Ninety-three

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However, Zhang Baojia’s dinner was indeed much more abundant, which greatly stimulated Wang Bo’s appetite. After finishing dinner, Wang Bo, patting his slightly protruding belly, walked alone toward his room. Just as he stepped outside, he saw the coworker who wanted to beat him. The coworker was also taken aback to see Wang Bo coming out of Zhang Bao’s room. Then, with a fierce glare, he sneered, “Kid, don’t think you can do whatever you want just because your cousin-in-law is backing you. Watch yourself.” After leaving this harsh warning, he turned and went back inside.

Wang Bo ignored the coworker’s words and went straight to his small room. Finding himself a bit idle, he lit a lamp and began reading the “Three Strategies” that the village chief had given him. After a while, he realized there were many parts he didn’t understand. “Looks like my foundation isn’t strong enough,” Wang Bo muttered, shaking his head as he put away the book. “I’ll mark the parts I don’t understand and ask the teacher once I’m back in the village. For now, I should sleep.” Saying this, Wang Bo turned over in bed, and soon the steady sound of his breathing filled the room.

Early the next morning, Wang Bo got up early again. Pushing open the door, he saw no one had started working yet, so he practiced his punches alone. By the time he finished, people began moving about in the courtyard.

“Today is my first day on the job; I have to work hard,” Wang Bo encouraged himself after practicing. But his hopes were dashed.

After washing up, Zhang Bao came to call Wang Bo for breakfast once again, clearly treating him as part of the family. Wang Bo was deeply touched by this.

After breakfast, Zhang Bao took Wang Bo to work. Since it was his first day, Zhang Bao didn’t assign him any heavy tasks—just some simple bookkeeping and accounting. He accompanied Wang Bo the entire time, fearing that he might not understand something. Wang Bo earnestly followed Zhang Bao, learning as much as he could. Zhang Bao was very satisfied with Wang Bo’s attitude toward learning.

“All right, that’s enough for the morning,” Zhang Bao said, glancing at the time.

Hearing this, Wang Bo dropped his pen and stretched lazily. Being a homebody used to keyboards, having to pick up a brush and write was quite painful for him. But there was no other way—he had to work hard for his vacation.

“Not bad, not bad,” Zhang Bao said, patting Wang Bo’s shoulder in encouragement. He was very pleased with Wang Bo’s performance that morning. While the two were happily chatting, a resentful glare came from an inconspicuous corner. It was the coworker who wanted to beat Wang Bo, the one Zhang Bao had adopted. His name was Li Jin. Having been raised by Zhang Bao since childhood, if it weren’t for Wang Bo’s arrival, he might have become the next manager of Zhang’s distillery. At this moment, Li Jin looked at Wang Bo with deep resentment and unwillingness, as if Wang Bo were the murderer of his father.

“Just wait; I’ll let you laugh for a while, but you’ll pay for it later,” Li Jin thought bitterly, staring at Wang Bo.

Time passed quickly, and a month flew by. Wang Bo had been working at the distillery for a month. Thanks to his diligence and eagerness to learn, he had mastered nearly everything about the distillery’s operations. Zhang Bao had not held back his praise, constantly complimenting Wang Bo.

Putting down his pen, Wang Bo stretched and rubbed his slightly swollen head, feeling quite good. First, he could finally collect his wages for the month. Second, the weekend was coming, and he could go home again tomorrow. Thinking back to his first return home, he found it amusing—when he first arrived, he startled his mother and father. They thought something had happened since he had only been gone five days before coming back. They even suspected the manager had sent him back. His father scolded him thoroughly, and it took a lot of persuasion before his parents reluctantly accepted it.

His mother was indifferent and happy that Wang Bo could come home often. However, Wang Hu felt it was improper, as Zhang the manager treated Wang Bo well, and he felt it was unfair to the manager. Wang Bo kept explaining to Wang Hu, finally convincing his father.

With a nervous heart, Wang Bo told his parents of his intention to help Zhang Bao in business. In ancient times, merchants ranked low—lower even than farmers. Surprisingly, his parents didn’t say much except, “As long as it’s what you want to do, your father and mother support you.” Hearing this, Wang Bo was greatly relieved. No matter what, things were moving in a good direction, which was encouraging. At this moment, Wang Bo was immersed in contented happiness.

