Chapter 53

**Huh! This good-for-nothing is finally gone!**

After Song Yuchen left, Li Qi heaved a sigh of relief. He had almost talked himself dry just now.

But before he could catch his breath, he suddenly heard a light cough from the side.

Sweat! He had actually forgotten about this old fox.

Li Qi turned his head and looked at Cai Minded, who had been silent for a long time, with an apologetic expression. He smiled awkwardly and said, "I offended you just now, I hope you can forgive me, Sir."

"No problem! No problem!"

Cai Minded waved his hand and smiled, "Your eloquence is truly admirable, and your indirect tactics were quite impressive."

Although Li Qi's fabricated story could fool Song Yuchen, it couldn't fool this cunning old fox, Cai Minded. Although Cai Minded had little contact with Bai Qianruo, he knew that Bai Qianruo would never say such things and would never praise Song Yuchen in front of others.

It was only because Song Yuchen was so infatuated with Bai Qianruo that he believed Li Qi's words without doubt.

Li Qi, upon hearing this, knew that Cai Minded had seen through his little trick. He smiled awkwardly and said, "I apologize for my poor performance."

Cai Minded laughed, "Mr. Li is too modest."

He had seen with his own eyes how Li Qi used just a few words to dispel Song Yuchen's hostility and make him regard him as a close friend. With such intelligence, Li Qi was probably unmatched in the entire Feicui轩 (Emerald Pavilion). Cai Minded had always considered Li Qi a rare talent and hoped to recruit him one day. Now, he was even more confident that he had not made a mistake in his judgment.

At this moment, Cai Lao San suddenly walked over and bowed to Cai Minded, "Sir, can we serve the dishes now?"

Cai Minded, upon hearing this, suddenly realized something and laughed, "Oh, look at my memory, I almost forgot the main event. I'm getting old." He then immediately instructed Cai Lao San to serve the dishes.

A smile appeared on Li Qi's lips; they were finally getting to the main topic.

Soon, the dishes were served.

There were seven dishes in total: Three-Crisp Soup, Crystal Fish, Pan-Fried Quail, Wine-Crabs, Clear Broth with Hanging Threads of Lamb Head, Flower Carving Drunken, and Cai's Stinky Tofu.

Except for the stinky tofu, the rest were all expensive delicacies.

Among these seven dishes, Li Qi had tasted six of them before, and he had even made them himself, but they were not considered authentic and could not compare to the dishes in front of him.

After the dishes were served, Cai Minded invited Li Qi to start eating.

Li Qi carefully tasted the first five dishes. Each dish was very distinctive, and in terms of color, aroma, taste, and appearance, they were all done to perfection. He secretly admired the talent hidden in the Emerald Pavilion.

However, this did not mean that Li Qi was convinced. He believed that if he had access to these natural ingredients, he could make even more delicious dishes, thanks to his advanced and rich cooking skills and his deep understanding of food, which the chefs here could not match.

Except for Cai's Stinky Tofu, Li Qi had tasted the other six dishes, but to hide his true abilities, he did not give any professional comments, only touching on the surface.

Cai Minded did not pay much attention to this because his main focus today was on the "Cai's Stinky Tofu."

Li Qi picked up a piece of "Cai's Stinky Tofu," took a small bite, and chewed it carefully. He frowned, glanced at Cai Minded, and seeing the smile on his face, immediately understood. He put down his chopsticks and bowed to Cai Minded, "I am truly impressed by your culinary skills, Sir!"

Cai Minded feigned surprise, "Why do you say that, Sir?"

Li Qi smiled, "After you processed the stinky tofu, both its taste and appearance have improved significantly. Our Drunken Immortal Inn's stinky tofu can't compare."

Cai Minded did not deny it but instead asked with a smile, "Do you know why?"

Li Qi smiled, "I can only guess that you added some spices to the brine, but I don't know what they are."

"Correct! I did add some spices to the formula you gave me."

Cai Minded nodded, "Mr. Li, do you mind?"

