Chapter 159: First Day On The Job
The next morning at dawn.
Wan Niang rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair arms, and helped Chen Shun’an dress.
Today was the first day he was going to take up his post at Crouching Tiger Well.
The sky was frosty white, already early winter.
A cold wind swept through the streets and alleys, blowing withered leaves spinning and tumbling on the ground.
Chen Shun’an wore a brand-new jade-colored satin straight robe, lined with a fox fur jacket, his sideburns neatly groomed, clearly looking like a wealthy man at first glance.
Looking at his own appearance, Chen Shun’an was very satisfied.
At the same time, he summoned Precious Proclamation.
【Grass Talisman（70/100）】
【Wish: 32】
During this time, the harvest of wishes had been steady and unhurried, rising step by step.
And the progress of Grass Talisman had also slowly climbed to 70, visibly not far from Grass Talisman Perfection.
Li Shicheng provided the effort, Chen Shun’an provided the money, nurturing Rongyuan Orphanage, selecting a large number of suitable orphans to teach martial arts and enlighten their minds.
Precisely because these orphans had tasted the hardships of the world, they were even more grateful and all remembered Chen Shun’an’s kindness.
Chen Shun’an now received an extremely impressive average of over 70 points of wishes daily, nearly increasing Grass Talisman progress by one point every two days.
Even if Chen Shun’an just sat back and enjoyed it without doing anything, it would take just over a month to pile Grass Talisman to perfection.
And now that Chen Shun’an had taken on the role of Crouching Tiger Well Shopkeeper, it would naturally shorten this progress substantially.
Grass Talisman Perfection was within reach!
“Brother, it’s ready.”
Wan Niang carefully smoothed Chen Shun’an’s hem, her cheeks flushed, actually more excited than Chen Shun’an himself.
After preparing his personal items, she went out first, deliberately pushing open the courtyard gate and loudly calling a private sedan chair at the alley entrance.
The neighbors watched in surprise and curiosity.
When she learned that Chen Shun’an had been promoted to Crouching Tiger Well Shopkeeper, Wan Niang thought she was dreaming.
How did Brother become a shopkeeper in the blink of an eye?
And it was Crouching Tiger Well, shopkeeper of such a Freshwater Ancient Well!
My goodness, doesn’t that mean Brother now manages dozens of water carriers and the drinking water of countless people?
Every day, hundreds of taels of silver slip through his fingers!
Watching Wan Niang acting like a little girl showing off her lover, Chen Shun’an shook his head with a smile and said nothing more.
Chen Shun’an walked out the door, and next door, Li Meizi was beating the picked-up coal ash into briquettes, then piling them under the eaves to dry.
Winter was approaching, and poor families were preparing winter supplies in advance.
Hearing Wan Niang’s voice, Li Meizi wiped her dirty hands and came out. Seeing Chen Shun’an, her eyes lit up, and she asked,
“Oh! Elder Brother Chen, Wan Niang, what’s going on? Dressed so brightly, and Elder Brother Chen’s fiftieth birthday is still two months away!”
Chen Shun’an smiled without speaking, Wan Niang covered her mouth and chuckled,
“My Brother was favored by Landlord Zhao and is now Crouching Tiger Well Shopkeeper… Sigh, but managing dozens of people and calculating accounts every day, how can it compare to Zhang Family man’s ‘craftsman’, Master Craftsman Zhang Cai…”
Not far away, the slightly ajar door panel of Zhang Sanniang’s house slammed shut.
“If I married you, I never had a single good day!”
“You shrew, you dare hit me? Are you rebelling?”
“Wah wah wah, I can’t live like this anymore, I’m taking Wangyue back to my parents’ home!”
Moments later, sounds of a man and woman arguing and even fighting came.
Craftsman was the capital city’s term for artisans in various trades who had a special skill.
Zhang Family man was a bricklayer with actually good skills; when laying walls, he didn’t need a line, just held a tobacco pouch in his mouth, laid them squinting naturally, and the walls were straight with almost no visible mortar joints.
