Published: March 11, 2025
CHAPTER THIRTY: Out of Money Again
In the evening, Zhao Hai specifically invited Judy Budah to dine with them. Zhao Hai wanted to use this opportunity to make Judy a role model for the other slaves, inspiring them to revitalize themselves and find ways to change their current living conditions. Only then would these slaves become more creative.
Judy was very nervous. Although she now held the status of a commoner, she knew that commoners weren't qualified to dine with nobles. However, Zhao Hai had called her to the dining hall in the Main Fortress, which made her even more anxious.
When Grandma Merlin brought out the dinner, Judy was stunned. As a former commoner, she had never seen what noble food looked like, but she had heard that a noble's meal included many courses, with strict rules about what to eat first. The first course was particularly important, and they used utensils made of gold and silver. So when Zhao Hai invited her, she thought she might witness that kind of grandeur.
However, when she saw the dinner that Grandma Merlin brought out, she genuinely couldn't believe it was the meal of Zhao Hai and the others. It consisted of ordinary bread, soup, vegetables, and meat, and only Zhao Hai had meat; the others did not. This dinner was hardly any better than what the slaves outside ate.
Zhao Hai noticed Judy's expression. Since she entered the dining hall, she had been standing there nervously, afraid to sit down. Seeing her like this, Zhao Hai couldn't help but smile slightly and said, "Judy, come and sit down. I have already given you a surname, which means, according to the rules, you are now part of the Budah family. Don't be so nervous, sit down."
As he spoke, Zhao Hai made a gesture to Meg, who immediately understood. She walked over to Judy and smiled, saying, "Sister Judy, sit down. The young master is very easy-going. We eat at the same table as him every day. The rules of other nobles don't apply here, so you don’t have to worry."
Judy knew Meg's background and was aware that Meg and the others were formerly servants of the Budah family. In other places, someone like Meg would hold a much higher status—at least much higher than that of commoners like them.
However, her recent interactions with Meg had shown Judy that Meg was a good person. Although she supervised their work, there was no abuse or harshness; she simply instructed them on what to do. Moreover, since Meg was a girl, Judy's tense emotions gradually eased.
After a while, Grandma Merlin brought out the dinner. Looking at the still-nervous Judy, she smiled kindly and said, "My dear, you don't need to be nervous. From now on, you are part of the Budah family. Don't worry; the young master is very kind. By the way, you said you were a commoner before? How did you end up as a slave?"
Perhaps it was Grandma Merlin's benevolent demeanor that eased Judy's last bit of tension, and she finally quietly recounted how she became a slave.
Zhao Hai and the others listened quietly, not interrupting, until Judy finished speaking. Zhao Hai sighed and said, "With such nobles in existence, the world surprisingly isn't in chaos. It's truly a miracle. Well then, Grandma Merlin, let's eat. Judy, from now on, you will be a servant of the Budah family, with a commoner identity that comes with a salary every month. Tomorrow, go with Meg and learn from her."
Although Zhao Hai was excited about Judy's skill in weaving, he also knew that her current skill wouldn't significantly help them. The generous rewards he was giving Judy today were less about her skill and more about her courage. Regardless of why Judy stood up, her willingness to do so was worth rewarding. Besides, with Judy as an example, he believed the other slaves would work harder.
During dinner, Judy kept stealing glances at Zhao Hai and the others, but she noticed that they seemed completely natural, eating without the distress she had imagined.
After dinner, they moved to the living room. Once seated, Zhao Hai said to Judy, "Judy, I will have Wood and Stone bring you a bed and some bedding soon. Take good care of your brother today, and tomorrow morning, go with Meg. Do whatever Meg tells you. If there’s nothing else to do, just weave some more grass mats and send them to the Outer Fortress. The weather is still a bit cold, so let them hang the grass mats on the windows to block the cold wind."