"Of course not. I sold the secret recipe to you, so I have no right to interfere with what you do. Besides, I am delighted to see you improve the stinky tofu," Li Qi laughed. He was indeed very surprised by Cai Minded's understanding of food, which far exceeded his expectations.

"Frankly, I was worried that Mr. Li would blame me. If that were the case, it would be even better," Cai Minded laughed, sounding quite pleased.

"By the way, how much does this 'Cai's Stinky Tofu' cost?" Li Qi asked curiously.

Cai Minded held up three fingers and smiled, "The same as your inn, three hundred coins."

Three hundred coins?

Li Qi frowned, immediately understanding.

Although the price was the same, the portion was more than double. This way, he could both suppress the Drunken Immortal Inn and maximize his own profit. Given the current status of the Emerald Pavilion, three hundred coins for a dish was not expensive. Moreover, against the backdrop of the high prices at the Drunken Immortal Inn, this move would undoubtedly win the hearts of the people, achieving three goals at once.

Seeing Li Qi silent, Cai Minded asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Do you think the price is inappropriate?"

"No, no, this price is perfect. Besides, I wouldn't dare to talk business in front of you," Li Qi said modestly.

This price was carefully considered by Cai Minded. Hearing Li Qi's words, he felt very pleased. He suddenly asked, "By the way, I heard that your inn no longer sells stinky tofu. Is that true?"

True or false, would you not know?

Li Qi smiled bitterly and nodded, "It's true!"

"Oh? Why is that?"

Li Qi sighed, "It's all because I sold the recipe to you. Uncle Wu was very worried and dared not continue making the stinky tofu."

These words clearly told Cai Minded that Wu Fugong was already intimidated by him.

Cai Minded was very pleased but put on a worried face, "Has Manager Wu blamed you?"

Li Qi pouted and shrugged, not speaking, which was a silent acknowledgment.

"In that case, I have caused you a lot of trouble. I apologize," Cai Minded said insincerely.

Li Qi forced a smile, "You're too kind. I did wrong first, so it's only right that he blames me."

Seeing Li Qi's insincerity, Cai Minded was secretly pleased. He pretended to sigh and asked, "Since the Drunken Immortal Inn has closed, what are your plans?"

Li Qi immediately knew that Cai Minded was trying to recruit him to the Emerald Pavilion.

This old fox's eyes were quite sharp. Despite my low profile, he still values me so much. If it weren't for my agreement with the Drunken Immortal Inn, I might have been moved by his sincerity and joined him.

However, his attention on me is not a good thing!

After some thought, Li Qi had a sudden idea. He sighed deeply, shook his head, and put on a troubled expression.

Cai Minded, seeing this, was very puzzled and asked, "Why are you sighing?"

Li Qi sighed again, "I will probably be tied to the Drunken Immortal Inn for the rest of my life."

Cai Minded was shocked and asked, "Why do you say that, Mr. Li?"

Li Qi countered, "By the way, I have a question for you."

Cai Minded was surprised, "Oh? What is it?"

"I heard that you once offered four thousand guan to buy the Drunken Immortal Inn. Is that true?" Li Qi asked.

Cai Minded was taken aback, "Why do you ask about this now?"

Li Qi bowed, "I hope you can tell me first. I will explain later."

This was no longer a secret, so there was no harm in telling him. Cai Minded frowned, weighed the options, and nodded, "Yes, it's true."

Li Qi immediately relaxed, his expression exaggerated, and muttered, "It seems Uncle Wu didn't lie to me."

Cai Minded was more and more confused and asked urgently, "Mr. Li, what's going on?"

Li Qi sighed, "You see, after Cai's steward delivered the money, I never saw it."

Cai Minded gasped, "Did something happen?"

Li Qi shook his head, "Uncle Wu borrowed all the money."

"Ah?"

Cai Minded exclaimed, his arm trembling, almost knocking over the teacup in front of him.

Li Qi, seeing this, laughed inwardly, thinking, "I'll trick you to death."

Cai Minded asked, "You lent it all to him?"

Li Qi nodded, "Uncle Wu saved my life. How could I refuse him?"

