Chapter 39: Wealthy Master Cai

For three consecutive days, Li Qi stayed indoors, confining himself to his room and rarely even visiting the tavern.

Anyway, the heavy responsibility of frying stinky tofu had long since been handed over to Wu Xiaoliu.

Come to think of it, Wu Xiaoliu was actually quite enjoying it. Having fried stinky tofu for several days, he felt not a hint of fatigue. Every time he sold out, he would enthusiastically chat with Li Qi about the interesting things that happened that day.

It was a pity that before he could fully express himself, Li Qi would chase him into the kitchen to slice cucumbers.

Wu Furong assumed that Li Qi was holing up in his room simply to avoid Third Master Cai, and therefore gave it no further thought.

Li Qi's action happened to suit his wishes perfectly.

Over the past few days, Third Master Cai from the opposite Jade Pavilion had come over several times. On each occasion, under the pretext of discussing terms for purchasing the tavern, he devised various schemes trying to pry into Li Qi's movements from Wu Furong.

Although Wu Furong was honest, he was not a fool. He knew there was no way Elder Cai would actually fork out sixteen thousand strings of cash to buy this Drunken Immortal House; his real goal remained the secret recipe for stinky tofu.

Therefore, whenever Third Master Cai inquired about Li Qi, Wu Furong would always claim that Li Qi had gone out early in the morning, while remaining tight-lipped about his destination.

Every time, Third Master Cai would return with a gloomy expression.

From the debut of the stinky tofu until now, a full seven days had passed, and the number of customers was beginning to drop significantly.

Yet, relying solely on this stinky tofu, the Drunken Immortal House had instantly become the hottest tavern in Bianjing.

What seemed baffling was that the Drunken Immortal House sold only stinky tofu, not even offering wine or beverages.

Wu Furong had broached this point to Li Qi several times.

However, he was rebuffed by Li Qi on every occasion.

Li Qi's stance was that tea could be provided for free, but the time was not yet ripe to sell alcoholic drinks externally.

Hearing this, Wu Furong said no more.

These were mere trifles after all.

The matter that weighed most heavily on his mind was the promise Li Qi had made to Madam Qin: to net a profit of one thousand strings of cash within fifteen days.

Although the stinky tofu still sold out every day, seeing the dwindling stream of customers coming to buy it, Wu Furong grew increasingly anxious.

So far, they had earned around six hundred strings of cash, leaving a bit of a gap from the target of one thousand. Moreover, they only had three days left. That meant Li Qi needed to rake in the remaining four hundred strings of cash within these three days. Putting aside the fact that Uncle Zhang delivered a limited amount of tofu each day, even with an adequate supply, selling out might no longer be guaranteed now.

While Wu Furong fretted, Li Qi remained unconcerned.

Whenever Wu Furong tried to broach the subject, Li Qi would invariably change the topic, maintaining a cheerful and lighthearted expression all day long.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Early the next morning, Li Qi changed into a clean set of clothes and walked out to the front hall.

Wu Furong was slightly startled upon seeing Li Qi, but noting that he looked ready to go out, he hurried forward and asked, "Young Master Li, are you planning to go out?"

Li Qi nodded and said, "Yes, having stayed in the room for so long, my limbs are practically rusting. It's about time I went out for a stroll."

Wu Furong nodded and said, "That's probably for the best. Staying cooped up inside all the time isn't a solution. Go ahead and set your mind at ease, Young Master Li; I dare say that Elder Cai wouldn't dare do anything to you."

So this old fellow was worried I'd get kidnapped!

Li Qi found it rather amusing inwardly. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Wu Furong, he stepped out of the tavern.

The Imperial Street. Starting from the Xuande Gate of the imperial palace in the north, it ran past the State Bridge and the Vermilion Bird Gate, leading straight to the Southern Fragrance Gate of the outer city. Stretching for over ten li and measuring two hundred paces wide, it was the grand passage reserved for the emperor's carriage and processions, presenting a magnificent spectacle.

Corner towers stood symmetrically on both sides, with pavilions, halls, and shops rising terrace upon terrace. The goods sold here were exclusively high-end products, ranging from famous calligraphy and paintings to superior hand-crafted items.

Li Qi strolled at a leisurely pace along the imperial corridor, looking right and left, completely at ease.

However, he felt not the slightest bit of interest in those famous paintings, ancient zithers, or treasured sabers. He found himself thinking how wonderful it would be if there were an internet cafe or a cinema around here!

After wandering for a while, Li Qi genuinely felt a bit bored and let out a yawn. Glancing sideways out of the corner of his eye, he spotted two figures moving about ten paces behind him.

These two tails had been trailing him ever since he stepped out the front doors of the Drunken Immortal House.

To exhibit such clumsy surveillance skills—it seemed Elder Cai's capabilities were nothing special after all.

