Chapter 211: Congratulations

For three consecutive days, Lin Dong spent his time in the backyard. Aside from practicing martial arts and chatting with Yun Lan, he devoted himself to cultivation. Throughout those three days, the guild still hadn’t sent any definite news, and the inn’s business declined day by day—by the end of three days, only about eighty tables were occupied each day.

Fortunately, fire beef was inherently tender, and its ingredients didn’t include any unpleasantly flavored magical materials. As a result, tuning the flavor of Vitality Beef Balls wasn’t as difficult as adjusting the flavor of Turtle Stewed with Maple Leaves. Early on the fourth day, just as Lin Dong was about to go out, Qiao Tianhao and Jiang Kui came over carrying a large porcelain bowl, their faces filled with joy.

After a brief thought, Lin Dong realized that the flavor of the Vitality Beef Balls had been successfully tuned. Opening the door again, he smiled and invited them in. Sure enough, as soon as they placed the bowl down, Qiao Tianhao rushed to say, “Owner, I’ve finally tuned the flavor of the Vitality Beef Balls. I guarantee they’ll rank among the best among the beef balls served in the restaurants of Autumn Wind City, just based on their taste.”

“Mm-hm!” Jiang Kui nodded eagerly, completely unaware that Qiao Tianhao was taking all the credit for himself.

Lin Dong smiled calmly and lifted the lid off the bowl. White steam, carrying a rich aroma, wafted out. Taking the chopsticks handed to him by Qiao Tianhao, Lin Dong picked up a ball the size of a ping-pong ball, with a reddish-brown flesh and scattered green onions, looking quite tempting.

Putting it in his mouth and taking a gentle bite, the fresh and savory juices filled his mouth. Chewing carefully, he found it chewy and delicious, with a lasting aftertaste. After eating one, he felt invigorated, with an indescribable sense of energy.

“The flavor is good. I’ll give Ma Chun a hundred taels of silver later—everyone who helped can get a share. You decide how to distribute it.”

Lin Dong’s praise made the two overjoyed. Qiao Tianhao even said obsequiously, “Owner, these Vitality Beef Balls have an excellent texture, great elasticity, and the medicinal effect that boosts energy. Our inn’s business will surely recover right away.”

“Let’s hope so!” Lin Dong smiled and picked up another ball. Applying slight pressure, the chopsticks sank slightly—showing great elasticity. Unable to resist, he let go, and the beef ball bounced on the table with a soft thud.

“As expected, it’s very elastic.”

Lin Dong nodded in approval. Though not as elastic as a rubber ball, its elasticity was comparable to that of a ping-pong ball. It was far better than the beef balls served in other restaurants, making it a decent gimmick.

“Of course! The chef’s recipe is undoubtedly extraordinary. When it comes to the elasticity of these beef balls, no restaurant in the Great Han Country dares claim to be number one…” Qiao Tianhao’s skills had improved by leaps and bounds these past few days. Having finally met Lin Dong, he couldn’t miss such a great opportunity to flatter him. Without stopping, he praised him for over a minute straight. Seeing that Qiao Tianhao still wanted to keep talking after catching his breath, Lin Dong quickly waved his hand and said, “Alright, the Vitality Beef Balls it is. You guys go back to work!” Qiao Tianhao nodded reluctantly and left the room with Jiang Kui, who was eager to receive the reward money, his face full of joy. After devouring a bowl of Vitality Beef Balls, Lin Dong also left the room. He instructed Ma Chun in the lobby to add “high elasticity” to the flyers sent to wealthy clients, then headed straight to the Kelei Restaurant. Although Lin Dong had wasted a day killing fire bulls after leaving Jiuhu City, he rushed back on fast horses, arriving in Qiufeng City half a day earlier than Wang Shuangxi and the others. Upon returning, Wang Shuangxi and his companions took over the restaurant and announced a three-day closure. Today was the grand reopening day for Kelei Restaurant. Outside the restaurant, firecrackers were exploding, and lion dance troupes moved around to the rhythm of drums and gongs. At the entrance, Wang Shuangxi and his team greeted the endless stream of guests, all looking cheerful and energetic, no less so than Lin Dong after eating the Vitality Beef Balls. “Manager Lin…” Seeing Lin Dong with a smiling face, Wang Shuangxi couldn’t help but exclaim happily. Wang Bin and Yi Yi quickly joined them. “Brother Lin, why are you here alone?” Wang Bin asked. “Kelei Restaurant is reopening today, and there will surely be too many guests to fit in. I don’t want to stand around drinking and eating with a bunch of people,” Lin Dong joked. Lin Shuang was still at the academy, and he had originally wanted to bring Yun Lan along, but since she didn’t like such crowds, he had to go alone. “We appreciate your kind words, Manager Lin,” Wang Shuangxi said with a beaming smile. “Congratulations on the reopening of Kelei Restaurant. Wishing you booming business and endless prosperity…” Lin Dong handed Wang Shuangxi a red envelope. “Here we go. Why be so polite, Manager Lin?” It was customary for acquaintances to give red envelopes on a grand reopening day, so though Wang Shuangxi pretended to be polite, he accepted it without hesitation. Lin Dong smiled and said, “It’s only right. Boss Wang looks especially cheerful on such a happy day.” “Manager Lin, stop standing there. Come inside,” Wang Shuangxi said cheerfully, leading Lin Dong into the restaurant’s lobby. “Today, we must drink together at all costs.”