Cai Minded exclaimed, "Mr. Li, you're being foolish. How could you lend him all the money? You know the situation at the Drunken Immortal Inn. What if he can't pay you back?"

Li Qi said, "I had the same concern at first, but then Lady Qin intervened. She said the Drunken Immortal Inn is worth at least four thousand guan and that you once wanted to buy it. She assured me they would pay me back and even wrote me an IOU."

"I see, that's why you asked earlier."

Cai Minded frowned, probing, "Do you know why they borrowed so much money?"

Li Qi nodded, "Of course."

"Why?"

Cai Minded asked quickly but then realized it might be inappropriate and added, "I'm just asking casually. If it's inconvenient, you don't have to say."

Li Qi, seeing his anxious expression, suppressed his laughter and said calmly, "Even if I don't tell you now, you'll find out eventually, so it doesn't matter."

Cai Minded was delighted and looked at Li Qi expectantly.

Li Qi then picked up his teacup, took a sip, and deliberately teased the old fox. He leaned in and whispered, "I heard from Uncle Wu that Lady Qin will personally manage the Drunken Immortal Inn."

"What?"

Cai Minded was shocked, "Is that true?"

"Of course, I wouldn't dare to lie to you," Li Qi nodded.

Cai Minded frowned, "That's impossible. I've heard that Lady Qin rarely shows herself, let alone leave the house. Why would she suddenly manage the Drunken Immortal Inn?"

Li Qi sighed, "It's because of a dream she had."

"A dream?"

Li Qi nodded, "Yes, I heard from her maid that a few days ago, she dreamed of her deceased husband. In the dream, he asked her to manage the Drunken Immortal Inn for him, so she decided to take over."

"I see."

Cai Minded squinted, "Why are you so worried, Mr. Li? A woman managing a business? Isn't that just throwing money away? And those gods and dreams are just illusions. How can you believe them so easily? If it weren't for Uncle Wu, I wouldn't have lent her the money."

Li Qi lied with a straight face, a true acting master.

Cai Minded, hearing this, felt relieved. He didn't take Lady Qin seriously and believed that even if she did manage the Drunken Immortal Inn, with only 1,500 guan, she wouldn't last three months. However, he still had some doubts and asked, "When do you plan to reopen the inn?"

Sweat! It seems this fox has completely taken me as one of his own, asking whatever he wants without any reservations.

Li Qi shook his head, "I don't know. I'm just a cook. They wouldn't tell me everything."

Cai Minded nodded, not too worried, and laughed, "Mr. Li, don't worry. I've heard that Lady Qin was a talented woman in her youth. I'm sure she can find a way to pay you back."

He hadn't thought of how to take over the Drunken Immortal Inn, but now that they were offering, he was delighted. He hoped the Drunken Immortal Inn would reopen soon. As long as it was still in the game, he could manipulate it as he wished. If it just sat there, he would be at a loss.

"Let's hope so," Li Qi sighed, a glint of determination in his eyes.

...

After the meal, to thank Li Qi for "informing" him, Cai Minded had Cai Lao San give him twenty taels of silver. Li Qi pretended to refuse but then put the silver in his pocket, feeling very pleased. Although twenty taels wasn't much, it made him feel that Cai Minded's guard was lowered.

Actually, Li Qi hadn't planned to tell Cai Minded about the Drunken Immortal Inn's reopening. But during the conversation, he realized that the reopening was a big event, and there was a lot of preparation needed. It was impossible to hide it from this old fox, and it would only raise his suspicions.

Li Qi was most afraid that this old fox would interfere before the Drunken Immortal Inn reopened. With the current strength of the Drunken Immortal Inn, it couldn't compete. Moreover, open attacks were easier to avoid, but hidden ones were hard to guard against. Any small move by this old fox could be devastating.

Therefore, to eliminate Cai Minded's concerns, Li Qi decided to tell him about the Drunken Immortal Inn's reopening and blame everything on Lady Qin. As long as the Drunken Immortal Inn could reopen smoothly, he would no longer fear Cai Minded.