Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 162 The Laborer
A cold front is sweeping across the land, and winter is gradually approaching.

At midday, at Wohu Well.

After delivering the last cartload of water to the residence of a Bai Shan man, Du Fuli hurriedly returned to the well and parked the heavy wooden waterwheel under the sunshade.

Most of the other colleagues went to eat at the meat stalls at this time, or at least they could eat a couple of bites of local delicacies and get some oily food.

But Du Fuli was different. He was sixty years old this year and had married two wives who had given him a total of seven children.

Three men and four women, the oldest being twenty-five or twenty-six years old, the better ones working as apprentices in the pharmacy; the youngest only five or six years old, crying for food, just at the age when they could eat a lot.

He needs to save money; the money he saves can help him marry another wife.

He took out a small coarse cloth bag from under the cart shaft, and when he unfolded it, there were two grayish-black cornbreads mixed with bran.

Then, from the wooden cabinet stored under the well shed, he took out a dark earthenware jar and picked out a small handful of pickled vegetables.

A familiar face, Shui San'er, was passing by carrying a bucket of water. Seeing his shabby appearance, she couldn't help but click her tongue and say...
"Old Du, why are you eating this bland, oil-less stuff again for lunch? You're a third-rate master, how come you're living such a miserable life? If you don't take care of your health, your qi and blood will probably decline in a couple of years!"

Du Fuli chuckled, his wrinkles deepening.

"I'll have a big meal when I get home tonight. My wife is treating me to lots of meat and fish every day to keep me healthy! I didn't have much of an appetite at noon, so I just ate a few words."

Those around him shook their heads helplessly upon hearing this, and did not expose his lie.

They used to eat lavish meals of meat and fish, but the couple was struggling to make ends meet, eating only coarse food and wild vegetables!

The group of Shui San'er gradually walked away.

Only three or four people remained under the sunshade.

Master Fei sat upright at the table, and a waiter from the restaurant brought over several dishes of braised pig's head, roasted mutton head, and cabbage on a wooden tray.

The aroma mixed with the smell of alcohol wafted over, and Du Fuli's Adam's apple bobbed.

He hesitated for a moment, then took out a small bottle of bulk liquor from the wooden cabinet.

This wine is cheap; two coins can buy half a bottle.

He needs to save money so that he can get his son a wife.

Then Du Fuli squatted down against the wall, his face expressionless, forcefully breaking open the hard cornbread, and chewing it mechanically and quickly, bite by bite, along with the salty and bitter vegetable bits.

Only the spicy, scalding warmth that exploded on his tongue and burned from his throat to his stomach gave his weathered, wrinkled face a touch of life.

The yellow, sticky fried dough sticks help increase appetite, and the muscles and bones are as strong as iron, allowing for free movement.

Du Fuli didn't think there was anything wrong with saving money this way; he had lived this way for most of his life.

Able to run and jump, strong and healthy, still a third-rate success.

He needs to save money to get married, and he also needs to save money to get married to his children.

After all, the world is vast, and no matter how the men above change, they still need to get married.

"That feels good... I'm tired, I need to rest."

Not far away, Fei Laosan threw down his chopsticks, muttered a few words, covered himself with his hat, and curled up in the corner of the wall to fall fast asleep.

Snoring like thunder.

Du Fuli glanced at Fei Laosan, not with much envy, but with a faint... mocking smile.

He may be honest and simple, but he's not stupid.

He only knew one thing.

If Manager Chen fails to complete the task assigned by Boss Zhao, there's no certainty what will happen to him. At worst, he can start all over again and become a lowly clerk.

After all, Manager Chen's abilities are undeniable.

If they are low-level slackers who do nothing but loaf around and cheat, they will definitely not have a good outcome.

How dare they hold Manager Chen back at this sensitive juncture?

Let alone Zhao Dongjia's wife's family who have no blood relation to him, even if Zhao Dongjia's own son came, if Manager Chen was pushed to the limit, he might even dare to draw a cleaver and chop him up.

and so……

Du Fuli secretly glanced at Fei Laosan with a gloating look.

Du Fuli has almost no entertainment activities, except for sleeping.

The only amusement is watching others host lavish banquets and then watching their buildings crumble.

In other words, it's gossiping and eating melons.

After quickly finishing his meal, he stood up, put the unfinished liquor back in the wooden cabinet, and then, seeing Old Feng under the banyan tree who looked like a statue, almost devoid of any vitality, he bowed respectfully once more.

He then inspected the water truck and personally scooped the last remaining water (fresh water) from the water tank into the truck, preparing to continue delivering water.

By making a few extra water deliveries during the midday break, one can earn more money.

But when he walked out onto the street, he was met by a huge crowd of people.

The one leading the group was Manager Chen.

Behind him followed a group of somewhat familiar-looking Shui San'er, such as San Dezi, Liu Daoba, and Sun Xiao.

There were also two young boys with youthful faces, looking around with curious eyes.

"This is……"

Du Fuli looked somewhat bewildered.

The remaining Shui San'er members gathered around, vaguely understanding what was going on.

"What's your name?"

Chen Shunan glanced at Du Fuli and said in a gentle tone.

Du Fuli was somewhat flattered and quickly released the wooden cart's tripod, saying in a slightly slurred manner,
"Reporting to the shopkeeper, it's me, Du Fuli..."

"Oh? I remember you're from Yining Prefecture, currently living in Sancha Hutong, and you've always done a good job."

Du Fuli was surprised that Chen Shunan actually remembered him, and couldn't help but feel a little excited, saying,
"Thank you, shopkeeper."

