Life in a Simulation - Chapter 25

With two broken ribs and arms swollen thicker than radishes, Zhou Ming lay in the sickbed for over two months. Fortunately, the heavy price was not without reward. Little Donny, who visited him almost every day, had come to regard him as his best friend. Or perhaps more like a brother, a brother who had saved his life.

“Fortunately, that black bear was just a cub that hadn’t fully grown yet. If it had been an adult black bear, I’m afraid the grass on my grave would have already… No, no, I wouldn’t have even dared to rush forward…” Zhou Ming heaved a sigh of relief. As the saying goes, opportunity favors the prepared mind. When he saw the black bear charging out, he, being the closest to young Donny, made a decision in an instant. After discarding his spear, he swiftly rescued young Donny from under the bear’s claws. That opportunity of just 0.1 seconds was finally seized by him.

Yes!

Zhou Ming had been waiting for such an opportunity all along. He had been waiting, and now it had finally come.

“Layne, do you have any wishes you want to fulfill? Although I may not be able to help much, I will definitely assist you in anything within my power!” Young Donny said, sitting by the bedside. For someone of his noble status, who usually didn’t place much value on commoners like farmers—considering their worth similar to that of an ox or a horse—if a commoner saved his life, it was only reasonable and proper to bestow some reward, within his capability, in return for his precious life.

Zhou Ming, lying in bed, was overjoyed inside. He had been lying in bed recuperating for over two months, waiting for this very moment!

But he kept his face calm and said, “Young Master Donny, I didn’t save you for any reward. You are the son of the esteemed Lady Madeline. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing when her son was in danger. What I did was to repay Lady Madeline for all the care she has shown me and Alice over the years.”

“Layne, no matter how much you want to repay my mom, you don’t have to risk your life for it, do you? Besides, my mom didn’t really help you that much. When you were competing to be my brother Edward’s squire, you still didn’t get selected in the end. It would have been great if she could have helped you then. That fat Baum by Edward’s side eats more than I do and often sneaks into the kitchen to steal my cakes. You even stopped bringing me cakes…” Young Donny fell into a reverie. Although he was still young at that time, many of his cherished childhood memories were indeed brought to him by Layne, such as the birthday cakes Layne gave him, the chess and card games Layne invented, which brought a lot of joy to his otherwise dull childhood.

But after his brother Edward came back, Layne never went to the castle to play with him again.

“Donny, that incident really had nothing to do with Lady Madeline! She has helped me a lot, and I have always been very grateful for everything she has done for me… And you, I am also very thankful to have you as such a good friend. Only you have regarded me as your partner,” Zhou Ming said sincerely, with a hint of moisture glistening in the corners of his eyes.

“Layne!”

Deeply moved, young Donny hugged Zhou Ming tightly and couldn’t help but sob.

Zhou Ming gently patted his back to comfort him.

“Huh, I’ve got it!”

After hugging for a while, young Donny suddenly pushed Zhou Ming away and said excitedly, “I’ve figured out how to help you!”

“…, what have you thought of?” Zhou Ming asked in confusion, but his heart was already racing.

“I thought of it!” Donny said, his face beaming with excitement. “Mom and Dad want me to go to the Royal Academy in the capital to become a scholar, preferably a grand scholar in the palace! Since I’m going to be a scholar, of course I need a few servants around me. Layne, how about you become my servant? Follow me around, and I’ll take care of you!”

Donny, using his somewhat clever mind, came up with a brilliant idea!

“This could work, but will the baron agree? I’m just a farmer, after all,” Zhou Ming said with a hint of hesitation on his face, while his heart was echoing two words: success!

Indeed, a squire or servant, though seemingly a lowly occupation, was far superior to an ordinary farmer in this world.

Because a noble’s servant did not have to toil in the fields all day, nor did they have to perform weekly labor or charity work!

Many of the onerous taxes and levies in the territory would not be imposed on these servants.

Every month, these servants could receive a small salary, and if they pleased their master, they would also receive extra rewards during festivals and holidays…

With such a good job right in front of him, did Zhou Ming, a farmer, really need to think twice?

Young Donny, hands on hips and head held high, said, “What’s the problem? It’s just a servant. Edward already has two maids, and I don’t have even one. That’s not fair! When I go back, I’ll definitely tell Mom and Dad to make you my servant!”

“Thank you so much, Young Master Donny. I will do my utmost to serve you well,” Zhou Ming bowed repeatedly, his gratitude overflowing. He thought to himself: It’s not easy, truly not easy. Finally, I’ve achieved the first small goal in my plan.

“Brother, what are you guys talking about? It’s time to eat. I made some of your favorite beef and pea soup, and some yogurt with a bit of honey,” Alice said, carrying a tray in her hands, bringing a pleasant aroma into the cramped and shabby bedroom.

Smelling the fragrance, young Donny sniffed hard and his eyes lit up even more upon seeing the person. He stepped forward and said with a smile, “Hi! Alice, you look really pretty today. Your braid is so nicely done. Did you do it yourself? Oh, this is the lunch you made. It smells so good. I want to taste it. I want to try anything you make with your own hands…”

As he spoke, Donny became more and more flirtatious, his gaze fixed on Alice’s rather developed chest, and he couldn’t help but lick his lips.

“Ahem! Ahem!” Two coughs came from behind, and Zhou Ming pulled his attention back, saying, “Alice, put the lunch on the table. Young Master Donny, you should try some too. Taste my sister’s cooking.”

“Brother, Young Master Donny, I’ll leave you two now.”

After placing the tray on the table, Alice curtsied deeply, lowered her head, and hurriedly left the room as if escaping.

“Delicious! Layne, your sister’s cooking is really good… Hey, how about this, you and your sister both come to the castle to serve me. I’m still short of a maid…” Donny, while eating the beef and pea soup, came up with an idea that excited him.

“Ahem! Young Master Donny, I need to ask Alice’s opinion on this. She’s still young, only 13 years old, and not very experienced in serving people…” Zhou Ming tried to evade the topic.

“Not that young. I think she’s almost as old as Annie by Edward’s side. Your sister is no younger than her…” Unconsciously, Donny’s mind wandered to the size of a certain part again.

“Ahem! Let’s talk about this later. Let’s eat first. Finish the meal, and in the afternoon, we have other things to do…”

Zhou Ming forcefully ended the conversation.

Life in a Simulation - Chapter 25

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Hate that cliffhanger, don’t you?

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