Hearing the laughter from the crowd, Chen Danian felt a burning pain on his face, as if he had been slapped hard several times.
How could a scholar like him have ever suffered such humiliation?!
He clenched his fists and ran like the wind towards home, wanting nothing more than to escape this place that had made him lose face.
"Scholar Chen, why don't you have a proper talk with Manager Gan?"
"That's right! Didn't you just say you'd be obedient? How come you went back on your word so quickly!"
"What credibility can a gigolo have? I think the court should revoke his academic title. Letting someone like that be a scholar is a disgrace to the court!"
The voices drifted over, and when Chen Danian heard that someone was actually eyeing his academic degree, he wished he could go back and tear that person's mouth apart—this degree of scholar status was earned through years of hard study, and these lowly people dared to say such things.
Once he becomes the top scholar and an official, he will make these lowly people see what official power is!
But the person he hated most was Gan Li!
From childhood to adulthood, he was always superior to others because of his status as a scholar. After passing the imperial examination and becoming a Xiucai, everyone he met treated him with utmost respect. He had never lost face.
But now, he's being played by a cheap woman he didn't want, becoming a laughingstock in everyone's eyes. Now, he's a gigolo who abandoned his wife and daughter for wealth and status!
Chen Danian ran all the way home. He only felt a little relieved when he saw his house. He pushed open the gate, staggered into the yard, and collapsed heavily onto the stone table, panting heavily.
"How is it? How is it?" Granny Lü rushed out upon hearing the commotion, grabbed Chen Danian's arm, and asked anxiously, "Did you get the secret recipe? And the money? Tell me!"
Looking at the old, greedy face in front of him, Chen Danian suddenly felt disgusted. He abruptly shook off her hand and growled impatiently, "Can't you just shut up?!"
Granny Lü had been thinking about money all day, hoping her son would come back and bring her some. But instead of money, she was nearly pushed to the ground, which made her angry.
"If you didn't get it, just say you didn't get it. Why are you taking it out on me? Is it because I refused to give you the money? I don't know who said it yesterday, but that bitch listened to you and would happily give you the recipe and the money as soon as you went there. And now look what happened?"
The mocking tone reminded Chen Danian of what had happened at the dock earlier, and of Gan Li's ambiguous smile. His anger flared even more. He slammed his fist on the table, gritting his teeth and growling:
"Ganli, you shameless woman! Just you wait, one day I'll make you kneel before me and beg for mercy!"
"Scholar Chen—"
Who's so blind? Can't they see he's in a bad mood?
Chen Danian was furious and suddenly looked up, about to burst into a tirade, but when he saw that the person who came was actually the steward next to Master Zhao, his heart trembled, and all his anger vanished without a trace, replaced by a feeling of utter panic.
"Steward Zhao? What brings you here? Does Uncle Zhao have any instructions?" He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace and asked cautiously.
Butler Zhao looked at him coldly, his tone undisguisedly sarcastic:
"I heard that things were quite lively at the dock today. Chen Xiucai's words have spread like wildfire, and even our master has heard about them. Our master is quite angry. In order to avoid wrongly accusing you, he specially sent me to call you over and give you a chance to explain yourself."
So it was because of this! Chen Danian was in a state of utter confusion, not expecting the news to spread so quickly!
At the time, he was convinced that if he beckoned, that slut would obediently hand over the ice-making method to him, and then he would no longer have to fawn over the Zhao family. Therefore, he spoke without any restraint.
However, looking back now, he wished he could slap himself twice!
He was filled with regret, but Granny Lü kept urging him on: "Your in-laws are calling you, hurry up and go, don't keep them waiting!"
Upon hearing this, Butler Zhao immediately gave them a cold look and said sternly, "What in-laws? It's not even close to being settled yet, so please be careful what you say!"
"What do you mean it's not even close to happening? Aren't they all discussing marriage lately?" Granny Lü was indignant, but seeing the unfriendly look on Steward Zhao's face, she dared not say anything more.
Chen Xiucai was in a state of confusion, but he was quick-witted enough to realize that he couldn't get any benefits from Gan Li, so he couldn't afford to lose the Zhao family's side as well!
He wanted to stall for time and think of a solution, but Butler Zhao was standing there waiting for him, so he couldn't delay and had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow Butler Zhao out the door.
Upon arriving at the Zhao residence, with the Zhao family's main hall right before him, he took a deep breath and made up his mind.
Upon entering, before Master Zhao could even speak, he knelt down and loudly proclaimed:
“Uncle Zhao, I’m so sorry, I didn’t do what you asked me to do! I know you must have heard some rumors, but they were all because I wanted to get the ice-making method…”
Master Zhao had already learned about what had happened at the dock from the servants. Seeing his expression now only fueled his anger. He laughed in fury and said, "So, you're doing this for my own good, ruining the reputation of the Zhao family?"
Chen Danian felt a chill run down his spine. He sensed the anger in Master Zhao's tone and quickly explained:
"Uncle, I did not intend to tarnish the Zhao family's reputation, it's just... there was a real reason!"
"Oh? Then I'd like to hear what your troubles are!" Master Zhao's tone was icy, clearly not believing his story.
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