Chapter 199: Reading Changes Fate
Ke Ke had been paying close attention to Small Shop for a long time.
Initially, he heard about it from casual conversations with other little beggars, discussing their experiences.
They mentioned a place called Small Shop, where the food was worth hundreds of Gold Coins, yet it was always crowded with customers.
Ke Ke was utterly shocked at the time.
Since he could remember, he had survived by begging daily.
The only time he received a Gold Coin was three years ago when a kind and beautiful lady gave him one.
With that coin, he had the rare luxury of buying a roasted chicken he had long craved, a memory still fresh in his mind.
A hundred Gold Coins were an astronomical sum for him.
Could people really spend that much just for a meal?
It was unimaginable for Ke Ke.
His shock and envy led him to keep a closer eye on the restaurant named Small Shop.
Later, when a new issue of the Food Critique Magazine was published, Small Shop appeared in it.
Many readers sought its location.
Ke Ke, being clever, saw an opportunity to make money.
By directing the wealthy to Small Shop, he earned several Silver Coins and dozens of Copper Coins within two days.
This small windfall slightly improved his life.
Eventually, he decided to beg daily on the street near Small Shop.
He noticed that the customers seemed to be in better moods, never causing a ruckus outside Small Shop, meaning he was rarely scolded.
Before, he sometimes got inexplicably beaten by irritable folks, but that never happened here.
Moreover, those who dined at Small Shop gave more generously.
This made Ke Ke genuinely happy during this period.
He had white buns to eat daily and occasionally bought some meat.
This was nearly unthinkable before.
Ke Ke even gained some weight.
Yes, despite appearing thin and weak to Qi Han, Ke Ke had actually gained quite a bit of weight recently.
Every time he looked at the Small Shop's sign from a distance, Ke Ke's eyes were filled with gratitude.
Although Small Shop hadn't directly helped him, his current better days were closely related to the restaurant.
However, despite this, Ke Ke never thought of thanking the owner of Small Shop, fearing that as a mere beggar, he'd be looked down upon if he entered Small Shop.
After the lunchtime rush ended, Ke Ke once again saw Small Shop's owner.
This time, the owner held a wooden board with some writing on it, sparking Ke Ke's curiosity.
He couldn't help but be the first to step forward to take a look.
Ke Ke could read. Unlike many little beggars in Star Luo City who couldn't even write their own names, Ke Ke was different.
When he was young, he used to beg in a small village on the outskirts of Star Luo City.
There was a kind old man who ran a literacy class, teaching the children of commoners to read and write.
Seeing Ke Ke listening by the window a few times, the old man invited him to join.
The old man once said, "Reading can change your fate."
Although Ke Ke hadn't yet changed his fate from begging, he firmly believed in the kind old man's words.
When Ke Ke saw the job notice on the wooden board, his heart started pounding.
Perhaps this was the true meaning of the old man's words?
Thinking of this, he mustered all his courage and spoke to the figure he had never dared to approach before.
"Excuse me… Are you hiring waiters? Can I apply?"
...
"Mr. Qi, can I really wear this?"
Ke Ke's eyes sparkled with bright light.
Freshly bathed on the third floor of Small Shop, he carried a faint scent of shower gel.
His clean face looked even more delicate and fair.
If not for the worn-out clothes with holes and patches he still wore, he could have been mistaken for a refined noble boy.
He seemed a bit uneasy, looking at the new clothes Qi Han had bought for him from a nearby tailor shop while he bathed.
He was incredibly excited.
The last time he wore new clothes was two years ago.
When his old clothes became unwearable, he spent three Copper Coins on a coarse new garment, which wasn't nearly as good as what Qi Han gave him now.
Yet, he had been as happy as if it were a holiday.
"Go ahead, wear it. It's nothing to me," Qi Han said warmly.
Obediently, Ke Ke changed into the new clothes Qi Han prepared for him and sat properly in the room, his eyes filled with admiration and gratitude as he looked at Qi Han.
Apart from the old man, it was the first time someone had been so kind to him!
Seeing Ke Ke sitting properly, as if he were listening to a teacher, Qi Han fell into thought.
Star Luo City was different from Shrek City; it had fewer Spirit masters and more commoners.
Thus, Qi Han didn't require applicants to be Spirit masters, unlike in Shrek City.
Nevertheless, there were still some requirements, such as...
"Do you... know how to read?"
As soon as he asked, Qi Han realized it might be a redundant question.
How would someone who couldn't read know about the job opening?
"Mr. Qi, I can read. I can even recite from the 'Star Luo Poetry Collection'!" Ke Ke quickly replied, then recited a couple of well-known poems from the collection.
"Oh?"
Qi Han was genuinely surprised.
The "Star Luo Poetry Collection" was a compilation of famous poems from the Star Luo Empire's history.
The poems had a modern style with unique rhythmic requirements, which Qi Han didn't particularly appreciate.
Such books were usually read by a few bored nobles who pursued literature; most commoners had little interest.
Ke Ke could even recite from this collection?
Then recognizing the restaurant menu shouldn't be a problem.
"Can you do arithmetic?"
"Yes," Ke Ke nodded eagerly.
In this era, arithmetic was more practical than literature.
Even those who couldn't read usually knew some basic math.
Qi Han randomly posed a few addition and subtraction problems within a hundred.
Ke Ke quickly solved them mentally, giving the correct answers, which made Qi Han nod silently.
Not bad, if it were to be scaled by his past life level, Ke Ke's as smart as a second grade elementary student, this level of arithmetic was sufficient for the restaurant's business.
As for other requirements, they should not be an issue.
Qi Han nodded with satisfaction, "Alright, would you like to become a new employee here? You'll get two meals a day, and no wastage allowed, and..."
"By the way, where do you usually stay?"
Ke Ke hadn't had time to feel happy about becoming an employee when Qi Han's question made him look troubled.
Seeing Ke Ke's expression, Qi Han seemed to understand and smiled lightly, "No worries. From now on, you can stay here. There's a guest room next door you can use."
"No, I can't!" Ke Ke shook his head vigorously. "Mr. Qi, you've been too kind to me already. I feel unworthy."
What a good kid.
Qi Han's eyes showed a hint of admiration as he smiled, "Don't worry. I'm not finished. Since I'm providing room and board, your salary will be lower. How about ten Gold Coins a month?"
Ten Gold Coins... low?
Ke Ke blinked, looking confused.
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