"What are you doing... " "I'm taking advantage of the cool weather to deliver water a few more times. Although we're short-handed, our customers still need water every day, so we can't let the well business suffer.

Du Fuli was speaking from the heart.

"Then you don't need to go."

Du Fuli was stunned for a moment, a chill running down his spine.

Was I being used as a scapegoat, to be the first to be killed by Manager Chen?
"Go get paper and pen, and write down a recruitment notice. Say that we're recruiting twenty people at Wohujing, no restrictions on background, as long as you're stronger than me. Salary is negotiable, including elixirs, powerful weapons, and even superior cultivation techniques! Oh, and write down their birth dates and times..."

At this point, Chen Shunan flicked his finger, and a Bone Strengthening and Golden Elixir fell into Du Fuli's hand.

Chen Shunan deliberately raised his voice slightly and said, "Take this Bone Strengthening and Golden Elixir and seize the opportunity. You still have a chance to become a second-rate expert."

Chen Shunan patted Du Fuli on the shoulder and said,

"Old Du, do a good job, Chen won't treat you unfairly."

As long as you work hard and follow Chen Shunan, you'll reap huge benefits!
Chen Shunan is spending a fortune to buy a horse's bones.

The method wasn't particularly sophisticated, but it was exceptionally effective.

"Strengthening Bones and Flying Golden Elixir? That's not cheap, it must cost over twenty taels of silver, right? Strengthening the Yang and Absorbing the Jade Tree has very few side effects, maybe Old Du can even break through to the second-rate level in one go!"

"Wow, Manager Chen is really generous!"

"What a loss! If I had known, I would have delivered water at noon too. Old Du stole the spotlight!"

Many of the other women were filled with envy and jealousy upon seeing this, wishing they could take the place of the other women.

Du Fuli, on the other hand, was as energetic as if he had been injected with chicken blood.

Under the intense gazes of the crowd, he straightened his slightly hunched back, loudly replied "Yes," and turned to run off to the paper and pen shop, bustling about happily.

San Dezi touched the edge of the Crouching Tiger Well, bent down and scooped half a ladle of water from the water vat, then tilted his head back and drank it down.

The water tasted sweet and smooth, and its coolness traveled from my mouth all the way to my stomach. I couldn't help but exclaim in amazement,
"Thanks to Old Chen, I, San Dezi, will be able to deliver water to Wohu Well again someday."

Sending muddy water and sending fresh water differ by only one word.

But in terms of treatment, benefits, and social status, they are not comparable at all.

The muddy water can only be used for washing; if you save a little, you can still make a living.

But Danshui was truly his lifeline. Anyone who saw Shui San'er delivering Danshui had to be extremely respectful and call him "Master".

"Get to work! Old Chen didn't invite you here to just wander around aimlessly!"

Sun Xiao laughed and cursed, first going to the banyan tree to pay his respects to Elder Feng, and then carefully locking his personal belongings behind the wooden cabinet.

He then took a few brothers to scout out the territory of Wohujing, a place frequented by wealthy patrons, hoping to become familiar with them.

At this moment, Liu the Scarface squeezed next to Chen Shunan, cupped his hands in greeting, and said...

"Manager Chen, I'm second-rate now too."

The current Liu Daoba has shed his former decadence. His facial features are now clearly defined, and he exudes vitality. A sharp aura emanates from his every glance.

It's those eyes of his that are a little crooked, always darting around, and he always seems to be subconsciously looking at people's lower bodies.

"Oh?"

Chen Shunan's eyes lit up.

Three months ago, Liu Daoba consumed the Turtle and Deer Immortal Pills. Although he forcibly cultivated to the peak of the third rank, he was left with the inability to have sex.

During this period, he was completely humiliated and couldn't even hold his head up in front of his wife.

Now I've finally achieved my goal and avenged myself!

"Want to try your hand at all kinds of boxing?"

Liu Daoba didn't refuse. Without moving his feet, he trembled and his cotton-padded coat billowed up. The big dragon made a crisp sound, and his whole body took on a strange arc, with his upper body directly lying on the ground.

Every move is deadly, targeting the lower body.

The dust swirled up when it was swept.

"The 'Toad-Fishing Technique'? What a treacherous skill."

"Scarface Liu is a ruthless man. He actually switched to martial arts and managed to break through to the second-rate level."

"You've already curried favor with Manager Chen, and maybe he's been secretly helping you. You're just envious..."

Amid the murmurs, Chen Shunan nodded slightly.

With a wave of his hand, he doubled Liu Daoba's monthly salary and promoted him to a key position.

In particular, Chen Shunan observed that Liu Daoba's aura was not restless, indicating that he had clearly broken through to a higher realm several days ago.

However, he kept it hidden and did not reveal it until this moment.

He is also a shrewd person.

They probably received some advance warning or guessed that Chen Shunan would be promoted to manager someday.

He deliberately concealed his abilities to avoid being valued by Manager Li, or even being promoted.

It's inconvenient for me to switch jobs and work for Chen Shunan.

This also saved face for both Manager Li and Chen Shunan.

After all, Chen Shunan's borrowing of Sun Xiao, a second-rate expert, had already caused Manager Li quite a bit of trouble.

One more, it's like tearing flesh from your heart.

Soon, everyone in the Wohujing area learned that Manager Chen had dug up a corner of the gravel well and borrowed a large number of people.

The number of people pushing carts to deliver water quickly increased to more than thirty.

Moreover, they are recruiting new members and expanding their workforce.

The third-rate perfection is just the threshold; I reckon the required strength is already approaching the second-rate level!

(End of this chapter)