No Wages

Qin Yudie was very happy and grateful, saying, "Many thanks to Senior Xu for the guidance; Yudie has benefited greatly." Her progress in these two chess games with Xu Yan exceeded that of her two years of cultivation, and her understanding of the Tao had changed drastically.

Xu Yan replied, "No need to be so polite, Miss Qin."

It was the first time he had seen someone so happy after being defeated in chess. Could it be that cultivators had some peculiar fondness for being defeated?

"Senior Xu, then Yudie will take her leave." Qin Yudie stated.

She needed time to digest the insights gained during the chess match. Otherwise, she might continue the game. Xu Yan breathed a sigh of relief, secretly worrying that Qin Yudie might insist on playing more chess.

With a bright smile, Xu Yan said, "Alright, take care on your way out."

Seeing Xu Yan's radiant smile, Qin Yudie was deeply moved. She hadn't expected that Senior Xu would be so pleased after guiding her. Reluctantly, she added, "Senior Xu, I'll visit you again next time."

After saying that, she left with a sense of gratitude.

Xu Yan was momentarily speechless, then sighed, "This girl is terrible at chess. It's a real challenge to maintain elegance and grace while making the round."

He had expected cultivators to be skilled at chess, but it turned out to be a problem of how to elegantly hold back when playing against someone less skilled.

After Qin Yudie left, Xu Yan sold two small wooden puppets, making a decent profit. Then, he cleaned up the area outside the shop. Just as he finished, a teenager around fifteen to sixteen years old rushed over.

It was none other than Jiang Li.

Jiang Li had an anxious expression on his face, saying, "Doctor Xu, thank you for helping me and my mother yesterday."

His mother had awakened yesterday, and he used the money Xu Yan gave him to buy a chicken and some nourishing food, significantly improving his mother's condition.

Seeing Jiang Li's expression, Xu Yan knew he had something to ask. He asked, "Speak up, what brings you here?"

He wondered if Jiang Li wanted more money. After all, fifty copper coins weren't much, and if someone were extravagant, it could be spent in an instant. However, when Jiang Li mentioned that the wages would be paid in two days, Xu Yan intentionally gave only fifty copper coins, hoping Jiang Li could manage on his own during these two days.

Jiang Li hesitated and said, "My mother knew that it was Doctor Xu that saved her and asked me to do something for you as a way to repay your kindness."

He also wanted to work for Xu Yan. In Tianren City, Xu Yan was a well-known figure, excelling in both calligraphy and medicine.

Xu Yan refused, saying, "Go back; I don't need anyone to work for me. You better continue working and earning money."

With a low voice, Jiang Li said, "I can help Doctor Xu clean the shop. I saw Doctor Xu sweeping the floor just now."

He really wanted to do something for Xu Yan. His mother said that being with people like Xu Yan would bring benefits.

Xu Yan asked, "What about your job? How will you support your family without work?"

If Jiang Li wanted to work for him to find an easy job to earn money, he would be disappointed.

However, Jiang Li didn't disappoint him. Looking up at Xu Yan, he courageously said, "I'll continue with my usual job and spare some time to clean up for Doctor Xu."

Working at the teahouse was his source of income. Losing that job would be a heavy burden on his mother alone.

Xu Yan neither directly refused nor agreed, "As you wish, just handle it yourself."

Seeing the determination in the young man's eyes, he didn't want to refuse, and cleaning wouldn't be too much of an issue.

"Great!" Excitedly, Jiang Li acknowledged and happily ran off. He had to go to the teahouse for work first and would return later to clean the shop for Xu Yan.

Standing under the cherry blossom tree in front of the shop, Xu Yan felt inspired. He entered the shop and painted a scene depicting a young man kneeling in a dilapidated house, exuding gratitude and determination. The person standing in front of him was a young man in white, with a slightly blurred face.

Xu Yan drew this scene with great care and skill, capturing the moment when Jiang Li knelt down and expressed his gratitude during their visit to Jiang Li's home.

As the sun set, Jiang Li returned. He was here to clean, and Xu Yan handed him a broom, letting him clean on his own. While Jiang Li was cleaning in the outer hall, he admired the numerous calligraphy and paintings, feeling deeply moved and increasingly respectful toward Xu Yan.

So, he cleaned with unusual diligence, absorbing the Tao aura emanating from the calligraphy and paintings, which subtly transformed his physique.

In the following days, Qin Yudie would come during the day to play chess with Xu Yan, and in the evenings, Jiang Li would come to clean the shop. Xu Yan's small shop was no longer as deserted.

On the seventh day of Jiang Li cleaning, a tall man followed him secretly. Seeing Jiang Li cleaning for Xu Yan, the man came out openly, mocking, "Jiang Li, I thought you were going somewhere to make big money after work every day. Turns out, you're here cleaning someone else's shop."

Jiang Li, who was cleaning at the entrance, looked at the man and said, "Xiao Sheng, does this have anything to do with you?"

This man also worked as a miscellaneous servant in the teahouse and often bullied Jiang Li due to his large stature.

In the past, at the teahouse, Jiang Li would endure and remain silent. But here, he didn't want to tolerate it anymore. He was also a man, and enduring bullying without resisting wasn't the conduct of a man, especially in front of Xu Yan.

Xiao Sheng didn't expect Jiang Li, who used to endure silently, would speak to him like this. He became furious, "Jiang Li, what’s wrong with you? How dare you talk to me like this!"

He wouldn't allow Jiang Li to stand up against him. He had to make Jiang Li fear him so that Jiang Li would obediently pay protection money to him.

Curious about the commotion outside, Xu Yan walked out and asked, "What's going on?"

He had been drawing, planning to create a painting titled "The Cat Who Can't Catch Mice." However, he heard the commotion outside and decided to check the situation.

Xiao Sheng glanced up and down at Xu Yan, grinned maliciously, and said, "How much did you pay Jiang Li? Why not give the money to me? I can do a better job than him."

As long as there was money to be made, he was willing to do it. No one would refuse money, and he was more than willing to take Jiang Li's job.

Xu Yan looked at Xiao Sheng and calmly said, "I didn't pay Jiang Li anything. Please leave."