Li Qi shook his head in disdain, ignoring them and letting them follow along.

After walking a bit longer, Li Qi began to feel somewhat tired. Estimating the time, he figured it was almost noon.

Raising his eyes to scan his surroundings, he spotted a small tavern ahead named 'Abundant Harvest House' and headed toward it.

This tavern had only two stories, and in terms of scale, it naturally could not compare with the Drunken Immortal House or the Jade Pavilion.

However, its advantage lay in its prime location, and business was thriving. Although it was not yet time for meals, quite a few people were already seated inside.

Li Qi went up to the second floor, found a table by the window and sat down, asking the waiter for a pot of tea, a few large steamed buns, and a small dish of pickles.

As for the braised beef or mutton—the best-selling dishes in this tavern—Li Qi showed zero interest.

It wasn't that he disliked beef or mutton; it was simply that the portions served here were far too chunky.

They were a chore to bite into! And he was too lazy to chew them!

As Li Qi gnawed on a large steamed bun, his gaze drifted out the window, filled with a mixture of slight anticipation and faint tension.

This little minnow should be taking the bait soon!

After a short while, a commotion suddenly erupted downstairs!

"Look over there, isn't that Elder Cai?"

"What brings him here?"

"Could it be that Elder Cai wants to buy this tavern?"

Finally here!

Li Qi hurriedly adjusted his mood, lowered his head to continue gnawing on his bun, and put on an expression of complete ignorance.

Thump, thump, thump!

A heavy sound of footsteps echoed from the stairwell.

Keeping his head down, Li Qi cast a sidelong glance toward the top of the stairs. He saw two people coming up: leading the way and guiding the path was none other than Third Master Cai, followed closely by a stout middle-aged man in his forties.

With a large, round head, a face covered in fleshy jowls, and a greasy complexion, the man had a pair of squinted eyes that nonetheless flashed with sharp glint. His lips were slightly thick, and he wore a short mustache. Though tall and robust, he was dressed in luxurious and opulent attire, resembling a butcher draped in a dragon robe—giving off an incongruous and awkward vibe. Fortunately, the fat man's commanding presence was strong enough to effectively mask this flaw.

After merely a fleeting glance, Li Qi immediately withdrew his gaze.

A moment later, he suddenly heard Third Master Cai's signature rooster-like screech.

"Aiyo, isn't this Young Master Li!"

His voice was laden with feigned astonishment.

Li Qi chuckled inwardly while keeping his face impassive. Looking up, he saw Third Master Cai and the stout man walking toward his table. He hastily stood up to greet them, pulling an expression even more surprised and exaggerated than Third Master Cai's. "Oh—isn't this Steward Cai? Greetings, greetings!"

With that, he actually bowed and saluted Third Master Cai.

"Young Master Li, you are going to shorten my life with this!" Third Master Cai hurriedly returned the bow.

Waiting for Third Master Cai to finish his salute, Li Qi made a show of helping him up and said cheerfully, "Steward Cai, you wouldn't know this, but I've been meaning to look for you these past few days. Never expected we'd bump into each other here today—this must be fate."

"Look for me?"

Third Master Cai was slightly taken aback, wearing a puzzled expression.

"What? Have you forgotten, old friend? Don't I still have a little brother staying at your establishment? I just wanted to ask how he's been doing lately," Li Qi said.

"A little brother?"

Third Master Cai frowned, then suddenly realization dawned on him. "Ah, you mean that little bimm—that child named Chen A'nan."

"Precisely, precisely. I wonder how he and his mother have been getting along recently?" Li Qi asked.

Recalling how he had been left battered and humiliated by Li Qi that day, a flash of resentment crossed Third Master Cai's eyes, but on the surface, he beamed and said, "Young Master Li, you can rest assured about that. How could I dare neglect someone entrusted to me by you? They are eating well and sleeping well at the shop, in high spirits indeed."

"That's good, that's good. I was just thinking of bringing the mother and son back home. After all, having troubled you at your esteemed establishment for so long, I really feel rather bad about it. Let me offer you my apologies first." Li Qi bowed again.

Third Master Cai hurriedly helped Li Qi up and said, "It's only right, only right. Young Master Li, just give the word, and I'll immediately send someone to safely escort the mother and son to your residence."

"How could I impose to that extent?" Li Qi chuckled, casting a covert glance at the stout man standing behind Third Master Cai. Seeing the man's displeasure, Li Qi smiled inwardly, figuring that Third Master Cai was bound to receive another scolding.

"Ahem, ahem, ahem!"

Just as Third Master Cai and Li Qi were exchanging warm pleasantries, a warning cough suddenly sounded from behind, startling Third Master Cai so violently that he shuddered and broke out in a cold sweat.

Only then did he remember that someone else was standing behind him—and not just anyone, but his immediate superior, the big boss of the Jade Pavilion, Cai Minde, Elder Cai himself.