A Meritorious Deed, a Servant

With two broken ribs and both arms swollen thicker than radishes, Zhou Ming lay bedridden for more than two full months.

Fortunately, such a heavy price had not been paid in vain. Little Donny, who came to visit him almost every day, had come to regard him as his best friend.

Or rather, his brother—the brother who had saved his life.

"Good thing that black bear was only an immature cub. If it had been an adult black bear, the grass on my grave would probably already be... No, no, I wouldn't even have charged in..."

Zhou Ming felt a wave of relief. They said opportunities were reserved for those who were prepared. The moment that black bear had rushed out, he, being closest to little Donny, had made his decision almost instantly. Throwing away his spear, he had pulled little Donny from beneath the bear's claws at top speed. There had only been a 0.1-second window, but he had seized it in the end.

That's right!

Zhou Ming had been waiting for an opportunity like this. He had waited all this time, and now it had finally come.

"Ryan, is there any wish you want to fulfill? I might not be able to help much, but as long as it's something I can do, I'll definitely help you!"

Little Donny said this as he sat by the bed. Though nobles like him normally did not think much of commoners such as farmers—their value was about the same as that of a cow or horse—if a commoner saved their life in a moment of danger, then compared to their precious life, they had to grant some reward, both emotionally and reasonably.

Naturally, only a reward within their means.

Zhou Ming, sitting propped up in bed, was secretly overjoyed. He had spent more than two months recovering in bed, waiting for exactly these words!

Yet his expression remained calm as he said, "Young Master Donny, I didn't save you for a reward. You are the son of the honorable Madam Madeline. I couldn't stand by and watch the honorable Madam Madeline's son fall into danger without saving him. I only did it to repay Madam Madeline for taking care of Alice and me all these years."

"Ryan, no matter how much you wanted to repay my mother, you didn't need to risk your life! Besides, my mother didn't really help you much. When you competed to become my brother's knight attendant, didn't you still fail to get chosen in the end? It would've been nice if she could have helped you then. That fat Baum by Edward's side eats even more than I do. He often goes to the kitchen to steal my cakes, and you stopped bringing me cakes too..."

Little Donny sank into memories. Though he had been young back then, many of the wonderful memories from his childhood had indeed been brought to him by Ryan. For instance, the birthday cakes Ryan gave him, the chess and card games Ryan had invented—they had brought much joy to his boring childhood.

But after his brother Edward returned, Ryan had never gone to the castle to play with him again.

"Donny, that matter really had nothing to do with Madam Madeline! She had already helped me greatly. I've always been deeply grateful for everything she did for me... And you too. I'm grateful to have a good friend like you. You're the only one who treated me as your companion." Zhou Ming spoke with utter sincerity, a faint crystalline gleam shining at the corners of his eyes.

"Ryan!"

Deeply moved, little Donny threw his arms around Zhou Ming and began sobbing uncontrollably.

Zhou Ming gently patted his back, comforting him.

"Ah, I've got it!"

After hugging him for a while, little Donny suddenly pushed Zhou Ming away and said excitedly, "I know how to help you!"

"...What did you think of?" Zhou Ming asked in confusion, though his heart had already begun to race.

"Father and Mother want me to attend Royal Capital Academy and become a scholar—preferably a Grand Scholar in the royal palace! Since I'm going to become a scholar, I'll naturally need a few attendant servants by my side. Ryan, how about becoming my servant? Follow me, and I'll look after you from now on!"

Donny put his fairly clever little brain to work and came up with a brilliant idea!

"That could work, but would the Baron agree? I'm only a farmer, after all." Zhou Ming looked somewhat hesitant, but two words kept echoing in his heart: It worked!

Indeed, attendants and servants might seem like lowly professions at first glance, but in this world, even being a humble servant at a noble's side was far better than being an ordinary farmer.

That was because a noble's servants did not need to toil in the fields from dawn to dusk, nor did they need to do Zhou Labor or Love Work!

The many harsh taxes and levies within the territory would not be collected from these servants either.

Every month, these servants could even receive a small wage. If they pleased their master, they would receive extra rewards during holidays and festivals...

With such a good job right before him, did Zhou Ming, as a farmer, really need to think twice?

Little Donny put his hands on his hips and raised his chin. "What's so difficult about that? It's only one servant! Edward already has two maids by his side, while I don't have a single one. That's not fair! When we get back, I'll definitely tell Father and Mother and have you become my servant!"

"Thank you so much, Young Master Donny! Young Master Donny, I'll certainly serve you with all my heart and do my utmost to take care of you!" Zhou Ming repeatedly bowed at the waist, overflowing with gratitude. Inwardly, he thought, It wasn't easy. It really fucking wasn't easy. I've finally achieved the first small goal in my plan.

"Brother, what are you talking about? It's time to eat. I made some Beef and Peas Porridge, your favorite, and some yogurt with honey."

At that moment, Alice walked in carrying a tray, bringing a fragrant breeze into the cramped, shabby bedroom.

At the scent, little Donny sniffed hard. When he saw who had entered, his eyes lit up even more. He stepped forward with a grin. "Hi! Alice, you look really pretty today. Your braids are tied so beautifully. Did you do them yourself? Oh, is this the lunch you made? It smells so good. I want a taste. Anything you make with your own hands, I want to try..."

As he spoke, Donny's words became increasingly flirtatious. His eyes stared fixedly at Alice's rather well-developed chest, and he could not help licking his lips.

Ahem! Ahem!

Two coughs sounded from behind him. Zhou Ming drew his attention back and said, "Alice, put lunch on the table. Young Master Donny, you should try some too. Taste my sister's cooking."

"Brother, Young Master Donny, I'll be going now."

After placing the tray on the table, Alice curtsied, then lowered her head and fled the room as though she were escaping.

"Delicious! Ryan, your sister is really a good cook... Oh, how about this? You and your sister can both come to the castle to serve me. I'm still short a maid..." Donny proposed an idea that greatly excited him as he ate the Beef and Peas Porridge.

Ahem, ahem! "Well, Young Master Donny, I'll have to ask Alice what she thinks. She's still young, only thirteen. She doesn't really know how to serve people yet..." Zhou Ming deflected the matter.

"Not young at all. I think she's almost as developed as Annie by Edward's side. Your sister isn't any smaller than her..." Without realizing it, Donny had once again started thinking about the size of a certain body part.

Ahem! "We'll talk about that later. Eat first. Once we finish eating, we have other things to do this afternoon..."

Zhou Ming forcibly put an end to the subject.