Lin Zixing's slap was like a sweet date, leaving all the diners trembling with fear.

There were also those who were more carefree, saying, "This Scholar Cao has wasted his time studying the classics and actually did such despicable things. Don't worry, Madam Gu, if this really comes to court, we will speak frankly about what happened today."

After saying that, he looked at Lin Zixing again, "To deal with such a despicable person, it is still necessary for Young Master Lin to take action. Thank you for your generosity, Young Master Lin. Then I will not be polite."

This was a very thoughtful statement, which put the others at ease.

Lin Zixing's methods were indeed somewhat bloody, but he was dealing with a shameless scholar like Cao Juren.

They are legitimate diners, what are they afraid of?

If Young Master Lin really wanted to deal with them, he had plenty of ways to do so, after all, he was a member of the royal family.

But there's no one there, is there?

So why worry unnecessarily?

Lin Zixing's entourage quickly carried the scholar Cao away, even picking up his severed hand and taking it with them.

The bloodstains in front of the shop were also wiped away, as if nothing had happened, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

The perpetrator acted as if nothing had happened, saying, "I'm sorry to have frightened Madam Gu. If you encounter this kind of trouble again, just call me."

Gu An'an withdrew her hand, feeling a little uneasy, but her expression remained calm. "Thank you, Young Master Lin. I'll go make some dishes right away."

"Then I'll accept it without hesitation."

When Lin Zixing said this, his gaze fell on Xiao You, but he only glanced at her once.

Xiao You, on the other hand, seemed completely unaffected, happily running over to help Gu An'an, muttering, "Boss lady, are you alright? I didn't react in time, but I won't do it again next time."

He heard Gu An'an's angry voice from afar, "Next time?"

"That's all, that's all. I promise there won't be a next time."

The constant noise from the kitchen drowned out their voices.

Lin Zixing's lips curled up. He took the handkerchief he had just used to wipe Gu An'an's wrist, wiped the bloodstains off the folding fan, and threw it into the trash can.

He thought it was dirty.

It was lunchtime, and the kitchen had no shortage of ingredients.

Gu An'an quickly prepared several dishes, including two new ones.

"Thank you for your help, Young Master Lin. I will have someone copy down this recipe and send it to your residence later."

Lin Zixing stopped eating upon hearing this. "What does Madam Gu mean by this?"

It's particularly boring when smart people pretend to be confused, especially smart people like Lin Zixing.

"Young Master Lin saved me, so of course I must repay him. Wouldn't it be better to be clear about gratitude and resentment?"

"It's quite good." Lin Zixing smiled faintly. "It's just that I didn't expect that Madam Gu's life and fortune were only worth a few recipes. Isn't Madam Gu underestimating herself?"

This was a typical attempt to provoke her, but Gu An'an wasn't falling for it. "Look at what Young Master Lin is saying. I'm not heavy at all."

She made a double entendre, but then regretted it, fearing that people might think she was being flirtatious.

Sure enough, Lin Zixing's smile widened. "It doesn't look too heavy. How's your alcohol tolerance, Madam Gu? Would you like to have a couple of drinks with me?"

Gu An'an's alcohol tolerance was average, but since Lin Zixing had indeed saved her today, she didn't refuse the man's offer.

She only ate a couple of bites of food; it was indeed delicious, being her own cooking.

Lin Zixing watched her focus on eating, then glanced at the person trembling in the corner. "I see that Madam Gu is short-handed here. What do you think of me?"

Xiao You had brought back a few rabbits from hunting in the mountains, and Gu An'an happened to have some chili peppers, so she made this cold-served rabbit.

Seeing that Lin Zixing didn't eat spicy food, she ate the whole plate of food.

Just as they were enjoying their meal, Lin Zixing said something that made them choke on a mouthful of chili pepper.

"Drink water."

It's useless.

Chili peppers are not water-soluble.

Gu An'an hurriedly went to the kitchen, found a tomato and ate it, which relieved the spiciness.

After eating the tomatoes and drinking a large cup of tea, she finally felt a little better. "What kind of joke is Young Master Lin playing on me?"

The sisters in the family were favored concubines in the palace, and the Lin family's business spread throughout the Great Ye Dynasty, even reaching the Western Yong region where the Lin family had merchant caravans.

How could someone who is not short of money covet the three taels of silver a month from her shop?

What else could it be but a joke?

Her pretty face turned bright red from eating spicy food, as if she had applied a thin layer of rouge.

Lin Zixing found the person in front of him quite pleasing to the eye. "I am not a person who jokes."

Gu An'an's expression turned slightly serious upon hearing this, and after a long while she finally spoke, "Young Master Lin, why are you making fun of me? How is this any different from that Scholar Cao?"

Comparing himself to that scholar Cao? Lin Zixing naturally understood Gu An'an's underlying meaning; this person was angry.

He remained calm, pointing his folding fan, sharp as a blade, at Xiao Wu, who was trembling in the corner. He then glanced at Xiao You, who was busy serving other guests. "Since Madam Gu is so kind, daring to take in people of dubious origin, why would she refuse my small suggestion?"

The phrase "of dubious origin" made Xiao Wu shudder, and he looked at Gu An'an, hesitant to speak.

"How do I know that Young Master Lin came to my shop without ulterior motives?"

“Of course.” Lin Zixing slowly closed his folding fan. “What I’m after is Gu…”

"Manager Gu, could you please make me something to eat?"

Fu Lingshu's arrival interrupted Lin Zixing's words. Looking at the person who was wearing a veil that covered half of her face, and who was standing there prettily but whose eyes were fixed on Lin Zixing, Gu An'an once suspected that Fu Lingshu really liked Lin Zixing.

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