Chapter 72

The three of them chatted for a while, and then Chen Dama suddenly came in, holding a bundle of red cloth in both hands.

This cloth was, of course, prepared by Li Qi.

Li Qi said thank you and asked Chen Dama to put the cloth on the table.

After Chen Dama left, Li Qi unrolled the cloth and saw that it was three pieces of red cloth, each about a yard long.

Bai Qianruo asked curiously, "What are you planning to do?"

Lady Qin was also very curious and asked, "Is this for the ribbon-cutting ceremony?"

"This has nothing to do with the ribbon-cutting ceremony."

Li Qi smiled and then said to Xiaotao, "Xiaotao, bring me the Four Treasures of the Study."

When Xiaotao heard Li Qi mention the Four Treasures of the Study, she recalled his atrocious handwriting, pursed her lips, and glanced at Lady Qin, who nodded slightly.

Soon, Xiaotao brought the Four Treasures of the Study to Li Qi.

Li Qi picked up the brush and, without a word, handed it to Lady Qin with a sheepish smile, "I'll have to trouble you, Lady, to write for me."

When Lady Qin signed the contract with Li Qi, she had the chance to see his handwriting. She smiled and said to Bai Qianruo, "Seventh Sister, you write it. Your handwriting is better than mine."

"Wang Sister, you're making fun of me. It was you who taught me how to write," Bai Qianruo said modestly.

"Ah, the two of you, at least give me some face, will you? You know I can't write in calligraphy, yet you keep saying your handwriting is bad. Are you deliberately bullying me? Besides, it's just a few words, not for sale. As long as others can read it, that's fine. If you keep pushing it, I'll go to the toilet first," Li Qi complained.

Bai Qianruo and Lady Qin exchanged glances and both blushed.

"Wang Sister, you write it," Bai Qianruo said hurriedly.

"Alright."

Lady Qin took the brush and asked Li Qi, "What do you want to write?"

"Just a few couplets, it will be quick."

Li Qi smiled and said, "The first one is '画上荷花和尚画' (Hua shang hehua heshang hua)."

When Lady Qin heard this, she was stunned and asked in surprise, "Did you come up with this?"

Li Qi replied directly, "I copied it; I couldn't have come up with it."

To put on a show, one must first see if they have the real talent, and second, see who is standing in front of them. In business, he could bluff, but in calligraphy, Li Qi didn't dare to show off in front of these two talented women.

Li Qi's honesty made Bai Qianruo a bit uncomfortable. She paused and said, "This couplet, whether read forward or backward, has the same pronunciation. It's really hard to match. I wonder who came up with this?"

"I'm not quite sure. It's said that a talented man surnamed Tang came up with it. Anyway, I saw it carved on a door panel in the toilet and borrowed it," Li Qi shook his head.

Bai Qianruo knew he was fibbing and rolled her eyes. After Lady Qin finished writing, she thought for a while but came up with nothing, so she put it aside, even more eager to see the next two couplets.

"The second couplet is '寂寞寒窗空守寡' (Jimo hanchuang kong shougua)."

As soon as he said this, there was a "thud."

Li Qi looked and saw that Lady Qin's brush had suddenly fallen on the table.

What's going on?

Li Qi looked at Lady Qin and saw her trembling. After a moment's thought, he realized what had happened and slapped his forehead, "Lady, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that about you. I'll think of another one, another one."

"It's fine."

Lady Qin was slightly stunned, realizing she had lost her composure. She quickly adjusted, shook her head, and picked up the brush to write the couplet.

Seeing that Lady Qin was fine, Bai Qianruo relaxed. She looked at the first couplet and felt even more defeated, unable to think of a matching second line after a long time.

After the second couplet was written, Li Qi said, "The third couplet is '烟锁池塘柳' (Yan suo chitang liu)."

As soon as this couplet was out, Bai Qianruo was completely deflated, feeling like she could die from frustration. She said gloomily, "Where did you hear these three couplets?"

"Didn't I say? I copied them from the public toilet in my hometown."

I'll believe that when I see it.

Bai Qianruo glared at Li Qi and asked Lady Qin, "Wang Sister, have you thought of a matching second line?"

"Wait, wait."

Before Lady Qin could speak, Li Qi suddenly interrupted, "The two of you, I know you are talented, but I need to make a living with these three couplets. Please give me a chance and don't come up with the second lines. If you do, keep them to yourselves for a few years before revealing them."

"What, a few years? You're just trying to make me angry because you know I can't come up with them," Bai Qianruo huffed.

"Can't you come up with them? Ha, that's great, I was worried for nothing."

Li Qi laughed and said to Lady Qin, "Lady, these three couplets are the treasures of our shop. Don't hurt your own people. If you come up with the second lines, don't tell anyone, just tell me."

Lady Qin shook her head and smiled bitterly, "I can't come up with them either."

Bai Qianruo huffed, "Are you trying to attract customers like Mr. Cai with these three couplets?"

"Ha! Someone of my high taste wouldn't be as shallow as Mr. Cai."

Li Qi snorted and said, "To be honest, these three couplets are just a lead-in. The three hidden dishes behind them are the key."

"Three hidden dishes?" Bai Qianruo asked in surprise.

"Exactly. These three hidden dishes were created by our Qin family ancestors and have been lost for many years. Recently, Lady—while cleaning the room—accidentally found the recipes for these three dishes. They have been entrusted to me, and I hope to use these three dishes to restore the former glory of Zui Xianju. Sigh, it's a huge responsibility," Li Qi sighed.

Lady Qin, listening to this, shook her head. She still didn't understand what was going on. Cleaning the room? She had never done that in her life.

Bai Qianruo glanced suspiciously at Lady Qin, seeing her expression of helplessness, and knew that Li Qi was making it all up. She huffed, "I think these three dishes are all your own creation."

Li Qi chuckled, "Well... it's all the same, all the same. What's mine is the Lady's, and the Lady is mine."

"What did you say?" Lady Qin's eyebrows shot up in anger.

"Oh, I mean what's mine is the Lady's, and what's the Lady's is the Lady's," Li Qi quickly corrected.

Lady Qin rolled her eyes, feeling a sense of helplessness.

Bai Qianruo also shook her head and said, "What's the connection between these three couplets and your three hidden dishes?"

Li Qi smiled, "Each couplet hides the name of a dish. If someone can come up with a matching second line, the name of one dish will be revealed to the public. Of course, if they want to eat it, they'll have to pay."

Bai Qianruo asked incredulously, "So, only those who can come up with the second line can see the dish names?"

"Exactly," Li Qi nodded. "We run a restaurant, not a charity. Of course, they have to pay for their meals. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Bai Qianruo shook her head, not agreeing with Li Qi's approach. She even felt that Mr. Cai would be considered a saint compared to Li Qi. "I guess the prices won't be cheap, right?"

"Well—let's see when the time comes," Li Qi smiled sheepishly.

Lady Qin smiled bitterly, "Seventh Sister, don't ask anymore. He won't say anything more."

"Still, you understand me," Li Qi nodded and smiled.

Lady Qin rolled her eyes and said, "Tomorrow we're going to the National Temple to burn incense and pray. Get up early."

"Really? Burn incense and pray? Can I not go?" Li Qi asked, feeling difficult.

"Why not?"

"I worship Guan Yu."

Lady Qin's face turned serious, "No, you must go. If the boss doesn't go, it would be too insincere."

"Okay."

Li Qi pouted and muttered, "Looks like I'll have to spend some money on incense again."