Chapter 39

For three consecutive days, Li Qi did not leave his house, locking himself in his room every day and rarely going to the shop.

After all, he had long entrusted the task of frying stinky tofu to Wu Xiaoliu.

However, Wu Xiaoliu seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. After frying stinky tofu for several days, he didn't feel tired at all. Each time after selling, he would enthusiastically tell Li Qi about some interesting things that happened that day.

Unfortunately, each time he hadn't even finished talking, Li Qi would send him to the kitchen to cut cucumbers.

Wu Furong thought Li Qi was avoiding Cai Laosan, so he didn't think much about it.

Li Qi's actions suited his intentions perfectly.

In the past few days, Cai Laosan from the opposite Jade Pavilion had come several times. Each time, he would use the pretext of discussing the purchase of the shop to try to get information about Li Qi's whereabouts from Wu Furong.

Although Wu Furong was honest, he wasn't stupid. He knew that Cai Yuanwai wouldn't pay 16,000 guan to buy the Drunken Immortal Inn. His real goal was still the stinky tofu recipe.

Therefore, every time Cai Laosan inquired about Li Qi, Wu Furong would say that Li Qi had gone out early in the morning, but he wouldn't mention where he had gone.

Cai Laosan would always return with a frustrated look.

From the time the stinky tofu was introduced to now, it had been exactly seven days, and the number of customers had significantly decreased.

However, the Drunken Immortal Inn had become the most popular restaurant in Bianjing thanks to the stinky tofu.

What was puzzling was that the Drunken Immortal Inn only sold stinky tofu and didn't even sell alcohol.

Wu Furong had suggested this to Li Qi several times.

However, Li Qi always refused.

Li Qi's idea was that tea could be provided for free, but selling alcohol was not the right time yet.

Wu Furong didn't say much after hearing this.

These were just minor issues.

What he was most worried about was Li Qi's promise to Lady Qin: to make a net profit of 1,000 guan by the 15th.

Although the stinky tofu still sold out every day, the number of customers buying stinky tofu was decreasing, and Wu Furong was getting more and more anxious.

They had earned about 600 guan so far, still short of 1,000 guan, and they only had three days left. In other words, Li Qi needed to earn 400 guan in these three days. Not to mention that Uncle Zhang's daily supply of tofu was limited, even if there was enough tofu, it might not sell out now.

Wu Furong was anxious, but Li Qi wasn't.

Every time Wu Furong wanted to talk to him about it, he would change the subject, always with a carefree smile.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The next morning, Li Qi changed into a clean set of clothes and came to the front hall.

When Wu Furong saw Li Qi, he was a bit surprised, but seeing that he was about to go out, he hurriedly greeted him, "Young Master Li, are you going out?"

Li Qi nodded, "Yes, I've been in the room for too long, my body is almost rusting. It's time to go out for a walk."

Wu Furong nodded, "That's good. Staying in the house all the time isn't good. Young Master Li, you can go with peace of mind. I don't think Cai Yuanwai would dare to do anything to you."

It turns out this old man was worried about me being kidnapped!

Li Qi found it amusing and chatted with Wu Furong for a few moments before leaving.

The Imperial Street starts from the Xuan德e Gate of the imperial palace, passes through the Zhou Bridge and the Zhuque Gate, and reaches the Nanxun Gate of the outer city. It is over ten miles long and 200 steps wide, used for the emperor's royal procession, making it grand and magnificent.

On both sides, the corner towers stand symmetrically, and the pavilions and shops are lined up like fish scales, selling high-end products such as famous calligraphy and paintings, and high-quality handicrafts.

Li Qi strolled leisurely along the Imperial Street, looking around, quite relaxed.

However, he had no interest in those famous calligraphy and paintings, ancient zithers, and precious swords. He thought it would be great if there were an internet cafe or a cinema here!

After wandering for a while, Li Qi felt a bit bored, yawned, and glanced back. About ten meters behind him, two figures were moving.

These two tails had been following him since he left the Drunken Immortal Inn.

Such poor tracking skills, coming out to show off, it seems Cai Yuanwai's strength is not much.

