The waiter nodded in agreement, "Shopkeeper, you're right. This person is indeed a bit strange. When he first came, I thought he was quite generous, but as time went on, I found that he only knew how to talk big. Today he said he would give me some money as a reward another day, tomorrow he said he would give me some silver, but it's been more than a month and I haven't seen a single penny. Isn't he just fooling a complete idiot?"
The waiter was right. He had assumed that if he served Chen Zhancai well, he would be rewarded with a few taels of silver every now and then.
He treated Chen Zhancai like his own father, but in the end, he didn't gain anything. Instead, he spoiled Chen Zhancai, making him increasingly domineering.
If anything displeased him, he would be scolded at best, and verbally abused at worst, scaring him so much that he was like a little grandson, not daring to breathe loudly.
The shopkeeper curled the corners of his lips and sneered, "What you've said is all irrelevant. What I find most suspicious is this person's attire?"
"His clothes? Aren't they quite clean?"
"It is quite clean, but don't forget, this kid claims to be a rich young master. Have you ever seen a rich young master who wears the same clothes for more than a month?"
"Oh right, how come I didn't notice that detail?" Upon hearing this, the waiter suddenly realized his mistake and secretly blamed himself for being careless. It seemed that Chen Zhancai hadn't gone to the river to commit suicide, but rather to take the opportunity to slip away.
Luckily, the shopkeeper told me to keep an eye on him, otherwise things would have really gone wrong.
He patted his chest with lingering fear, "Boss, if that's the case, this guy must be a freeloader. What are we waiting for? Let's drag him out, give him a good beating, and then send him to the authorities."
The shopkeeper quickly waved his hand, "No, no, don't act rashly. If they really are from a wealthy family, we'll be in trouble."
"So what do we do now?"
"What else can we do? We can only take a long time to plan. Let's wait three to five days. If no one comes to pick him up, then it proves that this guy is just a fraudster and we can only send him to the authorities."
"Okay, shopkeeper, I know what to do." After saying that, the waiter turned around and went upstairs.
When Chen Zhancai returned to his room, he looked like a wilted eggplant and immediately wilted.
He paced back and forth in the room, his brow furrowed and his heart filled with anxiety.
Even if we make up an excuse to get through it, what will happen in three to five days?
We must find a way to leave here as soon as possible, otherwise getting a beating is a minor matter compared to being accused of fraud.
At best, they would lose their scholar's degree; at worst, they would lose their heads.
But how can we leave this place of trouble?
Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him.
Chen Zhancai tiptoed to the door, listened carefully for a while, then crept to the window and quietly opened it.
We'd better hurry and run while no one's around, or we'll miss our chance.
He craned his neck to look outside and was so shocked he grimaced. "My goodness, that's so high!"
He gritted his teeth. No, even falling to his death was better than being beaten to death.
After making sure no one was watching, he grabbed the window frame with both hands, raised one leg, and prepared to escape through the window.
But just as he stepped one leg out of the window, the door was suddenly flung open.
The waiter came in from outside and was startled to see Chen Zhancai perched on the windowsill.
"Young Master Chen, what are you doing?"
Chen Zhancai jumped in fright, nearly falling out of the window, and awkwardly forced a smile.
"I...I just wanted some fresh air, it's too stuffy in here."
"Just open the window to let in some fresh air, why did you ride up there?" The waiter looked at Chen Zhancai with suspicion.
Fearing that something might be amiss, Chen Zhancai nervously touched his nose and offered a haphazard explanation.
"I've had this habit since I was a child: I love to sit on the windowsill to get some fresh air. When the cool breeze blows, I feel refreshed and in a particularly good mood."
"Oh dear Mr. Chen, you may feel good now, but if you really fall, you'll either die or be crippled. Then our inn will be in trouble with a murder case. You'd better come down quickly!"
"Okay, okay, I'll go down now." Chen Zhancai quickly pulled his leg back, then his face darkened and he scolded, "How many times have I told you not to come to my room unless it's important? Get out now."
"Young Master Chen, please don't be angry. I just wanted to ask what you would like to eat for lunch today, so I can prepare it in advance."
"I don't have much of an appetite today, let's talk about it later!" Chen Zhancai said irritably. He was so anxious that he had no appetite for food and drink.
The waiter nodded with a smile on his face. "Alright, since Young Master Chen has no appetite, I'll head out now. Whenever you need anything, just let me know, and I'll be waiting at your door."
After saying that, he stood guard at the door, showing no intention of leaving.
Seeing this, Chen Zhancai was completely at a loss. Wasn't this blatant surveillance?
He was filled with remorse. He shouldn't have pretended to be a rich young master. He had really shot himself in the foot. What should he do now?
No, a living person can't let themselves die from holding their pee. They absolutely cannot sit and wait to die; they must find a chance to escape.
His plan was well-intentioned, but these past few days, the waiter has been like a watchdog, guarding the door day and night.
He would push open the door and enter as soon as there was the slightest noise inside.
He pretended to stroll around the street, hoping to find a chance to escape, but the waiter followed him like a shadow, making it impossible to get away.
He was so anxious he was scratching his head and cheeks, wishing he could find a secluded spot to strangle the waiter and then disappear without a trace.
But he had the desire to steal but not the courage, so he decided to give up.
In the blink of an eye, five days have passed.
The shopkeeper, calculating the days carefully, swaggered into Chen Zhancai's room.
He crossed his arms and gave a forced smile.
"Young Master Chen, you said last time that you had written home a long time ago, saying that someone would come to pick you up in three to five days, but now there's not even a ghost. Why don't you stop wasting your time and just pay me the rent first!"
Chen Zhancai's heart tightened. In order not to give himself away, he forced a calm smile and continued to lie, "Shopkeeper, why are you in such a hurry? I guess the letter might be delayed on the way. Give me a few more days. I, Chen Zhancai, always keep my word. I will never shortchange you for such a small amount."
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper's face fell. He snorted coldly, "Young Master Chen, you've said these words dozens of times. My small shop has little profit and can't afford your delays."
I've done everything I could, given you plenty of face. Don't try to fob me off; you can come up with the most brilliant excuses you can, but you still have to pay for the room.
"What do you mean by that? Are you afraid I'll renege on your shop's payment?" Chen Zhancai was already in a panic. If he didn't intimidate this guy, he was sure to get a good beating.
Thinking of this, he put on the air of a rich young master and said, "I have never seen a business like yours. You are forcing money on your customers before they have even checked out. It is outrageous!"
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