Chapter 20

Old Madam Tang paid no mind to whatever Chu Shaoyang was saying. She simply urged, “Tang Jin, hand over the silver to Miss Chu right away.”

Had this old lady gone blind or something?

She had seen it all too clearly. Miss Chu had only glanced her way once during their greeting. After that, her eyes had scarcely left Chu Lingyue. It was infuriating.

Old Madam Tang was so angry she wanted to slam her cane on the ground right then and there.

If not for the fact that they were conducting business—and that guests deserved some courtesy upon entering—she would have chased them out on the spot.

The silver had to be returned, and it had to be done immediately.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t feel at ease.

Tang Jin didn’t hesitate. She directly took out the twenty taels of silver and handed them to Chu Shaoyang. “I apologize for the previous offenses. And thank you.”

The apology was for the original host’s entanglement with Chu Shaoyang. The thanks were for the loan.

From here on, she would be debt-free and unburdened by any further entanglements.

Chu Shaoyang ignored Tang Jin entirely. She merely cast a faint glance at Tang Second Aunt.

The reason she had selected this woman from among the maids and servants to keep at her side was precisely because Tang Second Aunt was clever and knew her place.

Tang Second Aunt immediately understood her intent. She produced the IOU and took the silver on Chu Shaoyang’s behalf.

Silver exchanged for the IOU—everything settled cleanly.

Seeing this, Old Madam Tang let out a heavy breath of relief.

Yet Chu Shaoyang showed no sign of leaving. Instead, she calmly took a seat at one of the tables and curved her lips slightly. “Miss Lingyue, what dishes are on the menu today?”

She had truly come to eat—and oh, to collect a debt along the way.

Old Madam Tang bristled like an enemy at the gates when Chu Shaoyang smiled at Chu Lingyue again. This woman was persistent as ever, still coveting her precious treasure.

Chu Lingyue couldn’t help glancing at Tang Jin, her eyes questioning.

Tang Jin hadn’t yet written up the menu for the day, so she had no idea what dishes were available.

Ever accommodating, Tang Jin replied, “Just a moment. I’ll go write it up now.”

Chu Lingyue nodded, her words concise. “Please wait a moment, honored guest.”

Chu Shaoyang kept smiling, her tone gentle. “No rush, Miss Lingyue. Go about your business. No need to wait on me. I’ll take my time.”

Chu Lingyue nodded. That odd feeling welled up in her heart again. She wasn’t busy, nor had she planned to stand at the table serving. Yet this young lady seemed to enjoy watching her?

Old Madam Tang, seeing the situation, settled in to stay as well. She would keep watch here all day and see who dared covet her treasure.

Tang Jin quickly finished the menu. Only two dishes were on offer today: soybean braised pork trotters and boiled pork slices, with three portions of each.

Once the menu was posted, Chu Shaoyang glanced at it and said warmly, “One portion of each dish, if you please, Miss Lingyue.”

Before Chu Lingyue could respond, Tang Laidi jumped in. “Lingyue, why don’t you go to the back and dish out some rice? I’ll handle the guests today.”

Her close friend was far too lacking in vigilance. The rival had shown up at their door—shouldn’t she hurry and send Chu Lingyue away?

Chu Lingyue thoughtfully glanced at Chu Shaoyang before turning toward the back courtyard.

Vaguely, she thought she understood what was strange about this young lady.

Just then, voices came from outside the door.

“Brother Cao, this is my daughter, Miao Liu.” Lord Miao had sent people to investigate as soon as he returned home the day before. No wonder he hadn’t heard of this place—it had only been open for its third day.

He had been thinking about the food here all afternoon. Come evening, he had brought his daughter along.

What a coincidence. They hadn’t even entered when they ran into Cao Kesang.

Miao Liu called out obediently, “Uncle Cao.”

“No need for such formalities, Niece Miao Liu.”

The three entered chatting amiably. But when Lord Miao took in the scene inside, his beard twitched, and he swallowed the invitation to treat that had been on the tip of his tongue.

If he wasn’t mistaken, today’s menu listed just two dishes—six portions in total—and each person could order at most two.

Chu Shaoyang’s table already had two portions. That left only four, not nearly enough to go around!

Lord Miao paused for a beat, then strode forward. “Waiter! Two portions of soybean braised pork trotters and one of boiled pork slices.”

