"Who are you calling short-sighted and ignorant? How can you prove that this is the same 'Hibiscus Braised Fish' from Zhenxiu Restaurant? The owner has changed; would the chef still be left for you? Do you think we're all fools?"
Just as Cen Xi finished cursing, a scholar in blue robes glared at him, pointed at Cen Xi's nose, and retorted with insults.
"Aren't you an idiot? Let me tell you, although the owner has changed, the cook hasn't changed."
Before Cen Xi could speak, Jun Xiaoqiao covered her face with her handkerchief and sneered. She had never seen such a stupid person in her past and present lives, who actually called her an idiot.
"You...you vixen, you're spouting nonsense! Do you think I don't understand? The chef is the restaurant's star attraction; how could the chef not leave?"
After being scolded by Jun Xiaoqiao, the scholar was speechless for a moment, but then he stubbornly continued to scold.
Cen Xi couldn't stand this idiot any longer and said impatiently:
"Just tell me what you want, don't beat around the bush. I hate people who can't get to the point. I have limited patience, so get to the point quickly."
“You must compensate us. Zhenxiulou has broken its promise. If you don’t compensate us for the building, you will compensate us for… for money, 100,000… 100,000 taels of gold.”
The scholar in blue saw Cen Xi looking at him with a fierce expression, and although he stammered a bit, he still managed to get her purpose out of his mouth.
"Oh? You think the same thing?"
After the scholar finished speaking, Cen Xi raised an eyebrow and looked at the classmates who were surrounding him in silence.
"Yes! Pay up...pay us back, or give us back the Zhenxiu Restaurant."
When Cen Xi asked them, those people mustered their courage and spoke up.
"Cen Xi, you're not doing so well. You just got your hands on Zhenxiulou and someone's already eyeing it. It's obvious they're taking advantage of your lack of connections."
Jun Xiaoqiao said, seemingly enjoying the spectacle.
"Go stand over there and don't make sarcastic remarks."
Cen Xibai glanced at Jun Xiaoqiao, then looked at the dozen or so people and said, "Fine, I'll compensate you. Do you want silver or this Zhenxiu Restaurant?"
"Are you really going to pay?"
The scholar in blue who spoke first glanced at Cen Xi with shifty eyes and asked tentatively.
"Hmm, tell me, what do you want? The delicacies of the restaurant or silver? And who will you compensate?"
Cen Xi raised an eyebrow and looked at him.
"Pay...pay Brother Xiao, he'll be here soon, he'll be here soon."
After Cen Xi finished speaking, the scholar in blue stammered in reply.
"Then we'll wait and see who this Brother Xiao is."
Cen Xi smiled and raised an eyebrow, then pulled up a chair and sat down, waiting for someone with a serious expression.
“I’ll wait a bit. I’ve never seen such shameless and despicable people in my life. You all stand properly to the side and wait for your master to come and take you away.”
Jun Xiaoqiao smiled and glanced at Cen Xi, then found a chair and sat down in the messy No. 2 room.
Seeing Cen Xi and Jun Xiaoqiao's assertive demeanor, the scholars exchanged awkward glances.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the person they were waiting for finally came up to the Zhenxiu Building.
The newcomer was dressed in white, with a white jade pendant at his waist and a white jade hairpin in his hair. He had a high nose, a square face, and was of average appearance, but not stunning.
His voice was quite pleasant; as soon as he opened his mouth, both Cen Xi and Jun Xiaoqiao couldn't help but scrutinize his appearance.
"What's going on? Didn't we say we were coming for dinner? Why are you like this?"
"Brother Xiao, the Zhenxiu Restaurant has changed owners today, and the braised fish with egg white is not authentic. We are currently negotiating with these two ladies. What do you think we should do?"
Upon seeing Xiao Qiliang enter, the scholar in blue robes immediately began to explain.
"How is it not authentic?"
As soon as Xiao Qiliang opened his mouth, Cen Xi and Jun Xiaoqiao couldn't help but be startled; his voice was so beautiful.
"Look at this fish, it's both black and red, it looks so strange, it doesn't look like braised fish with hibiscus at all."
Upon hearing this, the scholar in blue robes eagerly pointed to the dish of braised fish with hibiscus scattered on the ground.
"I suppose none of you have ever tried the Braised Fish with Egg White at Zhenxiu Restaurant. That's exactly what it is. I apologize, ladies, my classmate has caused you trouble. I'm willing to compensate you. Please tell me what to do."
Xiao Qiliang glanced at his classmate, said something fair, then closed his folding fan and bowed deeply to Cen Xi and Jun Xiaoqiao.
Cen Xi and Jun Xiaoqiao exchanged glances, both with a look of inquiry in their eyes.
They thought this person would cause trouble for them like his classmates, but the other party pulled another unexpected move.
"No problem, no problem. Since you are so understanding, you only need to compensate for the broken dishes, tables and chairs in this room. As for the dishes, the ingredients cost a lot of money, so you should also compensate for them."
Cen Xi smiled and spoke first. No matter what this guy was up to, she would give him the money first. She couldn't do a losing business.
"Alright, here's two hundred taels. Is that enough for you, miss?"
Xiao Qiliang smiled and, without saying a word, took out two hundred taels of silver notes and handed them to Cen Xi.
"Enough, enough. Since this young master is so agreeable, then you may take your men away."
Cen Xi touched the two silver notes, quickly stuffed them into his pocket, and waved to shoo them away.
"Thank you very much, young lady. I've troubled you greatly today. I will definitely visit you another day to express my gratitude. I wonder if you will be staying here for a long time?"
Xiao Qiliang bowed again, his eyes revealing his undisguised interest in Cen Xi.
Cen Xi felt the man's scrutinizing gaze and instantly understood that he was indeed here for her.
The previous disturbances were simply a ploy to get close to her. It seems someone finally couldn't sit still any longer; unable to kill her, they're planning a different strategy?
“I don’t live here often, but I come twice a month. Is Young Master Xiao planning to treat me to a meal on my turf and then apologize?”
Cen Xi's eyes flickered, and she smiled and asked.
"I am studying at Qingshan Academy and will be living in Shangyang City for a long time. My family is concerned that I have no fixed place to live, so they have arranged a villa in Shangyang City for me. I would like to invite you to the villa for a chat as a formal apology."
Xiao Qiliang's gaze was sincere, and he had the appearance of a gentleman. His voice was so pleasant that it could make a woman pregnant.
Hearing that Jun Xiaoqiao wanted to live close to this man at all times, she said excitedly:
"Yes, yes, that's how you apologize sincerely. Cen Xi, I think it's a good idea. Why don't you pick a date?"
After saying that, he winked and gestured for Cen Xi to quickly agree.
Cen Xi glared at the foolish woman who was misled by the voice, then smiled at Xiao Qiliang:
"Young master, you are too kind. The compensation just now is more than enough. If you would like to befriend me, how about we have a long talk about life on the first and fifteenth of each month?"
After saying that, Cen Xi imitated Zhu Yanniang's seductive tactics, looking at Xiao Qiliang with seductive eyes.
You little punk, if you want to scheme, you should do it on my turf.
"Haha, you're an interesting girl. I'll visit you on the first and fifteenth of each month. I'm sorry to bother you today, I'll take my leave now."
After Cen Xi finished speaking, Xiao Qiliang laughed heartily, then bowed and took his leave.
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