The Despised Son-in-law: From Rags to Riches

Chapter 17: Uncultivated

Joe was disappointed when he heard that. "No wonder he is a douchebag. He is a rich kid. Isn't he just relying on his father? What is the big deal? If he had been of the same origin as me, I am afraid he would have starved to death. He has no ambition at all. He doesn't even know what self-reliance is."

"Well said, Master. One must have a backbone; you cannot always expect others to pull you around. Success is only real when it comes from hard work."

"You are right. Well, is the Arthur family rich?" 

"Master, I have to remind you that you sound uncultivated."

"I’m not a cultivated man anyway.” 

Barret was a bit speechless when seeing his self-confident look. It seemed that the lack of self-cultivation was something Joe was proud of.

"Master, things are different now. You should think about the future."

"All right. What should I have said?"

"You may say, ‘how is the Arthur family's property doing?’ It sounds better."

"Barret, really?” Joe rolled his eyes. “Anyways, how big is their family business?"

"Pretty big."

"How is it when it’s compared with our business?"

"They're a little behind us."

"A little behind?"

"Well, that's a modest way of saying it. They're actually a lot worse off than we are."

"If we try to destroy them, will the Arthur family be screwed over?"

"If we want to destroy the Arthur family, we don't actually need to put so much effort. But the Lord and Mark Arthur have a good relationship, so we are unlikely to become an enemy of the Arthur family."

Joe immediately became cocky. "So, this guy is not as good as I thought. Looks like my grandfather is much more powerful than his father. When I see that loser again, I will show him what real arrogance is."

"Master, didn’t you decide to rely on yourself? How could you start comparing family background with him in the blink of an eye?"

"There are exceptions to everything. Don't be so rigid."

"I’m teasing you, Barret. Don't worry, I don't want to become like Curse Arthur."

“Cruse Arthur.”

“I rather call him Curse Arthur. That piece of shit.”

Seeing Joe acting so childish, Barret smiled helplessly. Joe was still like a child after all. No one had tolerated his "willfulness" before, so Barret let him be willful, albeit temporarily. "All right, if you like."

It was quiet for a few minutes before Joe spoke again. He did not know what it was about Barret that made him so comfortable around him. Maybe it was the fact that he had never had a friend before.

“You know Barret, I thought about ending my life many times, even a few months before I found that purse. I wanted to jump off a building…end it all once and for all…” Joe trailed off sadly reminiscing about the horrible memories.

"Jump off a building? Master! Have you actually thought about committing suicide?"

"Well, more than once."

"You must not have these kinds of thoughts. No matter what difficulties you encounter, only if you are alive can you have hope, otherwise..."

"Don't worry. I will not do anything like that anymore. I was at a hard point in life back then."

"Well, is there something you want to do? Something you thought of back then but never had the opportunity?”

"I don’t know."

"Well, do you have any ideas?”

Joe tilted his head and thought for a moment. "Yes."

Barret looked expectant. "Well?"

"I used to think that if one day I ever got rich, I would buy a five-star dinner for the other people who pick up trash in the same area as me…” 

Barret was slightly disappointed. This goal...was not too "ambitious".

"Uh, is there anything else?"

"I can't think of anything else for the time being. Hey Barret, do you think I should go back to my old home?" 

"Why master? Do you want to…to show off?"

"Oh, Barret, how can you have such thoughts? Am I that kind of person? I am obviously...yes...yes..., well, I could go back and show off," Joe grinned.

"Master, it doesn’t matter to speak out your wish. Returning home gloriously is not a shame. Also, I think the servants here will help Miss Nicole to neglect you, so you will feel lonely here. I am looking for some of your old friends to work in the family business, so you can have some company."

Hearing this, Joe was very grateful that Barret was so concerned about him. But then he felt gloomy.

Old friends? He had no real friends at all. 

His old neighborhood was a miserable world. Everyone was thinking about how to make a living by stealing or doing other illegal things. No one cared about the happiness, anger, sorrow, or death of other people.

Just take himself as an example. Joe had "disappeared" from there for so many days, but no one called to ask where he went. But the more "relentless" they were, the more Joe wanted to show off.

Since they did not care about his life or death, Joe had to show them that he was not dead, and in fact was living much better than before.

It was like a scoundrel realizing his ambition.

"Those guys are not for work. Do not let them work in our house. Besides, they will only pick up trash and beg for food. There is no job for them."

"Do you have conflicts with them?"

"No, but there is no friendship. Don't waste time on them."

Barret felt disappointed. "Master, I know you have suffered a lot over the years, but you can't kill your kindness and compassion. Even if you do not have a deep friendship with those people, you bear no grudges with them and you all lived together for so long, you can help them. After all, they can be regarded as a neighbor, right? When you were impoverished, you must hope that someone would reach out to you. One should walk into others’ shoes. My Lord often said that people should always harbor goodwill, helping others is helping oneself..."

Barret's words made Joe blush in embarrassment. Barret was right, what was wrong with him? He just had some days of comfort, and now he forgot that he used to be like a homeless dog just like those people.

He already regarded himself as a master even though he had been ‘rich’ for only a few days. What had happened to him?

Joe remembered how his first day in that neighborhood, everyone pooled money to give him a welcome banquet. Although it was cheap food, the welcome had been surprising and formed an amazing memory in his mind.

And Joe vividly remembered how someone had said, "If anyone here gets rich in the future, we should help each other."

Now that he was rich, should he not help them as they had promised each other?

Joe felt ashamed of his words and actions and the fact that Barret was privy to his unethical behavior.  

"Sorry, Barret, I was wrong. I shouldn't have said that."

"To error is human. It is good to make corrections in time. Master, you must be a kind person. All the good luck is a blessing in exchange for good deeds."

"Do you believe in God, Barret?"

"No, I believe that good is rewarded. This is what my Lord taught me."

"Well, I guess let's do as you said."

Barret smiled, "Let's go now."

"Not now, they won't be home at noon. They only go back at night."

"Alright, we will leave at night."

"Great."

Barret turned around to leave; however, after a few steps, he stopped and called out to Joe, “Master?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry for what I just said. It might be unpleasant to hear. You are still young and there is still a long way to go. I am worried that you will block your own life."

"I understand. It is okay, thank you, Barret. I needed that wake-up call."

Seeing that Joe was being so reasonable, Barret nodded with a knowing smile and walked away quickly.

Joe sat down guiltily. "What's the matter with me? I was never this cold-hearted."

As Joe was berating himself, Rachel entered the room with a steaming cup.

"Master, have some tea."

“Thanks, Rachel, but I am not thirsty."

"Master, it will help you. This is herbal tea.”  

"Fine." After Joe grabbed the cup, Rachel still stood there.

"Anything else?"

"Master, I want to discuss something with you."

Joe was puzzled. It seemed that the servants were all very involved in the family members’ business. And what did she want to discuss? He was not the head of this family.

"All right. What’s up?"

"Well, don't be angry when you hear it."

Joe frowned, "No, I will not be. What is it?"

"It's about Miss Nicole. She said before that we should treat you badly."

"I know that already. Do not worry, I do not blame you. I know there is nothing you can do about it."

Rachel smiled uncomfortably.

"Thank you for being so considerate. We dare not disobey Miss Nicole, but everyone is afraid that this will make the Lord angry, so... so we want to discuss with you that when the Lord and Mr. Barret are here, we will be polite to you but when Miss Nicole is here, we will ignore you, is that okay?"