Chapter Thirty-Three: Too Short

After finishing the meal, Li Zhi unconsciously returned to the living room.

Why unconsciously?

Because he was simply too short!

From the kitchen to his seat, others could hardly notice him!

“So, how does my cooking taste?” he asked.

“Delicious, absolutely delicious…” came the reply.

Li Zhi clambered onto his seat and pointed at the two dishes on the table. “This one is called Kung Pao Chicken, and the other is Stir-Fried Pig Liver with Blood Skin… It’s a pity, though, that many of the seasonings are missing, so the quality of both dishes has suffered.”

“It’s already wonderful!” Li Lizhi ate with great enthusiasm.

She was thoroughly satisfied.

“Haha…” Cheng Yaojin grinned, showing his teeth. “Little… little brother, you’re truly extraordinary! It seems my decision to have Chubi learn from you was absolutely right. I believe, given time, his achievements will be boundless!”

To avoid revealing Li Zhi’s identity, he changed “little prince” to “little brother,” which sounded even more affectionate.

Li Zhi lifted his head proudly. “Of course! Uncle Cheng, just wait—you’ll be living the good life soon enough!”

The restaurant manager, Hong Yuan, hurried over, his face full of anticipation. “Esteemed guests, may I try these two dishes?”

He was quite curious!

Li Zhi was so young—could he really create such delicacies?

Judging by their appearance, the Kung Pao Chicken and the Stir-Fried Pig Liver with Blood Skin looked impressive. But the taste needed careful sampling.

“Manager, today you’re in luck, you get to taste a dish prepared by our young master!” said Cheng Yaojin.

“Yes, yes…” Hong Yuan nodded eagerly as Cheng Yaojin handed him a pair of chopsticks.

He took several generous bites and was utterly astounded. “Such delicious food—I have never tasted anything like it in my life! Even Tianyi Restaurant can’t compare!”

“Young master’s culinary skills are truly magical!”

“Young master, I have an impertinent request—might you consider it?” Hong Yuan said with excitement.

“You’re not thinking of inviting me to be your head chef, are you? If so, there’s no need to say it…” Li Zhi saw through his intention at a glance.

“How could I dare! It’s just… my restaurant’s business is dreadful. Would you be willing to instruct my chefs? Rest assured, the reward will be generous!”

Hong Yuan’s words were tactful!

But thinking it over, it was hardly different from asking him to be chef—perhaps just as head chef!

Li Zhi had no time for such things, so he immediately replied, “Manager, don’t bother thinking about it… it’s utterly impossible!”

“Young master…”

Hong Yuan was not ready to give up.

He kept offering ever higher rewards!

He even proposed a share of the restaurant’s profits and ownership!

But it was all in vain!

Luo Tong smiled and said, “Manager, just give up on your wild dreams. Our young master—how could he possibly work as your chef? Does he look like a chef to you?”

“He does!” Hong Yuan replied.

“What did you say…” Luo Tong’s eyes widened.

Hong Yuan quickly amended, “I mean, it would be such a waste for someone of his skill not to be a chef. If he worked at my restaurant, he’d make a name for himself in the capital in no time!”

“And when that happens, your restaurant would rise to fame as well,” said Cheng Yaojin.

“All thanks to the young master’s blessings!”

“Enough already, I won’t do it!” Li Zhi dashed Hong Yuan’s hopes yet again. “I have far too many responsibilities—how could I possibly be a cook?”

“But…” he paused, a new thought forming.

If Cheng Chubi came to this restaurant, learning to cook while earning some money, it could be worthwhile. He was still a novice, and a struggling restaurant like this was perfect for practice!

Li Zhi looked at Cheng Yaojin.

Cheng Yaojin was no fool; he quickly understood. “Our Chubi has status—he would never cook for others! If he does, it should be for himself!”

Indeed!

Cheng Chubi was a young noble, a person of some standing!

If he became a chef here, wouldn’t people laugh themselves silly?

…

They soon finished their meal.

Night fell.

Curfew was approaching.

Only Li Zhi and his companions remained in the restaurant’s living room.

“Manager, I’d like to discuss something with you,” said Li Zhi.

“Please, young master, go ahead.”

“How much is your restaurant worth? I want to buy it! Since your restaurant is on the verge of closure, holding onto it is just a loss. Better to hand it over to me—one day, it could be revived!”

…

Just moments ago, Li Zhi had come up with a new idea.

Since Tianyi Restaurant was so expensive, why let himself be fleeced? If he could revive Hong Yuan’s restaurant and steal all of Tianyi’s business, let’s see if they dare to charge a million!

Tonight, a major blow would land on Tianyi Restaurant, and whether they could survive it remained to be seen!

Hong Yuan was overjoyed. “Young master wants to buy my restaurant?”

“Yes!”

“Wonderful, wonderful… but the price can’t be too low. After all, this is a good location, with many customers passing by. With your culinary skills, the restaurant will surely come back to life!”

“Whether it revives or not is my concern. Just tell me—how much is your restaurant worth?”

Hong Yuan hesitated for a while.

Finally, blushing, he said, “My restaurant ought to be worth fifty or sixty thousand. Since we know each other, I’ll give you a discount—just fifty thousand!”

“Cheaper than Tianyi Restaurant…” Li Lizhi blurted out with a smile.

“Cough, cough!” Li Zhi winked at her, signaling her to keep quiet!

At moments like these, it was nothing less than a life-and-death negotiation.

There could be no mistakes!

“Manager, don’t think we’re ignorant of the market. A place like yours is worth at most fifteen thousand. Given the poor business and reputation, the price is heavily discounted—ten thousand, at most!”

“This…” Hong Yuan’s eyes widened as he shouted, “No, no, ten thousand is too little… I spent twenty thousand when I first bought this place!”

The twenty thousand he mentioned wasn’t in the current currency, but in the coins of the Sui dynasty. Converted, it was about ten thousand today.

Cheng Yaojin laughed. “If you paid only twenty thousand, why are you selling it to us for fifty thousand? Manager, are you trying to cheat us?”

“Well… I have to make some profit, don’t I?”

“At a time like this, you’re still thinking of making a profit? Your restaurant is about to shut down—selling it is your only luck, otherwise it’ll be worthless!”

“Manager, I advise you to let go quickly! At least you’ll get your money back!”

…

After some persuasion, Hong Yuan was genuinely tempted.

“I can see you’re all from wealthy families—why make things hard for my small business? If you truly want to buy it, just give me twenty thousand, so I can recover my investment—that’s fair!”

Hong Yuan spoke earnestly!

“Deal!” Li Zhi agreed.

“But I don’t have that much cash right now. Can we do installments? You know, with my cooking, the restaurant will surely revive. Every ten days, you come here and collect one thousand, until the debt is settled.”

At these words, everyone awkwardly covered their faces.

Hong Yuan was stunned. “What do you mean? Is this a scheme to get something for nothing?”