EPISODE 3

Zhang Wu was a colleague of the original protagonist. They worked together at Wang Yue, one as a waiter in the front hall and the other as a helper in the kitchen. Coming from similarly impoverished backgrounds, they naturally grew familiar with each other.

Xiao Yu replied gently, "I've come to eat."

Zhang Wu was extremely surprised, "Did Manager Yao pay you your wages?"

Xiao Yu shook his head, "No."

"Then where did you get the money?" Zhang Wu knew of Xiao Yu's poverty.

Xiao Yu did not answer.

Zhang Wu, not pressing further, advised, "Even if you have money, don't eat here. A meal costs at least several coins, or at most several taels. It's more economical to buy some fish or meat and eat at home."

Xiao Yu appreciated Zhang Wu's kindness and said, "I must eat this meal today."

"Are you planning to use this meal to get your wages back?" Zhang Wu speculated.

Xiao Yu did not deny it.

"Xiao Yu," Zhang Wu said earnestly, "Manager Yao is from Qing Shi Town."

Xiao Yu asked, "And then?"

Zhang Wu looked at the frail Xiao Yu and said, "But you don’t have any relatives."

"I do, I'm his relative," Ming He interjected seriously, his little face determined. "I'm little uncle's closest relative."

Xiao Yu smiled and gently stroked the little guy's cheek, saying, "That's right!"

Ming He beamed with happiness at his little uncle's response.

Only then did Zhang Wu notice Ming He, asking, "Your nephew? Ming He?"

Xiao Yu nodded, "Ming He, say hello."

Ming He promptly and politely greeted, "Hello, Uncle."

"Good boy," said Zhang Wu. "The child is as handsome as you."

"Thank you," Xiao Yu smiled.

Zhang Wu returned to the matter at hand, "Xiao Yu, what I mean is we can't compare with Manager Yao. You know he has a formidable wife and eight strong and powerful uncles who strut around the town. Everyone knows he keeps the workers' wages as pocket money because of his wife’s strict control, but no one dares to say anything. We can only accept it."

Xiao Yu indeed knew this, and it was precisely because he knew that he dared to come. He said, "Zhang Wu, I appreciate your concern, but I have my plans."

"Xiao Yu—"

"Trust me, Zhang Wu."

Zhang Wu remained unconvinced.

Left with no choice, Xiao Yu led Ming He towards the Wang Yue Restaurant.

Zhang Wu followed, trying to persuade him.

The Wang Yue Restaurant was bustling with customers upstairs and downstairs. Xiao Yu, with Ming He in tow, looked around and sat at an empty table in the main hall. He interrupted the incessant Zhang Wu, "Bring us a serving of chestnut roasted chicken, rice cakes, a bowl of egg noodles, a lamb bone stick, a basket of buns, two steamed buns, and a mixed sweet soup."

"That's a lot, isn't it?" Ming He was the first to speak.

Xiao Yu nodded.

Ming He whispered, "Little uncle, do we have enough money?"

Xiao Yu whispered back, "No, but just trust your uncle's cleverness and enjoy your meal."

"Okay," Ming He trusted his little uncle.

Zhang Wu was astonished, "Are you planning to use these dishes to compensate for your wages?"

Unable to explain in a few words, Xiao Yu responded, "Waiter, I am a customer. If you don't serve me soon, I'll get angry."

Zhang Wu was conflicted, "Xiao Yu, doing this..."

"Don’t worry, it'll be fine."

Still worried, Zhang Wu had no other choice but to trust Xiao Yu this time and hurried to the kitchen to expedite the order.

"Ming He," Xiao Yu called out.

When the original character worked here, he couldn't bring Ming He, who always waited alone at home. Thus, Ming He had never been in the restaurant or seen so many people, appearing a bit uncomfortable. He didn't seem like someone who could harm Manager Yao's family.

Xiao Yu patted his head, "Don't worry, we'll just eat."

Ming He straightened up earnestly, "Little uncle, I'm not afraid. I'll protect you."

Xiao Yu smiled and nodded, "Okay."

Soon, Zhang Wu brought the dishes and surreptitiously stuffed a handful of peanut candies into Ming He’s arms, saying, "This is the first time I'm meeting your nephew, so here's a little treat for the kid. Hope you don’t mind it’s just some candy."

"Thank you," Xiao Yu said.

Minghe politely replied, "Thank you, uncle."

"Such a good child," Zhang Wu smiled at Minghe and then turned to Xiao Yu, about to say something more.

Xiao Yu interjected, "Zhang Wu, go ahead with your work. Don't worry about us."

Just then, someone called for a waiter, and Zhang Wu had to attend to it. Yet, he still felt uneasy, glancing over at Xiao Yu and Minghe from time to time. He thought to himself how pitiful Xiao Yu and the child were. If there was a conflict with Manager Yao later, he would bravely side with Xiao Yu, even if it meant losing his job.

Xiao Yu was unaware of Zhang Wu's tumultuous thoughts. Looking at the feast before him, he felt very satisfied. However, having suffered from long-term hunger, both he and Minghe had weak stomachs and couldn't digest greasy food easily. He suggested, "Minghe, let's start with the noodles."

"Uncle, let's eat together."

"Alright."

After a few bites of noodles, Xiao Yu felt relaxed and content.

Minghe exclaimed with stars in his eyes, "Uncle, these noodles are so delicious, the best in the world."

Xiao Yu smiled warmly, "Keep eating."

