Introducing a Job

"Even you knew about this?" Hong Ming raised an eyebrow.

It was understandable that Qian Biao knew. When his colleagues had carried him home, it had easily drawn Qian Biao's attention.

With Qian Biao's connections, a little asking around would have been enough to learn of it.

Yet he had not expected even Su Qiang, all the way in the Little River Gang, to know about it.

Seeing Hong Ming's confusion, Su Qiang explained, "I went out today and happened to pass by the shop where you worked. I wanted to look for you, but I ended up hearing about this."

After a pause, he lowered his voice. "A Ming, what are you planning to do from now on? Ten taels of silver is no small sum!"

He had already learned from Hong Ming's employer that Hong Ming had incurred a huge debt after losing the goods.

Hong Ming did not answer. This question gave him a headache as well; for now, he had no clue.

Su Qiang's lips moved. A trace of struggle flashed across his honest face.

He recalled how Hong Ming and his family had helped his own family in the past. The wavering in his heart gradually hardened into resolve. "A Ming, do you want a job?"

"What job?" A glimmer lit Hong Ming's eyes, and his interest rose.

Su Qiang introduced it. "It's a job gathering clams at the Chen Family Water Farm. The pay is quite generous—at least thirty copper coins a day, and as much as one hundred!"

"That good? Then what are the requirements?" Hong Ming asked, somewhat tempted.

At the low end, the pay could not compare to hauling goods for him, but at the high end, it was exceedingly generous.

"Nothing special. You just need to be good in the water, and that shouldn't be a problem for you." Su Qiang smiled.

The temptation in Hong Ming's eyes deepened. His underwater skills might not have been top-notch, but they were far from poor.

Among all the rivers and streams within ten li, aside from the Huai River that ran straight through Clear River City, which he had never entered, what river had not been conquered by him?

After pondering briefly, he continued, "What about the hours?"

The Naval Battalion did not impose any requirements on his martial arts training time, but he still had to make choices.

From now on, martial arts would remain his priority. Everything else had to stand aside, and work was no exception.

Su Qiang answered everything he knew. "Usually in the morning, but it doesn't matter if you go in the afternoon."

Seeing that Hong Ming was interested, he told him the exact address and the relevant details.

Before finishing, he did not forget to remind him, "Right, when you go, remember to report my name and say I recommended you."

This was crucial. Otherwise, the Chen Family would not hire a Hong Ming whose background they did not know.

Hong Ming naturally understood. Deeply grateful, he said, "Qiangzi, thank you!"

What Su Qiang had done was undoubtedly sending charcoal in the snow for him.

Su Qiang waved goodbye. "It's nothing. You get back to work, then. I'm heading home."

"Right, Qiangzi, remember to keep this matter secret for me," Hong Ming reminded him.

Su Qiang readily agreed. After bidding Hong Ming farewell, he headed home. On the way, he encountered Qian Biao collecting protection fees. He merely snorted and said nothing more.

Before long, he arrived home. His family was somewhat poorer than the Hong Family's, with only two rooms.

One room housed him and his second brother, Su Sheng. The other housed their younger sister, Su Lan, and also served as the kitchen.

The moment he entered the courtyard, Su Sheng, who had been squatting by the door waiting, sprang up with a whoosh. He hurried over to greet him and asked eagerly, "Big Brother, you're back? What happened with that job?"

"The job..." Su Qiang pressed his lips together. Seeing Su Sheng's face full of hope, he suddenly did not know how to speak.

That job had originally been found for Su Sheng. It had not been easy to secure, costing him quite a bit of money and favors.

Now that he had given it to Hong Ming, he had undoubtedly broken his word to his own younger brother. After all, Su Sheng had been thinking about this for a long time.

Su Qiang's Adam's apple bobbed several times. His voice was dry as he said, "A Sheng, I gave that job to A Ming. Something happened to his family."

"You gave it to Brother A Ming?" The light in Su Sheng's eyes dimmed instantly. Somewhat dissatisfied, he said, "Big Brother, why didn't you discuss this with me? Brother A Ming doesn't lack work!"

After Hong Ming joined the Naval Battalion to train in martial arts, he had connections everywhere. Their family was different; the livelihood of the whole family rested on Su Qiang alone.

One more job meant one more way to survive, one more choice.

Then he would be able to share Su Qiang's burden and save enough money to move away, rather than spending every day on Tiger Gang territory with his heart in his throat.

Seeing Su Qiang remain silent, Su Sheng said urgently, "I'll go get it back from him!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Su Qiang stopped him, saying in a deep voice, "It's already been given away. At worst, your brother will find you another job next time!"

Su Sheng's childish tantrum angered him somewhat. His chest rose and fell faintly; he felt guilty toward his brother, yet also annoyed that he did not understand.

"Big Brother, calm down first."

Su Lan, who had been cooking in the kitchen, heard the commotion and came out. Wiping her hands on her apron, she advised,

"Second Brother, perhaps Brother A Ming really did run into trouble. Back then, his family helped us plenty. Now that something has happened, it's only right for Big Brother to help him out."

Su Sheng fell silent after hearing this. He knew he had acted impulsively, but he did not soften. Instead, he slammed the door and went straight back into his room.

Su Lan knew Su Sheng was simply sulking. After some time, he would be fine.

She turned to Su Qiang and asked curiously, "Big Brother, what exactly happened to Brother A Ming? Is it serious?"

"It isn't anything major. He was just injured while hauling goods." Su Qiang did not tell her the truth.

Su Lan's expression tightened with worry. "Then what about his martial arts training?"

"He can only resume training after his injuries heal, but as for succeeding..."

At this point, Su Qiang shook his head. With Hong Ming laid low by illness, his hopes of cultivating Bright Force were likely slim to none—hanging by a thread.

In the small courtyard, Auntie and Little Aunt had already prepared dinner and were calling everyone to eat at the top of their lungs.

Uncle was out working. Old Master Hong Zheng, Hong Ming, and his cousin Hong Yi came over at the call, each finding a low stool and sitting around the old low wooden table.

Dinner was somewhat shabby. The staple was cornbread mixed with wheat bran, dry and hard, barely enough to fill their stomachs.

The main dishes were vegetable soup and stir-fried wild vegetables with cured meat, something only seen during festivals. There were only a few scraps of cured meat, added merely for a touch of grease.

This fare, far beyond their usual standard, was only possible because Hong Ming had just recovered from a serious illness.

Looking at the somewhat hard-to-swallow meal, Hong Ming sighed softly but said nothing. He ate in earnest; he truly was hungry at the moment.

After dinner, everyone went about their business. Hong Ming had wanted to help, but Old Master called him off to rest in the end.

He returned to his room. Having just eaten his fill, he was not sleepy, so he thought of getting up to practice the Coiling Dragon Stake.

The Coiling Dragon Stake was a stance technique taught at the Navy Camp, and currently his only way of meeting the Fate Grid's requirements.

Since he had nothing better to do, Hong Ming steadied his footing, assumed the stance, and, following his memories, somewhat stiffly performed the various movements.

After one full set, he discovered that the progress on the Martial Arts Panel had barely risen, while he himself had been exhausted half to death.

He could not help but sigh. At this speed, it still required him to cultivate Bright Force within a month.

This Fate Grid thing truly made one realize how hard martial arts were only after becoming the master of the household!

After grumbling a little and resting for a moment, Hong Ming drove away his distracting thoughts and continued cultivating.

By the third repetition, the panel finally reacted.

Not one notification, but two:

[Coiling Dragon Stake +1]
[Fortune +1]