Chapter 50

A few days passed, and Wu Xiaoliu and his brother Zhuizi had greatly improved in their knife skills and understanding of food through the intense training.

Of course, apart from their own hard work, Li Qi's dedicated teaching was also a significant factor.

During these few days, Li Qi almost spent all his time on them, but he did not mention a single word about the next steps for Zui Xian Ju.

This time, Wu Furong learned his lesson and did not chase after Li Qi to ask, as he knew that Li Qi liked to keep things mysterious and would often surprise you. So, he put his mind at ease and prepared to watch a good show.

One day, an unexpected guest suddenly arrived at Zui Xian Ju.

This person was Cai Laosan, the steward of Feicui Xuan.

Behind Cai Laosan were a mother and son, who were none other than Chen Anan and his mother, whom Li Qi had saved at the entrance of Feicui Xuan last time.

Upon seeing Li Qi, Chen Anan and his mother immediately fell to the ground in gratitude.

Li Qi quickly helped them up, saying unhappily, "What are you doing? I'm not dead, why are you bowing to me? Get up quickly." He then lifted them up.

Chen Dama said with tears in her eyes, "The great master's kindness to my son and me is beyond repayment. If you need anything, I will do it, even if it means working as a cow or a horse."

"Grandma, you're exaggerating. I didn't do much. If you want to thank someone, thank Cai Yuanwai and Cai Laosan." Li Qi glanced at the embarrassed Cai Laosan and said with a smile.

"I won't thank him!" Chen Anan huffed, looking disdainful.

Li Qi frowned slightly and said sternly, "Anan?"

"Big Brother Li, I know I was wrong!" Chen Anan, seeing Li Qi's displeased expression, quickly bowed his head and admitted his mistake. Since the day Li Qi made him shine in front of everyone, Li Qi had naturally become his hero and a good person in his heart. He dared not go against Li Qi's words.

Li Qi raised his head and said, "Then why don't you thank Cai Laosan quickly?"

Chen Dama hurriedly pulled her son to thank Cai Laosan.

Cai Laosan said nervously, "No, no, I don't deserve it. Thinking back to that day, I feel ashamed before the young master."

Since Cai Laosan knew that Cai Minded highly regarded Li Qi, he dared not offend Li Qi anymore.

Li Qi saw that Chen Anan and his mother looked healthy and clean, a far cry from their sickly and dirty appearance from that day. He believed that Cai Minded had not mistreated them, so it was only right to thank him.

Li Qi smiled gratefully at Cai Laosan and then turned to Wu Furong, who was still confused, and said, "Uncle Wu, these two are my fellow townspeople. Could you please let them stay in the shop for a few days?"

Wu Furong was slightly taken aback, but then understood and pretended to think for a moment before saying, "Alright, since they are your fellow townspeople, I will let them stay here for a few days."

He then said to Chen Anan and his mother, "Follow me." He noticed that Cai Laosan seemed to have something to say to Li Qi, so he gave them the opportunity.

Chen Anan and his mother were overjoyed to be accepted by Wu Furong, and tears streamed down their faces, especially Chen Dama, who was so excited she could hardly speak.

After Chen Anan and his mother went inside, Cai Laosan suddenly pulled Li Qi aside and took out an invitation from his sleeve, handing it to Li Qi and whispering, "Young Master Li, the first batch of 'Cai's Stinky Tofu' will be ready tomorrow, so my master specially invites you to visit the shop tomorrow to give some advice."

It seems that the old fox wants to create a brand effect, he really has a plan!

Li Qi, who had a clear mind, feigned surprise and said, "Cai's Stinky Tofu?"

Cai Laosan hurriedly said, "Young Master Li, please don't misunderstand. My master renamed your stinky tofu to Cai's Stinky Tofu not to target you, but to distinguish it from Zui Xian Ju's stinky tofu."

Li Qi shook his head and smiled, "I dare not, I dare not. Since I have sold the recipe to your master, he certainly has the right. I was just asking."

Cai Laosan, seeing that Li Qi was not concerned, felt relieved and said with a smile, "Young Master Li is truly a straightforward person. I wonder if you are available tomorrow?"

Li Qi smiled, "Your master's sincerity is overwhelming. How can I refuse? Rest assured, I will definitely come tomorrow."

Cai Laosan, seeing that Li Qi had agreed, was overjoyed and chatted with Li Qi for a few more moments before leaving.

After Cai Laosan left, Wu Furong hurriedly walked over and asked, "Young Master Li, what did Cai Laosan want?"

Li Qi laughed coldly and handed the invitation to Wu Furong, saying, "He wants me to understand what it means to choose the right tree to rest on."

Wu Furong was taken aback, opened the invitation, and saw that it was just a regular invitation. He asked, puzzled, "Young Master Li, what do you mean?"

Li Qi first recounted what Cai Laosan had said to him and then said, "Uncle Wu, think about it. If the old fox really wanted my advice, he wouldn't wait until tomorrow. He would do it now, because by tomorrow, his shop will already be selling stinky tofu. If there's any problem, it will be too late to fix it. So, he must have made all the preparations. He just wants me to see the grandeur of Feicui Xuan."

Wu Furong, upon hearing this, suddenly understood and asked with a hint of worry, "Then will you go tomorrow?"

"Go! Why not go!" Li Qi laughed coldly, "The more he does this, the more he shows that he doesn't take us at Zui Xian Ju seriously. This is actually a good thing for us. Besides, he even sent Chen Anan and his mother to me to make sure I go. The old fox went to such great lengths for me, how can I refuse his kindness?"

In fact, when Li Qi went to Feicui Xuan to teach Cai Minded how to make stinky tofu last time, he wanted to bring Chen Anan and his mother to Zui Xian Ju, but Cai Minded said it was too late and they had already gone to sleep. He assured Li Qi that he would send them over personally.

At first, Li Qi did not understand Cai Minded's intentions.

Now, with Cai Laosan bringing them at this crucial moment, Li Qi finally understood.

Actually, the one-month deadline had already passed by a few days. Logically, Cai Minded should have already kicked Chen Anan and his mother out, but he did not. He waited until today to send them, clearly to remind Li Qi that he owed him a favor, so that Li Qi could not refuse his invitation. It was a well-thought-out plan!

Even if Cai Minded had not done this, Li Qi would still have gone.

At dinner time, Li Qi, Chen Anan and his mother, Wu Furong and his nephew, and Zhuizi and his brother, a total of seven people, sat around a large round table without any distinction of rank.

The brothers Zhuizi and Wu Xiaoliu were already used to this, and Chen Anan, being a child, did not find it strange.

Chen Dama, however, felt somewhat uncomfortable, as if sitting on pins and needles.

Li Qi took this opportunity to ask Chen Dama about their situation.

He learned that they were originally from Xingzhou. A few months ago, their hometown was hit by an epidemic, and Chen Anan's father died. Chen Dama brought Chen Anan to this place to escape. If they had not met Li Qi, they would have likely starved to death on the streets.

Li Qi, upon hearing this, felt deep sympathy for them and comforted them, assuring them that they could stay at Zui Xian Ju.

Chen Anan was very happy to hear this. For the past few months, he had been wandering with his mother and had no playmates. Now, he had met Wu Xiaoliu, and within a day, they had become very close, almost like sworn brothers. So, he naturally did not want to separate from Wu Xiaoliu and the brothers Zhuizi.

As for Wu Furong, he would follow Li Qi's instructions.

{Piaotian Literature}