When out and about, it was all about sharp eyes and quick hands.

As for courtesy? What was there to yield? Good brothers didn’t stand on ceremony. And wasn’t there still one portion of boiled pork slices left?

He and his daughter were holding back by not claiming all four dishes.

Cao Kesang inwardly cursed the old man for his rudeness. Who was he racing against? If not for needing a favor, he wouldn’t have deliberately lagged behind.

Composing himself, he followed up. “One portion of boiled pork slices.”

The newly minted waiter, Tang Laidi, chimed in thoughtfully. “Honored guest, we have wine today as well.”

“Then a pot of wine,” Lord Miao and Cao Kesang said almost in unison.

“Right away!” Tang Laidi replied with a grin. Two pots of wine netted a two-tael profit margin. Delightful.

Miao Liu had noticed Chu Shaoyang upon entering and had barely sat down to greet her when she heard her father order just three dishes. Dissatisfied, she complained, “Father, three dishes aren’t nearly enough. Sister Shaoyang ordered two all by herself.”

Since when had her father become so stingy?

Lord Miao tugged at the corner of his mouth. He would have loved to order more, but this restaurant simply didn’t have them.

Seeing the situation, Chu Shaoyang took the initiative to explain. “Liu’er, come eat with me. The portions here aren’t large.”

With that, she pointed to the two sheets of paper posted on the wall by the counter.

The rules were spelled out clearly: daily dishes were limited in quantity and portions.

Miao Liu glanced at the menu, sampled a bite of the food, and said no more. Once that flavor hit her tongue, who had time to quibble? It was truly delicious.

Lord Miao had no objections—far from it. With his daughter at Chu Shaoyang’s table, he could eat his fill.

As soon as the dishes arrived, Cao Kesang eagerly took a bite. Then he picked up his wine and dish and moved to Lord Miao’s side.

“Brother Miao, these boiled pork slices are tender and slick, with that perfect numbing-spicy fresh flavor that goes so well with rice. You have to try them.”

Lord Miao tweaked his beard. As if he hadn’t ordered the dish himself. This old schemer was getting thick-skinned for the sake of good food.

Before Lord Miao could respond, Cao Kesang had already picked up a pork trotter. It was soft to the bite, the meat slipping cleanly off the bone. Delicious indeed.

“Come on, Brother Miao, have some wine. This table’s on me today.” With that, he snatched another piece.

Lord Miao forced a smile and said nothing. He simply reached out with his chopsticks.

Only a fool would drink now—he wanted the food.

There were two plates of soybean braised pork trotters, but only five or six pieces per plate total. Hadn’t this old fox just scarfed down two in the blink of an eye?

Still, since the man knew enough to offer to pay, Lord Miao wouldn’t hold it against him.

Once all the dishes were served, Chu Lingyue brought out rice and tea. Seeing Tang Jin and Tang Laidi each stationed at a table, she sat down beside Old Madam Tang to keep the old lady company.

For a time, the atmosphere remained pleasantly harmonious.

Until Miao Liu finished eating, set down her chopsticks, and began idly observing the people in the hall.

She glanced at Tang Jin and stared a few more times, something dawning in her eyes. “Sister Shaoyang, why does this person look so familiar?”

Chu Shaoyang’s lips pressed together slightly. “That’s Tang Jin.”

Tang Jin!

Miao Liu’s eyes widened at the name. “No wonder she seemed familiar!”

So it was that sticky plaster of a woman.

Every time Chu Shaoyang went out, she followed like a shadow, pretending it was coincidence—the destitute scholar.

Miao Liu had been curious at the time and had her people look into it. Upon learning that Tang Jin was married yet still pestering Chu Shaoyang, she had been filled with contempt. What a scumbag.

“Sister Shaoyang, what is this scumbag doing here?”

Chu Shaoyang remained utterly calm. “The restaurant is hers.”

Miao Liu looked at Chu Shaoyang with utter exasperation. “Then you absolutely cannot eat here.”

Before, Chu Shaoyang had always avoided Tang Jin at the mere sight of her.

Getting tangled up with an importunate sticky plaster like that was nothing but bad luck.

Chu Shaoyang’s grip tightened on her chopsticks, but her expression stayed breezy. “The food is decent.”

And her purpose wasn’t the food at all…