NFBE Chapter 54 Painter
Chapter 54 Painter
After sending the others away, Sha Zhu rode his bicycle and left with his sister.
"Brother, you beat Erpiezi so badly his head is bleeding, are you alright?"
"What if they go to the police?" On the way, Yu Shui asked Sha Zhu with a bit of fear.
"It's alright, they're just street thugs who stopped us and asked for money and a bicycle."
That's highway robbery, which is illegal. If it weren't for the hassle, I'd kill them without a second thought.
"If they dare to call the police, they'll end up in jail themselves." Sha Zhu explained carefully and patiently to Yu Shui.
"So when you go back, study martial arts diligently with Uncle Li, then you won't be afraid of being bullied." Sha Zhu used facts to urge Yu Shui to study hard, and then continued...
"Rain, do you still want your pocket money and Mickey Mouse candy?" Sha Zhu's intentions were obvious.
Rainwater wasn't stupid either; it finally realized what was happening.
"Hmph, when I get back I'll tell Uncle Li, Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang that you bullied me and wanted to be brothers with your two masters."
"When did I ever want to be brothers with my master? Rain, don't wrong your brother,"
Rainwater turned her little head and said, "You want to be brothers with our dad, but our dad and Uncle Wang are fellow apprentices."
Uncle Wang and Uncle Li are like brothers. I'll tell them when I get back.
You don't respect your teachers and want to associate with them as equals? You'll get a beating from your two masters.
"I told you you wanted to betray your master and ancestors." Yu Shui tilted her little head back and looked at Sha Zhu, her expression clearly saying, "Go ahead and bully me if you dare."
Oh dear, this really angered Sha Zhu. He really wanted to stop his bicycle, pull down this little brat's pants, and slap her bottom a dozen times.
"Rain, please don't tell my two masters. I'll grant you whatever you want, okay?" Sha Zhu immediately changed his expression, putting on a pitiful look.
“Brother, you said it yourself,” Yu Shui said, counting on her fingers, “A dress, a big meat bun, braised pork, Mickey Mouse candy, pocket money…”
Sha Zhu immediately said, "Okay, okay, as long as you don't talk nonsense, I'll agree to anything." At this point, the rain severely dampened Sha Zhu's arrogant attitude.
Because of the delay on the way, when I got back to my master's house, Master Li had already returned.
"Zhu Zi, why are you back a little late today?" Master Li asked Sha Zhu with a puzzled look.
"Something came up on the way and I was delayed," Sha Zhu replied to Master Li as he parked his bicycle.
Yu Shui greeted Master Li, then ran back to his room with his schoolbag on his back.
"Zhu Zi, I've asked about finding a reporter for you."
One journalist from a news media outlet did have the idea, but they didn't have a camera capable of taking color photos.
They say that thing is extremely rare. I can help you find an illustrator to create a color illustration, and then edit it for a book.
"Hey, Master, this method is pretty good too," Sha Zhu said happily.
"I have a solution, but we'll have to bring the artist with us."
"I still have to pay the artist for painting the color pictures," Master Li said worriedly.
"That means two more people to feed. The cost of vegetables and meat won't be enough. Even if the chef took out all the money he had, it wouldn't be enough to cover these expenses."
Seeing his master's worried expression, Sha Zhu said, "Master, don't worry, I have a way."
Master Li stared at Sha Zhu with wide eyes, "What can you do? I bet you'll squander all the money you have on you sooner or later, and then you'll be starving on the streets."
Sha Zhu felt utterly wronged after his master's words. It was barely any money, just two or three pounds of meat a day.
Add some vegetables, and it'll only cost a little over a dollar a day, less than two dollars. Why not spend all that money now, instead of saving it for having a baby?
Besides, Qianmen Street is full of middle and upper-class people; there are plenty of wealthy people there.
Eating a little meat every day isn't a big deal, is it? Unlike other places where poor people gather together and eating meat twice will attract all sorts of suspicious looks.
Sha Zhu, don't you even think about it? You only earn one or two yuan a day. Your master doesn't even earn as much as you do for one meal. Is it fair for a working person like you to eat well every day?
"Master, we can do this: when the time comes, you help me invite the person over, and we won't talk about business first."
I, your apprentice, will use all my culinary skills to absolutely devour the tongues of your guests.
It makes them feel like they can't stop and want to stay longer.
I'll talk business after they've finished eating, mentioning that the budget for cooking is limited.
I spend almost two yuan a day on groceries, and I really can't afford to pay the artist's fees anymore.
"Master, tell me, with my culinary skills, would the painter be willing to part with such delicious food?"
Sha Zhu said with a sly grin. He thought to himself, "You eat my food and drink my water every day, and you still want wages? You can't even dream of such a thing. Don't you even know who cooked these dishes?"
Master Li nodded subconsciously. "Hmm, that's a good idea. With your skills, it's certainly possible. But buying so many vegetables every day must cost a lot."
"Master, this is only a small amount. Even if it's two yuan a day, it's only 60 yuan a month, and 120 yuan for two months."
I can still afford to take it out; for the sake of future plans, I can sacrifice this little bit of money.
If I really wanted to make money, with my skills, I could make a lot of money with a two-yuan dish.
"In the blink of an eye, it can be turned into a delicious dish worth 10 or even 20 yuan," Sha Zhu said confidently.
Seeing Sha Zhu's confident demeanor, Master Li didn't want to discourage him.
"Alright, since you've decided, I'll get everyone over for you this weekend."
We'll order a lot of dishes then, see if Chef Wang is on duty, and we'll also invite my girlfriend over.
Including you and your siblings, and Lele, that makes seven or eight people. Show off your cooking skills and make sure everyone has a good meal. I'll pay for the groceries."
“No problem, Master,” Sha Zhu said confidently.
"Oh, right, Master, there's something else I need your help with," Sha Zhu pleaded.
"What is it? Tell me first. You're making too many troubles, kid," Master Li asked, frowning.
"It's nothing. It's just an old neighbor I used to live in the same courtyard with a family of five."
The couple has three children. The eldest is the most pampered, while the second child suffers the most.
"He was often beaten and suffered unfair treatment..." Sha Zhu then explained Liu Guangtian's experiences at home to Master Li in detail.
"You mean you want your master to teach him martial arts so you won't get beaten up at home?" Master Li asked.
"Yes, Master, this second brother, Liu Guangtian, and Yushui go to the same school."
He's two years older than Yu Shui, so he needs to take care of Yu Shui a little at school.
As for what you will teach him, Master, you should investigate and decide for yourself.
"Yushui is too young, and I can't be at school every day. It will take a long time for Yushui to learn martial arts and develop some skills," Shazhu said.
She thought to herself that when the rain couldn't bear the suffering any longer, she would secretly give her a drop of the divine water in her space, which would have a multiplier effect.
This divine water has the effect of strengthening mental power and healing injuries. If I drink the rainwater, will I be able to project my mental power outwards like others, so that if they find out, they'll have to dissect me for research?
We should still be careful then; the unknown is what's truly frightening.