The next day.
It was time for Lu Chuan's one-week vacation to end.
Lu Chuan knew that he had to leave the small renovation company, but he was a responsible person and still had three clients under him who were at the late stage of their renovations. He definitely had to complete the work on hand before leaving.
It wasn't because he had feelings for the company, it was because he was responsible toward the clients.
A supervisor might seem like a high-ranking position.
In reality, it meant that it was half work and half supervision.
He would supervise the workers so that the construction was done according to the blueprint; supervise the various materials that were delivered, ensuring that the quantity, brand, and model were the same as planned; supervise the progress of the project, and so on.
The management part of his role was to maintain the cleanliness of the site, ensure material allocation, and track any misdemeanors by the workers.
Throughout the entire renovation, there were many processes that required Lu Chuan's assistance. Hence, he was considered half a worker.
Lu Chuan woke up early and ate breakfast.
He first went to his office to punch his card, and then he went to the construction area.
A supervisor started work much earlier than the designers and office staff. Hence, when Lu Chuan punched his card, only the cleaner auntie was working.
Neighborhoods in the provincial capital weren't too bad.
Oasis Yipin.
Greening was done first, then construction. When the owners received their homes, there would be a complete garden covered with lush greenery. Particularly, in the morning, sunlight would filter through the leaves and branches, a beautiful sight to behold.
The houses sold in Oasis Yipin were half raw and half renovated, which gave the owners more choices.
Lu Chuan had three sets under him, all of them unfinished. There weren't any owners who would buy a fully renovated house instead of an unfinished one.
Lu Chuan brought Uncle Zombie with him as he wouldn't be at ease if he was left sitting in the rented apartment. Lu Chuan knew that Uncle Zombie was just a zombie, but he couldn't help treating him like a person.
The disguiser program was amazing.
"Master Gao, morning."
When he arrived at the construction site, Master Gao and his two apprentices who were in charge of carpentry had arrived.
Master Gao had a lanky physique, was in his fifties, and wasn't good with words. He just nodded and said, "Little Lu is here."
Lu Chuan made a round and was satisfied. Nothing seemed to have gone wrong in the week that he was away. When he walked over to the construction schedule, Master Gao called out, "Little Lu, there aren't enough boards, I've written the quantity on the schedule."
"All right, I'll get the company to load more materials."
Lu Chuan had long become accustomed to everything and could resolve everything with familiarity. He immediately called the company's engineering department; there would be a dedicated person responsible for sending the materials Lu Chuan needed.
...
"Little Lu, the boards don't fit in the elevator. Do you want to find a porter to send them up?"
Master Feng, the representative in charge of delivering materials, called Lu Chuan's mobile phone.
Master Feng was only responsible for delivering materials from the supplier; the delivery to the construction site was usually done by porters. This time, it was just boards, and normally, Master Feng would send them straight up.
However, if the boards don't fit in the elevator and had to be brought up via the stairs, they would have to find a porter.
Lu Chuan didn't mind and said, "Master Feng, please ask the price for sending the boards up to the 26th floor and if it's reasonable, get them to do it."
Every neighborhood had its own group of porters waiting to start work.
The owners' sand, stone, and other materials were all moved by them.
In just a few minutes, Master Feng called again, his tone frustrated. "Little Lu, they are asking for 20 yuan per floor."
"What?" Lu Chuan was startled.
Generally, the boards were five yuan per floor, but now, they were charging 20 yuan. It was absurd.
"Master Feng, wait for me downstairs, I'll head down to take a look."
After hanging up, Lu Chuan didn't think much of it.
Only those within the industry would know that such problems occured in small neighborhoods. Certain people would monopolize the transportation business in the neighborhood and do all the transportation and garbage-clearing in the area.
Lu Chuan knew of such circumstances but didn't say much.
But now, they were asking for 20 yuan for each floor. It was daylight robbery.
A piece of plywood was just a couple of yuan but now, the transportation fee was 520 yuan. No one could accept that. It was impossible for the company to agree to pay so much just to transport these boards.
On the ground floor…
Several brawny men stood in front of the boards with folded arms, looking at Master Feng coldly.
Seeing Lu Chuan come down, the leader flashed a smile. "The boss is here?"
Lu Chuan frowned, but quickly broke into a smile. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and distributed it to the men. "Brothers, can we discuss the price?"
"Heh!"
The leader laughed lightly as he reached for the cigarette. He lit the cigarette casually and took a deep puff before replying, "Boy, this is the market price in this neighborhood, not a single cent less."
Lu Chuan's face fell and he said, "I can pay eight yuan, anything more is impossible."
"I've made myself clear: if you don't pay 20 yuan, don't count on the boards reaching the house you're renovating." The leader sneered.
It wasn't possible for the company to pay 20 yuan per floor. He would have to pay from his own pocket.
It wasn't possible for him to pay for it.
This matter would not be resolved even if he went to the property management since they had already been pressured. That wasn't all. Since the group had monopolized the area, no one had dared to work here.
These people had an unspoken rule. Once someone had taken over the neighborhood, others couldn't enter.
With that rule, they were fearless and could charge others wilfully.
"You don't agree?" Lu Chuan's previous obliging and pleasant demeanor changed, his face turning cold. After a year as a supervisor, he had met a lot of people like this. He wasn't a pushover.
Lu Chuan came from the countryside. While he may be simple and honest, he also had a ruthlessness within him.
"Oh, is the kid trembling?" The leader hadn't spoken. A brawny man beside him flexed, his muscles tensing up as he stood in front of Lu Chuan.
He raised his arms. "See this? Just this arm can carry a 100-catty bag of cement up to the tenth floor."
The other men laughed, looking down on the young man in front of them.
Lu Chuan remained fearless and spoke coldly. "I rescind my offer. Five yuan, take it or leave it."
The leader smoked his cigarette, looking at Lu Chuan sideways. "Kid, in this neighborhood, do you think anyone will help you move this if I don't allow it? I rescind my offer too. If you don't pay 100 yuan per floor, the materials won't go up."
Master Feng panicked at the side. When did Little Lu become so rash?
Who are these people?
They were unreasonable ruffians, there wasn't any point in arguing with them. He could've just allowed them to move the boards just now. Besides, the company could just deduct some funds and they wouldn't have to offend these people.
Great, now the materials wouldn't be able to go up. How were they going to proceed with the renovation?
"Master Feng, leave the boards here. I'll think of something." Lu Chuan laughed coldly. He ignored the group and turned to enter the elevator.
"Sure, sure!"
Lu Chuan's behavior angered them. The leader threw down the cigarette butt and smashed it with his shoe fiercely. "I'll see what you can do in a neighborhood that I, Zhang Depeng, have taken down."
He was confident that his name was well-established.
Entering the elevator, a cold gleam flashed in Lu Chuan's eyes.
...
Master Feng might have spoken to the property owner about today's affair. Lu Chuan received a call in the afternoon when it was about time to end work.
"Little Lu, even though it might cost a little, it is just a small matter and not worth offending them. I'm begging you, let them deliver the boards up. Let's compromise and I will pay. I wouldn't make things difficult for you."
The phone call from Uncle Chen made Lu Chuan laugh bitterly.
Uncle Chen did water production and made a lot of money these past few years. The money gave him courage, but it didn't suit Uncle Chen. All he wanted was to be stable.
If they really infuriated the porters that monopolized the neighborhood, there wouldn't be peace.
Lu Chuan nodded. "Sure, sorry to cause trouble. I know what to do."
"All right, we are ordinary citizens and shouldn't bother with them," Uncle Chen added before hanging up.
Lu Chuan shook his head. He could understand how ordinary citizens worked; they just wanted to live their days peacefully.
...
After staying at the construction site until noon, Lu Chuan left with Uncle Zombie.
At the entrance of the neighborhood, Zhang Depeng sneered when he saw Lu Chuan. Such a young green kid dared to make such big promises.
"Keep your eyes open. If any worker tries to enter, break their legs."
As if speaking to Lu Chuan, Zhang Depeng raised his voice, just so Lu Chuan could hear it.
Lu Chuan swept him a glance. He laughed coldly and drove away in his tattered electric car with Uncle Zombie as though he weren't there.