Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The four men agreed on the matter and lay on their beds, each with their own thoughts.

They had no appetite for dinner and returned to the dormitory early; the other workers in the dormitory had not yet returned.

After lying down for about an hour, Zhou Maoxue suddenly felt that something was wrong.

He patted the bed frame, startling the person in the upper bunk.

The person in the upper bunk leaned down: "What's wrong?"

"Why are there only a few of us in the room today? Where did everyone else go?"

The person in the upper bunk was a little confused: "That's right, where did everyone go?"

"I'm asking you!"

"I don't know."

Zhou Maoxue propped himself up, his mind full of doubts.

Usually at this time, many people would bring food to listen to their lectures.

But today, not a single person was to be seen.

Could it be that there was an activity, and they weren't notified?

"Hey, why bother worrying about that? We're leaving tomorrow. We'll just say goodbye when they get back. Just rest," the person in the upper bunk muttered.

Zhou Maoxue thought about it and felt it made sense, so he turned over and lay back down.

After who knows how long, the sky had darkened.

No one lit the lamp in the room; it was still pitch black.

In the darkness, Zhou Maoxue opened his eyes: "Are you guys asleep? Why haven't they come back yet? Did something happen? Should we go out and take a look?"

"Okay, let's go see," the other three said in unison.

The other three were also becoming increasingly anxious; the situation today was indeed a bit strange.

It was as if the four of them had been isolated.

They immediately agreed, and Zhou Maoxue lit the oil lamp, holding it as he led the other three towards the door.

But at this moment!

A burst of noise erupted, and the door was suddenly pushed open.

Zhou Maoxue and the others were so startled that they trembled, and the oil lamp fell to the ground.

However, there was still a ball of firelight shining in front of them...

Zhou Maoxue's face was bloodless as he looked at the eerie face illuminated from below by the firelight, and he exclaimed: "Su Tian, Old Tian?"

The ravines on Su Tian's face were made even deeper by the light, and he grinned grimly when he heard Zhou Maoxue's call: "Little Zhou, you've even put on new clothes?"

There were countless people behind him, rows of large teeth faintly floating...

Zhou Maoxue and the others retreated several steps, reaching out and pointing at Su Tian with trembling fingers: "You... what do you want?"

The black factory! Is the black factory not letting me leave?

Su Tian straightened his back when he saw this and glanced around: "Hey, why is this room so dark? Someone go light the lamp."

After he finished speaking, someone immediately went to find the oil lamp, and several oil lamps were lit, making the room much brighter.

Only then did Zhou Maoxue see clearly Old Tian and the dozen or so people behind him.

There were roommates and many others from other dormitories, all of whom were the group that often came to visit.

Old Tian was holding a cake with two candles stuck on it.

Zhou Maoxue asked in lingering fear: "Old Tian, what do you want?"

Old Tian was also stunned: "What do we want? Isn't it your birthday today? We're celebrating your birthday; it's a factory benefit."

"My birthday?... Right, it's my birthday," Zhou Maoxue was momentarily dazed before remembering that he had left a fake birthdate when he entered the factory, which seemed to be today.

Su Tian placed the cake on the table and scratched his head: "You've already put on your new clothes, haven't you? Come on, we have some good stuff today; it's all the brothers' good intentions."

Zhou Maoxue swallowed and felt much more at ease. He looked at the strange thing on the table and asked: "What is this?"

Su Tian smiled triumphantly: "You've never seen it before, have you? This is a custom-made item called cake! Do you know, I heard that it's made from a secret recipe passed down from the Jianye Marquis's mansion. It uses all good things, milk, sugar, fine flour, and whatnot. I heard it's extremely soft."

"Look, there are even words written on it for you by everyone."

Zhou Maoxue leaned over to take a look, and his expression immediately froze.

The eight large characters on it read: [May your happiness be as boundless as the Eastern Sea, and your life as long as the Southern Mountain.]

Such a blessing was clearly a bit early for him, but the crooked handwriting really moved him.

It was obvious that these illiterate people had written it themselves; someone who could write wouldn't write such ugly characters.

"Thank you, everyone. I accept this kindness," Zhou Maoxue stood up and gave a respectful bow.

He raised his head and asked: "This cake uses precious ingredients. Who paid for it, and how much did it cost?"

Su Tian waved his hand indifferently: "Hey, not many people, it's just a small matter. Eat it first."

"No, I have to know everyone's good intentions. How much money was it?" Zhou Maoxue said again.

What was his standard of living? How could he let these workers spend money to treat him to a meal?

Su Tian smiled awkwardly: "You see, you really are... Our factory gives two qian of silver to everyone on their birthday. The workers pooled their money to buy you this two liang cake. It's not easy for you to teach everyone to read, so everyone thought about pooling their money to get you something a little better. Money isn't important... Blow out the candles; I heard the birthday person has to blow out the candles."

"How much money?!" Zhou Maoxue suddenly raised his voice, "Is your money blown in by the wind?!"

Two liang of silver? That was a worker's salary for a month! Even if many people pooled together, it was still too much money!

"Hey, just eat it quickly! I heard it melts!" Su Tian impatiently pulled him to the chair, "Hurry up and blow!"

Zhou Maoxue sighed and blew hard, extinguishing the two pitiful candles.

Immediately, a worker pulled out the candles and carefully put them away under the bed.

Su Tian smiled and took out a pair of chopsticks, stuffing them into Zhou Maoxue's hand: "Eat it, you're a teacher for everyone, this is everyone's kindness!"

Looking at the expectant gazes around him, Zhou Maoxue silently took the chopsticks, picked up a small piece, and put it into his mouth.

A sweet and smooth sensation slowly spread in his mouth...

"Good!" A burst of applause suddenly rang out in the room.

"Is it delicious?" Su Tian swallowed, and many workers behind him leaned over at the same time, with expectant looks on their faces.

Just the appearance of this thing was enough to tell that it was extremely delicious.

It was a pity that they didn't even dare to think about it usually, but now they could watch a live review...

Zhou Maoxue looked at Su Tian and then at the dull-headed workers.

His nose tingled, and his eyes turned red.

"Good... It's delicious, you all eat, eat all of it," he quickly pushed the cake over.

Without allowing any argument, he used his chopsticks to cut the cake into many small pieces.

Seeing that no one dared to move, the three scholars were also polite and took a small piece each to taste first.

Seeing that someone had moved first, Su Tian and the others no longer hesitated and began to step forward to take the cake.

Before long, a series of admiring sounds rang out.

"Hey, it's so sweet and fragrant! No wonder it can sell for so much!"

.......