Chapter 519 A Man Respected by the County Magistrate

Wan Qiqi did not hesitate.

After deciding to give up, she asked Chen Yongnian to dispose of the house.

Whether she sells it, rents it out, or deals with it in some other way, she doesn't want the house right now.

This house represents both her hopes and her failures.

With her current abilities, she is not capable of reopening the girls' school she desires, so she chooses to give up. She will definitely do it when she has the ability in the future.

But she didn't know how long into the future.

The business of Xinglong Restaurant was like a dilapidated girls' school, appearing somewhat sickly and lifeless, and even the waiters in the restaurant seemed a bit dejected.

Just a moment ago, the two managers were recruiting new staff and seemed to be preparing to open a branch. Why has it turned out like this now?

This puzzled most people, and they were powerless to do anything about it.

They were just ordinary workers, earning their wages through labor to support their families.

Other things seem less important to them.

Just like the outside world, some of the staff also harbored prejudices against their manager.

If it weren't for the manager's plan to open a girls' school, how could Xinglong Restaurant's business be so dismal?

But most of them are people who have been with Xinglong Restaurant since its opening. They have no blame for Wan Qiqi, only care for her and want her to get out of this mess quickly so that Xinglong Restaurant can create another golden age.

Zhu Chengye is the most obvious example of this.

He carried the latest account book up to the study on the second floor, and when he opened the door, he saw Wan Qiqi sitting at the desk.

Although his eyes were fixed on the ledger, they seemed somewhat vacant, as if they had drifted off somewhere.

Zhu Chengye placed the account book on the desk and said in a low voice, "Qiqi, if you're not feeling well, you can go back and rest. I'll look after the restaurant. Or you can go back to Lotus Village. You've been gone for a while now. Go back and check on the wasteland; I'm waiting for you!"

"I'm not feeling unwell, I'm just thinking about how to get the restaurant out of its current predicament." Wan Qiqi switched hands and continued to prop her head up, saying, "This matter started because of me, so naturally I have to find a way to resolve it."

"It's alright. Things will calm down and heal naturally. Time is the best medicine for everything." Zhu Chengye was quite optimistic.

Despite the dismal business, he was not discouraged; instead, he encouraged Wan Qiqi.

"Time can indeed smooth over many things, but it can't alter memories." Wan Qiqi raised her eyes and said seriously, "Right now, it's not just the customers who are affected, but also the staff in the restaurant. When does Brother Zhu plan to clean the interior of the restaurant?"

“Some people have been following me for months, and I really can’t bring myself to do it,” Zhu Chengye said with a sigh.

As restaurant business declined, problems with the restaurant staff began to surface one by one.

During this period, some long-term employees not only failed to maintain the restaurant's business, but also leaked some of the restaurant's secrets to outsiders.

Zhu Chengye already knew of three people, but he didn't want to lay off any more employees at this time.

"One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel. Brother Zhu, don't let those people be like me, the rotten apple, making the restaurant business worse and worse." Wan Qiqi said with a smile, as if she wasn't cursing herself.

"Alright, I'll take care of it." Zhu Chengye sighed, opened the study door, and prepared to leave.

Chen Yongnian stood at the door, nodded to Zhu Chengye, and stepped into the study.

"I just received word that Lord Fang has come to town and summoned me there," he said earnestly.

He said all this because he was afraid that if he was called away, he wouldn't have time to come back, and it would be difficult to explain to the two children.

"Go ahead! You have official duties to attend to, so naturally, you should prioritize them. I will take good care of myself and the child." Wan Qiqi stood up, put her arms around Chen Yongnian, and gently patted his back twice.

"Alright," Chen Yongnian said gently, "Never be reckless in anything."

He gave several more instructions before turning and leaving.

The yamen runners who had been summoned were still at the entrance of the restaurant, waiting for Chen Yongnian to come out before leaving together.

They were not heading out of Hefeng Town, nor towards the government office, but rather deeper into the main street.

Even after seeing where Fang Ziming was standing, Chen Yongnian still felt somewhat dazed.

He quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Lord Fang!"

He then looked up slightly and saw an old man beside Fang Ziming.

Fang Ziming treated the old man with great respect, as if he were some kind of nobleman. Chen Yongnian rarely saw the other party act this way.

He bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, sir."

The old man seemed to find Chen Yongnian pleasing to the eye, and with a faint smile on his face, he said, "No need for formalities."

Chen Yongnian then straightened up, but his head was still slightly lowered.

Fang Ziming introduced, "Old Xu, this is Chen Yongnian, the clerk of the county government's military office. He has only been in the county government for a few months, but he is serious and responsible in his work."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yongnian's brows furrowed slightly.

What exactly is Mr. Xu's identity?

If he were someone of some status, why would Fang Ziming introduce someone as insignificant as himself to Old Xu?

But given his lack of official status, Fang Ziming's attitude towards him raises suspicions.

"Yes, I can tell he's an honest and upright person," Old Xu nodded in response.

If Wan Qiqi were here, she would definitely recognize that this Mr. Xu was the old gentleman who had asked her for water.

At this moment, the place where the old man was standing was also the place where he asked for water—the Wenzhai (a place for drinking water).

Unfortunately, Chen Yongnian was unaware of this matter, nor did he know who the old gentleman in front of him was or what made him special.

After gesturing to Elder Xu, Fang Ziming led Chen Yongnian a few steps to the side and whispered, "Elder Xu is a renowned scholar from the capital. He was once a disciple of the late Emperor, and his students are now all over Daxing. We must not offend this man!"

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