Son's Success, Father's Glory

Old Man Zhou was in high spirits, as people are when good fortune strikes. His son was doing well for himself, and yesterday, he'd brought home a golden pipe for him.

It was a pure gold pipe, exquisitely crafted, clearly a high-end item.

He'd worked at the Merchant Guild for decades, so he had a good eye for quality.

It wasn't just the pipe; there were also jewelry pieces for his wife, things not typically afforded by ordinary families.

He still remembered his wife's amusing reaction. Faced with the gleaming goldware, she'd fearfully waved her hands, afraid her son had made a mistake.

Only when Zhou You explained that it was a gift from a fellow disciple did she accept it.

"Zhou You's fellow disciples are all wealthy or noble. I, his old father, am just a disgrace to him, sigh!"

Thinking of this, Old Man Zhou felt a pang of sadness.

Everyone hoped their son would be successful, but too much success could be a problem. When it came to his own family, he complained that he couldn't help his son.

Even if his Zhou Family emptied their coffers, they couldn't afford a gift equivalent to this one to show their gratitude!

Debts of obligation were the hardest to repay!

With Zhou You accepting such a gift, who knew what difficult situations he might face in the future.

Old Man Zhou greatly admired the golden pipe but dared not use it for smoking, fearing the tar would tarnish it.

He played with it for most of the night, then wiped it clean, wrapped it in a cotton cloth, and carefully stored it in a cabinet.

The next day, when he went to work at the Merchant Guild, his mind was still on the golden pipe.

"Old Zhou, you've been with our Merchant Guild for about thirty years now, haven't you?"

The one approaching him was Shopkeeper Xu, one of the top three managers at the Merchant Guild. Not only did he receive a generous salary, but he also owned a portion of the Merchant Guild's stock, earning substantial dividends annually.

Within the Merchant Guild, there were many laborers like Old Man Zhou who had toiled for most of their lives and remained at the bottom rung.

However, there were also talents like Shopkeeper Xu.

He too had started as a laborer. With a sweet tongue, sharp eyes, and a good memory, he handled everything meticulously and was highly valued by the old owner.

He had risen from laborer to shopkeeper in just twenty years.

"Shopkeeper Xu, if I recall correctly, it's been over thirty-one years."

Old Man Zhou felt a bit overwhelmed. Usually, he was barked at by the Merchant Guild's foremen and never had the chance to meet a shopkeeper.

Even though his son and Shopkeeper Xu's son were fellow disciples, he had never considered leveraging this connection.

Shopkeeper Xu smiled. "You're indeed a veteran of our Merchant Guild."

He nodded and asked a question that startled Old Man Zhou, "Why haven't I seen you using the golden pipe?"

The golden pipe, how did Shopkeeper Xu know about it?

Old Man Zhou was shocked and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

"Old Zhou, you're a very fortunate man, but you might not know, the golden pipe was a gift from the Young Master."

Shopkeeper Xu looked at Old Man Zhou, a hint of emotion in his voice.

Old Zhou was the oldest and most honest among the laborers, only knowing how to work diligently and earn a wage to support his family.

The Merchant Guild needed such people, but wouldn't promote them heavily.

Who would have thought that Old Zhou, with his ox-like nature, could raise a son like a young tiger?

He had already learned from his son, Xu Ying, that Old Zhou's son, Zhou You, had recently been officially accepted into the Martial Arts School and had caught the eye of the head, Wang Jianxiong.

The Young Master, Shen Sijing, had hosted a banquet at the Golden Harvest Tower to win him over, and Xu Ying had attended as a guest.

"See this little golden fish? That was a congratulatory gift from the Young Master when my son was officially accepted."

Shopkeeper Xu gestured to his waist, where a ribbon held a lifelike little golden fish, also made of pure gold.

He smiled and said, "Now, you and I are the same."

This statement carried a hidden meaning.

Old Man Zhou felt a surge in his chest, unable to articulate many thoughts.

He thought he knew his son was doing well, but he hadn't realized how well.