“How can just a few drinks do? We need at least three or five jars,” Lin Dong declared loudly.
“That means Wang Bin has to accompany Manager Lin. He’s old now and can’t handle three or five jars!” Wang Shuangxi joked self-deprecatingly.
“Nonsense! Boss Wang is still strong as a dragon and a tiger. If you get old, there won’t be many elders left in the Great Han Nation.” The reopening of KeLai Restaurant was an immense joy for Wang Shuangxi, so Lin Dong had plenty of kind words to offer.
As they talked and walked, as soon as they entered the main hall, Lin Dong faintly heard a soft exclamation from behind: “Jasmine flowers…”
Lin Dong stopped and turned. Through the stream of guests, the Jasmine flowers, with their colorful blossoms and swaying branches, stood out prominently on the street.
“Make way, make way…”
A few men dressed as guards, armed with sharp swords, waved their arms to clear a path, causing everyone in their way to stumble back.
Although most of the regulars at KeLai Restaurant were wealthy, there were also some from prominent families among them. Being pushed aside rudely angered them, but upon seeing the young man with Jasmine flowers smiling apologetically, they all swallowed their anger.
“Liu Nanhuai!”
Next to Lin Dong, Wang Shuangxi gasped in shock.
“The eldest son of the Liu family,” Wang Shuangxi said apologetically. “Manager Lin, we have a problem. I’m afraid we’ll have to ask you and your staff to go upstairs.”
“No problem. Go ahead with your work. I’ll stay downstairs and watch,” Lin Dong replied, shaking his head.
“Well…” Wang Shuangxi hesitated. He had seen Lin Dong’s strength—it would be best if he stayed downstairs to help, but this was a family matter, and it would be awkward to trouble him further.
“Boss Wang, the Wang family should be here too, right?” Lin Dong reminded him. He wasn’t averse to a fight to stretch his muscles, but if a fight broke out at the entrance, today’s celebration at KeLai Restaurant would turn into a farce.
“That’s right, the Wang family. Look at my memory. Manager Lin, I won’t delay you any longer. Be careful.” Seeing that Liu Nanhuai and the others had crossed the street and were about to block the entrance, preventing guests from entering, Wang Shuangxi quickly apologized to Lin Dong, assigned a staff member to go upstairs to invite them in, and rushed forward.
Seeing Wang Bin and Yi Yi block the group at the edge of the street with a few staff members, Wang Shuangxi breathed a sigh of relief. He stepped forward and bowed to Liu Nanhuai and Jasmine Flowers. “Young Master Liu, Boss Ying, please forgive us for not greeting you properly upon your arrival.”
Liu Nanhuai gave him a cold look, while Jasmine Flowers snorted and glared at Wang Bin. “I’m asking you one more time—will you settle this matter of trafficking women privately or publicly?”
Wang Bin replied bluntly, “If you accuse me of trafficking women, show me the evidence.”

