Over the past few years, he has saved up three taels of silver.

Next month's wages will come in three extra taels.

He was just an apprentice, not as good as his master who earned eight taels a month, but not bad either.

Three taels of silver is enough for him to earn for three years.

Without a master, he wouldn't be able to get into this school to work. Dongzi planned to give one tael of silver as a gift to Huang the carpenter after he received his wages.

He put the remaining two ounces together with the three ounces at home, and took out four ounces to marry a wife.

Including the bride price and the cost of the banquet, it should be about right.

“Okay, I’ll definitely go.” The two had only known each other for a day.

They had an excellent relationship.

Carpenter Huang glanced at Jiang Dafeng, saw that he looked honest, and then lowered his head to continue eating.

The young apprentice is lonely; it's good to have someone he can talk to.

He was thinking.

"What? You're telling me not to come tomorrow? I'm not leaving! Why should I leave?! Damn it, I'm doing a good job, why should I leave? Who do you think you are, telling me to leave? Where's Manager Jin Yu? I'm looking for Manager Jin Yu!"

Sudden.

Argumentation could be heard outside the door.

The workers stopped eating, pricked up their ears, and turned to look.

"It's him." Jiang Dafeng couldn't resist the temptation of gossip either. He looked outside and was surprised to find that the troublemakers were the Zhang brothers who had pushed him that morning.

They were working in the backyard and didn't run into each other when they went to collect their lunch.

So this was the second time Jiang Dafeng had seen them.

"Take your wages. If you dare cause trouble again, I'll report you to the authorities!" The servant distributing the meals took out a plain-colored purse, which wasn't very bulging, but it probably contained loose silver coins.

Zhang Tietong refused to accept it.

"Where is Manager Jin? I want to see him. Why are you kicking me out? I won't stand for it!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

The noise disturbed the nearby residents, who opened their doors and peered out at him.

Not long after.

A crowd of onlookers gathered at the school gate.

Men, women, young and old are all included.

"What do you want with me?"

Jin Yu walked out of the school.

He stood in front of the Zhang brothers, slightly parted his lips, and asked coldly.

As evening approached, a breeze picked up. Jin Yu, dressed in a plain, dark gold robe, had her light gauze hem flutter in the wind, giving her an ethereal air. The women watching were captivated, their eyes sparkling.

Who cares about gossip anymore?

All eyes were fixed on Jin Yu's body and face.

"Manager Jinyu, is it true that you want to kick us out? What did we do wrong? Just tell us, and we will definitely change. Please have mercy on us. I have elderly parents and young children to support. My whole family depends on me to make a living. If I am kicked out, how will they survive?! Please, Manager Jinyu, I will even kneel down before you."

Zhang Tietong was no longer the arrogant man he had been moments before.

After he finished speaking, he knelt down with a thud.

Jin took two steps back.

He remained expressionless and spoke slowly.

“You two brothers know what you’ve done, and I’m too lazy to argue with you. Here’s your wages, take them, I won’t give you a single penny back. As for how to divide them, you two brothers can decide for yourselves. If you dare to cause trouble again, then go to the county government office. I happen to have some friends there.”

Jin Yu took the purse from the servant and threw it on the ground.

It hit Zhang Tietong right in front of his knees.

He deliberately claimed to know the officials.

Zhang Tietong was so frightened that he dared not cause any more trouble.

The two brothers took their purses and left dejectedly.

"That Zhang Tietong is awful. You're new here, so you don't know. He used to work as a porter at the grain store, all muscle and looks like a hardworking guy, right? But when the manager isn't around, he slacks off! He even threatens people not to complain, or he'll beat them up. In just a few days, he's turned the school into a complete mess. Nobody dares to offend him, so they just have to work harder while holding their anger. Now look what happened, he's been kicked out, serves him right!"

Dongzi said indignantly.

He was also bullied by Zhang Tietong.

When he was queuing for food, he was only three people away from his turn when the Zhang brothers pushed him aside. He wanted to yell back, but seeing the huge difference in their sizes, he held back.

We simply can't beat them!

Dongzi bit into the food in his mouth fiercely.

It was as if they were gnawing on Zhang Tietong's flesh and blood.

It was so satisfying!

Jiang Dafeng didn't say much and told Dongzi what had happened that morning.

After he finished eating, he and Dongzi went home, one on each side of him.

"Why are you only getting back now? What have you been doing all day? Your older brother said you were fired? Have you found a new job yet? Oh, right, we've finished eating at home. I forgot to save some for you. Anyway, you didn't do any work today, so you won't starve if you skip a day. You can eat tomorrow."

Mrs. Chen was sitting on a stool in the alley, chatting with her neighbors.

When she saw her youngest son return, she said a few words with a hint of dissatisfaction.

She had two sons, but she was biased towards the eldest.

After all, the eldest son is filial, and his wife is obedient, unlike the youngest son's family.

Some are sick, some are greedy.

They also secretly hoarded money.

"Hmm, I'm not hungry." Jiang Dafeng replied casually as if it were a habit, and went inside.

“Oh dear, Sister Chen, why are you treating your youngest son like this? Dafeng is such a good boy! The other day when it was raining, I was coming back from buying groceries and I slipped and fell at the alley entrance. He helped me up and took me home. He even picked up the vegetables that had fallen all over the ground and put them back neatly. Where can you find such a good young man? Don’t let him feel cold. If he’s not filial when you get old, you’ll be in big trouble.”

The neighbor next to them kindly tried to persuade them.

"He dares!"

Chen's voice was sharp and piercing.

Jiang Dafeng, who was in the courtyard, heard it all clearly.

He shook his head helplessly.

They went inside.

"Honey, I'm home."

The moment Yun Shi, who was lying listlessly in bed, saw Jiang Dafeng, her eyes lit up.

"Honey, what happened? My brother said you..."

He only said half the story.

Yun kept her mouth shut.

She was afraid that telling Jiang Dafeng would upset him.

"Yes, I was kicked out, but I have good news for you. I went to the school to look for work, and the manager took me. It's three taels of silver a month, and they provide three meals a day. I eat the breakfast and lunch myself, and I'll secretly bring back dinner for you and the child to nourish your bodies. I'll eat it in the room without letting Mom and the others know, so that you won't both miss out on a meal."

Yun thought Jiang Dafeng would be dejected and disappointed because he lost the job of carrying sandbags, but she didn't expect him to find a better job!

Three taels of silver a month!

Yun could hardly believe it.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened.

"Three ounces? Father, are you not mentally impaired?" Yun asked.

“What are you talking about? Why am I so stupid? It really is three taels, not a single copper coin less. It’s paid monthly. When I get paid next month, I’ll tell my parents that we’re separating the family and I’ll take you to rent a place and live our own little life.”