment has begun, and this is pure, unadulterated hard work.

Old Longpo was so steep it was like a ghost's den, with black ice beneath the snow. As Xiao An slung the thick hemp rope over his shoulder, the moment the frozen log, as thick as two people could hug, pressed down, Nuan Nuan seemed to hear a muffled thud as if her bones could no longer bear the weight.

"Second brother..." Nuannuan's little hands clenched tightly, and her eyes instantly reddened.

One trip, two trips, three trips.

Other strong laborers would be exhausted after carrying three or five loads, panting like dogs, but Xiao An was like a wound-up machine, gritting his teeth and persevering. Sweat froze into ice crystals as soon as it dripped out, stinging his face. The rough tree bark, like a steel file, ripped his already worn-out cotton-padded coat to shreds.

"Heh, I didn't expect you to be so tough. I'd like to see how long you can hold out."

Zhang Sandong found a broken chair and sat down, holding a chipped enamel mug in his hands. The water inside was steaming hot.

He had already told the new factory manager that he would absolutely not hire anyone from the Gu family.

Although this job isn't easy, how could he, as the older brother, possibly ignore someone who dares to bully his cousin?

However, I didn't expect this kid to be so stubborn.

Xiao An remained silent all day until sunset. Dragging his heavy legs, he carried the last piece of wood to Zhang Sandong. "Thirty pieces, all carried, not a single one missing!"

"You count!"

Zhang Sandong's lips twitched violently. The logs were incredibly heavy, all damp wood that hadn't dried properly. Even a strong man would struggle with them; how could this little guy, with his small frame, possibly manage to keep going?

However, did he think that would allow him to stay?