He was just lazy, fishing for three days and drying nets for two.
Wouldn’t go for hard work, wouldn’t take tiring jobs, scorned low pay, stayed home all day.
Clearly, Wan Niang held a grudge.
She still remembered two months ago, when a petty Martial World thief broke into Chaodou Hutong intending to steal, Zhang Sanniang not only watched coldly but also demanded repayment afterward.
So now, at any opportunity, she had to fire back.
Chen Shun’an naturally knew Wan Niang’s thoughts and could only shake his head helplessly, letting her be.
He got into the sedan chair, the sedan bearers lifted the poles, and they headed toward Crouching Tiger Well.
Wan Niang watched Chen Shun’an leave contentedly.
As they were about to fully exit Chaodou Hutong, Chen Shun’an caught sight of two somewhat familiar figures from the gap in the sedan curtain with his peripheral vision.
Xiao Qingchou and Bai Manlou were walking one behind the other.
Xiao Qingchou looked like a martial arts instructor leading the way ahead, while Bai Manlou carried a burden, seeming like a charcoal peddler following behind Xiao Qingchou.
Xiao Qingchou said in a low voice: “Didn’t you go back to Sichuan? How are you back so soon? Red Fifth Master, how is everyone?”
Bai Manlou said: “Hall Master’s body has returned to the roots like falling leaves, buried in the ancestral land. I naturally hurried back to the Capital City without stopping… Everyone is fine. Speaking of which, do you know? A few days ago we killed…”
Seemingly noticing a sedan chair passing by, Bai Manlou immediately shut up.
The two stood in the roadside shadows, heads down, presence extremely low, letting the sedan chair pass.
“That was… Chen Shun’an?”
Xiao Qingchou vaguely heard the neighbors’ discussions and learned that Chen Shun’an had been promoted to Crouching Tiger Well Shopkeeper, his heart shaken.
“Three Refinements Body, Harmonized Sinews, Well Shopkeeper, Late Bloomer…”
Xiao Qingchou watched the sedan chair’s receding figure, eyes showing deep thought.
He never imagined that teaching martial arts to a deceased friend’s son would let him casually encounter such a person in the streets and alleys.
He always felt Chen Shun’an was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.
But more specifically, he couldn’t say.
……
The sun rose higher, Nanguan Street.
The street was bustling, customers streaming in, people coming from all directions for the morning market.
Crouching Tiger Well was located at the heart of Nanguan Street, enclosed by stone railings, sheltered by a well shed, with a coiled banyan tree planted there.
Passing carriages, horses, and pedestrians had to go around the edge, passing on both sides.
A sedan chair swayed over unsteadily.
“Lower the sedan!”
The sedan bearer’s voice was loud and full of energy, nodding and bowing as he lifted the sedan curtain.
Though it was a private sedan chair, not just any family could afford it; one trip cost half a month’s expenses for an ordinary family.
So along the way, many commoners and shop assistants curiously glanced over.
Not knowing what divine being had arrived.
The Crouching Tiger Well water carriers and water pumping shop assistants, totaling 21 people, who had received prior notice, welcomed the new shopkeeper, bowing and cupping fists in unison,
“Welcome, Shopkeeper Chen.”
The momentum was grand, shaking the clouds in the sky.
Seeing this, Chen Shun’an slowly got out, also cupping his fists in return,
“Brothers, I am Chen Shun’an, not exactly new here—I reckon many brothers still recognize this old face of mine. From now on, we’re all carrying water from the same well and eating together. No need for formalities—just do your errands well, and I’ll lead the brothers to make money!”
Hearing this, many water carriers exchanged glances, expressions varied.
Some breathed a sigh of relief, some didn’t care.
Some held the notion of ‘iron-clad water carriers, rotating shopkeepers, all the same no matter who comes.’
But at least on the surface, no one dared offend Chen Shun’an, all respectfully replying,
“Thank you, Shopkeeper Chen. Please!”
