Chapter 2103: Redeeming a House?
Chapter 2103: Chapter 2103: Redeeming a House?
Shu Yu nodded, "Of course, have you decided what you want to exchange for overnight?"
The staff member nodded, handing the piece of paper he had drawn yesterday to Shu Yu.
This paper seemed to have been crumpled in his hand for a long time, as it was already quite soft.
Shu Yu took it and had someone lead him into the Manor.
The other members of the Lu family looked over curiously; they were preparing their things. It was still early, and if they hurried, they would enter the prefecture just as the gates opened. People like Third Lu and Zhao Xi needed to get to work and couldn’t delay for too long.
Shu Yu sat down with the staff member in the living room and called Daniu over before asking, "Alright, let’s hear it, what do you want to exchange for?"
The staff member swallowed nervously, "I want, I want to build a house here."
Shu Yu and Daniu were both taken aback, "Build a house?"
The staff member nodded repeatedly, "Yes, the boss might not know our family’s situation. There’s only me and my two younger sisters left at home. Now, I’m working here at the workshop, but my sisters are still young, and it’s not very safe for them to be home alone. So, I want to build a house here—not too big, just enough to keep out the wind and rain for now. That way, I can have peace of mind."
As Shu Yu listened, he nodded. Actually, to claim the first prize, one only needed to state what they wanted; there was no need to explain so thoroughly.
However, the staff member probably felt that what he wanted to exchange for was somewhat different from the usual items. Plus, he hadn’t been at the workshop for even half a year and was naturally anxious, so he explained in detail.
This staff member was named Zhao Gang. Seven years ago, his father passed away, and his mother abandoned the three children and remarried. At eleven, Zhao Gang had already taken on the family’s burdens. Life was tough, but thanks to the few acres of land left by his father, the three siblings grew up struggling along with the land rent.
But two years ago, the youngest Zhao sister fell seriously ill. Zhao Gang had no choice but to sell two acres of land to send her to the prefecture for treatment. Setting aside other concerns, the cost of medication alone nearly emptied their savings.
It was also because of this trip to the prefecture that Zhao Gang passed by the sunflower field and learned about Lu’s Workshop.
He had specially inquired, and heard that Lu’s Workshop was run by Monarch Lu Xiang, and that the conditions there were very good.
Zhao Gang was, of course, tempted, but two years ago, Zhao’s older sister was just nine, and the younger sister was six. If he went to work so far away, it wouldn’t be safe for his sisters at home.
So though he was tempted, he could only keep it in mind.
Until half a year ago, someone took an interest in his older sister. Someone advised him to sell her to become a child bride, which would not only ease the burden but also allow him to marry. Zhao Gang was eighteen at the time, and with only two thatched rooms at home, they were too poor for anyone to propose marriage.
How could Zhao Gang agree? He had looked into the person’s reputation and learned that the man had taken in three or four child brides, none of whom survived. How tough must one’s fate be to tear through child brides like that? Anyway, Zhao Gang thought there was definitely something shady going on and refused emphatically.
However, the other party did not give up. When incentives didn’t work, they resorted to threats, even trying to ruin his older sister’s reputation.
Zhao Gang, a poor young man with no money or backing, was no match for these people.
Later, his friend gave him some advice, saying that Lu’s Workshop was planning to recruit again, so he should give it a try. Now that the boss of Lu’s is the county magistrate, people wouldn’t easily dare to offend her. Especially since the county magistrate was protective; if he was fortunate enough to get in, she would surely protect Sister Zhao.