Li Qi shook his head in disdain, ignored them, and let them follow.

After wandering for a while longer, Li Qi felt a bit tired. He estimated it was almost noon.

He looked around and saw a small restaurant called "Fengyu Building" ahead, so he walked towards it.

This restaurant only had two floors and couldn't compare in scale to the Drunken Immortal Inn or the Jade Pavilion.

However, its location was excellent, and business was very good. Even though it wasn't yet mealtime, there were already many people inside.

Li Qi went to the second floor, found a table by the window, and ordered a pot of tea, a few large steamed buns, and a small dish.

He had no interest in the best-selling cooked beef or cooked mutton in the restaurant.

It's not that he didn't like beef or mutton; it's just that the pieces here were too large.

Too hard to bite! Too lazy to bite!

While munching on the steamed buns, Li Qi's gaze was on the window, feeling a bit of anticipation and a bit of nervousness.

This little shrimp should be hooked now!

After a while, there was a commotion downstairs.

"Look, isn't that Cai Yuanwai?"

"Why is he here?"

"Could Cai Yuanwai be trying to buy this restaurant?"

...

Finally, he's here!

Li Qi quickly adjusted his mood, buried his head in the steamed buns, and pretended to know nothing.

Thump thump thump!

The sound of heavy footsteps came from the stairs.

Li Qi glanced at the stairwell with the corner of his eye and saw two people come up. The one leading the way was Cai Laosan, and behind him was a middle-aged, large, fat man in his forties.

He had a large round head, a face full of fat, an oily complexion, squinting eyes that sparkled with sharpness, thick lips, a short beard, a tall and robust figure, and was dressed in luxurious clothing, like a butcher wearing a dragon robe, giving an odd feeling. However, this fat man had a strong presence, which well concealed this flaw.

Just a glance, and Li Qi immediately looked away.

A moment later, he suddenly heard Cai Laosan's signature rooster-like voice.

"Oh, isn't that Young Master Li!"

His voice was full of surprise.

Li Qi smiled inwardly but showed no expression on his face. He looked up and saw Cai Laosan and the fat man walking towards him. He hurriedly stood up to greet them, with an even more surprised and exaggerated expression, "Oh, isn't that Manager Cai, greetings, greetings!"

He even bowed to Cai Laosan.

"Young Master Li, you are too kind to me," Cai Laosan hurriedly returned the bow.

After Cai Laosan finished his bow, Li Qi pretended to help him up and said happily, "Manager Cai, you don't know, I've been looking for you these past few days. I didn't expect to run into you here today. This is truly a coincidence."

"Looking for me?"

Cai Laosan was slightly stunned, showing a confused expression.

"What? Have you forgotten? I have a little brother in your shop. I just wanted to ask how he's been doing," Li Qi said.

"Little brother?"

Cai Laosan frowned, then suddenly realized, "Oh, you mean that beggar—no, the child named Chen Anan."

"Exactly, exactly. How are he and his mother doing recently?" Li Qi asked.

Cai Laosan remembered the day he was embarrassed by Li Qi, a flash of resentment in his eyes, but he still smiled, "Young Master Li, rest assured. The people you entrusted to me, I wouldn't dare to neglect them. They eat well and sleep well in the shop, and they are in good spirits."

"That's good, that's good. I was thinking of bringing them back. After all, they have been a bother to your shop for so long, and I feel very guilty. I apologize to you in advance," Li Qi bowed again.

Cai Laosan quickly helped Li Qi up, "It's my duty, it's my duty. Young Master Li, as long as you say the word, I will immediately send someone to safely escort them to your residence."

"How could I impose on you?" Li Qi chuckled, but his eyes secretly glanced at the fat man behind Cai Laosan, seeing his displeased expression, and inwardly smiled, thinking Cai Laosan would probably get scolded again.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

While Cai Laosan and Li Qi were reminiscing, a warning cough came from behind, making Cai Laosan shudder and break out in a cold sweat.

He then remembered that there was someone behind him, and this person was none other than his superior, the owner of the Jade Pavilion, Cai Mindel, Cai Yuanwai.