……
The water station, as one of the Four Overlords of the Capital, still retained a strong Martial World bandit vibe, not following the court officials’ new appointment speeches, seal ceremonies, or even city god sacrifices.
So after the water carriers welcomed Chen Shun’an and saw him take out the shopkeeper red seal and press his first mark in the account book, they all scooped water, pushed carts, and went off to deliver water.
“Senior Feng.”
Under the well shed, by the banyan tree.
Chen Shun’an cupped his fists toward Elder Feng in greeting.
Today, among the water carriers welcoming Chen Shun’an on the street, one person didn’t come.
It was this Elder Feng.
From start to finish, he sat on his stone bench, not moving an inch.
But Chen Shun’an showed no anger at all.
This Elder Feng was the True Intent Master under Zhao Guangxi who cultivated Immovable Zen Skill and hadn’t moved position for decades.
Moreover, he was an old Zhao family servant who watched Zhao Guangxi grow up.
Chen Shun’an had only heard of his reputation before; today was their first meeting, yet it shocked Chen Shun’an greatly.
In Chen Shun’an’s perception, Elder Feng seemed fused with the banyan tree and this heaven and earth, indistinguishable.
Though his qi was faint like floating sparks, in a daze, it could ignite into a prairie fire the next moment.
Intent like sea tides, guarding the feng shui of Crouching Tiger Well where he sat; any wind or grass moving within several li, or any anomaly at Crouching Tiger Well, couldn’t escape him.
Slay Five Thieves!
And he had even slain the Mind Thief!
Elder Feng was undoubtedly the highest realm person Chen Shun’an had openly encountered since practicing martial arts.
Elder Feng slowly opened his eyes, looking at Chen Shun’an, exuding an imperturbable mountain-like demeanor, and said faintly,
“The Landlord has mentioned you to me, little Chen. I don’t want to interfere in well affairs—do as you wish. With me here, you needn’t worry about anyone daring to damage Crouching Tiger Well or even making you stumble and fall into well again!”
At this point, Elder Feng’s voice carried a bit more killing intent.
Hearing this, Chen Shun’an’s heart immediately settled.
This big leg of Zhao Guangxi was hugged right!
Having such a real old monster backing him, and one who was extremely hands-off without meddling, was a blessing for later generations!
“Thank you, Elder Feng! Then you continue resting, I’ll go get busy.”
“Mm.”
Returning under the well shed.
As expected of a Freshwater Ancient Well—even this well shed was built far more grandly than Grit Well.
A sturdy elm wooden table with a fine porcelain teapot, ink brush, paper, and inkstone on top, paired with a bright red Grand Tutor’s Chair, serving as the shopkeeper’s accounting office.
There was even a special small room for the shopkeeper to rest briefly.
It was hardly just a well shed anymore, almost a private little room for the shopkeeper.
Of course, the water carriers had their rest and storage area too; there was a sunshade by the well shed, clean and spacious, stocked with chrysanthemum tea, Gao Sui Tobacco, jasmine, etc.
This treatment outclassed Grit Well by miles.
And since the wool comes from the sheep, this also reflected sideways that Crouching Tiger Well’s daily turnover and earning power far surpassed Grit Well!
Chen Shun’an sat at the elm wooden table, flipping through the accounts, familiarizing himself with Crouching Tiger Well’s expenditures, clients, and other information.
Not far away, on the well edge, two shop assistants were slowly pumping water.
One water carrier said impatiently: “Old Fei San, move faster—this vat isn’t from the Dragon Palace, why pump it all day!”
A slightly older shop assistant of medium build, with a big bald head, single horizontal thick eyebrows and beady eyes, was like a tough customer.
He didn’t get angry; even urged by several water carriers, he still slowly pumped and poured water, filling the vat only halfway.
Old Fei San said leisurely: “Don’t rush, don’t nag—the work never ends. You can’t eat enough cakes, can’t earn enough money, shopkeepers are… sigh, deliver these waters first, let me rest a bit.”
