Chapter 138

Chapter 138

Chef Yu and the others turned to see Xiao Yu, Pei Yanli, and Lu Ming.

"Xiao Yu's here," Yue Niang and Old Lady Yu greeted with smiles.

Chef Yu looked somewhat uncomfortable.

Xiao Yu, smiling, looked at Chef Yu and asked, "What's wrong with Chef Yu?"

"He's angry," Old Lady Yu replied.

"Why are you angry?" Xiao Yu approached Old Lady Yu and the others.

Old Lady Yu looked at Chef Yu, "You tell him."

Chef Yu sighed and turned to Xiao Yu, "It's the landlord of the restaurant. He... he wants to take back the property."

Xiao Yu, somewhat surprised, asked, "He wants it back now?"

Chef Yu nodded.

"But we signed a two-year lease with him, and the rent is already paid," Xiao Yu paused, then added, "Does he want to refund the money?"

Chef Yu nodded again, "Yes, he's willing to compensate."

Old Lady Yu added, "They saw how popular Little River No. 2 Restaurant is and want to drive us out to start their own restaurant. We thought the landlord was a good person at first, but it turns out he's just envious."

Xiao Yu asked Chef Yu, "How much are they willing to compensate?"

"According to the contract, it's triple the amount," said Chef Yu.

"Did they come to talk to you about it?" Xiao Yu inquired.

"Yes, they spoke to me when Manager Sun wasn't there. They knew I have a good relationship with you, so they talked to me. They were polite, but I'm angry. We had an agreement for two years, and less than half a year in, they want to take it back. It's despicable," Chef Yu said, frustrated by the landlord's attitude despite their politeness.

Xiao Yu fell silent for a moment before saying, "Then let's move."

Chef Yu, Yue Niang, and Old Lady Yu were taken aback. Moving just as the business was picking up?

Unable to watch in silence, Lu Ming interjected, "Xiao Yu, we can intervene—"

"No need. It was a rental to begin with. As long as the landlord is willing to compensate, we have no reason to stay," Xiao Yu turned to Chef Yu, "When I first rented the restaurant, I was worried that locals might not take to our cuisine. Now that we've succeeded, let's not rent. I'll buy outright, which can avoid many issues."

"Indeed, buying it outright is a good idea," Pei Yanli agreed.

Chef Yu hadn't expected Xiao Yu to plan this.

Xiao Yu smiled, "Don't worry, I have the funds. I was also planning to buy a restaurant near the pig pens. Leftover food can conveniently feed the pigs, chickens, and ducks."

Old Lady Yu, initially upset, felt reassured by Xiao Yu's plan, "Now it seems like a blessing in disguise."

Chef Yu frowned slightly, "But that location is more remote."

"It doesn't matter. With our culinary skills, we don’t need to fear a remote location," Xiao Yu reassured.

Yue Niang added, "You have the talent to turn a single restaurant into a bustling alley."

"Exactly, your opening was a hit," Old Lady Yu, who lacked confidence in her husband but had absolute faith in Xiao Yu, agreed.

Witnessing Xiao Yu's successive successes, Chef Yu suddenly felt that moving the restaurant might be an opportunity for something even better.

Xiao Yu said, "So Chef Yu, don’t be upset. If they are following the contract, so will we."

"Alright."

Lu Ming quietly asked Pei Yanli, "Do people here not know Xiao Yu's real identity?"

"Yes, Xiao Yu wanted to run a restaurant purely based on his culinary skills," Pei Yanli replied.

Lu Ming understood, "No wonder the landlord dared to break the lease."

"They are willing to compensate, so it's a normal business matter."

Lu Ming inquired, "So we're not getting involved?"

"Why use power to oppress people?" Pei Yanli retorted.

Lu Ming, realizing the corrupting nature of power and its addictive potential, agreed, "You're right."

The two then dropped the subject.

Xiao Yu turned around, "Yanli, could you watch the kids? Chef Yu and I are going to meet with the landlord."