Wang Shuangxi, however, spoke politely, “Boss Ying, we’ve already explained everything clearly. My son and I went out on a business trip, and by chance we met a local gentry. My son liked Yi Yi, so he had no choice but to pay a high price to buy her. How could there even be talk of trafficking women? Besides, since Boss Ying sold Yi Yi to that gentry, what does Boss Ying have to do with her?”
“Young Master Liu…” Yingchunhua was at a loss for words and could only look at Liu Nanhuai. Whether it was a private or public resolution, she wasn’t willing to accept either. Her purpose in coming today was to ruin the restaurant.
Ever since the guild’s news spread from Fenglin Restaurant, the business of all major restaurants had plummeted, including Yingfeng Restaurant. Now, Ke Lai Restaurant had reopened to compete for customers, which Yingchunhua naturally didn’t want. She hadn’t intended to cause trouble either, as Wang Shuangxi was acquainted with the Wang family. If things escalated, both families would suffer, only benefiting Lin’s Inn.
But coincidentally, the eldest Liu son, who had never been to Yingfeng Restaurant before, suddenly felt like going there in the morning to listen to music. Yingchunhua had only intended to complain, but unexpectedly, this eldest Liu son was willing to take personal interest and promised that no one would come to cause trouble at Yingfeng Restaurant.
Since the eldest Liu son had made such a promise, it surely wouldn’t be false. It was a great opportunity, and Yingchunhua wouldn’t miss it. She immediately came over with her men in a fierce manner.
Liu Nanhuai glanced at Wang Shuangxi and the others expressionlessly. He paused briefly on Yi Yi’s beautiful face before looking away. He raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.
Two of the four guards who accompanied him stepped forward, drawing their swords ready to arrest them.
“Young Master Liu, it’s been half a year since we last saw each other. How do you have time to deal with such trivial matters?” a middle-aged man with a goatee stepped forward along with two servants.
“Butler Li,” Wang Shuangxi quickly put on a smile.
Li Guandi shook his head, signaling Wang Shuangxi to step aside.
Liu Nanhuai ignored them. One of the guards snorted, “What business does our eldest master have to deal with? Do you think you can interfere?”
“Of course not. It’s just that…” Li Guandi smiled and looked at Liu Nanhuai, “Our master really likes Boss Wang’s braised carp. Since the restaurant has reopened today, perhaps Young Master Liu…”
Liu Nanhuai snorted coldly, pressed his thumb and middle finger together, and snapped his fingers again.
The guards stepped forward, pushed Li Guandi aside, and said disdainfully, “Get lost! Don’t try to scare our master with the Wang family. Let me tell you the truth—our master will break through the Lingdong stage in a few days.”

After being helped up by two servants, Li Guandi intended to step forward but hesitated upon hearing those words. No wonder Liu Nanhuai didn’t take him seriously—this meant the Liu family now had another warrior. The two families were originally evenly matched, each with twelve warriors. With one side losing and the other gaining, the Wang family might suffer heavy losses over such a trivial matter.

Seeing Li Guandi’s expression, Wang Shuangxi grew anxious, “Butler Li…”

Li Guandi slowly shook his head.

Seeing the two guards approaching, Lin Dong had no choice but to step in front of Wang Bin.

“Brother Lin, you’re a guest. This…” Wang Bin tried to dissuade Lin Dong but couldn’t bring himself to speak.

“It’s fine. I just need to stretch a bit. I’ll bring a gift box to express my thanks tomorrow,” Lin Dong said with a smile.

Wang Bin hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying, “Be careful, Brother Lin. I heard the swords of the Liu family have mechanisms that spray a white sap from the spirit tree.”

“Toxic?” Lin Dong asked sternly.

Wang Bin explained in a low voice, “It’s not poisonous, but once it comes out, it solidifies immediately. When sprayed through the sword’s mechanism, it acts like thin films that block vision.”

Lin Dong was amazed. He had heard of chemicals that solidified instantly, but he never expected there to be tree sap that solidified the moment it came into contact with air.