Page 183

Lin Yuan liked that sort of person who knew their place and worked diligently; of course, what she hated the most was foremen like this one.

The foreman chuckled dryly twice, cursing his subordinates in his heart for not being clever enough, while trying to change the subject with her, "Boss has arrived, huh? Why did you come later today? Has something delayed you?"

Lin Yuan slapped off the dust from the doorframe she leaned on and, seeing the foreman’s rolling eyes, she knew what he was thinking and laughed, "Foreman, you haven’t answered my question yet. The ’stupid boss’ you mentioned, is that someone like me?"

"This, how could it be possible?" The foreman swallowed, clearly seeing that Lin Yuan was smiling, but somehow felt an inexplicable chill in his heart. It was strange; after all, she was just a young girl in her teens. He had just looked down on her for being incompetent, so why was he afraid now?

"How could it be possible? I think you are very capable indeed!

" The brighter Lin Yuan’s smile became, the colder her voice grew, "I heard them say you were sleeping, and I thought, ah, there’s neither a bed nor quilt in this tofu workshop.

What if you catch a cold? So I thought to quickly have someone send you a big bed with a soft quilt.

But actually, you were in the kitchen—oh dear, the kitchen is all cob and mud, not a place for sleeping.

What if Sixth Uncle accidentally plasters mud over you? What then?"

Lao Liu, who was working at the door, suddenly shuddered, holding back a laugh.

The foreman’s face had already turned the color of liver, but Lin Yuan wasn’t done yet: "Getting plastered all over would be the least of your concerns. If it gets on your face, oh my, forget about sleeping—you may run out of breath and pass out for good!"

Lao Liu’s shoulders shuddered again, and unusually, he actually raised his head and spoke to the foreman for the first time, "I think it’s worth a try."

The foreman trembled, nearly dropping the wine pot in his hand, and addressed Lin Yuan dryly, "You, are you threatening me?"

Lin Yuan smiled, "Here I only said a couple of jokes, and you’re already scared, saying I’m threatening you. Now I don’t even know if I should actually threaten you."

The kitchen still had no doors or windows installed, but at that moment, it had been surrounded by the workers.

Xiao Linzi, ever fearful for her safety, had followed close behind her the moment he could.

Xia Zheng too wasn’t letting his guard down, knowing full well that these people were no match for Lin Yuan, yet he stayed close, protective as ever.

Lin Yuan scanned all the working people, pulled out the work agreement previously signed with the foreman from her bosom, and waved it in front of him, "Listen here, foreman, you’re far too careless.

I, Lin Yuan, don’t care how many bosses you’ve scammed before, but you should never have fallen into my hands.

Look at this agreement, written clearly in black and white.

If you slack on the job, you owe me triple the wages in compensation.

If you refuse to pay, oh dear, I’ve forgotten what the alternative is. Foreman, perhaps you’d read it for me?"

She spread out the work contract in her hand and brought it closer to the foreman, smiling innocently.

The foreman, however, felt a chill through his body.

Was there a need to read it? He’d been working for so many years, having signed no fewer than a hundred such agreements, he could recite them backward.

If the compensation wasn’t made, or if the Boss didn’t accept it, he, the foreman, would be in legal trouble.

Although he’d been caught by bosses before, he’d always managed to talk his way out thanks to his glib tongue.

But this young girl today was clearly not someone to trifle with; she was more troublesome than anyone he’d ever met before.

His instinct told him that this girl wouldn’t settle for the compensation.

"Boss, I, I know I was wrong. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have slacked off or spoken ill of you behind your back. How about this—I’ll compensate, will that do?"

The workers didn’t expect the foreman to concede so quickly and were somewhat astonished. One man, already dissatisfied with Lin Yuan, suddenly shouted, "Foreman, we won’t pay up! That brat just hit someone! Even if it’s brought to the Government Office, we’re not in the wrong!"

"Exactly, I’m not in the wrong!"

Lin Yuan shook her head and laughed indifferently.

Xia Zheng also sneered before speaking, "Yes, that’s right, I also saw the little girl hitting someone. We should hurry and send her to the government office."

Xiao Linzi became anxious and quickly tugged at his sleeve. Wasn’t he on Miss Lin’s side? Why was he speaking for outsiders?

Before the others could make a move, Xia Zheng pulled back his sleeve, exchanged a smile with Lin Yuan, and added, "However, the government office doesn’t pass judgment based solely on someone’s word.

Evidence is needed. I wonder where the little girl injured that person?

Did she break his arm or his leg? Or did she outright kill him?

Should we ask the coroner to make a determination?

Only after determining this can we file a case and press charges. "

At these words, the laborers immediately lost their enthusiasm. They had all checked the young man’s leg right after the incident and found nothing more than a slight red mark, which had now disappeared. But it really hurt before, could it be a bone injury?

The young man tried moving his leg under everyone’s expectant gaze and gave a wry smile without saying a word.

"Since there are no broken arms or legs, does that mean I’m in the clear?" Lin Yuan asked Xia Zheng with a blink of her innocent, large eyes.

Xia Zheng was nearly swayed by her charming gaze, and he nodded dumbly.

Xiao Linzi also understood by now that the two had been pulling a fast one in cahoots. Seeing the harmless look on their faces as they laughed, he felt a chill down his spine, pursed his lips, and took a few steps back. Offending anyone but these two master tricksters was preferable!

The eventual outcome was neither compensation nor reporting to the authorities.

After all, the work was already half done.

If they had to switch hands now, it would be hard to find replacements immediately, and those who came later might not understand the previous design and fall behind.

Therefore, Lin Yuan decided to give them another chance.

However, she set a deadline. She required the contractor to complete the work within five days; if done, they would receive the full wages owed, but if not, a visit to the Yamen awaited them.

The contractor had no choice but to agree repeatedly.

Losing the labor payment was inconsequential; it was the government office that mattered.

They were all from Zhuma Town and had been working there for more than a year or two.

Anyone could easily find out their full names and even how many people and how much land they had at home.

Escaping was not an option. They had no choice but to work diligently and properly.

Moreover, with the lesson learned, none of them dared to shirk work or be lazy. They performed their tasks even more meticulously and with greater care, and by noon on the fifth day, they had perfectly completed the work.

Lin Yuan inspected everything carefully and was very satisfied. She quickly settled the wages with the contractor and even said with a smile, "Boss, you’ve done a good job. The next time I renovate my shop, I’ll still look for you."

The contractor’s face twisted into a bitter smile; he dared not agree. Such a frightening young lady was best avoided.