"Master Maimaiti, you...you wanted to see me?" Manager He asked tremblingly.
Although he was supposedly invited, he was actually coerced and threatened into coming. At first, he was somewhat unwilling, but who knew that the person was also hot-tempered. He took out a rope and tied him up. After that, he was jostled all the way to Maimaiti's residence, and his old bones were almost shaken to pieces.
He stood up timidly and tentatively asked Maimaiti a few questions. He wondered how he could have offended Maimaiti recently.
"Do you know why I summoned you here today?" Maimaiti sat half-squatting on the seat of honor, his posture quite unrefined, and his tone even more arrogant, without even glancing at Manager He as he spoke.
"I was unaware." Manager He knew he couldn't afford to offend Maimaiti, so he could only lower his stance even further. However, in his heart, he cursed Maimaiti's ancestors for eighteen generations.
Maimaiti was quite satisfied to see him like this, knowing that what he wanted would definitely come true, so his tone relaxed a little and sounded less harsh.
"If you don't know, then I'll tell you. Xu Yuehuai approached you during the day to discuss cooperation, and you agreed?" Maimaiti moved his seat closer to Manager He and asked.
"Yes, although Xu Yuehuai is from the Central Plains, this kind of cooperation doesn't seem to be prohibited by the imperial court, right?" Manager He didn't know what Maimaiti was going to do, so he could only answer, but he added a few words afterward, so that Maimaiti wouldn't use this matter to manipulate him later.
Upon hearing this, Maimaiti burst into laughter, then sneered and replied, "The imperial court naturally doesn't prohibit it; you can do whatever you want. But I think it's great that you agreed. From now on, I want you to add something to her food."
After he finished speaking, he casually stuffed another pastry into his mouth, as if he had just said something like, "Is it time to eat?"
Upon hearing this, Manager He's face immediately showed a troubled expression. After all, after spending the day together, he felt that Xu Yuehuai was not a bad person; in fact, he could say that she was a good person.
Instead of closing his shop as agreed, he proposed a collaboration, which made it impossible for Maimaiti to agree.
But now, Lord Maimaiti actually wants him to do something harmful, and it's Xu Yuehuai no less. During the day, Xu Yuehuai let him go and didn't pursue the matter, which was already a great kindness. Now, he certainly can't repay kindness with enmity.
Having made up his mind not to repay kindness with enmity, Manager He's expression hardened as he took a deep breath and replied, "Lord Maimaiti, I'm sorry I cannot do what you're asking."
After he finished speaking, he turned his head away, indicating his inner choice: he would never collude with Maimaiti.
Enraged by this, Maimaiti slammed his hand on the table, sending the pastries crashing to the floor and rolling under the table. He shouted angrily, "How dare you! I've really given you face, daring to speak to me like that? Do you really not know my character?"
He really couldn't do anything about Xu Yuehuai. Not only was the little princess on her side, but even His Majesty was protecting her, so he couldn't do anything about it.
But how dare a mere food stall owner challenge him? This is outrageous! If he doesn't teach him a lesson today, no one will respect him tomorrow.
As Maimaiti spoke, he raised his hand and waved it, and soon a group of people rushed out and started punching and kicking Manager He.
They were very careful in their attack, targeting the area under Manager He's clothes so that after the beating, no one could tell he was injured from the outside.
Soon, a muffled groan came from Manager He, which turned into a plea for mercy after a while. Maimaiti was slightly relieved after hearing this.
"Stop!" he said, waving his hand to halt his men.
With a look of disgust, he walked into the crowd, squatted down in front of Manager He, and said, "I called you manager before because I was giving you face, but you didn't accept it. You want to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit? Well then, I'll give you that chance."
Maimaiti cleared his throat, grabbed Manager He by the collar, and dragged him up like a dead dog, saying, "He Laosan, I'll give you one more chance. Tell me properly, will you do it or not?"
Maimaiti was naturally very confident, expecting him to agree, and had even prepared his next words.
As a result, Manager He stood up straight and refused, frowning as he replied, "I'm sorry, Mr. Maimaiti, I can't do what you're asking for."
Maimaiti stomped his feet in anger, sneered, and said, "Men, give him a good beating. Let's see if your mouth is tougher or our fists are tougher. After you're done, throw him out. Don't get in my way here."
"yes."
After receiving the order, his men beat and kicked him for a full time, until the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, before stopping and casually throwing Manager He onto the street near Tianxiang Restaurant.
After all, they couldn't just place it near Maimaiti's residence; that would be an admission of guilt.
Tianxiang Restaurant had just closed, but the business was unexpectedly booming on its first day of opening. Everyone was so tired they could barely stand up straight. They had originally planned to host a welcome dinner for Zhou Wan and the others that evening, but now they were busy until so late, so the plans had to be canceled. However, Zhou Wan and the others didn't mind. After all, they were already here, so it didn't matter when they ate.
She directed the staff to set up the tables and clean up before preparing to leave.
She had only taken two steps when she saw He Laosan, who had been thrown to the side of the road, groaning in pain.
Although it was night, Xu Yuehuai recognized Manager He at a glance and rushed over while calling out to him.
"Manager He, Manager He."
Xu Yuehua tried to wake He Laosan, but after calling his name twice, she found that he was already delirious and his pulse was extremely weak.
She knew something was wrong, so she quickly helped the person up and returned to Tianxiang Tower, and then hurriedly went to fetch a doctor to take a look.
After the doctor arrived, he quickly gave Xu Yuehuai two acupuncture treatments, and Xu Yuehuai regained consciousness. The doctor then prescribed a medicine and instructed Xu Yuehuai to take it on time.
"It's really kind of you to go to so much trouble so late at night," Xu Yuehuai said, quickly taking out the silver and seeing the doctor out.
When they came back in, they saw Manager He straining to open his eyes, trying to clear his head, and struggling to sit up. But every time he moved, he was in excruciating pain, and he couldn't sit up no matter how hard he tried.
"Don't move, don't move, Manager He, you need to rest in bed now." Xu Yuehuai rushed over to persuade him when she saw this, and poured a glass of water for He Laosan and handed it to Manager He.
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