The third uncle waved his hand.
“You should understand the difference between an apprentice and a permanent employee. Putting aside the salary issue, once you become a permanent employee, at least you'll have something to look forward to. With your intelligence, promotion won't be a problem. As for me, I won't ask for much. After you become a permanent employee, give me another 5 yuan. When you've given me 100 yuan, that's when this matter will be settled.”
"Is it 100 yuan in total?" Yan Jiecheng asked.
"What are you thinking?" The old man rolled his eyes. "Apprentices get 180, and regulars get 100. I've put in a lot of favors to pay you that, so I'm only charging you the cost price. Besides, tell me, of your 15 yuan, 5 yuan is included in the food allowance. What? You think I'll support you now that you're all grown up?"
Yan Jiecheng hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
This price is indeed not expensive.
A full-time employee earns 280 yuan.
On the contrary, it's very cheap.
This is indeed how a father greets his son.
What Yan Jiecheng didn't know was that the Third Uncle hadn't spent a single penny on this job.
He was well-liked in the courtyard, and since the third auntie usually helped the first auntie with some chores, when he went to ask the first uncle for something, the first uncle didn't want his things.
They needed to find an apprentice. No one else could do it, but since the third uncle had asked, the first uncle agreed without hesitation.
As for what I told Wang Shouren, that was something I got in exchange for a favor.
He made 280 yuan in one go, and he was very happy.
After dinner, he was still happily savoring his high-quality liquor.
In those days, tea was a rare commodity. Most ordinary people who wanted to drink tea bought tea dregs, which were the scraps and offcuts of tea leaves. So-called "high-grade tea" was simply a mixture of scraps from high-end teas. Normally, people really didn't want to bring out this stuff.
"Don't be so smug." Seeing his expression, the third aunt couldn't help but have a glimmer of hope: "This tea dust is yours to keep."
The third uncle was happily sipping his tea, adding water to his mug again and again. The water was still scalding hot. He took a sip, and then heard the terrible news from the third aunt. His face turned bright red, and he almost spat it out, but he forced himself to swallow it, burning himself so badly that he stood up and paced back and forth in the room several times.
"Hey, you little bastards!"
"Don't go too far. Where are they going to get the money to buy Gao Mo? I saw your jar; if you don't use it soon, it'll go moldy. Stop being so frugal. The kids are growing up, and we'll be able to relax a bit more."
"What do you know! You won't go broke from eating or dressing, but you'll go broke from not being able to plan ahead. If you ask me, this time, it was only because I was kind-hearted that I gave that kid such a cheap price."
"What? How much did it cost this time?" Auntie San had been with Uncle San for so many years, she knew that the cost must not have been too high, otherwise Uncle San would not have agreed so readily.
"Hey." The third uncle held up one finger, then bent it.
"100?" The old lady asked in surprise, "Did you fall and hurt your head today?" After saying that, she touched the old man's forehead.
"Go away, what are you touching? You didn't spend a penny."
"How could that be, old man? You mustn't do anything that's against all reason and morality!" The third aunt was startled.
"Hey, let me tell you..."
————
Saturday
"Yan Bugui, why did you bring me here in such a hurry?" Director Wang looked bewildered. The street office was already busy enough. This early in the morning, Yan Bugui came to the door saying he had something to do, but he didn't say what it was, and he looked extremely anxious.
In addition, I don't know what I'm thinking anymore. There have been so many things happening lately that my mind is a bit foggy, so I just followed along.
Actually, this whole thing is also the fault of the third uncle.
The third uncle had no idea what excuse to use to get Director Wang to come to the hospital.
It's said that the Liu family father and son are planning a final battle to the death. Would you like to come and take a look?
Then Director Wang will probably go straight to the police station.
The main reason was that the third uncle was also uneasy. He didn't know why Wang Shouren knew that the second uncle's family would fall out.
In fact, this kind of thing couldn't be easier.
The backyard, Liu Guangtian's house.
"Get up!"
Just those three words made the two brothers lying in bed shudder; their bodies trembled uncontrollably, but they remained in bed.
"Damn it, you little brat, pretend you didn't hear me!"
With a roar from Liu Haizhong.
Almost the entire courtyard heard a series of ghostly wails.
The neighbors who heard the commotion shook their heads helplessly. They all liked it; they wouldn't be used to it if it didn't happen every day.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
Something's not right!
Something's definitely off about what's happening today.
With a roar from Liu Haizhong, the two brothers covered their heads and rushed out. Liu Haizhong also rushed out of the house, his eyes bloodshot, carrying an iron rod.
"Run! Run!"
The change happened so fast that no one in the courtyard had time to say anything.
Liu Haizhong had already caught up with them.
"Quick! Oh no, something's going to happen! Go stop Old Liu!" someone exclaimed in sudden realization.
That's what they say, but almost no one actually went up there.
Everyone knows the strength of a blacksmith, and this is a level seven blacksmith. Any normal person would have a hard time getting hit by a stick. A level seven blacksmith plus an iron rod—you'd need a tiger to keep him in check.
"No, Yan Bugui, what did you bring me here for? What kind of trouble is going on in your courtyard now?" Director Wang followed Yan Bugui, initially curious, but becoming increasingly anxious as he followed.
Because the old man started running.
What could make this old man run? It must be something very important.
The two had just entered the courtyard when they saw Liu Haizhong carrying an iron rod. Despite the freezing weather, he wasn't bothered by the cold and was only wearing a vest, chasing after the Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu brothers. Liu Guangtian was alright, but Liu Guangfu, being smaller, couldn't keep up despite his quick running. He was about to be caught by Liu Haizhong.
He was completely stunned and so scared he peed his pants.
Literally, it means "to pee one's pants in fright".
"Hey, I'll let you run!"
Anger surged within Liu Haizhong.
What right do you have to run?!
I'm supporting you all!
You two are useless!
In Liu Haizhong's mind, Liu Guangqi was the only successful member of the family. The other two were like freebies. And Liu Guangqi's inexplicable departure only strengthened his resolve: the children in the family couldn't be spoiled.
Otherwise, why would Liu Guangqi run away? It's because he didn't fight Liu Guangqi that he ran away.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