The Young Master, a figure of nobility, had invited Zhou You to dinner, and at a place like the Golden Harvest Tower.

He knew the Golden Harvest Tower too; it was the designated venue for the Merchant Guild to entertain high-class clients, where a single meal cost a fortune.

"The pipe was given to you to use, don't hide it away, bring it out and show it off more often."

Shopkeeper Xu persuaded him with a smile.

Old Man Zhou repeatedly said he wouldn't dare. Suddenly, he realized that the year Shopkeeper Xu was promoted to manager coincided with the year his son, Xu Ying, was officially accepted into the Martial Arts School.

At the time, the other candidates competing for the manager position with him were all veterans of the Merchant Guild, possessing seniority and connections.

In the end, it was Shopkeeper Xu who stood out.

Could it be...

"Old Zhou," Shopkeeper Xu asked, "the Merchant Guild is short of a foreman recently. After much thought, you've been here for thirty years, familiar with both internal and external affairs. Are you willing to give it a try?" Old Man Zhou's mind raced. Was he being offered a promotion?

Heaven knows, after all these years of working, he'd long given up hope. He never expected this day to come.

The Foreman, while insignificant in the eyes of the Merchant Guild's higher-ups and subject to dismissal with a mere word from the shopkeeper, still held a certain official status among the vast number of workers.

Old Man Zhou, no matter how diligently he worked, was always berated endlessly simply because he refused to curry favor with the Foreman.

As the saying goes, a local official is better than a distant one.

"I'm willing."

Old Man Zhou's blood was boiling, and he agreed without a second thought.

It wasn't for himself; even if it was just to earn some face for his son, he had to seize this opportunity.

Otherwise, how would his son introduce his father's occupation when talking with his fellow disciples in the future?

"I haven't misjudged you, Old Zhou. We've worked for the Merchant Guild our whole lives, and the most important thing is to serve the owner wholeheartedly."

Shopkeeper Xu said with a smile, "We'll have to get closer in the future. After all, my son and your You'er have a good relationship."

When Old Man Zhou left Shopkeeper Xu, he was completely dazed, his feet feeling as soft as if he were walking on cotton.

He stumbled as he went out and almost fell to the ground. A figure flashed by and caught him.

"Brother Zhou, are you alright!"

Old Man Zhou looked at the person before him. The usually fierce-looking Foreman was now smiling and supporting him.

"Brother Zhou?" He'd never heard that address before. Didn't he always call him 'Old Man Zhou'?

"Brother Zhou, I've heard the news. Shopkeeper Xu is promoting you to Foreman."

"You're one of Shopkeeper Xu's own now. I'm happy for you."

"This 50 tael of silver is my congratulatory gift. Don't think it's too little; I'll have more offerings for you in the future!"

Back then, Old Man Zhou had borrowed from every friend and relative he knew to scrape together 50 taels, his hair nearly turning white from worry.

Now, the Foreman before him was giving a generous gift of 50 taels.

"No, I appreciate your sentiment, but I can't accept the money."

Old Man Zhou shook his head. The gleaming silver was dazzling, but it didn't blind him.

The Foreman was about to say more when another person intervened to help Old Man Zhou out.

The Accountant coughed twice and walked over. "Old Zhou, I was just looking for you!"

"Then I won't disturb you further."

The Foreman left dejectedly, contemplating how to deliver the money.

"Thank you..."

As Old Man Zhou began to speak, the Accountant grabbed his sleeve and pulled him away.

"Old Zhou, let me treat you to a drink. My treat."

Old Man Zhou thought to himself that he still owed him money. Now that he was promoted and his wages had increased, he could finally repay his debt.

He immediately said, "You can't treat me. I'll repay the silver I owe you in a few days."

"Old Zhou, you're not treating me as a friend."

The Accountant put on a stern face. "If you don't let me treat you today, our friendship is over."

"Besides, when did you ever owe me money? I don't remember. Don't talk nonsense."

Old Man Zhou felt as if he were in a dream. Had he woken up in the wrong position this morning? He still wasn't awake?