Earning coins

Gundong store.

A 14 year old boy is standing in front of the door. He is wearing a grey Tang suit and white pants. His eyes look mild and brown with sharp eyebrows. He has short brown hair. Fu feng hesitates before entering because he is nervous.

The store owner notices him and greets him. "Welcome young man. May I help you find something?" He walks towards Fu Feng.

"Hi I'm in need of a cultivation technique," said Fu feng." I just started high school and I don't have one. May I know how much are they?"

The store owner looked pensive. He's from a poor family he thought.

"I have many cultivation techniques of Huang and Hong color. Hong level are 2000 copper coins and Huang level are 4000. I don't have any Zi or Jin level techniques."

Fu feng frowned. His Dads salary is 2300 copper coins and he couldn't afford it with their expenses. Even the first level one was too expensive. The second level was even more expensive for him.

"Mister, can you give me a discount on the Hong level? My family is poor and we can't afford it, but I really need it for school. We moved here form Zhao four months ago and I just started school."

The owner looked at him with pity and said "1800 coppers is the best I can do".

"Thank you Mr. I appreciate it very much."

"Alright, I'll help you find a good one. Follow me," said the store owner.

He started going through the Hong level pile. "Nine rotations, blood circulation, nature wreath. Hmm body purification technique, that one should be good."

"Here what do you think of this one?" He handed him the scroll.

"I like it. Thank you! May I keep looking through them? I wanna browse around."

"Sure thing," the owner walked back to the back of the store and sat down on his chair.

Fu feng started going through the scrolls and saw many good techniques. Then he went around the store looking at the other things it had. There was jade ornaments and jewelry, talisman, medallions. In one inconspicuous corner of the store there was a wood and leather throne with strange marks. Fu Feng admired it for a minute and then looked at the price: 8700 copper coins. It was very beautiful. It looked brown and black with brown leather. "For this price it must be special," thought Fu feng. He continued looking around and through the Huang level scrolls as well. He saw some books too.

A couple entered the store. The owner greeted them and they started browsing around. After a while the couple went to the counter and spoke but it was the Zhao dialect and the owner couldn't understand them. Fu feng looked at their clothes and realized they were speaking the Zhao dialect and couldn't communicate so he decided to go and help. Soon he started translating for them and the store owner knew they wanted to buy the throne

Fu Feng helped them go through the process and interpreted everything the owner said and vice versa. The owner looked very happy. He called some people and they started moving the throne. The couple brought a carriage and the people loaded it in the back. They left after paying and saying thank you to Fu Feng and were very happy.

The owner looked at Fu feng smiling

"Do you want a job as an interpreter"

"I do, that would be great."

"When can you start?"

"Today!" answered Fu Feng. The owner laughed at such quick response.

"Ok, let me get you what you need."

They went to the counter and the owner handed him a contract with the details.

"You will be paid 100 coppers a day.

Your job consists of organizing the store and stacking, cleaning, assisting the customers etc. And you will be a translator."

Fu feng finished the contract and it was officially time to start working. His first job was to clean the store. Then he organized the scrolls alphabetically. He translated for a couple of customers that day. Suddenly it was already time to close. The sun was setting.

The owner grabbed 100 copper coins form his chest and went to Fu Feng and he handed them to him. Fu feng was very excited and he put them in his coin pouch and into his pocket. He helped the owner close the store and said goodbye. after two hours it was already dark and he arrived at his house.

He went to the living room and saw his mom and dad and sat down.

"Fu Feng why are you back so late? You told me you'll be back in the afternoon."

"Mom I'm sorry the thing is I was working I found a job."

"What? Where?

"At the Gungdong store in the market."

"You lied to me, weren't you at the game center?"

"I'm sorry I lied mom," Fu Feng lowered his head.

Mei looked at Jian and laughed.

"Our boy is all grown up hes acting like a man.

Little Feng you don't need to work I'll save some money to get you what you need. What about school? you are too young. You need to graduate highschool."

"Dad the Principal said that in five days I can go back and he will try to find something for me. You don't need to worry. I'm only working for five days. I'll go back when is time."

"Well, if it's like that then keep working hard son. I'll get you the money you need no matter what."

The days passed and Fu feng spent his days working. He wrapped, packaged, and handled the sales, cleaned, organized and translated when needed.

Soon It was the last day and fu Feng had 500 copper coins. He said thank you to the store owner and bowed. They had gotten to know each other better this few days. The store owners name is Mr Meng Huo.

They talked about him needing to go to school and it was his last day. Mr Meng told him he could come work for him in the future.

He got home and his Dad was waiting for him.

"Little Feng, I have 20 silver coins. Is that enough?" he handed him twenty Silver coins. 100 copper coin was one silver coin, 100 silver coin was 1 gold chu or gold block.

Jian chen smiled. Fu feng smiled and felt very happy.

"Dad I only need 1300 coppers. I have 500 and they are worth 2000 but the owner gave me a 200 discount."

"Nonsense! That is your money, you should keep it."

Truth is, his dad had to borrow 400 coppers from a coworker to complete the money, but he wouldn't tell his son that, neither would he let him pay with his hard earned coins.

Fu feng hugged his dad and thanked him.

"I'm coming with you," said his Dad. He wanted to protect his son from thiefs and make sure he didn't get scammed.

The next day in the morning Fu feng and Jian chen left to the store.