Chapter 51

The next noon, Li Qi arrived at Feicui轩 as scheduled.

At this time, Feicui轩 was truly bustling with people, seats were all taken, and it was extraordinarily lively.

Cai Mande had invited Li Qi at this time with such intention, how could Li Qi not know?

Before he even reached the door, he smelled a strong "foul smell."

Li Qi frowned. Whenever he smelled this odor now, he felt nauseous. He sighed inwardly, "I wonder if I did something wrong, turning a fine city like Bianjing into a place full of stench. It really shouldn't be like this!"

"Master Li!"

Cai Lao San, standing at the door, hurriedly greeted Li Qi when he saw him.

"Steward Cai! Congratulations, congratulations!"

Li Qi smiled and greeted him with a bow.

"Not at all, not at all. This is all thanks to Master Li. Please come in, Master Li. My lord is waiting for you upstairs." Cai Lao San smiled modestly, but his eyes were full of pride.

Li Qi and Cai Lao San exchanged a few more pleasantries before following him inside.

As soon as he entered, he immediately felt several surprised gazes directed at him.

Li Qi was slightly taken aback. He looked down at his attire and immediately realized that Feicui轩 was indeed a five-star hotel in Bianjing. If one's clothes were a bit shabby, they wouldn't be allowed in. If it weren't for Cai Lao San personally inviting him, he would have been driven away before reaching the door.

However, Li Qi's attire was indeed quite shabby. He wore a dull yellow long robe and a pair of cloth shoes, looking like a poor scholar without any need for questioning.

Those inside were all dressed in fine silk and brocade. At first glance, Li Qi stood out quite prominently.

However, when everyone saw Cai Lao San treating Li Qi with such respect, they were all very surprised. They knew Cai Lao San's character; he was the typical bully who feared the strong and bullied the weak.

Cai Lao San personally welcoming a young man dressed so shabbily was truly unprecedented.

How could Li Qi not know what they were thinking? He sighed inwardly.

Actually, last night, Wu Furong had wanted to take the opportunity to make Li Qi a few decent clothes.

However, Li Qi refused. After all, his current identity was just a chef. If a chef dressed better than a shopkeeper, it would be too bizarre.

Low profile! Low profile is the way to go.

He didn't expect that not only did he fail to keep a low profile, but he also drew a lot of attention, which was truly counterproductive!

Cai Lao San saw all this and smiled inwardly, but his face remained expressionless as he led Li Qi upstairs.

On the way up, Li Qi saw that almost every table had a plate of stinky tofu, about ten pieces each, sprinkled with some green onions to enhance the appearance.

This was within Li Qi's expectations.

At Zui Xianju, the stinky tofu was expensive, the quantity was small, and they didn't provide any other food or drinks. After eating the stinky tofu at Zui Xianju, people had to go to other places to eat, which was quite troublesome.

Feicui轩 was different. They had good wine and delicious dishes, and the price of stinky tofu was definitely cheaper than at Zui Xianju. The quantity was also sufficient, allowing one to eat to their heart's content. When compared, everyone would naturally choose this dish.

However, this had no impact on Zui Xianju. The last two thousand pieces of stinky tofu had already been sold out a few days ago. Li Qi didn't plan to continue selling it, and he had closed the shop decisively.

Li Qi followed Cai Lao San to the fifth floor. This floor was relatively quiet compared to the lower floors, but the guests here, in terms of attire and demeanor, were several levels higher than those downstairs.

At this moment, Cai Mande was chatting with a fair-faced young man at a table by the window. Seeing Li Qi, he hurriedly welcomed him, bowing and smiling, "Master Li, it's an honor to have you here. I apologize for not greeting you far away."

"Sir, you are too kind. How dare I trouble you?" Li Qi returned the bow and smiled.

The fair-faced young man did not stand up but glanced at Li Qi with surprise. Seeing his shabby attire, he immediately showed a look of disdain, but his eyes flickered with a hint of doubt.

"Come, come, come, please come in!"

Cai Mande led Li Qi to the table and introduced him to the fair-faced young man, "This young man is the famous scholar of Tokyo, Master Song Yuchen."

Li Qi glanced at the fair-faced young man. He was not much older, about twenty years old, with a face like a jade crown, handsome and dignified, wearing a white jade robe, exuding a noble aura, and holding a white paper fan, looking very elegant.

Li Qi politely clasped his hands and said, "I have heard much about you!"

To his surprise, Song Yuchen didn't even stand up, just giving a light "hmm."

Cai Mande was slightly displeased but didn't show it on his face. After all, Li Qi was his guest, and Song Yuchen's behavior was clearly a lack of respect. He continued, "This is the head chef of Zui Xianju, Master Li Qi."

"Ah, just a chef!"

Song Yuchen sneered.

Li Qi frowned, feeling very angry. However, seeing Song Yuchen's luxurious attire and graceful demeanor, he realized he must be from a wealthy family. He suppressed his anger, as he had no powerful backing here and couldn't afford to offend anyone.

Cai Mande smiled awkwardly at Li Qi and invited him to sit down.

After they sat down, Cai Mande seemed to want to suppress Song Yuchen's arrogance and said with a smile, "Master Song, do you know who solved the couplet you hung in front of my shop a few days ago?"

Song Yuchen was very curious about the answer. Who could have solved the couplet he and Bai Qianruo had created?

Song Yuchen glanced at Li Qi and frowned, "Sir, are you talking about this chef—Master Li?"

Cai Mande laughed, "Exactly!"

Song Yuchen took a deep breath and looked at Li Qi with disdain, "You, a chef, can solve couplets?"

Li Qi was instantly furious.

You f**king look down on people too much!

It's just solving couplets, do you have to act so high and mighty?

When I was solving couplets, you had been dead for hundreds of years. I've seen more than you've written.

Li Qi wanted to retort sarcastically but suddenly remembered the conversation between the two loyal fans at the entrance of Feicui轩. He held back. Zui Xianju was about to open, and it was unwise to offend this influential scholar at such a critical time. Besides, this guy must have a strong backing; otherwise, the old fox wouldn't treat him so well.

Alright! Let you be arrogant for a few more days. I'll settle this with you later.

Li Qi suddenly noticed the words "Bai Wu Yi Shi" (nothing is right) written on Song Yuchen's white paper fan. He thought disdainfully, "Such a simple riddle, even a three-year-old knows the answer is 'white'—oh right, that person said Song Yuchen has been pursuing Bai Niangzi but hasn't succeeded."

Li Qi's mind clicked, and he smiled, "That day was just a coincidence. How can I compare to Master Song? Everyone in Tokyo knows Master Song's name. I remember a few days ago, I met Bai Niangzi at the Qin residence, and she praised Master Song."

"Bai Niangzi?"

Song Yuchen's face tightened, and he asked hurriedly, "Which Bai Niangzi?"

Li Qi replied, "The second most talented woman in Tokyo, Bai Qianruo, Bai Niangzi."

Song Yuchen's face lit up, but seeing Li Qi's shabby attire, he was a bit skeptical, "You know Qianruo?"

Li Qi chuckled, "I don't have that honor. It's just that Bai Niangzi is a good friend of my lady, and she often visits our residence, so I often run into her and occasionally chat with her."

"I see!"

Song Yuchen found Li Qi's explanation reasonable and believed him. His attitude immediately changed, and he spoke in a gentle tone, "What did Qianruo say about me? I hope Master Li can tell me."