In the evening, Zhao Hai specifically invited Ju to dine with them. Zhao Hai wanted to use this method to make Ju a role model for the other slaves, to spark new vitality in them, and to encourage them to find ways to change their current living conditions. Only in this way could those slaves become more creative.
Ju was very nervous. Although she now held the status of a commoner, she knew that commoners were not qualified to dine with nobles. Yet, Zhao Hai had called her into the main castle’s dining hall, which only made her more anxious.
However, when Merine brought out the dinner, Ju was stunned. Ju had only ever been a commoner and had never seen what a noble’s meal looked like, but she had heard stories—how many courses a noble would eat, the order in which they were served, and how particular they were about every single dish. She had heard they used gold and silver tableware, so when Zhao Hai invited her to eat, she expected to see such a scene.
But when she saw the dinner Merine brought out, she couldn't believe this was the meal for Zhao Hai and his group. It was ordinary bread, soup, vegetables, and meat—and the meat was only for Zhao Hai; no one else had any. Such a dinner was barely better than what the slaves ate outside.
Zhao Hai noticed Ju’s appearance. Ever since she entered the dining hall, she had been standing there nervously, not daring to sit even when told to. Seeing her like this, Zhao Hai couldn't help but smile slightly: "Ju, come and sit. I have already bestowed a surname upon you. By the rules, you are considered a member of the Buda family. Don't be so nervous, sit down."
As he spoke, Zhao Hai gave Meg a wink. Meg immediately understood his intention. She walked over to Ju and said with a smile, "Sister Ju, sit down. Young Master is very easygoing. We eat at the same table with him every day now. Those other noble rules don't apply here with the Young Master, so you don't need to worry."
Ju knew Meg’s status and that she and the others were formerly servants of the Buda family. In other places, such people would have a very high status—at the very least, much higher than commoners like them.
However, through the contact over the past few days, Ju had learned that Meg was a kind person. Although she had been watching them work, there was never any scolding or abuse; she only told everyone what needed to be done. Plus, since Meg was also a young girl, Ju’s nervous emotions slowly began to ease.
Before long, Merine brought out the rest of the dinner. Looking at the still-nervous Ju, Merine smiled kindly: "Child, you don't need to be nervous. From now on, you are a member of the Buda family. Rest assured, the Young Master is a very good person. By the way, you said you were a commoner before? How did you end up becoming a slave?"
Perhaps it was Merine’s kind demeanor that allowed Ju to let go of her final bit of tension. She finally spoke in a low voice, recounting the process of how she became a slave.
Zhao Hai and the others remained silent, listening quietly. It wasn't until Ju finished that Zhao Hai sighed and said, "It is a miracle that the world hasn't fallen into total chaos with nobles like that existing. Alright, Grandma Merine, let's eat. Ju, from now on, you are a servant of the Buda family. As a commoner, you will receive a monthly wage. Tomorrow, follow Meg and learn some things from her."
Although Zhao Hai was excited about Ju’s grass-weaving skills, he knew that her skills wouldn't be of much help to them right now. The reason Zhao Hai gave Ju so many rewards today was less about her skills and more about her courage. Regardless of why she stepped forward, the courage she showed was worth rewarding. Furthermore, with Ju as a role model, he believed the other slaves would surely work harder.
During the meal, Ju kept stealing glances at Zhao Hai and the others, but she found that they didn't have any unusual behavior. They ate very naturally, without the "hard to swallow" attitude she had imagined.
After the meal, they went to the living room. Once Zhao Hai sat down, he said to Ju, "Ju, I will have Wood and Stone send a bed and some bedding to you in a while. Take good care of your brother today. Tomorrow morning, follow Meg; do whatever she tells you to do. If there is really nothing to do, weave more grass mats and send them to the people in the outer castle. The weather is still a bit cold, so let them hang the mats on the windows to block the cold wind."
Ju immediately said, "Yes, Master."
Zhao Hai smiled slightly: "Ju, you are now a servant of the Buda family, not a slave. You don't need to call me Master; just call me Young Master, like Meg and the others. Wood, Stone, go send the bedding to Ju and Ann’s room. Ju, go back and take care of your brother."
The three acknowledged and turned to leave. Meg and Merine remained standing beside Zhao Hai. Zhao Hai sighed and said, "I hope Ju’s situation can stimulate the other slaves. Right now, our Buda family is truly destitute. If these slaves can produce something, perhaps we might discover a talent or two among them."
