After saying that!
Uncle Fu bent over and entered the small courtyard, while Jiang Yi and the other three waited outside.
Before half a cup of tea had passed, a roar suddenly erupted from within the courtyard!
"What? No money!"
"You want to come in without money?"
"Fu, did a donkey kick your brain?"
"Since when could any stray cat or dog enter our fishery at will?"
"There's no room for negotiation on this!"
"Steward Zhang, please show some mercy. Those few are pitiful children..."
"Get out of my way!"
"Ah!"
An aged groan followed, faintly accompanied by the thud of someone hitting the ground.
"This is bad, Uncle Fu!"
Jiang Dafeng's expression changed drastically!
In that instant, he could no longer care about anything else. He shoved open the courtyard gate and rushed inside.
Jiang Yi and the others hurried in after him.
They saw Uncle Fu sprawled on the ground, struggling to get up, bitterness surfacing across his wrinkled face.
Jiang Dafeng quickly reached out and gently helped him up!
Seeing Jiang Yi and the other four rush in, the man called Steward Zhang froze for a moment before letting out a sneer.
"The four people Old Fu mentioned, could they be you four brats?
Don't tell me you're country bumpkins from some godforsaken corner?
Hahaha!
And you think you can enter my fishery?
Hurry up!
Take this old fool with you and crawl back wherever you came from!"
As he spoke!
Steward Zhang also rose to his feet, lifting his two plump hands to drive them away.
Jiang Yi stepped forward and blocked his path!
He raised his head, his eyes carrying an air of indifference!
When that gaze fell into Steward Zhang's eyes!
It made the hairs all over his body stand on end!
"Y-you... what are you trying to do?"
"I'm telling you, this is the fishery, not some place where you can run wild..."
"Someone! Come quickly..."
Steward Zhang staggered back several steps and instinctively opened his mouth to shout!
Just then!
A hearty laugh arrived first from outside the courtyard.
"Haha, little brother, we meet again!"
They turned to look!
A tall, upright man in gray entered with his hands clasped behind his back.
A smile rested at the corners of his lips!
Though he was somewhat surprised to see so many people in the courtyard, his attention remained fixed on Jiang Yi.
His eyes gleamed brightly!
Just as he was about to speak again!
Steward Zhang seemed to have spotted a pillar to lean on, delight flooding his fat face!
He practically scrambled and crawled over to Liu Sheng's side.
"Steward Liu, save me!
You came at just the right time!
These few brats were brought here by Old Fu. They said they wanted to find work here.
I refused them!
Yet they actually intended to cause trouble here and even wanted to hurt someone. Sir, you must uphold justice for me!"
Liu Sheng frowned and asked,
"What happened?"
"We weren't causing trouble!"
Jiang Sanxi stepped forward, forcing himself to be brave!
He even raised a hand to point at Steward Zhang. Ignoring the latter's threatening glare, he continued explaining:
"This fat bastard is lying!"
"Uncle Fu kindly found work for us, but this fat bastard demanded money. Then he even shoved Uncle Fu to the ground..."
Liu Sheng's face immediately darkened!
He turned and looked coldly at Steward Zhang, his voice mild as he said:
"Was everything that boy said true?"
The words fell into Steward Zhang's ears, sending chill after chill through his heart and making him tremble like a sieve!
"N-no, they're talking nonsense. Steward Liu, listen to my expla—"
"Bastard!"
What answered him was an incomparably loud slap.
Slap!!!
Steward Zhang's fat, round body toppled sideways, nearly lifting entirely off the ground.
The right side of his face swelled high at a visible speed.
"Don't come back from now on!"
"N-no, Steward Liu, spare me! I won't dare do it again! I have elders above me..."
"Someone, hurry and drag him out!"
Two burly men entered. No matter how Steward Zhang struggled and wailed.
They swiftly dragged him away as though hauling off a dead pig.
Once the courtyard was completely quiet!
Only then did Liu Sheng look at Jiang Yi again, a trace of apology showing through his smile.
"There are always a few crooked melons and cracked dates in the business. I've made a fool of myself before you, little brother!"
"It's nothing. Rather, I've troubled you, Senior!"
Jiang Yi cupped his fists in thanks.
"Haha, it's only a trivial matter!"
"Strictly speaking!"
"This can also be considered part of my duty."
"It's just that another person usually manages it!"
"If you hadn't happened to be here today!"
"I truly might not have discovered that such scum had appeared in the fishery!"
As he spoke, Liu Sheng's tone suddenly shifted!
"From what that little brother said just now, could it be that you came here wishing to join our fishery?"
At this, Uncle Fu reacted as though startled, quickly bowing and pleading:
"Steward Liu, please show mercy!"
"These are pitiful children from Jiang Family Village. They only managed to escape here after great hardship.
They only ask for some work!
This old man asked them just now. They can do any kind of odd job, so long as they can scrape together enough food and clothing."
"Jiang Family Village?"
Liu Sheng nodded!
Clearly, he knew of the matter, and a trace of understanding flashed through his eyes.
"So that's how it is!"
A glint of brilliance flashed deep in his pupils.
Seeing that the old man was about to kneel, he raised a hand to support him and smiled.
"Uncle Fu, there's no need for this! The main courtyard happens to be short a few workers for miscellaneous chores. I'll arrange it all at once!"
"Thank you, Steward Liu!"
"Thank you, sir!"
"Lord Liu, you're a good man!"
At those words, Jiang Dafeng and the others were overjoyed. Their hopes of settling down in the small town had found an answer.
Each of them repeatedly nodded and bowed, expressing their gratitude.
"However..."
Liu Sheng paused and looked at Jiang Yi, his smile carrying a few hints of teasing.
"As for you, little brother, wouldn't having you do odd jobs be a terrible waste of talent?"
Jiang Yi raised his head and met his gaze!
"So long as it does not violate my principles, Sen... Steward Liu, please give your orders. I...
am willing to accept your arrangements!"
As for what counted as a matter of principle?
Jiang Yi would be the one to decide!
"Haha, how could that be?"
"Rest assured, little brother. What I ask of you will absolutely not put you in a difficult position!"
Liu Sheng was over the moon inside!
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something!
"In that case, could little brother call me 'Uncle Liu' for me to hear?
That wouldn't be difficult, would it?"
Jiang Yi: "..."
Good heavens!
The very first move was a king bomb!
Did this count as a matter of principle?
Apparently... it did not!
Fortunately, he was not asking to take him as a son and have him provide for him in old age. Otherwise...
He would have to kowtow!
Jiang Yi fell silent for a moment, then slowly called out, "Uncle Liu."
Liu Sheng had been waiting for exactly those words, smiling broadly!
"Ah! Good, good, good!"
Before you continue