"Do you want me to accompany you?" Pei Yanli offered.

"No need, the two of us can handle it."

"Alright."

Xiao Yu and Chef Yu met with the landlord, received the compensation, discussed moving the restaurant, and then quickly found another restaurant near the pigpen, buying it outright.

Pei Yanli and the others, along with the children, visited the new restaurant.

Lu Ming commented, "This restaurant looks a bit rundown, doesn’t it?"

"The structure is solid; it's just the windows and doors that need some repairs," Xiao Yu explained.

"This will need at least half a month to heal, right?" Grandma Yu looked around as she spoke.

"Hmm, the landlord has given us a month," Xiao Yu said, touching the doorframe beside him. "There's plenty of time, so I plan to spend twenty days on thorough renovations to ensure everything is perfect."

"Move to the restaurant after twenty days?" Yue Niang suggested. "We'll come and help you move then."

Hearing this, Ya Ya hurried over excitedly. "Mom, I want to help too!"

Yue Niang smiled, "Alright, Ya Ya can join us."

"Us too, us too!" several other children chimed in eagerly.

Xiao Yu agreed to all, then discussed the new dishes with Chef Yu before returning to the palace with Pei Yanli and others.

He said to Pei Yanli, "I need to find Fang Ru'an."

Lu Ming was surprised.

Pei Yanli looked calm, "What do you need him for?"

"He knows about building houses. I want to ask for his advice," Xiao Yu explained.

"But he's your rival in love," Lu Ming stated bluntly.

Xiao Yu glanced at him, "Now, he's wholly focused on construction and caring for his sister's family. He's moved beyond such petty romances." Since Fang Ru'an's break with the Zheng family, he had devoted himself entirely to building, managing all palace construction excellently.

Pei Yanli nodded in understanding.

"I'll go alone," Xiao Yu declared.

"Alright."

Xiao Yu went to the Ministry of Works to find Fang Ru'an.

Seeing him, Fang Ru'an was completely taken aback.

"Lord Fang," Xiao Yu greeted with a bow.

Fang Ru'an hastily returned the gesture, asking somewhat anxiously, "What brings you to me, Xiao Ziqing?"

Xiao Yu then explained about the restaurant, but didn't mention that he was the owner.

Fang Ru'an stared at Xiao Yu in disbelief, "You want me to inspect it?"

Xiao Yu nodded.

Hesitating for a moment, Fang Ru'an asked, "You don't hate me?"

"A gentleman judges by deeds, not intentions. You haven't harmed me, and later even assisted me."

Having encountered many malevolent people in his life, Fang Ru'an was close to despising the world when he met someone as sincere, kind, and forgiving as Xiao Yu. His eyes slightly teary, he solemnly replied, "Alright, I'll inspect it."

Xiao Yu provided the address.

Fang Ru'an nodded, "Rest assured, I will inspect it thoroughly."

"Yes, I trust you."

Feeling both warmed and moved, Fang Ru'an visited the new restaurant after his shift, meticulously drawing plans. He would go there daily, scrutinizing every nook and cranny, leading the repairs personally, and offering suggestions to Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu was impressed by Fang Ru'an's excellence in this area, nodding repeatedly.

Fang Ru'an then implemented these changes boldly.

Twenty days later, Xiao Yu left the palace alone, arranging for kitchen utensils and other items to be moved to the new restaurant.

Once the new restaurant was ready, he brought the children to see it. It was truly "new", with additions by Fang Ru'an like a rockery screen, a storytelling stage, private rooms... a truly unique establishment.

"It looks wonderful," Chef Yu remarked.

Yue Niang added, "A lot of thought has clearly gone into this."

Grandma Yu nodded in agreement.

Pei Yiyang asked, "So, can we start moving things in now?"

Xiao Yu said, "Everything has already been moved."

Pei Yanli asked with a smile, "Didn't you see all the tables, chairs, and stools already assembled?"

