Charles Bolton burst out laughing: "Let's see if you dare act so arrogant again!" With that, he picked out a small piece from the eight strings of silver coins, weighed it in his hand, and said, "This is about one string. You can take the remaining seven."

Adam Sullivan smiled slightly, collected the seven strings of silver, and said, "You won this time. We're even for today. Next time, we'll bet again."

"Anytime!" Charles Bolton put away his one string of silver with a smug look, but his expression suddenly changed.

Just now, he had put in four strings, and together with Adam Sullivan, they pooled eight strings. Now he had won eight strings, but four of them were his own. And he had given out seven strings. No matter how he calculated, he realized he had actually lost three strings.

"Tricked by this guy again!" Charles Bolton couldn't laugh anymore and was left dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, Adam Sullivan cheerfully walked over to another willow tree to bask in the sun, teasing himself in his mind: "Seven strings of silver in just a few minutes—seems like redeeming my freedom won't be too hard after all."

Seeing Charles Bolton's miserable look, Adam Sullivan couldn't help but want to laugh.

"When I earn enough to buy my freedom, I'll become a young master too, buy a pleasure boat on the Bian River, drink wine, and enjoy the scenery. That life doesn't sound so bad."

Night had fallen. On the pleasure boat, candlelight flickered, and colorful lanterns hung from the bow and stern, making a beautiful sight.

Henry Clark, drunk, was helped off the boat by others. Adam Sullivan took a lantern to meet him, found the nearby resting coachman, and together they lifted Henry Clark into the carriage. Adam Sullivan sat sideways on the shaft and headed back to the residence.

The Duke of Qi's mansion covered several hundred acres, grand and imposing. The stone lions at the gate looked fierce and menacing, adding to the solemn atmosphere.

He called for the maids of the inner residence to help Henry Clark back to his room to rest. Adam Sullivan's work for the day was done. He lived in a corner in the northeast of the Shen residence, much more humble compared to the splendor elsewhere—a small, shabby building. The servants shared rooms two by two. The one who lived with Adam Sullivan was called Sam Walker. When he saw Adam Sullivan return, he said with a worried face, "Big Brother Sullivan, you're finally back. Huh, why do you smell of wine?"

Adam Sullivan took a copper basin, poured some water, and washed his hands as he said, "It's nothing. Judging by your look, did you sneak out again to gamble?"

Sam Walker said angrily, "Ran into that Hu Liu again. Lost my whole month's wages to him. I probably won't be able to send money to my mother in the countryside this month." He slapped himself: "It's all my own fault. I know gambling almost always ends in loss, but I just can't help myself, always hoping to win back what I've lost before. Sigh..."

Adam Sullivan smiled, took out a string of coins, and handed it to him: "Take it and send it to your mother."

Sam Walker was stunned: "Big Brother Sullivan, you... you don't have much to spare either. How can I take your money? Besides, you haven't even received this month's wages yet. Where did this money come from?"

Sam Walker was a good person in every way except for his gambling habit—he would only stop after losing everything.

Sam Walker had been living with Adam Sullivan for over a month. When Adam Sullivan had just crossed over, his body was weak, and it was thanks to Sam Walker's care that he recovered. Adam Sullivan had always remembered this kindness.

Adam Sullivan stuffed the money into his hand: "Just take it. I still have more."

Sam Walker accepted the money and quickly thanked him, saying excitedly, "Tomorrow I'll have someone send this money back home. I swear I'll never gamble again."

Adam Sullivan had heard this line many times before. He smiled wryly, sat on the edge of the bed, took off his boots, and removed the white cloth wrapping his feet. After running around all day with that young master Clark, he was already feeling tired.

Sam Walker said, "I heard from the steward of the outer residence today that in a few days the young master will go to the Imperial Academy to study. According to the madam's wishes, they're going to select a study attendant from the household, preferably someone about the same age as the young master and literate."

Adam Sullivan said, "What's so good about being a study attendant? Still just a servant, isn't it?"

Sam Walker replied, "It's different. A study attendant can enter the inner residence to accompany the young master in his studies and doesn't have to do chores. Even the monthly wage is three times that of an ordinary servant."

"Is there really such a good thing?" Adam Sullivan rolled off the bed in excitement, instantly wide awake. "In that case, being a study attendant sounds like a promising career."

Sam Walker said, "I advise you, Big Brother Sullivan, not to get your hopes up. There are already rumors in the residence. The stewards of both the inner and outer residences are eyeing this cushy job. They all have relatives in the countryside and are just waiting to recommend their own. People like us don't have any connections."

Adam Sullivan said, "That's not necessarily true. Where there's a will, there's a way. Earning triple the monthly wage and getting into the inner residence... tsk tsk... let me think about it."

Sam Walker exclaimed, "The inner residence? Big Brother Sullivan, don't tell me you're interested in the maids serving the madams?"

Adam Sullivan laughed, "You saw right through me. You're really clever and insightful!"

At the mention of women, Sam Walker immediately perked up: "If you ask me, among the maids serving the madam, Chun'er is the prettiest. Haha, now that you mention it, I want to be a study attendant too. At least I'd get to see her every few days. Tsk tsk..."

"But Xiaoxiang isn't bad either. Maybe not as good as Chun'er, but that figure, that chest... Hey, Big Brother Sullivan, are you even listening to me?"

Adam Sullivan, half asleep, had a figure appear in his mind. He vaguely heard Sam Walker calling him, but didn't want to respond.