After the Scholar Rejected Me, I Married the Rogue and Got Rich - Chapter 36

“Steward Zhao, everything is settled,” Zhou Han nodded and got straight to the point. “I’ve come to say goodbye. The construction here is almost finished, and I plan to settle my wages today and then go back.”

Upon hearing this, Steward Zhao showed a hint of regret on his face.

He stood up and took a heavy money bag from the cabinet behind him. He then opened the paybook and, while calculating, said, “Hanzi, you’re a good worker. You’re strong and reliable, and you never cheat or slack off. This job has been going on for two months now. Your wages are fifty coins a day, which is three taels of silver. In addition,” he paused and counted out some loose silver and copper coins from the drawer, “you led the team to finish up in the last few days and managed things well. I’ll give you an extra five hundred coins as a bonus, making it three and a half taels of silver in total. Count it.”

He pushed the money bag to Zhou Han and earnestly tried to persuade him to stay: “Although there aren’t many large cargo ships left, there are still odd jobs at the dock. With your skills, you’ll have plenty of work to do if you stay. Why rush to leave? Why not work a little longer and save up some more money?”

Zhou Han took the money bag, its weight substantial, containing three and a half taels of silver. He felt reassured and grateful for Steward Zhao’s appreciation.

But he had more important things on his mind, so he clasped his hands and said, “Thank you for your care and invitation these past few days, but I do have some urgent matters at home that I need to take care of. I can’t delay any longer. If there is anything I can do for you, I will come to you again after I’m done with this.”

Seeing that Zhou Han was determined to leave, Manager Zhao knew he couldn’t force him to stay, so he didn’t press the matter. He stood up, patted Zhou Han’s sturdy shoulder, and laughed, “Alright! I know you’re a man of your word. Since you have things to attend to at home, go ahead and take care of them. I’m telling you, this dock welcomes you back anytime! And don’t forget to treat your old brother to a drink when you do!”

“Definitely,” Zhou Han solemnly replied, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Steward Zhao, and then turned and left the steward’s office.

With the wages he had earned from two months of hard work and the savings he had made from selling leather in his arms, Zhou Han walked steadily out of the dock and headed towards the cattle pen.

———

With the work on the large cargo ships at the dock temporarily coming to an end, Boss Lin also fell into a period of hesitation.

After closing up shop that day, Boss Lin came over from the dock, rubbed his rough hands, and said to Wang Shi and Lin Sang with some hesitation on his face, “My wife, Sang Sang, the bulk cargo at the dock is almost unloaded. The manager talked to me. If we continue to stay, we will only be doing odd jobs, and the wages… will only be twenty-five coins a day.”

He paused, glanced at his wife and daughter’s faces, and then continued, “This job is hard, but it pays well, forty coins a day. I’m thinking that since it’s winter and the farming season is slow, I’ll take whatever I can earn. Maybe I’ll even get a big job next time.”

Upon hearing this, Wang frowned. She felt sorry for the man’s hard work at the dock, enduring the wind and sun and carrying heavy loads, especially as the weather grew colder, making the work even more exhausting.

But the thought of twenty-five coins a day, which adds up to more than seven hundred coins a month, was a huge temptation for the farming family who had just seen a glimmer of hope. She opened her mouth, unsure whether to agree or not, her face filled with conflict.

Without a second thought, Lin Sang said firmly, “Dad, this job can’t be done.”

She looked at her father and said, “Look at the sky, it’s so gloomy. I think it’ll snow heavily in a few days. The dock will be slippery and icy. If you slip while carrying such heavy goods up and down the dock, it’s no joke! The wages you earn won’t even cover the cost of a doctor’s prescription. Our family has this mutton soup business now. Although it’s hard work, the income is stable. We don’t need to worry about twenty-five coins a day. Why take that risk?”

Her words were clear and logical, immediately enlightening Wang Shi, who quickly echoed, “Yes, yes, yes! Sang Sang is right! Father, that job is too dangerous, let’s quit! We won’t earn that hard-earned money!”

Seeing her father’s expression soften, Lin Sang continued, “Dad, it’s good you’re back. There’s a lot to do at home! If you care about us, you can rest at home for a couple of days and then come help us at the stall, or chop some more firewood at home, we need a lot in the winter. Also,” she pointed to the simple shed above the stall, “I was thinking, since you’re so skilled, could you build a sturdier and more spacious shed for our stall? In case it really snows, it can shelter our customers, so they don’t have to eat ice crystals after drinking hot soup.”

As Lin listened to his daughter’s words, his heart was already tipped in his favor. He was not greedy or adventurous by nature; he was just used to earning more money for his family.

Now that his daughter’s analysis is so logical and reasonable, taking into account safety, arranging follow-up work, and even thinking about improving the business, how could he not listen?

A smile spread across his honest face as he nodded repeatedly, “Alright! Listen to my daughter! I’m not doing it anymore! Dad will build a shed for you as soon as I get back, and I promise I’ll make sure it’s perfectly set up!”

Lin Sang smiled, then, remembering Zhou Han’s words, added, “By the way, Dad, Brother Zhou’s work is almost finished. He said… he’ll come to propose marriage as soon as he’s done. We should take a break for a day or two and go back to prepare properly.”

Upon hearing this, Boss Lin’s eyes lit up immediately, and his wrinkles spread out in a wide smile. His earlier regret about the wages vanished instantly.

He slapped his thigh hard, his voice booming: “Good! Good lad! You’re quick! Proposing marriage is good! This is a big deal, a serious matter! We can close the stall for a couple of days! It’s cold these days anyway, so we can go back and tidy it up properly!”

He thought to himself with delight, “Zhou Han is really efficient and knows his manners. He even knows to formally visit my family. Hmm, the more I look at this future son-in-law, the more satisfied I become! Compared to that mere twenty-five copper coins, my daughter’s marriage is of course more important! Our family’s life is looking more and more promising!”

Madam Wang scolded, “You’d better keep your voice down. If you speak so loudly, people will think your daughter is desperate to get married. What kind of father are you?”

“Hey, I’m just so happy to have such a good son-in-law. No other son-in-law is as considerate as mine. I’m extremely satisfied.”

“You need to be more reserved on that day. We’re the woman, so we can’t be too eager and make people look down on us.”

“I know, I know, I’m just happy, haha.” The simple conversation revealed everyone’s satisfied joy, and Lin Sang thought that this was what they had hoped for.