Xiao Yuanping asked, "Then what can we do?" He, Minghe, and Danzi had come to help move, but everything was already done.

Xiao Yu thought for a moment and suggested, "You can dig up the soil in the corner. Kids always enjoy digging."

Yu Tongtong asked, "Is it for planting vegetables?"

"Exactly, we'll plant whatever we can," Xiao Yu replied.

Several children immediately ran joyfully towards the corner.

Xiao Yu turned to Xiao Zhongzi, "There's an antique shelf at the old restaurant. Find someone to help move it here; later, we'll place it in the bedroom." The new restaurant had more space, so he had partitioned off several rooms for the staff to rest, and one for himself.

Xiao Zhongzi promptly agreed.

Xiao Yu continued to show Pei Yanli and others around the new restaurant.

The children kept digging in the corner.

"I'll come back in a few days to plant vegetables," Ya Ya said while digging with a small shovel.

Xiao Yuanping added, "I'll come too."

Yu Tongtong asked, "Ya Ya, do you know how to plant vegetables?"

"Yes, I know a lot!" Ya Ya replied.

"You're so great!" Danzi exclaimed.

"Yuanheng brother, come plant vegetables too," Ya Ya's voice was particularly sweet, especially when she spoke to Danzi, her eyes curving into a lovely shape.

Danzi smiled, "Okay."

"Let's do it next year too," Ya Ya suggested.

Xiao Yuanping protested, "Not next year!"

"Why not?" Ya Ya asked, puzzled.

"Next year, big brother will be attending the Imperial Academy," Xiao Yuanping explained. "Once there, I'll be very busy."

Yu Tongtong chimed in, "Next year, I'll be going to the girls' academy."

Minghe expressed his surprise, "Tongtong, you're going to study too?"

Yu Tongtong nodded.

"Once you learn to read, we can write together," Minghe proposed.

"Sure," Yu Tongtong agreed.

As the children chatted and dug in the soil, they suddenly heard a quarrel outside the restaurant.

"Someone is arguing," Yu Tongtong noted.

"Let's go check it out," Xiao Yuanping said.

The children all ran out to see.

Xiao Yu and Pei Yanli quickly came out to protect the children.

"What happened?" Xiao Yu asked.

Old Lady Yu, holding Cong'er, explained, "The neighbor's chicken ate rice from another house, and that started the quarrel."

"Someone is already mediating, let's not add to the crowd," Xiao Yu advised.

Pei Yanli also said, "Let's go back."

As they turned to leave, the quarreling neighbors suddenly started fighting, causing the onlookers to retreat in a hurry, bumping into Xiao Zhongzi and others who were moving an antique rack.

Xiao Yu and Pei Yanli instinctively protected Danzi and Xiao Yuanping.

Minghe, quick to react, saw the rack falling towards Ya Ya and Danzi and leaped forward, shouting, "Ya Ya! Little brother!"

The rack landed on Minghe's head with a thud.

Xiao Yu staggered, momentarily blinded.

The covert guards appeared just in time, ushering everyone back into the restaurant.

Xiao Yu quickly regained his composure, then suddenly remembered Minghe's injury, "Minghe!"

"Uncle!" Minghe said, holding his forehead.

"How is it?" Xiao Yu quickly checked Minghe, "Let me see, it's bruising."

"I'm fine," Minghe assured.

Xiao Zhongzi hurriedly apologized.

"It's okay, it's okay," Xiao Yu reassured.

Minghe nodded.

Ya Ya looked somewhat dazed.

Danzi, usually polite, was not thanking his brother at this moment but instead stared in shock at the white aura swirling around Minghe's head.

Xiao Yu asked, "Danzi, what's wrong?"

Danzi tiptoed up, leaning close to Xiao Yu's ear, whispering, "Uncle, the white aura around brother's head is slowly brightening."

Hearing this, Xiao Yu felt a surge of joy, followed by a flurry of chaotic images before his eyes.