Chapter 1: 1 Working in Africa

The Bluewater Planet's Africa State is a magical place!

The people of Bluewater Planet have a very stereotypical image of this place, imagining Africa filled with lions, elephants, gazelles, zebras, its prairies, rainforests, and mountains, hosting the most primitive ecological environment in the world.

The magnificence of Africa Prairie and the soul-stirring impact of the great animal migrations are something no other place in the world can offer.

When Joe Ga was 22, he went to Africa to seek his fortune because his parents were seriously ill, armed with mechanical repair skills he learned from an old uncle in his village. It's been three and a half years since then.

Unfortunately, the place he ended up in was SD Kamu, a city by the Roni River, surrounded by the desert.

It had none of the African characteristics he had imagined, but fortunately, he didn't need those things.

For three years, Joe Ga worked diligently, responsible for repairing all mechanical equipment on the construction site and occasionally fixing mobile phones and the like to earn some extra money.

With his monthly salary of 15,000 and some slightly illegal extra income, he honestly managed to bury his parents with dignity and save enough for his brother's four years of college fees.

In a rural family, one parent contracted silicosis from working in the mines, and the other developed kidney disease from years of hard labor, which eventually turned into uremia.

Anyone hearing about their situation would have written off the family, believing the two brothers had no chance of turning their lives around in this lifetime.

Yet, Joe Ga, with his guts and skills, not only allowed his parents to die with dignity in the hospital, but also cleared the family's debts and prepared the tuition fees for his brother who had excellent academic achievements.

In a villa district to the west of Kamu, medium and high-level management personnel from various domestic enterprises basically rented houses here.

Joe Ga, carrying a toolbox, walked out of a villa and saw his village elder, Uncle Qing, waiting for him under a tree, a cigarette hanging from his lips. He quickened his pace and said with a smile, "Uncle Qing, why aren't you waiting in the car? This damn place is so hot, it could kill a person. You're not young anymore; you can't afford to get sick from the heat."

Uncle Qing looked old, a 45-year-old that seemed almost 55, his face covered in wrinkles and dark spots from long-term sun exposure.

Though Uncle Qing looked aged, his physique was first-class indeed.

He had developed his build from reinforcing steel bars on construction sites since he was a child. While it wasn't as exaggerated as those gym muscle builders, he could lift 200-pound weights with one hand as if it were nothing, and he could carry four bags of cement at once with ease.

As Joe Ga approached, Uncle Qing snatched his toolbox, tossing it into the pickup truck he had driven there, then gestured for Joe Ga to get in the truck while saying, "Seems like Old Chen's daughter has taken a fancy to you, eh? Why do their electrical appliances break down every few days?

If you ask me, you really could consider it. The girl's a bit fat, but she's kind-hearted. Plus, her parents are high-level managers in state-owned companies; they'll move up the ranks when they get back in a couple of years.

If you marry her, saying it'll save you 30 years of struggle might be an exaggeration, but 10 years is for certain."

As soon as Joe Ga opened the car door, he was hit by a blast of hot air. Without firsthand experience, one would find it hard to imagine the sensation, as if even breathing could scorch one's lungs.

The heat insulation in this lousy pickup was terrible, and with the sunlight focused through the front windshield, it was unbearable.

Uncle Qing turned off the car and closed the doors just to keep the minimal cool air from escaping. Yet, within half an hour, not only had the cool air vanished, but it felt as if the air itself was boiling.

Joe Ga struggled into the passenger seat of the pickup and instantly turned the air conditioning to its maximum setting as soon as Uncle Qing started the car, a slight coolness brushing his face. Joe Ga let out a comfortable sigh and said, "Uncle Qing, since this is the government's gas, why put yourself through such torture?"

Uncle Qing glanced at Joe Ga and said irritably, "You don't know jack, kid. This place is full of executives. Oh, I drive you here and then sit inside the car chilling while they look on. What if they talk behind my back? Can I continue being a team leader then?"

Joe Ga looked at Uncle Qing, who was living cautiously and said, "Why do you, a labor subcontractor, have to worry about these things?"

While speaking, Joe Ga noticed the suppressed proud expression on Uncle Qing's face and said, "Can you now take on jobs by yourself?"

Uncle Qing touched the salt-stained collar of his shirt and said proudly, "It's all thanks to you. Old Chen, he said he could subcontract the worker dormitory project for Rig No. 4 to me.

I'm planning to go back in the next couple of days and then bring over 20 people. In at most half a year, once we finish this job, we'll be able to go home and build a house."

While speaking, Uncle Qing glanced at Joe Ga and said, "You poor kid, you didn't get good parents. Endure a few more years, save some more money, and when you come home, I'll have your aunt find you a match.

We're people who have worked abroad, right?"

Upon hearing this, Joe Ga furrowed his brow and said, "Rig No. 4? Is that the one on the west side of the White Nile River, near the Town of Sayala?"

As Uncle Qing nodded in confirmation, Joe Ga shook his head and said, "Don't take it. That area has been unsafe recently, and if something happens, it could be bad."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Qing braked to a stop at the entrance of the villa area and looked at Joe Ga saying, "Are you suggesting Old Chen wants to harm me? Why?"

Joe Ga recalled for a moment and shook his head, saying, "It shouldn't be. The construction of Rig No. 3 is nearly finished, and oil should be coming out in at most a month. Preparing for the construction of Rig No. 4 is normal.

How could Old Chen, a state-owned enterprise cadre, know so much about the situation around Kamu? And he's also taking responsibility for this, so he definitely isn't trying to trick you deliberately."

Uncle Qing restarted the car and, frowning, glanced at Joe Ga and said, "Xiao Ga, I know you have a lot of contacts and are well-informed. What do you think, can I take on this job?"

Joe Ga shook his head and said, "I think you shouldn't. By the time you go back to find people and then come over to rent equipment, and wait for the supplies to be organized, you won't be able to start working for two months.

I've heard that the situation in Kamu isn't very good. What if things flare up and the worksite shuts down? What will you do with the dozens of people you've brought over? Will you pay them their wages?"

Uncle Qing had a lot of trust in his fellow villager, his senior nephew, and knew that he dealt with some local mine bosses frequently and had widespread news. This matter wasn't a joke; if something went wrong and people died, his life would be over. Sёarch* The NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

On the way, Uncle Qing pondered gloomily for a while before finally sighing and saying, "Then I won't do it. Better to carry a load of earth than a hint of risk!

It's not easy to work away from home. If I end up screwing people over, I'd never forgive myself for the rest of my life."

While speaking, Uncle Qing patted Joe Ga's shoulder and said, "But I still have to go back next week. My grandson was born the day before yesterday—a hefty boy, 7.5 pounds.

My son is a fool; if I don't go back, he won't be able to handle the full moon celebration properly.

Do you want to come with me? Since we can't take this job, let's just go back home and see if there are other options.

You're the best mechanic; team up with your uncle, and we can go to any worksite in the country, right? If we start a small construction crew, where can't we make a living?

The risky stuff you're tampering with isn't a long-term plan; those mine bosses are black-hearted and ruthless. If something happens to them, they could easily drag you into it."

Joe Ga looked out at Kamu's desolate scenery and said with a sense of helplessness, "Uncle Qing, do you think I have a choice?"