“Xiao Bo, what are you daydreaming about?” Zhang Bao came over, noticing Wang Bo was lost in thought, waving his hand in front of Wang Bo’s eyes and calling out.

“Nothing much, manager. I was just thinking about some things,” Wang Bo responded, snapping back to reality.

“Hehe, thinking about home again, huh?” Zhang Bao teased, hitting his weak spot. Wang Bo blushed slightly.

“You rascal,” Zhang Bao pointed at him, smiling helplessly. “All right, here’s your pay for this month.” Saying so, Zhang Bao took a money pouch from his chest and handed it to Wang Bo.

Wang Bo took it, feeling something was off. “Manager, isn’t this a bit too much?” After a month of training, Wang Bo had become somewhat sensitive to such matters; though he wasn’t sure of the exact amount, he could tell it was more than five hundred.

“Take whatever I give you. Don’t worry if it’s more or less,” Zhang Bao said with a mock glare, pretending to be angry.

Wang Bo quickly declined, “That won’t do, manager. You’ve already taken care of me a lot; I can’t accept more.”

“If you keep refusing, I’ll get mad,” Zhang Bao said, staring at Wang Bo. “I’m very satisfied with your performance this month. Consider this recognition. Take it. When you go home, buy something for your parents.”

Seeing Zhang Bao insist, Wang Bo stopped resisting. He tucked away the pouch and said goodbye, “Then, manager, I’ll take my leave. See you in a few days.”

“Hehe, go ahead. Be careful on the road,” Zhang Bao waved him off, watching Wang Bo leave the distillery.

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Winding and turning, Wang Bo finally found his way out of the maze-like streets after getting lost several times over the past month. Zhang Bao was quite embarrassed by this—he hadn’t expected such a clever person to be so hopeless with directions. Wang Bo was equally helpless, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t escape his fate as a directionally challenged person.

Walking onto the street, Wang Bo checked the money pouch in his pocket, joyous as he headed to the market. At the market, he bought a chicken, a small basket of eggs, some meat, and vegetables. After these purchases, his wages were considerably reduced. “This is really expensive,” Wang Bo muttered in surprise. Carrying his goods happily, he headed toward the city gate.

“Hey, Brother Chao,” Wang Bo called out, spotting Li Chao from afar. Over the past month, Wang Bo had come in and out of the city several times and was already familiar with the city gate guards.

Seeing what Wang Bo was carrying, Li Chao’s eyes widened. “Xiao Bo, what’s all this?”

“This is my wage. So I bought some things to improve life at home,” Wang Bo said cheerfully.

Li Chao looked at Wang Bo with a hint of jealousy. “By the way, Xiao Bo, does your distillery still need workers? If so, I’d like to join too.”

Wang Bo chuckled awkwardly. “I’m not sure. Probably not now.”

“Oh, I see,” Li Chao said disappointedly.

“Li Ge, you go ahead. It’s getting late. I’ll take off now,” Wang Bo said, bidding farewell.

Watching Wang Bo’s retreating figure, Li Chao muttered enviously, “How does this guy get so lucky?”

“Stop daydreaming and stand your post properly,” a robust voice came from behind just as Li Chao was lost in thought.

“Nothing, Captain Wang,” Li Chao quickly turned around to explain. The speaker was Wang Meng.

“Oh really? Then why did I hear you mumbling just now?” Wang Meng stared at Li Chao.

Li Chao explained the situation to Wang Meng. Wang Meng was somewhat surprised that such a seemingly weak boy could have such luck and opportunities.

“Stand your post well. What’s the use of thinking about those things? It has nothing to do with you,” Wang Meng scolded Li Chao. Li Chao nodded and fawned, quickly replying, “Yes, yes, I understand!”

“All right, just stand your post,” Wang Meng said before turning away. Once Wang Meng was out of earshot, Li Chao spat disdainfully, “What a guy, acting like such a big shot.” Despite his words, Li Chao obediently returned to his post.

Carrying his goods and humming a tune, Wang Bo strolled back to the village. “When will I get a horse-drawn carriage? Then I wouldn’t have to carry so much stuff. I’d be one of the ‘carriage people.’ But when will that be? Seems a long way off.” Wang Bo sighed at the thought.

Entering the village, people greeted Wang Bo, especially noticing the things he carried, eyes filled with envy.

“Dad, Mom, I’m back!” Before even entering the courtyard, Wang Bo shouted happily. Just then, Duo’er came bounding out.