"Okay, uncle, you too."

Having taken a few more bites, Xiao Yu noticed the plump Manager Yao moving around and chatting with other diners. He called out indifferently, "Manager Yao."

Hearing this, Manager Yao turned around with a smile, but his face darkened upon seeing Xiao Yu, asking displeasedly, "Why are you here?"

"Here to eat," Xiao Yu replied casually, sipping his mixed sweet soup leisurely. It was sweet and refreshing, not as good as what he could make, but he didn't mind. Looking at Manager Yao, he asked, "Can't I come to eat?"

"So, you've got money now?" Manager Yao approached with a sarcastic remark.

"No," Xiao Yu replied with righteous confidence.

"And yet you dare to dine here! Planning to dine and dash, are you?"

"Where else should I eat?" Xiao Yu, with a smile playing at his lips, responded with a calm and gentle demeanor, "Should I go to the Wanhua Tower like Manager Yao?"

Manager Yao's face changed at the mention of Wanhua Tower, a known but unspoken pleasure establishment by the canal, which he had secretly frequented more than once. Surprised that Xiao Yu knew, he defensively retorted, "Xiao Yu, you're talking nonsense—"

"Manager Yao, this is the Wangyue Restaurant, and there are many patrons here." The original owner had twice approached Manager Yao privately for wages, to no avail. Now, Xiao Yu chose to confront him publicly, ready to expose the manager's secrets.

As expected, Manager Yao's anger subsided slightly, his teeth gritted as he asked, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Xiao Yu replied airily, "Then consider it nonsense if you will."

Manager Yao grew even more infuriated, leaning on the table, and said through gritted teeth, "What are you trying to do?"

Minghe, sensing the tense atmosphere without understanding the situation, moved closer to Xiao Yu, adopting a protective stance for his uncle.

Xiao Yu, smiling, gently touched Minghe's face and said, "It's alright, keep eating."

Minghe obediently ate his noodles, but his eyes occasionally darted towards Manager Yao, thinking that if this fat man dared to bully his uncle, he would fight back fiercely!

Xiao Yu continued to smile at Manager Yao and asked, "Manager, don't you know what I want?"

Manager Yao disdainfully replied, "All this for that little bit of wages?"

Xiao Yu confidently asserted, "Exactly, one tael and five coins. Give it to me now."

Manager Yao snorted with a laugh, "I've made it clear to you, your work was substandard—"

Substandard work, customer complaints... these were all just excuses. Xiao Yu didn't wish to argue over this with Manager Yao. He interrupted, "Manager Yao, I'm not asking you to pay my wages. I'm informing you to do so."

"On what grounds?" Manager Yao stood tall, looking down at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu didn't immediately answer. He leisurely set down his spoon, stood up, and raised his voice, "Ladies and gentlemen, this Manager Yao, who runs Wangyue Restaurant, he—"

The customers, hearing this, all turned to look, anticipating some drama. Manager Yao, panicked about the potential repercussions, especially if his wife heard about it, quickly appeased them, "Excuse us, everyone. Please continue enjoying your meal."

The customers resumed eating.

Furious, Manager Yao glared at Xiao Yu and hissed, "Are you threatening me?"

Xiao Yu was unafraid, "Yes."

Manager Yao's gaze hardened, "Haven't you thought about the consequences?"

"I have," Xiao Yu sat back down, picked up a bun, and ate with relish. "Manager Yao, unlike you, who enjoys the finer things in life, my nephew and I have nothing but our lives. You have a lot to lose - a lavish lifestyle, elderly parents, children, a wife, eight uncles, and even your mistress at Wanhua Tower..."

The implication was clear: if it came to a showdown, Xiao Yu had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Manager Yao, accustomed to intimidating others and always succeeding, was furious at being threatened for the first time. With so many watching, he couldn’t react openly. He decided to compromise with Xiao Yu, planning to teach him a lesson later.

As if reading his mind, Xiao Yu said, "Thinking of retaliating later, are you?"

Manager Yao was startled.

Xiao Yu sipped his tea and continued calmly, "Manager Yao, I advise you to do the right thing. Pay me the one tael and five coins you owe me. After that, we go our separate ways. If something happens to me, my acquaintances in Shuangyun Village and Jinxiu Village will know you're responsible. And all the vile things you've done in secret will come to light. Do you think you'll have any good days ahead?"

"You—"

Xiao Yu extended his hand, "One tael and five coins, hand it over."

Manager Yao truly didn't want to pay, but he could sense that Xiao Yu was no longer the submissive person he used to be. Exuding an aura of confidence and calm, he seemed formidable, almost capable of desperate measures.

No choice.

He had just started enjoying the good life; he couldn't let this youngster ruin it. It was just one tael and five coins. Handing it over would settle the matter. Reluctantly, he took out the money and slapped it on the table, "There, satisfied?"

Xiao Yu immediately pocketed the silver, saying, "Let's settle another account while we're at it."

"Settle what account?" Manager Yao was puzzled.

"This meal," Xiao Yu replied, "consider it compensation for your usual bullying." His index and middle finger tapped lightly on the table before calling out, "Waiter!"

Zhang Wu, who had been observing them without hearing their conversation, rushed over at Xiao Yu's call, cautiously asking, "What can I do for you, sir?"

"Pack all this up, charge it to his account," Xiao Yu gestured towards Manager Yao.

Zhang Wu looked bewilderedly at Manager Yao, "Manager?"

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