Chapter 232: Coming for Silver Again

When Gu Fei woke up the next morning, her expression was calm.

She had spent all night thinking and had come to a decision. If that Er Laizi came looking for trouble again today, she wouldn’t let him get away with it.

’So what if I’ve invested a few hundred silver in the shop? It pains me to think of losing it, but it’s not a loss I can’t afford. Worst-case scenario, I’ll just close up shop!’

’Besides, the chili peppers at home are about to be planted. I won’t starve.’

’I believe that if I close the shop, they won’t go out of their way to bother me. After all, no matter how powerful Prince Qi is, I’m not the one with a grudge against the Prince Qi Mansion. That would be Old Huang.’

’I wonder if Old Huang has any clue what’s going on. If he does, it means he deliberately set me up.’

But on second thought, Gu Fei shook her head. ’Maybe Old Huang doesn’t know either. After all, from what I’ve heard, he refunded the rent to the two previous tenants.’

’In other words, Old Huang himself hasn’t benefited in the slightest.’

’And unless he’s a psychopath, who would do something that harms others without benefiting himself?’

Still, what Gu Fei couldn’t understand was the nature of the revenge against Old Huang.

’Since they’re from the Prince Qi Mansion, getting rid of Old Huang would be trivial for them.’

’And yet, Old Huang is alive and well.’

’It’s as if they just want to prevent Old Huang from renting or selling the shop.’

’If there were treasure buried beneath the building, that doesn’t make sense either. They could have just bought the place and excavated it at their leisure.’

All in all, the whole affair was just bizarre.

Gu Fei brewed a cup of chrysanthemum and goji berry tea. Sporting dark circles under her eyes, she sat at the counter and waited for Er Laizi to show up.

By noon, the main hall had five or six tables full of customers. The kitchen was so swamped that even Lian’er went to the back to help.

That was when Er Laizi arrived.

He swaggered through the door, found a table in the main hall, and sat down, propping one foot on the chair. "Waiter!" he bellowed. "Come take this master’s order."

The waiters had all seen Er Laizi cause a scene the day before. None of them wanted to deal with him, so they all looked to Gu Fei.

Gu Fei walked over, her face stern. "Well, well, if it isn’t the biggest shot in all of Ping’an City?"

Er Laizi raised an eyebrow. "Good that you know."

"Now hurry up and bring out the food."

"Bring me one of every one of your best dishes. If this master is satisfied today, I’ll be back tomorrow."

Gu Fei laughed. "My, you certainly hold our humble shop in high regard."

"We won’t be serving you any food. You’re not here to eat, you’re here for silver, aren’t you?"

Er Laizi’s leg started bouncing. "As long as you know. Hand over thirty silver, and this master won’t mind eating elsewhere."

"And if I don’t?" Gu Fei asked calmly.

"You won’t? Heh. Then don’t blame me for what comes next. I’m going to smash this place to pieces today!"

The other customers turned to look at the commotion. Er Laizi glared at one of them. "What are you looking at? Keep looking and I’ll flip your table first!"

This customer was the very first person to have eaten at the shop—the middle-aged man with the surname Du.

Gu Fei smiled at the man. "Uncle Du, it’s alright. Please, continue your meal."

Uncle Du gave a slight nod, seeming completely unfazed by Er Laizi’s provocation.

Gu Fei turned back to Er Laizi. "You want silver, is that right? Fine. Follow me outside, and I’ll get it for you."

Er Laizi assumed his threats had worked. "Oho, the little lady’s finally come to her senses?"

Gu Fei sneered inwardly. ’Of course I’ve come to my senses. Getting silver isn’t even your goal. You’re just here to cause trouble.’

’Even if I give you the silver, I guarantee you’ll be back tomorrow with some new scheme.’

Gu Fei gestured with her hand. "Mr. Huang, right this way."