After helping an uncle carry vegetables at the market for a few days, I could barely fill my stomach, but I knew this wasn't a long-term solution; I needed to find a more stable job. One day, I was strolling along the street, my eyes scanning for any job postings.
Just then, a man wearing a hard hat approached. He had dark skin and spoke in a thick Sichuan dialect, which I couldn't understand a word of. Seeing my blank expression, he started gesturing, pointing to a construction site piled high with steel bars in the distance, then making a carrying motion, then pointing at me, and finally cupping his hands together to his mouth, as if to say he wanted me to work on the construction site carrying bricks, with room and board provided.
A thought struck me. This was exactly the stable job I'd been looking for. Although carrying bricks was tiring, at least I'd have a place to stay and meals included—it was pretty good. I quickly nodded, indicating my willingness to go.
The Sichuan man smiled and led me into the construction site. As soon as I entered the construction site, I was shocked by the scene before me. Steel bars were piled everywhere, workers bustled about among them, and the roar of the machines was deafening.
He led me to a shed. Pushing open the door, a strong stench of sweat and foot odor assaulted my nostrils, almost making me faint. Inside, several rows of makeshift beds made of planks of wood looked dilapidated. In a corner, some worn-out clothes and personal belongings were piled haphazardly.
The Sichuanese man pointed to one of the empty beds, indicating that I would sleep there from now on. I went over and touched the plank; it was covered in sawdust that stung my hand. This was where I would sleep from now on. Although the conditions were harsh, it was still better than being out in the wind and rain.
That evening, after a long day, I dragged my exhausted body back to the shed. I had barely lain down when I heard a rustling sound coming from the corner. Startled, I shone my flashlight and saw several mice staring at me with their small eyes before darting away.
I sighed helplessly, thinking that this place was truly infested with rats. But after everything I'd been through, this little thing didn't bother me anymore. I turned over, ready to sleep. But lying on the hard wooden planks, I couldn't fall asleep. The aches and pains in my body and the surrounding stench made me extremely uncomfortable.
I started thinking about home, about my mother and sister. I wondered how they were doing. Was my mother's illness any better? Was my sister well-fed and clothed? Thinking about it, tears welled up in my eyes. But I knew I couldn't give up like this. I had to persevere, earn money, and change my family's situation.
The next morning, before dawn, I was awakened by a whistle. It was the foreman calling us to get up and work. I rubbed my sleepy eyes, dragged my heavy body to my feet, and began another day of bricklaying.
Bricklaying is no easy task. Each brick was heavy and cumbersome, and after only a few lifts, blisters formed on my hands. But seeing my fellow workers toiling away, I gritted my teeth and persevered. Sweat soaked my clothes, dripping down my face, but I didn't bother wiping it away; my only thought was to carry as many bricks as possible.
At lunchtime, we got a meal from the makeshift canteen on the construction site. The meal was simple: some vegetables, rice, and a few slices of meat with a little oil, but it tasted incredibly delicious. After all, I was starving after a morning of hard labor.
Although life on the construction site was tough, I felt an unprecedented sense of security. At least I had a stable place to stay, a job that could support myself. I knew this was just the beginning of my life; there was a long road ahead. I needed to work hard, step by step, to achieve my goals and give my family a better life.