70. New worker

Yanlin nodded when he heard Xin's words. ''She said two servants would come, she never said the family will come. What rooms did they get?''

''Servant rooms in the outer corner. Near those two from before and there mother. What is going on here? Why do I have feeling people are leeching on our miss.'' Xin hit the nearby wood post in anger.

Yanlin sighed and patted this shoulder to pacify him. ''Luli and Lumei will start working from next week on. Their mother is as it seems extremely sick and probably will die. Miss is just giving them time to spend more time with her. About this newcomer Lou... It seems he is skilled with wood crafting. Miss would never call him if she didn't have ideas about him. Trust me. She will not let them become bored.''

Xin nodded. ''She said him and children have to make as many toys as possible in the wintertime. She plans to sell those. But who has time for toys...''

Yanlin poked his head. ''Exactly. Whose children have time for toys?''

Xin froze and looked at him. ''No way she will sell these to nobles.''

Yanlin nodded. ''Of course, she will. And she probably will use the best materials for that. Like that she can set a high price on the toys and can sell them to children that have money.''

''But how will she do that?'' Xin sighed. The town had only a few nobles. How much money can she earn from a few toys?

''Miss knows how to deal with it. Let us just watch and see. I am sure she has and idea.'' Yanlin turned around and took the horse out to let him grass outside. It was still warm enough. The horses can still have some fresh grass until winter. Even tho their barn was overfilled with enough food for the animals, he still didn't want to give them any as long they could eat fresh ones.

Xin saw him softly patting horse as he let him go onto the enclosed meadow. ''You let them out until the winter?''

He could see Yanling eyes following the horses and answering. ''The winter is long and they will be in enclosed space for a long time. I will try doing wintertime to let them out and let them run around to get more walk. I started adding stronger food as well so they can get some fat and meat for long wintertime. Luckily we have enough food for animals. I extra bought oats and barley to fatten them up. Ther are as well beets and other vegetables that we can add over the wintertime...''

While Xin added some of his ideas and they started talking about horse food Lou went to the main room and asked to see Shu Ya.

''Miss, shall we make a contract?'' He stood there and clumsily bowed.

Shu Ya nodded. "There are three options. The first option is like we spoke before. I invest in your idea and you pay me back after a while."

He nodded but waited for the next options. "Next option is to give you a job. I could open up a store and workplace. You would get a monthly payment and you wouldn't have to worry about paying bills and taxes."

He became solemn as he heard that. Hualing smirked on the side and shook her head but didn't comment.

Luo quietly sighed and continued to wait.

Shu Ya suddenly had a cold expression. "Third option is to sign a death contract. You and your family members will be bound to me until your deaths."

Louli calmly poured the tea. There was complete silence in the room so the tickling of the tea seemed very loud. Shu Ya was done with her offers so she just quietly sipped on the tea.

Seeing that there was no option he would have preferred Lou pressed his lips and sighed loudly. Shu Ya didn't even look at him so his heart thumped. This is indeed child, but not a simple child like his own.

What if he says no to all the things she offered. He would need to find a job... bit isn't that what she offered? "Miss, I am not willing to write a death contract, but I need to know the details about the first and second choice."

Shu Ya nodded. "In the first case, I will open store for you or you open it yourself. You will write an IOU note. In case you can't give the money back, the contract will instantly turn into death contracts for you AND your family. But you are a good carpenter and know many things. I don't think there will be a problem with that."

His heart thumped as he heard her words. Doesn't that mean that he and his family would turn to eternal servants to her until they die?

Shu Ya could see his conflicted expression. "The other offer is I pay you well every month and you will work on things I tell you. Your two sons will help you half-day and will get paid half of the amount and the two little ones when they grow up can join, must not."

Lou stood there and furrowed eyebrows. Either the way his children must work. "Can't I work more and children should just..."

Shu Ya shrugged. "If you and bigger boys work I would offer you to stay at the back house and eat with us. If it's just you and children run around... can you even let them hide the whole day inside and wait until you come home to cook something for them?"

She was not a babysitter. She wanted peace and quiet. "I can buy a house for you nearby and deduct a small amount from your money until you pay it back. It can be your own and children don't have to worry."

He pressed his lips and nodded. "That is acceptable."

Shu Ya pointed at slowly creeping darkness outside. "Tonight is too late. Mingli will go to city administration and look for a house near me. Tonight you and your family are my guests. Eat dinner with everyone in the dining hall. I already told cooks to prepare more for you and kids. Tomorrow morning you will go and look for a house. You can set yourself for a day and then you will start working."

To be unwilling she understood. But she still gave him enough options. She stood up from her chair and went to the writing table. She made two different contracts. One was a working contract. He would work five days two days rest and so on. But he is forbidden to work for anyone else in his free time. If he does that she will fire him and ask for compensation and loan back.

The other contract is a loan. She would borrow him money and supplies for him and children and he has to pay it back on a monthly base.

After reading everything loudly he knew she wasn't lying. He signed them and planted fingerprint. Shu Ya gave him one copy and the other she put inside one of the books to keep safe.

Lou bowed deeply towards Shu Ya and was about to leave when he heard her voice. " You and children must have a long trip. Take baths before entering clean sheets. I hate most dirty people sleeping in clean sheets. Soon is dinner so get your children and eat well."

Lou nodded and bowed again. "Thank you, miss."

She just waved her hand for him to leave and sighed. ''He is not dumb at least I have to admit that much. He is quite overprotective towards his children and we have to give him a present for that... Let me think... ''