Nie Pi didn't know how long it had been since he last ate; his stomach felt like a bottomless pit.
Yin Yang knew that at a time like this, telling him to slow down was useless. Only food could provide him with a sense of security.
Once he had eaten his fill, Nie Pi began to feel a bit embarrassed.
“Sorry, Boss. I haven't had a full meal in a long time.”
“It's fine. I understand.”
Yin Yang nodded with a smile. He had gone hungry before, so he knew exactly how that felt.
It was for that very reason that he held a deep respect for food.
After waiting for Nie Pi to finish, Yin Yang pointed toward the window.
“Our cat food is kept under that window. Every morning at seven, noon at eleven, and evening at five, about a hundred cats will come to eat.”
“No matter what kind of cat it is, just give them one portion when they show up.”
“The cans are labeled for morning, noon, and evening. Just give them out in order.”
“Got it!”
As soon as the conversation turned to work, Nie Pi immediately became serious.
It hadn't been easy to find a job like this; he wouldn't allow himself to make even the slightest mistake.
“Someone will come to deliver the cans every morning.”
“I've already set the money aside. You just need to verify the number of boxes and the flavors.”
“Understood.”
“We feed the cats at the entrance. People will come to watch. Watching is fine, but touching or any other feeding behavior is not allowed.”
“If you see it, you must stop them.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nie Pi nodded, immediately catching Yin Yang's drift.
Touching was forbidden because cats are very alert while eating and can easily attack those who try to pet them.
Feeding was forbidden because no one could be certain if the food provided by strangers contained anything harmful.
There were far more bad people in this world than one might imagine.
“When it's time to feed the cats, just take the cans outside and open them.”
“Remember the times I told you. Half an hour later, a sanitation worker will come to clean up. I pay him a thousand a month to tidy up the area and take away the empty cans.”
“I understand.”
Nie Pi nodded to show he had memorized everything.
Yin Yang looked at his clothes and cuffs.
“Do you have a place to stay?”
“I do!”
Nie Pi's answer was firm, but the ring pendant hanging around Yin Yang's neck vibrated slightly.
After a moment of thought, Yin Yang said, “I have a warehouse two blocks away. If you can act as a night watchman, I can give you an extra five hundred a month.”
“Thank you, Boss!”
Nie Pi agreed immediately. He could feel Yin Yang's kindness.
Yin Yang smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Work hard.”
“Thank you, Boss.”
Nie Pi thanked him repeatedly. Yin Yang pointed to the cat door specially installed for Canned Food.
“We have a rather special cat here. His name is Cat Boss. You can just call him Boss.”
“Cat Boss?”
“Yes.”
“What does he look like?”
“He's easy to recognize. You'll know it's him the moment you see him.”
As Yin Yang spoke, he pushed open the shop door. “You start today. There's a clock on the wall. Feed the cats on time.”
“Once you've finished the evening feeding and the sanitation worker has cleaned up, you're off duty.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Nie Pi watched Yin Yang leave, feeling as though it was all a dream.
He had actually found a job that provided food and housing, and he could even earn over five thousand a month!
This kind of compensation was something even skilled workers might not earn.
And his job was simply... feeding cats!
At the thought of this, Nie Pi took a deep breath. He felt he should do more, at least to let the boss know that his money wasn't being wasted.
With that in mind, he went to the bathroom, took out the cleaning tools, and began to tidy up while dragging his crippled leg.
...
South District.
The entire South District was currently a hive of activity.
There was a saying that always circulated among construction workers: the speed of the project depends on the speed of the payments.
Since Su Baadao had taken office, he really did approve the necessary funds.
However, Su Baadao's audits were also very strict. Only after standards were met would he settle the final balance.
And this was exactly what the workers loved most!
I do the work, you give the money!
It was only natural!
It wasn't a case of doing the work only for the employer to nitpick just to take a slice of the profit!
What was the difference between that and a robber?
If all clients in the world were like Su Baadao, they would be able to wake up from their dreams laughing.
“Old Wang, can your body still hold up?”
“It can!”
The man called Old Wang had dark skin and a face full of the marks left by time.
At the moment, he was laboriously pushing a wheelbarrow. After delivering a small load of bricks to the designated spot, he smiled.
“My daughter got into Central City University.”
“Central City University? Wow, you've finally made it, you old dog.”
“Hahaha!”
Old Wang's laughter was hearty. He wiped his sweat with the towel hanging around his neck.
“That's why I have to keep my head down and work!”
“I've asked around. The tuition alone is over fifty thousand a year. Then there's living expenses, tickets... a girl always needs to buy a few new clothes.”
“You can't skimp on those things, so I have to keep at it.”
“That's right. Be frugal at home but generous on the road. She definitely needs some money in her hand when she goes out.”
Old Wang pushed the empty barrow back to the brick pile. As he loaded it, he said, “It's almost there, almost there.”
“Once I see her graduate, get a job, and get married, my life will have been worth it.”
His co-worker laughed. “Yeah, then you'll be able to enjoy your life.”
Old Wang smiled, wiped his sweat, and continued loading bricks.
“By the way, Old Wang, I remember you have cervical spondylosis, right?”
“Yeah, it's an old problem from years ago.”
“I recently heard of a very skilled female doctor. Do you want to go see her?”
“Forget it. This problem can't be cured. Besides, how could I afford the hospital?”
“It's a church clinic. As long as you believe in their deity, they'll cover ninety-nine percent of your medical expenses.”
“Do you remember my neighbor, that old lady who's always groaning in pain?”
“I do. Last time we went to your place for drinks, it took her four or five minutes just to walk from your door to hers.”
“Exactly, her. Her daughter-in-law is a believer there and took her. Her leg problems of many years were cured.”
“Now that old lady walks so fast. I heard it didn't even cost a thousand yuan in total.”
“Really?”
Hearing this, Old Wang couldn't help but feel a bit tempted. If a thousand yuan could cure his illness, it would be more than worth it.
As for faith, wasn't that just a matter of saying a few words?
“What's the doctor's name? Where is the clinic?”
“It's in the West District. I forgot the name of the clinic, but I remember the doctor. Everyone calls her Dr. Qu.”
“Then ask for me when you go back. When I have time, I'll go check it out.”
“Sure thing.”
...
“Two more demigods are dead!”
“That Su Baadao is specifically targeting our True Knowledge Society!”
“How long until the Earth Dragon Jar arrives?”
“Three days!”
Rate on N.U.
