Chen Feng quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Elder Wang. I am Chen Feng, the manager of Ruyi Restaurant. I had no intention of bothering you, Elder Wang, but these beggars, I don't know where they came from, caused trouble at the entrance of my Ruyi Restaurant early this morning, disrupting my normal business. I hope Elder Wang will uphold justice."
As soon as Chen Feng finished speaking, Radish Head started yelling at the top of his lungs.
"Can't you speak properly? Don't go looking for trouble. We're just a bunch of poor beggars. When did we cause any trouble?"
"This isn't your place, we're just staying here for a bit, what's it to you?" The hook-nosed man glared at Chen Feng with his eyes narrowed.
The pockmarked man puffed out his chest and proudly raised his chin. "Sir, you can't just believe his side of the story. We didn't cause any trouble. We were just resting here. It's the shopkeeper who's so awful. He bullies us, looks down on us poor beggars, and even threatened us, saying that if we didn't leave, he would report us to the authorities and have us all arrested and imprisoned."
Chen Feng was furious and immediately retorted, "You're turning black into white, the guilty party is accusing the innocent first."
Wang Qizhang snorted lightly. He had long heard that the newly opened Ruyi Restaurant in town had excellent food and was booming business.
He thought the shopkeeper would visit him with gifts, but he waited and waited and no one came, which made him a little annoyed.
As a respected elder, every shop that opened its doors had to greet him, yet Ruyilou didn't take him seriously.
As a local elder (village head), how could he not be furious?
Wang Qizhang scanned the crowd one by one, finally fixing his cold gaze on Chen Feng.
"You're the manager of Ruyi Restaurant? You say these people are causing trouble in front of your shop, but they seem quite well-behaved. They didn't block your door or stop your customers. How can that be considered causing trouble?"
Chen Feng was taken aback. He could hear the protectiveness in Wang Qichang's tone towards these people. Just as he was about to speak again, he heard Chen Qingqing's voice.
"Hello, Elder Wang. I never expected to see you again."
Elder Wang looked at Chen Qingqing with a questioning gaze, "You are...."
"Elder Wang is a very busy man. We've met before, at the cloth shop..."
"Oh, I remember now, it's you, that amazing little girl. I didn't expect you to have changed so much in just a few months."
Wang Qichang narrowed his eyes. He had long coveted Liu Fengjiao's beauty, but she had rejected him several times. If it weren't for the girl in front of him, he wouldn't have been able to get Liu Fengjiao so easily. He really had to thank her.
Thinking of this, his tone softened a bit, "Miss, are you planning to eat here?"
As soon as Wang Qizhang arrived, Chen Qingqing noticed the displeasure on his face. Seeing that he was deliberately making things difficult for Chen Feng, she realized the reason behind it.
She smiled faintly, "Elder Wang, this is my elder brother, Chen Feng. We siblings jointly own this restaurant, and we were originally planning to visit you..."
Wang Qizhang understood the meaning behind Chen Qingqing's words: she wanted to make amends and felt remorse. He remained expressionless.
Wu Shiren had greeted him yesterday with generous gifts, and he knew that these beggars in front of him were scoundrels in disguise, whose purpose was to sabotage Ruyi Tower.
It's too late to cling to Buddha when you're in trouble, only to seek help when you need it most!
Before Chen Qingqing could finish speaking, Wang Qizhang waved his hand and interrupted, "Miss Chen, it's a good thing that you opened a shop in Qingshui Town. It's fine for you to visit me. As for these beggars, they are pitiful people who have nowhere to go. Since they didn't cause any trouble, you should be lenient and not pursue the matter any further."
Chen Feng, unable to contain himself any longer, spoke up again, "Elder Wang, we're not pursuing this matter. We just want them to move out of the way and not block my shop's entrance. I run a restaurant, and if they sit in front of my shop, customers can't get in!"
Wang Qizhang's slightly smiling face immediately fell. "Manager Chen, how can you be so domineering? These people haven't caused any trouble or disturbances. What's wrong with them sitting here? How is it affecting your business? You're just being unreasonable!"
Seeing that someone was backing them up, the pockmarked man raised his chin and smiled, becoming even more emboldened, and looked at Chen Feng with a provocative gaze.
Chen Feng's face flushed red with anger at Wang Qizhang's words, but he barely managed to suppress his rage.
“Elder Wang, you are unable to distinguish right from wrong! If you continue to tolerate them like this, what rules will there be in Qingshui Town? I, Chen Feng, have worked hard to run my shop, but I never expected to be harassed like this. I hope Elder Wang can uphold justice for me.”
Wang Qizhang frowned, his tone displeased, "Manager Chen, stop making trouble! This matter ends here." With that, he flicked his sleeves and strode away.
Chen Qingqing was filled with disappointment. She had thought that Wang Qizhang would help maintain order, but she did not expect that he would not only ignore it, but also speak up for these fake scoundrels.
Could it be...?
Chen Qingqing looked towards Qingfeng Restaurant and saw that the once deserted restaurant was now full of diners, with Wu Shiren standing at the door with a big smile, personally greeting them.
They really underestimated Wu Shiren. He's been in town for so many years, and he certainly hasn't wasted his time. She and Chen Feng are still too green.
To resolve this matter, we need to find another way.
Chen Feng trembled with anger, his fists clenched tightly. "Little sister, what should we do? Are we just going to let these beggars block our doorway?"
"Brother, those beggars at the main gate don't seem like bad people. Maybe we can start with them."
Chen Feng shook his head. "I'm afraid that won't work. I already told them to prepare food for them and move to the back door, but they wouldn't listen at all."
“Brother, don’t worry, perhaps they have their reasons.” Chen Qingqing’s gaze fell on the dozens of beggars, and she seemed to be thinking. “Go and remove the coarse cloth, then cut it into the size of quilts and give it to the beggars at night.”
"Little sister, what are you doing?..." Chen Feng asked, puzzled.
Chen Qingqing didn't explain much, "Don't ask any questions, just do as I say."
Back at the restaurant, Chen Qingqing observed the beggars in the room. She noticed that the dozen or so beggars who were leading the trouble were dressed in tattered clothes, but they all had slicked-back hair and powdered faces, and it was clear that they were not people who had been starving for a long time. From this, she could conclude that these people were imposters.
But the beggars who stood, sat, lay down, or reclined were different; they were all ragged, emaciated, and pale.
Several more children lay in the woman's arms, her eyes filled with tenderness.
Although these people were blocking the doorway, none of them uttered any insults; instead, they obediently submitted, suggesting they must have some unspeakable difficulties.
These innocent children are vulnerable; sleeping on the streets at night could easily lead to illness. Giving them this fabric is a way to provide them with some warmth...
Just as she was pondering this, she heard a panicked cry from outside, "My child, wake up! What's wrong with you?"
Chen Qingqing looked in the direction of the sound and saw a ragged woman holding a barefoot child.
The child was pale, with his eyes closed, and had fainted.
The beggars gathered around.
"Wake up, dog! Wake up!"
"Dog's mother, this child has been sick for several days. If he is not treated soon, his chances of survival are slim!"
......
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