MTLNOVEL Chapter 1614: It's Only Right to Get Paid for Work (3)
Actually, Wan Youde has a skill, so finding work at a wealthy household wouldn't be a problem. However, his son is a fool, and he has an elderly mother. Wealthy households don't want someone bringing in so many burdens. On the other hand, Wan Youde doesn't feel reassured leaving his wife alone to care for both the elderly and the child. As a result, he's been muddling through life like this.
He came to the academy for a job because they said anyone with a skill could apply. He applied just to try his luck, never expecting that he would actually be hired. Not only does he receive a monthly stipend of one or two pieces of silver, but he also gets a separate courtyard to live in and food for his entire family. To the point that after they moved into the courtyard behind Xuan Hall, they still felt like they were dreaming.
"Son, finding work this good isn't easy." Wo Family's elderly mother leaned against the kang, stroking the soft cotton quilt, full of emotion. "You must work hard and not let the employer down."
"Mother, rest assured. I understand." Wan Youde nodded eagerly. "Those people are all scholars. I definitely won't say anything inappropriate." He hadn't expected that the academy would prepare a flower garden specifically for him, along with a room with a stove inside, just for him to grow flowers. They even told him that he could apply for funding to purchase any seeds he needed.
"Mother, Miss Yang said that you and I could cook for the academy," Cu Family's wife walked in. "The academy will pay us a monthly stipend of two hundred pennies…." This was something Yang Ruxin had just told her in private.
"We can't accept the silver." Wo Family's elderly mother immediately shook her head. "I'll talk to the young lady. Cooking isn't tiring…."
Yang Ruxin looked at the elderly woman's sincere expression and smiled, "Auntie, fairness is fairness. Here with me, your labor deserves corresponding pay. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fair…. Master Wan has flower-growing skills, and I offer him a salary because his skills are worth the money. Your labor is separate from that. If you refuse the payment, I'll have to find someone else to cook."
"We'll do it!" Wo Family's elderly mother hurriedly waved her hands, "We'll certainly do it well."
Cu Family's wife also nodded. "I'm not bragging—my needlework is terrible, but I've had decent cooking skills since I was young. I'll make sure everyone eats well…."
Yang Ruxin nodded. "Once you've settled in for a few days, let me know how much grain, meat, and vegetables you'll need each day. Then you can report the numbers, and things will be delivered daily. Ideally, plan out the menu in advance. The standard here is one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and one soup, alternating every three days…."
She didn't mind paying a little more silver every month. After all, getting paid for work is right and proper. At first, they might genuinely feel grateful, but what about over time? This job isn't something that lasts just a day or two—it's long-term. If their lives improve later on, and they start to feel unsatisfied working for free, grievances might arise. It's better to sign a contract from the outset to avoid any dissatisfaction.
In the end, the entire family gratefully pressed their fingerprints onto the contract.
The weather grew colder and colder; a heavy snowfall arrived not long after the academy started.
Yang Ruxin's heart began to tighten. Gu Qingheng hadn't sent any messages for three days now. She was worried about how things were at the northern border.
Meanwhile, Gu Qingheng, who held her thoughts, was trekking through the desert with Gu Qiao and a few others.
"Shangguan Fei, can you hold on?" Gu Qingheng glanced at the injured Shadow Three and then pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. "We must make it out before tonight's Tianhei."