"What? The third son's wife went out again while I was away! Oh dear, that spendthrift woman! I have to go and see her." Upon hearing this, Granny Tong stopped asking about gossip and hurriedly rushed back.

The woman glared at the shopkeeper: "Look at you, she's not young anymore, why are you teasing her? It'll just cause a ruckus and disturb the peace of the neighborhood."

"Hmph, there's not a single good person in that family. They're always cheating on customers by shortchanging them or selling inferior goods. And the women in the family, young and old, all love to gossip and spread rumors, making trouble for other people. It's really something to have such a family." The shopkeeper said, glancing disdainfully at the shop across the street.

The woman found it amusing, then suddenly thought of something: "Honey, the shop isn't busy right now, why don't I go check on Granny Lan?"

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Go ahead. She's just a young lady, and she doesn't seem like a bad person. She doesn't look down on them and is even carrying the youngest one herself. She probably didn't agree earlier because she was afraid that something might go wrong and implicate us."

The woman nodded upon hearing this, straightened her clothes, and left.

At this moment, the waiter who had been standing outside shuffled forward and said, "Manager, I'll go in and tidy up the clothes racks."

"No need, this is your wages for yesterday and today, forty coins. Count them and take them with you." The shopkeeper said as he walked behind the counter, grabbed a handful of copper coins, counted them, and pushed them over.

The shop assistant was puzzled: "Boss, you're firing me just because I chased away a few beggars? Who am I doing this for? If I wasn't worried about them affecting the shop's business, why would I drive them away to be the bad guy?"

The shopkeeper wasn't annoyed by this and calmly said, "Business is tough these days, everyone knows that. My shop doesn't actually need to hire anyone, but I agreed to hire you because of your stepfather."

Think about what you've been doing these past two days. Yes, you've been very diligent, but when you see guests, you first look at their clothes and try to guess their status. If they're wearing fine silks and satins, you fawn over them with obsequious bows and scrapes.

If someone is dressed in ordinary clothes, you ignore them. If they ask you a few more questions, you become very impatient. Even if they don't buy anything, they still have to listen to your sarcastic remarks before leaving.

Even if a guy like you is clever, I wouldn't dare use him. You'd better find someone better.

Hearing the shopkeeper's words, the shop assistant, A-Kuan, was still unconvinced. He felt that he had not done anything wrong at all. He angrily reached out and grabbed the copper coins on the counter and stuffed them into his pocket. "Hmph, who wants to work for you?"

Watching Ah Kuan leave indignantly, the shopkeeper sighed and shook his head. No matter how good the relationship was with the person who entrusted him with the task, he couldn't tolerate such a character. He also didn't have the obligation or energy to discipline other people's children.

Meanwhile, Ah Kuan, who had been fired after receiving two days' wages, was furious and wanted to go home to have a good talk with his stepfather. He hadn't gone far when he saw a group of seven children ahead of him.

I was fired, and it was all their fault.

Twenty coins a day isn't much, but at least it includes two meals a day. Even though the pay isn't high, you can save up enough to get married.

Hmph, you've kept me from working while you guys are leisurely looking for a restaurant...