“Brother, you’re back!” Seeing what Wang Bo carried, Duo’er wisely did not rush to hug him.

“Where are Dad and Mom?”

“They’re inside. Brother, why did you buy so much?” Duo’er’s big watery eyes sparkled with a hint of longing as she looked at the goods.

“Of course, I bought them for you to eat,” Wang Bo said kindly.

“Brother’s the best!” Duo’er smiled happily.

“All right, stop jumping around. Let’s go inside,” Wang Bo said, looking at Duo’er, then followed her into the courtyard.

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“Xiao Bo, you’re back!” Seeing Wang Bo enter, Mrs. Li quickly stood up. Noticing the goods in Wang Bo’s hands, she was a bit surprised. “You really are something, why buy all these things?” she chided playfully, though her expression was happy. She didn’t stay idle and took the goods from Wang Bo’s hands.

Wang Bo scratched his head sheepishly and said, “This is my wage. Plus, the manager said I did well this month, so he gave me a bit extra. That’s why I bought all this.”

Mrs. Li glanced at him and said, “Even if they gave you extra, you shouldn’t waste it. You have to save some.”

“I’ll be more careful next time, Mom. Don’t worry,” Wang Bo handed the goods to Mrs. Li, then took out the money pouch from his pocket and placed it in her hand. “Mom, this is my wage for the month.”

“You should keep this yourself. Besides, the family isn’t short of money,” Mrs. Li tried to refuse.

“Please take it. I’ve told you, I don’t spend much in the city. I eat and drink at the shop and am busy studying, so I hardly have a chance to spend money.” Wang Bo pushed the pouch into her hands. “If you really can’t accept it, just think of it as me keeping the money with you.”

Seeing Wang Bo’s determination, Mrs. Li hesitated, then nodded, “All right, I’ll keep it for you. You can get it back later.”

“Okay,” Wang Bo happily agreed. He wasn’t too concerned. Once given away, why ask for it back?

Just as Mrs. Li was about to go inside to cook, Wang Bo spoke again, “By the way, Mom, make extra food today. I plan to invite Teacher Feng and the village chief to have a meal together.”

Before Mrs. Li could reply, Wang Hu came out from inside and overheard Wang Bo. He quickly nodded, “Xiao Bo is right. The village chief and Teacher Feng have been guiding you for so long, and you haven’t properly thanked them yet. Since there’s this chance today, dear, make extra food. Gratitude should be repaid. Without their guidance, there wouldn’t be the Wang Bo we see now.”

“Okay, I understand,” Mrs. Li nodded and went inside to prepare dinner.

Wang Bo patted Duo’er’s head and whispered, “Duo’er, go help Mom for a bit. I have to go out for a while but will be back soon to play with you.”

Duo’er’s big watery eyes flashed, and she pouted unhappily, “All right, but you have to come back early.” Since Wang Bo started working in the city, Duo’er clung to him every time he came back. Every time he left, she was unhappy, but Wang Bo had no choice. He could only leave with her permission.

Seeing Duo’er’s expression again, Wang Bo was helpless. “I know, I’ll be back as soon as possible,” he smiled and promised. Then he turned to Wang Hu, “Dad, I’m off now.”

“Okay,” Wang Hu nodded.

After leaving, Wang Bo first went to Teacher Feng’s house and explained his intention. Teacher Feng readily agreed. Then the two went to the village chief’s home. Pushing open the door, they saw the village chief reading. They hurried to greet him. “Teacher.”

Hearing his voice, the village chief put down the book and turned to Wang Bo, “So Xiao Bo is back. Do you have questions for me again?” Noticing Teacher Feng behind Wang Bo, the village chief was a bit surprised. “Xiao Feng, why are you here too?”

“Well, Teacher, I got my wages this month, so I bought some things and wanted to invite you and Feng Ge to come and have a meal together,” Wang Bo respectfully said.

“Hehe, you’re such a filial child. Since you have this intention, it would be rude of me to refuse. Let’s go,” the village chief said, standing up. Wang Bo hurried over to support him.

“Enough,” the village chief shook off Wang Bo’s hand. “I’m not so old that I need help walking.” The three chatted and laughed as they walked toward Wang Bo’s home. Teacher Feng felt somewhat superfluous, as it was mostly Wang Bo asking questions and the village chief patiently answering.