Chapter 96

Although Li Qi had a thick skin, especially when it came to women, Bai Qianruo's words truly hurt him. He had been busy all night, almost choked to death by the thick smoke, and even deceived Lady Qin, only to get a piece of information in return. To say he wasn't disappointed would be a lie.

"Li Qi, Li Qi, what kind of good person are you trying to be? Knowing that being a good person is the hardest thing in the world, you still face the challenge head-on. You're really stupid. It seems you should just stick to being a profit-driven businessman. No wonder my father-in-law always says he doesn't want to be a good person, but he just doesn't have the talent. Looks like I don't have it either, at least not in appearance."

After leaving the Bai residence, Li Qi muttered to himself, mocking himself. However, he didn't really blame Bai Qianruo; he understood that the reason for her thoughts lay entirely with him.

But Li Qi's mood was still very bad.

When his mood was bad, his disciples naturally suffered. As disciples, they should share their master's worries.

Ever since Li Qi entered the kitchen that morning, Wu Xiaoliu and the brothers Zhu had been in hot water. Any small mistake that didn't satisfy Li Qi would result in a storm of scolding.

Wu Xiaoliu, who was almost scolded into a daze, still didn't know why his master had become so violent today.

Only Chen Anan and Lady Qin vaguely guessed the reason, but they didn't want to get involved and tried to keep their distance from Li Qi.

That evening.

A group of special guests suddenly appeared at the entrance of Zui Xian Ju. Four stern-faced men, each armed with a large knife, stood around a middle-aged official. He was about forty years old, with dragon eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a jade-like face, and red lips. He was tall and slender, wearing a soft silk cap and a purple silk robe, exuding a graceful and handsome demeanor. Beside him stood a thirty-year-old attendant, who seemed a bit hunched.

"Zui Xian Ju. Haha, this must be the place."

The official stood at the door, looked up at the sign on the second floor, smiled, and nodded, then walked in first.

"Welcome to Zui Xian Ju."

The official was startled by the two greeters at the door, looked at the two girls on either side, and laughed, "Interesting, interesting."

"How many guests are there?"

A female bartender hurried over.

The official, upon entering the shop, kept looking up at the three couplets hanging from the ceiling, seemingly not hearing the bartender's question.

The attendant suddenly said, "Can we have a private room?"

"Sir, are you a gold member?"

"Is this enough?"

Without a word, the attendant took out a gold ingot from his pocket.

The female bartender was slightly taken aback and quickly said, "Sir, please go upstairs. I'll process your gold membership card shortly."

"Gold membership card?"

The official was surprised, smiled, and asked, "Only gold members can go to the third floor?"

"Yes. Once you become a gold member of our shop, you will receive a discount on your meals and can also taste Master Li's cooking." The female bartender smiled. Li Qi's reputation had already spread, and many people came specifically for him. One could say that Li Qi had gradually replaced Lady Qin as the brightest star of Zui Xian Ju.

The official nodded and said, "I see."

The female bartender led the group to the Heavenly Realm private room.

"Very nice, very nice."

The official entered the private room, looked around, and his eyes showed approval.

The four men who had followed the official stood outside the door, two on either side.

After the official was seated, the female bartender poured him a cup of tea and then called another bartender to process his gold membership card.

The official took the gold membership card, played with it for a while, and sighed, "Why did no one think of such a small piece of copper until now?"

The female bartender handed him the menu and said, "Sir, this is our shop's menu—"

Before she could finish, the official waved his paper fan and said, "Just bring me one of each dish on the menu."

"Ah?"

The female bartender was slightly taken aback and said, "Sir, there are over ten dishes on the menu, including the yin-yang pot. Are you sure you want one of each?"

"Yes. Oh, and bring me a bottle of World's Best."

The female bartender was taken aback. She originally wanted to tell him that the World's Best was not for sale, but seeing the official's luxurious attire and generous demeanor, she thought it best to ask Master Li to avoid offending him.

In the kitchen, when Li Qi heard the female bartender's words, he was surprised, "Did you hear that right? The guest really said he wants one of each dish."

The female bartender confirmed, "Yes, I asked him twice, and he also said he wants a bottle of World's Best."

At that moment, Wu Furong suddenly walked in.

Seeing Wu Furong, Li Qi said, "Uncle Wu, you came just in time. Did you see the guest who went to the Heavenly Realm room?"

Wu Furong nodded and said, "I came specifically for this matter. Li Qi, that guest is no ordinary person. We need to be careful."

"I know."

"You know?"

Li Qi nodded unhappily and repeated the female bartender's words to Wu Furong.

Wu Furong was also surprised when he heard this.

Li Qi said sternly, "Uncle Wu, do you think this person might be sent by Cai Minded?"

"Why?"

"It's simple. Isn't it obvious that he wants to work me to death?"

Wu Furong gasped, "There's a possibility."

Li Qi couldn't help but laugh, "If that's the case, then dying from overwork would be worth it. But before I die, Cai Minded should go bankrupt."

"You, you, you're making fun of me again."

Wu Furong was taken aback, then understood, blushed, and glared at Li Qi, asking, "What do you plan to do?"

"Cook the dishes."

Li Qi smiled and said to the female bartender, "Go and bring a bottle of World's Best up there and tell them it's free. We must keep this big customer."

After giving the instructions, Li Qi turned around and saw Wu Xiaoliu and the others still standing there. He scowled and said angrily, "What are you all standing here for? Don't you want to work anymore? Didn't you hear what the guest said? Hurry up and prepare the ingredients. If you worked hard, would I need to be so busy? What kind of disciples did I take in? They can't even lend a hand."

The three disciples were scolded into submission. They had already gotten used to it and lowered their heads to prepare.

Making over ten dishes at once sounded like a lot, but Li Qi didn't actually have much to do. Wu Xiaoliu and the others were responsible for preparing the ingredients, washing, and cutting, while he only needed to cook, boil, and season.

As for the yin-yang pot, Zheng Huo could handle it alone because the most difficult part, the hot pot base, had already been prepared by Li Qi.

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

Congratulations on still being alive. There will be another update tonight. Please recommend and collect.

{Piao Tian Literature}