Bai Yu let out a sigh of relief, squeezed through the crowd, and cupped his hands in all directions.

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "pawread.com".

He then bowed to Steward Wu and Daoist Lin Jiu.

Daoist Lin Jiu nodded subtly.

Everyone else was busy trying to curry favor with Steward Wu, essentially ignoring him.

Bai Yu's politeness was immediately appreciated.

Daoist Lin Jiu took the initiative to ask: "Young friend, do you have any special skills?"

Bai Yu confidently replied: "I'm skilled at playing the suona. A piece of 'The Grand Funeral' for the audience here."

He took a deep breath and began to play the suona.

As the suona sounded, it was as if parents had raised their children in vain.

A tune that breaks the heart, where can one find a soulmate in the vast world?

The melodious sound of the suona suppressed the noisy crowd.

The mournful melody stirred the sorrow in everyone's hearts.

Some had tears in their eyes, perhaps thinking of their deceased parents or their beloved who married someone else.

When the piece ended, the crowd fell into a silent stillness, speechless for a long time.

Daoist Lin Jiu nodded repeatedly, sighing:"Sad yet not hurtful, a longing for the distant past, the suona even has a slight soul-calming effect. This young man was born for this line of work."

He asked again:"Young brother, I see your qi and blood are abundant, have you practiced martial arts?"

Bai Yu nodded and said:"Daoist, your eyes are sharp, I have indeed practiced some farming techniques."

Daoist Lin Jiu nodded repeatedly:"Practiced martial arts, abundant qi and blood, very confident, and full of courage.

The most remarkable thing is, this suona performance is almost perfect, comparable to the masters of funeral processions."

Steward Wu, listening on the side, had an idea.

It was clear that Daoist Lin Jiu greatly appreciated this suona player.

This young man was indeed outstanding, arguably the best candidate for an attendant at the Charity Mortuary.

Even if all these hundreds of people were selected again, it would likely still be this suona player who gets chosen.

Since that's the case, why not do Daoist Lin Jiu a favor?

It would also save him from standing outside in the wind and sun, and he could go to the Spring Breeze Pavilion for some relaxation.

He spoke up:"Since Daoist Lin Jiu is so fond of him, there's no need to choose again, let's go with this suona player."

Bai Yu was overjoyed upon hearing this, and he cupped his hands in salute to Steward Wu and Daoist Lin Jiu.

The rest of the crowd was extremely disappointed, and hundreds of people began to clamor.

Some, knowing they were no match for Bai Yu, left dejectedly.

Others shouted about unfairness, not daring to question the four who got in through connections, only daring to envy Bai Yu who got in on his own merit.

And those who originally planned to get in through connections held a grudge against Bai Yu, thinking he took their spot.

Seeing that a commotion was about to break out, Steward Wu slammed the table and coldly shouted:"What are you arguing about? If you keep it up, you'll have nowhere to bury your dead."

This statement immediately silenced everyone.

Only then did the crowd reluctantly disperse.

Steward Wu leisurely got up, stretched lazily:"Daoist Lin, I'll leave this young man to the Charity Mortuary. Today has worn me out, I need to go to the Spring Breeze Pavilion to relax."

With that, Steward Wu left with a few attendants.

Daoist Lin then instructed an attendant named Zhu Tong to help Bai Yu settle in.

This Zhu Tong, nicknamed Bai Lingtong, was very tactful.

After a few words, he was already calling Bai Yu brother, which eased Bai Yu's sense of unfamiliarity.

"Brother Bai, take your identity badge and this set of attendant clothes, from now on you're one of us at the Charity Mortuary."

Bai Yu accepted the clothes and identity badge, saying: "Thank you, Brother Tong, for your guidance. However, I have something I don't quite understand, may I ask you?"

Zhu Tong said:"Brother Bai, feel free to ask if there's anything you don't understand."

Bai Yu asked: "Weren't five people recruited this time? Where are the others besides me?"

Zhu Tong laughed: "You don't get it, they just take the money without doing the work, just having their names on the list at the Charity Mortuary."

He whispered to Bai Yu: "Brother Bai, let me tell you, our Charity Mortuary has over fifty positions, guess how many people are actually here?"

Bai Yu hesitated: "The Charity Mortuary is so big, with at least a hundred rooms, there must be at least thirty or forty people."

Zhu Tong shook his head: "You're still too young, the Charity Mortuary should have fifty-six people, but there are actually only six, and one of them just takes the money.

The rest don't have to work, there's a saying 'managers don't manage, workers don't work.' The ones truly busy are us attendants."

Bai Yu was greatly shocked.

This was too outrageous, it was like only a fraction of the people were actually there.

At this moment, Zhu Tong led Bai Yu to a hall, saying: "This is where Wu De, the steward, works, he handles the monthly salary and such. Go find him to get a set of bedding and claim a room."

He then pulled Bai Yu aside, whispering a reminder: "Wu De is Steward Wu's nephew, nicknamed Immoral Wu, be careful."

Bai Yu entered the hall and indeed saw a pockmarked man, also quite fat, like a smaller version of Steward Wu.

At this moment, he was lying on a rocking chair with his eyes half-closed.

On the table beside him, a pot of tea was brewing, its fragrance strong.

Bai Yu vaguely remembered that this pockmarked Immoral Wu was one of those bustling around Steward Wu earlier.

Bai Yu stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying: "Steward Wu, I am Bai Yu, a new attendant, here to check in and get a set of bedding."

Wu De slowly opened his eyes and glanced at Bai Yu.

He first picked up a small teapot and took a sip, then said indifferently: "Unfortunately, there's no bedding left here, you'll have to buy some outside for now.

When funds are allocated from above, I'll issue them to you."

Zhu Tong chimed in:"Steward Wu, could you at least approve a room for Brother Bai to settle in?"

Wu De's small eyes glared:"Rooms belong to the public, how can they be casually given to others? Occupying public property, if the higher-ups blame us, can you bear the responsibility?"

Bai Yu understood.

The recruitment ad mentioned accommodation, but Immoral Wu was changing the terms last minute, clearly trying to squeeze some benefits.

It's easier to deal with the devil than with his minions, such petty people are everywhere.

Bai Yu took out a string of coins from his pocket, saying: "Steward Wu, I came in a hurry and didn't bring any gifts, please accept this small amount for a cup of tea."

Wu De weighed it casually, estimating it to be two or three hundred coins.

Only then did he put on a smiling face, as if he remembered something:"I just remembered, a few days ago, twenty beds of bedding were allocated from above, they're in the storeroom, just pick one.

By the way, many of the rooms at our Charity Mortuary are for receiving funeral guests, usually unoccupied.

Little Bai, pick a room in the courtyard, it's also more convenient for work."

Bai Yu smiled, internally noting down Wu De's actions, remembering the Chen family's ancestral lessons.

With Immoral Wu's approval, he finally settled in.

He chose a relatively secluded courtyard, laid out the bedding, convenient for practicing martial arts in the future.

That night, Bai Yu looked at the moon outside the window, full of anticipation:"Tomorrow the funeral processions begin, a happy life is about to start."

Thinking of the endless funeral rewards, Bai Yu was overjoyed.

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Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan