Shu Ji pulled Shu Yixing over to Yang Yue'e and said,"How could you make your nephew do this kind of work?"Shu Ji pointed at Yang Yue'e.
Yang Yue'e looked wronged and said,"What did I make him do?He did it all voluntarily."
"Uncle Ji,it really was my own choice,"Shu Yixing explained,not wanting to affect their relationship.
Seeing the ten thick calluses on both of his palms,Shu Ji said guiltily,"Yixing,your father is gone,and I should take care of you properly.Seeing you like this,how can I face my brother in the afterlife?"
He was about to scold Yang Yue'e when she started crying and shouting that she wanted to hang herself,and her son Shu Tao also began to cry.Seeing the situation was getting out of hand,Shu Yixing quickly held Shu Ji back,"Uncle Ji,it really was my own choice,it has nothing to do with auntie."Shu Yixing explained again.
"From now on,no one is allowed to make Yixing do this kind of laborious work,"Shu Ji said to Yang Yue'e,then turned and walked outside.
Shu Yixing looked at Yang Yue'e,whose face was full of hatred,and also walked outside helplessly.
Back in the house,Shu Yixing also felt guilty;it was all his fault.If he hadn't come,the relationship between his uncle and aunt wouldn't be so tense,and they wouldn't be quarreling over him.After much thought,Shu Yixing decided to leave and wrote a note before leaving,placing it on the table in his room so that his uncle wouldn't search for him everywhere.
At mealtime,Shu Ji came to call Shu Yixing for dinner.After knocking with no response,he pushed the door open and saw the note left on the table."Uncle Ji,by the time you read this letter,I will have left.Please don't look for me.I am very grateful for the care you and auntie have given me during this time.I don't want to see you and auntie at odds over me.Don't worry,I can survive out there.Nephew:Shu Yixing."
After reading it,Shu Ji sat down next to the table with a guilty look on his face and said,"Yixing,it's my fault."
Shu Yixing walked slowly down the street alone.He wasn't leisurely;he was looking for shops that might need an apprentice,but after asking a few,they all refused to take him because of his age.He continued to look ahead dejectedly,knowing that if he couldn't find a place to stay,he would have to sleep on the streets tonight.
With a smiling face,Shu Yixing approached an inn called Changshun Inn and asked,"Boss,do you need any help here?"
"Um,I'm sorry,we don't hire child labor,"the boss replied after taking a look at him.
"You just need to provide me with food and shelter;I don't need a salary,"Shu Yixing pleaded,lowering his demands.
"What can you do?"the boss asked,looking at the thin child in front of him.
"I can chop wood,carry water,and mop floors,"Shu Yixing listed his abilities.
The boss looked at him and said,"Alright,why don't you give it a try?"
"Thank you,boss!Thank you!"Shu Yixing expressed his gratitude.
"A Gui,come here,"the boss called out.A Gui hurried over."Take him to change his clothes,and he will be with you from now on,"the boss instructed A Gui.
"But boss,he's still so young..."A Gui started to say but was interrupted by the boss,who told him to follow his orders.
A Gui led Shu Yixing to the back room without further protest.
"Young man,my name is Ran Gui,what's yours?"A Gui asked.
"Brother Gui,nice to meet you,my name is Shu Yixing,"Shu Yixing replied.
"You're new here and don't know much yet,so follow me and learn for now,"A Gui said.
"Okay,Brother Gui,"Shu Yixing agreed.
After changing his clothes,Shu Yixing followed A Gui and started greeting guests outside.
Shu Yixing imitated A Gui,placing a towel over his shoulder and busying himself behind him.By the end of the day,he had learned a lot about customer service and was gradually getting used to it.
In the evening,after all the guests had left,he helped clean up the dishes and benches.Seeing Shu Yixing's thin frame,A Gui felt a bit guilty.
"Yixing,take a break first,I'll handle the rest,"A Gui said.
"It's okay,Brother Gui,I can manage.I don't want the boss to see me being lazy and fire me.I've finally found a job,"Shu Yixing said,wiping the sweat from his forehead.
A Gui looked at him and smiled without saying a word."Fool..."he muttered to himself.
After cleaning up,they quickly prepared two dishes in the kitchen and started eating.Watching Shu Yixing eat ravenously,A Gui said,"Eat slowly,don't choke,there's plenty of food."
"You don't know,Brother Gui,this is the most comfortable meal I've had in a while,"Shu Yixing continued to eat eagerly.
"Where is your family from,and how did you end up here?"A Gui asked out of curiosity.
At this,Shu Yixing paused,swallowed a mouthful of food,and said,"I'm from Jingzhou.Both my parents passed away recently,and then I wandered here.Now I have no relatives to rely on."
"Then you'll stick with me from now on,and I'll be your big brother,"A Gui said,looking at the thin and pitiful child in front of him.
"Really,Brother Gui?"Shu Yixing stood up excitedly.
"Really,I wouldn't lie to you,"A Gui assured him.
"Oh,I have a big brother now,"Shu Yixing shouted excitedly.
"Alright,alright,eat first,then hurry up and get some sleep.We have to get up early tomorrow,"A Gui said,clearing the dishes.
At night,seeing Shu Yixing sleeping soundly with his blanket kicked off,A Gui got up to cover him back up,remembering his own past experiences.
The scene shifted to a few years ago in Yongzhou City,where a dashing young man with a folding fan was strolling down the street,dressed in luxurious silk clothes and wearing exquisite jade ornaments,clearly a noble young master.
Indeed,this was Ran Gui's former appearance.He was a well-off person in Yongzhou,and as he confidently strolled down the street,he had already been targeted.
In a gambling den,several people were whispering and plotting something.
Suddenly,a woman knelt in front of Ran Gui,with several big men chasing after her,"Young master,save me,"the woman cried out.
Ran Gui quickly helped her up and asked,"What's going on,miss?""Young master,they're going to sell me to a brothel.Please save me!"the woman pleaded through tears.
"What?Is this still happening?"
"You're not from a coastal family,I suggest you mind your own business,"several big men approached Ran Gui.
"In broad daylight,you're kidnapping a woman.Is there no law?"Ran Gui stood in front of the woman and said.
"Hahaha,law?I am the law,"one of the big men said.
"This girl owes our boss money.It's only right to collect a debt.No money?Then she goes to the brothel."
Ran Gui looked at the woman behind him,who looked pitiful."How much does she owe you?I'll pay it off for her,"Ran Gui said to the big men.
"Young master..."
Ran Gui stopped the woman,"I didn't know before,but since I've encountered this today,I definitely have to get involved."He said to the woman.
"Kid,she owes quite a bit,are you sure you want to help her?"
"No matter how much she owes,I'll take care of it."
"A full five hundred taels of silver,"one of the big men held up his hand and spread out five fingers.
"Five hundred taels it is,but you have to bring the IOU so that you don't deny it after I pay,"Ran Gui insisted.
"No problem,no problem,"the leader took out a promissory note from his chest and handed it to Ran Gui.
After examining the note,Ran Gui showed it to the woman for confirmation.After she agreed,he took out five hundred taels of silver notes from his pocket and gave them to the big man."Remember,don't harass this woman again,or don't blame me for reporting to the authorities,"Ran Gui warned.