Merine nodded. She knew the current difficulties of the Buda family. Although they had bought a lot of supplies when they came to the Black Soil Wasteland, those supplies were mostly grain, clothing, and tools. They hadn't bought anything too bulky, otherwise, they would have provided every slave with a bed.
Now, although they no longer had the pressure of food, they were constantly worried about the situation in the Rotten Corpse Swamp, making the pressure even greater than before.
Actually, Merine was quite confident in her own and Meg’s combat abilities. She believed that they could handle even ordinary magical beasts. Don't forget, she was an eighth-level mage, Meg was a sixth-level mage, and Wood and Stone were both sixth-level warriors; none of them were weak.
The reason Merine didn't dare to promise Zhao Hai that he could be completely at ease was because she wasn't sure herself. What kind of place was the Rotten Corpse Swamp? It was one of the five forbidden lands of the continent. Even if a ninth-level grand mage entered, they couldn't guarantee they would come out unscathed, let alone an eighth-level mage like her.
Although they didn't need to enter the Rotten Corpse Swamp, if the magical beasts that attacked them were too strong, she couldn't guarantee they could repel them, so she didn't dare to make any promises to Zhao Hai.
Just then, Zhao Hai suddenly stood up and turned to Merine: "Grandma Merine, I’m going into the Space for a moment. The radishes are ripe, and I need to harvest them. Do you want to come?"
Merine shook her head: "Young Master, I won't go. I still need to clean up the kitchen. Let Meg accompany you."
Zhao Hai nodded and turned to Meg: "Meg, come with me to a place in a moment. That place is the Buda family’s greatest secret right now. Besides you, me, Grandma Merine, Wood, and Stone, no one else knows—not even Grandpa Green knows yet. So, you must never mention it to anyone else."
Seeing how solemn Zhao Hai was, Meg didn't know what to do and couldn't help but look at Merine. Merine nodded and said, "Meg, listen to the Young Master."
Meg immediately nodded: "Yes, Young Master. Don't worry, I definitely won't tell anyone."
Zhao Hai nodded, and with a thought, the two of them were in the Space. Meg’s reaction upon arriving was similar to Merine’s. The radishes in the Space were now ripe, and the corn had sprouted small seedlings.
Zhao Hai explained the function of the Space to Meg again before harvesting the radishes. Just like last time, he harvested the radishes and the radish leaves separately.
Looking at this magical Space, Meg understood why her mother and Zhao Hai said this was the Buda family’s greatest secret. This wasn't just the greatest secret; it was the hope for the Buda family’s revival. No wonder the two of them valued it so much.
After Zhao Hai finished harvesting the radishes, he bought a bag of radish seeds from the shop. Now, his Space had nearly 6,000 catties of corn stored, along with three seasons' worth of radishes. However, he only had fifty gold coins left. Although he had a few bags of other seeds, it wasn't the time to plant those yet, so they had to be put away.
After doing all this, Zhao Hai turned to Meg: "Meg, this is the magical Space I obtained. Everything here listens to me. This is also the hope of the Buda family. You must never tell anyone."
Meg said solemnly: "Don't worry, Young Master. I know the importance of this and won't let it slip."
Zhao Hai nodded and said to Meg: "Let’s go out. There’s nothing left to do here. It’s getting late, so you should go get some rest early too."
With a thought, the two appeared back in the living room. Wood and Stone had already returned, but they weren't surprised by the sudden appearance of Zhao Hai and Meg; they had already been to the Space and knew what was going on.
Seeing everyone there, Zhao Hai nodded: "Alright, everyone go get some rest. We have things to be busy with tomorrow. Meg, take Ju and teach her more things tomorrow." Meg acknowledged, and Zhao Hai slowly walked toward his room.
Zhao Hai still had to think carefully about what to do next. He only had fifty gold coins left. Should he sell the radishes for gold coins, or sell the corn? If it really came down to it, he would have to plant the ten acres of radish land with corn as well.
Lying on the bed, thinking about the Space, he knew he had to sell something to get money. Zhao Hai was more inclined to sell the radishes. Before Green returned, the radishes didn't have much use, and he had already stored the radish leaves separately, so even if he sold the radishes, he didn't have to worry about having nothing to feed the Blue-Eyed Rabbits.
As for the corn, he still had plenty, and its uses were greater than the radishes. It could be used not only as food but also as feed. Zhao Hai really didn't intend to sell the corn.