Cheng Su’s expression softened upon hearing the word "orphan."
"What’s your name?" she asked gently.
Qi Taiguo was somewhat surprised, amazed at the instantaneous change in her tone. She had just been talking about not hiring child labor, and now it seemed like she was ready to take him in?
The boy was also pleased, saying, "Zhao Da, my name is Zhao Da." Then he asked, "Are you willing to take me in now?"
"What can you do?" Cheng Su smiled, looking at his arms, not knowing whether it was from lack of food or what, but his arms were very thin.
"Anything you ask," Zhao Da said loudly.
Cheng Su thought for a moment, "You said you’re an orphan, who else is in your family?"
Zhao Da hesitated, then said, "There’s my grandmother, she’s very old. If it weren’t for her age, and my sister being so young, if I left, there would be no one to take care of them, otherwise I would have gone out to work long ago."
Cheng Su felt a pang of heartache.
"Now that there’s an opportunity for work here, I wanted to try my luck. I really can do anything," Zhao Da implored somewhat anxiously, "I need money, my grandmother’s health isn’t good, and my sister needs to eat."
He saw that Cheng Su did not speak and gritted his teeth, "If you’re willing to hire me, I’ll even take less pay."
It seemed that he was desperate for this job!
"Alright, then come and give it a try," Cheng Su said, her heart softening at his earnest and slightly pleading eyes, she agreed.
"Really? You’re truly willing to hire me?" Zhao Da asked joyfully, "When do I start work?"
"We are preparing to open on the eighteenth of September. Come back to the factory on the fifteenth for training and a physical examination," Cheng Su instructed.
Zhao Da nodded repeatedly, then rubbed his hands together, "What about the salary..."
Cheng Su pondered for a moment, "Twenty yuan a month during the probation period, without accommodation."
"Pity him?" Cheng Su’s mouth curled into a slight smile, "Maybe. I just saw his earnestness and decided to lend a hand."
To say she felt pity wasn’t quite right; it was more like empathy. Both were orphans, but Zhao Da was stronger than herself because at least he had a sister and grandmother. Although his mother remarried, at least he knew what she looked like and where she had gone!
As for herself, she didn’t even know who her parents were or why they had abandoned her!
Cheng Su lowered her head, feeling somewhat melancholic.
Qi Taiguo frowned, pained to see Cheng Su like this, as if she were very lonely. But why?
He couldn’t help but step forward to embrace her, offering silent comfort. No matter what, he stood by her side. She had him!
Cheng Su absorbed the warmth from Qi Taiguo, her lips breaking into a slight smile. Suddenly she asked, "You think, employing child labor, it shouldn’t be considered a crime at this time, right?"
Qi Taiguo: "..."

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