Chapter 36: Almost

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Hence, as the two of them begged for mercy, the mayor tied them up and handed them over to the police to bring them back to the magistrate office.

After leaving the mayor’s courtyard, Wei Chiyu handed over seventy-five taels of silver to Zhou Xiaoli. “This is yours.”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony with you.”

Zhou Xiaoli received the money with a smile. It would be a lie to say that she was not happy to have a bag of money in her hand.

After putting the money away, Zhou Xiaoli extended her hand. “Happy working with you.”

Wei Chiyu looked at Zhou Xiaoli in confusion.

“Give me five, just put your palm to mine to celebrate our first successful collaboration,” Zhou Xiaoli explained.

Wei Chiyu looked at the other party’s small hand. It was slender, but not overly thin and bony.

Under her urging, he imitated her and extended his hand palm-up.

Zhou Xiaoli hi-fived him. “Happy cooperation.”

Their palms touched for only an instant before they separated. The remaining warmth lingered on his palm, which made him feel a little itchy.

Wei Chiyu’s eyes moved slightly, and his thin lips parted slightly. “Mm, happy cooperation.”

Then, he asked, “Are you going back to the village?”

Zhou Xiaoli shook her head. “No, I still have to go to the county to buy some things and order a batch of furniture. What about you?”

“I’m going to the county too. Shall we?”

“Alright,” Zhou Xiaoli readily agreed. “If so, would you continue taking the reins of the cart?”

“Okay.”

As the two of them spoke, they turned the donkey cart and headed towards the county.

This time, with the donkey cart, they entered the county in a shorter period of time. In about an hour, they saw the city gate.

The majestic city towered under the sunlight. It was imposing and yet had an air of ancient simplicity about it. On the top of the wall were three words: Wenshui County.

At that moment, there was already a long queue at the city gate.

There were two rows of guards at the entrance. They carried large sabers at their waists and diligently checked every vehicle and person entering and exiting the city gate.

Soon, it was Zhou Xiaoli’s turn.

Because there was nothing on the donkey cart, the guard only took a glance at it before saying, “The entrance fee is seven copper coins.”

Zhou Xiaoli could not help but be surprised at the amount. “Why? Shouldn’t it be four copper coins?”

The guard was expressionless. “The lord has ordered that the entrance fee for the donkey cart will now be three copper coins. Pedestrians will pay two copper coins each to enter the city. That’s a total of seven copper coins.”

Zhou Xiaoli was surprised. How long had it been since she last came to the county?

The entrance fee actually increased by one copper coin?

However, they did not say anything. After paying the entrance fee, the two of them led the donkey cart into the city.

The city was prosperous, and there were many peddlers on the streets. People came and went. It was not possible for them to ride on the cart, so they could only walk slowly with the donkey cart trailing behind them.

Due to the delay at the mayor’s house, it was already noon when they arrived at the county.

They were famished.

Zhou Xiaoli could not help but rub her belly, wondering if she should eat something first.

As if he had read Zhou Xiaoli’s mind, Wei Chiyu suddenly said, “You must be hungry. Come, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

As Zhou Xiaoli was puzzled at his words, Wei Chiyu added, “I eat your cooking every day. Since I don’t know how to cook; let me treat you to a meal this time.”

With that, he led Zhou Xiaoli into the First-grade Restaurant.

When one of the waiters saw Wei Chiyu, he was about to inform the shopkeeper when Wei Chiyu said, “We are here to eat today.”

The waiter was stunned for a moment before he quickly went forward with a smile and helped them to tie the donkey cart to the stand.

Wei Chiyu brought Zhou Xiaoli to the second floor and they sat by the window.

Soon, another waiter came up and asked them what they wanted to order.

Wei Chiyu asked Zhou Xiaoli, “Do you want to eat anything?”

Zhou Xiaoli shook her head. “It’s my first time eating here, so I don’t know what they have. You should order.”

Upon hearing this, the waiter subconsciously glanced at Zhou Xiaoli. Seeing that both of them were wearing coarse linen clothes, he slacked off a little.

Wei Chiyu did not refuse and started to order dishes.

He ordered four dishes. They were First-grade Restaurant’s signature dishes – Stir-fried Chicken, Dongpo pork, Eggplant with Sauce, Stir-fried vegetables, and two portions of rice.

The waiter was a little surprised. He looked at the two of them and opened his mouth. In the end, he did not say anything and turned to go downstairs.

In any case, he was not worried. No one could eat and drink for free in their restaurant.

After the waiter left, Zhou Xiaoli drank tea while she observed the restaurant.

The restaurant’s business was very good, and there was an endless stream of guests. At this moment, Shopkeeper Wang walked out of a private room with a smile.

Coincidentally, he saw Wei Chiyu and Zhou Xiaoli, so he came forward to exchange a few pleasantries with them.

“Why didn’t you send any prey today?” Wang Defu asked with a smile.

“Many of my customers are waiting to enjoy game meat.”

Wei Chiyu: “I’ll definitely bring some next time.”

Wang Defu: “Then I’ll be waiting for you.”

As they spoke, the dishes they ordered were served one by one.

Seeing that the dishes had been served, Wang Defu did not stay any longer and said politely, “Have a good meal.”

With that, he bade farewell and went downstairs.

All four dishes looked pretty good.

For Zhou Xiaoli, who enjoyed meat, the first dish she tried was Stir-fried Chicken.

It was said that this dish was the signature dish of the First-grade Restaurant.

As she chewed on the meat, Zhou Xiaoli’s eyes narrowed, but there was no sign of pleasant surprise in them.

Wei Chiyu looked at Zhou Xiaoli seriously and asked, “How is it? First-grade Restaurant’s dishes are considered one of the best in Wenshui County, especially this stir-fried chicken dish. It’s the most famous dish they have.”

“I see.” Zhou Xiaoli nodded and picked up another piece. “It’s not bad. Yes, but the taste is slightly different.”

Then, she took another bite and tasted it carefully. Realization dawned on her. “They seemed to have left out sugar from it.”

Zhou Xiaoli was only making a casual comment then.

Although it was an innocent comment from her, the listener thought otherwise.

A waiter overheard her as he happened to come up to second level then to collect the plates.

After going downstairs, he told his companions about this.

“Hey, you guys don’t know. I was just collecting the plates upstairs when I heard a little girl say that our shop’s signature dish, the stir-fried chicken, lacked something!”

“More importantly, they’re dressed in tattered clothes and looked extremely shabby. I don’t even know when they’ll come again after this time. They even commented on the dish as though they knew better. What a joke.”

Coincidentally, Wang Dehai heard his words.

“Lacked something? What do you mean?”

This was the first time he heard someone say that their restaurant’s stir-fried chicken was bad.

Shopkeeper Wang’s sudden question startled the waiter.

“I-I don’t know either. She just said that it was lacking something. Oh, I remember now. She also said that it was missing sugar or something.”

“Who said that?” Shopkeeper Wang asked again.

The waiter brought Shopkeeper Wang to the second floor and pointed at the seats by the window. “Shopkeeper, it’s that table. That little girl said so.”

Following the direction in which he was pointing it, that table turned out to be Wei Chiyu’s table.

Wang Defu was a little surprised, but he walked over nonetheless.

Zhou Xiaoli and Wei Chiyu were confused by Innkeeper Wang’s return.

Wang Defu went straight to the point. “Miss Zhou, I just heard you say that our stir-fried chicken is a little lacking?”

Hearing this question, Zhou Xiaoli was stunned. How did a casual comment reach the ears of the head chef?

Nonetheless, she nodded truthfully.