Chapter 332: The Eldest Son of the Hua Family

“Boss Liu, come in, come in! I was just thinking that it shouldn’t be too far from the Liu family’s residence to this inn. Surely Boss Liu wasn’t held up by Lady Seventeen! Well, here you are…”
“Boss Yang, welcome, welcome… How would I know you’re Boss Yang? With your calm and wise demeanor, who else in Lingnan City could compare?”
“Boss Ma, please come upstairs…”
The magpies chirped nonstop in the branches, and the entrance of Lin’s Inn was even busier than a market.
At the entrance, Ma Chun kept greeting the wealthy guests who entered. His extraordinary talent for interacting with people was on full display at this moment. Out of the ten guests who entered, he could instantly recall each of their identities. Although he had previously sent people to collect portraits and physical descriptions of all the wealthy and ultra-wealthy people in the city, his ability to treat them as old acquaintances right away, without error, showed just how skilled Ma Chun was in this regard.
What’s more, during the journey from the entrance to the second floor, Ma Chun managed to make each guest smile broadly. If it were just luck with five guests, it would be impressive; but with ten or twenty guests all reacting this way, it was clear that Ma Chun had reached a level of interpersonal skill beyond ordinary comprehension.
Lin Dong believed that if Ma Chun continued to grow at this pace, in ten or eight years, given his abilities, he might even single-handedly enter a rival restaurant and effortlessly persuade its owner to shut down.
At the counter, whenever someone entered, whether they glanced his way or not, Lin Dong would keep smiling and bowing. In less than an hour since opening, all 30 tables on the first floor were already occupied. On the second, third, and fourth floors, the number of wealthy and high-end customers kept increasing.
Although Lin Dong’s face felt somewhat numb, his smile grew stronger by the moment.
In the first hour, 11 bronze VIP cards were given away. In the second hour, 32 bronze VIP cards and 3 silver cards were distributed. In the third hour, just before the lunch rush, 61 VIP cards and 16 silver cards were handed out.

In one morning, 104 copper cards and 19 silver cards were distributed. Not to mention those VIP cards with excessively high prices for food and drinks, nor those big clients who didn’t intend to get a VIP card on their first visit. Just these copper and silver cards meant that Lin Ji Inn’s turnover for that morning was nearly 3,000 silver taels. The profit alone was at least 1,000 taels. And this was only in the first three hours, during the morning when there was the least foot traffic. At this rate, Lin Dong was confident that the day’s total turnover would definitely reach 20,000 silver taels, with a profit of 6,000 taels being no problem. After all, the top clients were usually reserved and proud of their status; no matter how much they desired VIP cards or Spirit Stone Fans, they generally wouldn’t flock here outside meal times. If this trend continued, a monthly profit of nearly 200,000 silver taels would easily outshine Feng Lin Restaurant and Hong Fu Restaurant. Of course, this was only the first day of operation, with no unique attractions yet. As time went on, the number of customers would gradually decrease. Once the Spirit Stone Fans and VIP cards became saturated, the remaining customers would be those truly attracted by Lin Ji Inn’s merits. Lin Dong was well prepared for this. He believed that one day, the inn’s regular business would surpass that of its opening day. As Lin Dong had guessed, once noon arrived, the frequency of customers entering increased rapidly. From the ever-changing expressions of joy on Ma Chun’s face, Lin Dong could tell that among them were several top clients. “Young Master Hua, you really came.” At the entrance of the lobby, Ma Chun stepped forward to greet a young man dressed in a green-and-red silk robe with two peach blossoms embroidered on his chest. He had a fair complexion and a handsome appearance, and his smile was enough to melt anything. With a swish, Hua Wu Yue opened his folding fan and glanced at Ma Chun, puzzled. “You know me?” “Young Master Hua is exceptionally handsome and likes to wear robes embroidered with two peach blossoms. Although many try to imitate him, the embroidery style and his elegant demeanor are impossible to replicate,” Ma Chun said with a smile, stepping aside to gesture for him to follow. “Young Master Hua, would you like a private room for some intimacy, or just find a table to watch the hustle and bustle?” “Just a clean table will do,” Hua Wu Yue replied casually. “Alright, then shall I take you to the third floor, Young Master Hua?” Ma Chun asked. Hua Wu Yue nodded, glanced briefly at the staircase, swayed his fan lightly, and followed Ma Chun. Behind them, two bodyguards followed closely, their proud gazes sweeping across the lobby as if they were the ones Ma Chun had invited.

Suddenly, both of their gazes fixed on Lin Dong behind the counter almost at the same time. Lin Dong couldn’t help but force a wry smile at them. He found these two somewhat familiar, but Huā Wú Yuè left a deep impression on him—acting like a spoiled brat, yet possessing strength enough to stand out among the younger generation in Lingnan City. It was the same person he had knocked out with a slap in the training ground not long ago. “Young, young master…” These two were two of the three guards who had accompanied Huā Wú Yuè last time. Upon seeing Lin Dong, they lost their composure for a moment before speaking out in panic. Huā Wú Yuè instinctively turned to look at them, frowning slightly in displeasure. “What is it?” “Young master…” Their arms trembled slightly as they pointed together at Lin Dong, who was walking out from behind the counter. When Huā Wú Yuè turned, his body seemed to freeze instantly. He stared at Lin Dong dumbfounded, his mouth slightly agape, his folding fan hanging motionless in mid-air. “Young Master Huā, it’s been a few days, yet you remain as graceful and elegant as ever,” Lin Dong said slowly, wearing a faint smile. To outsiders, it seemed like he was meeting an old friend after a few days apart—not overly familiar, but warm. Yet to Huā Wú Yuè and the others, that smile resembled that of a demonic figure from hell, carrying a faint, bloodthirsty intent. “You… you…” Huā Wú Yuè was too terrified to speak. As the undisputed number one among the younger generation in Lingnan City, that status had made him accustomed to never tolerating anyone stronger than himself. But Lin Dong’s strength filled him with deep fear. If there had been only a difference of one or two realms, it would have been a spur for Huā Wú Yuè, motivating him to surpass him at all costs. But with such a small age gap yet Lin Dong’s strength being able to withstand his strongest attacks and even knock him out with a single slap, it left him feeling utterly powerless. Although Lin Dong hadn’t revealed his identity, anyone who saw him come out from behind the counter could guess his connection to Lin’s Inn. So, Lin Dong didn’t bother denying it. He stepped up to Huā Wú Yuè and, under the panicked gazes of the two guards, put an arm around his shoulders. “Young Master Huā, shall we go outside and talk?” Lin Dong whispered. Huā Wú Yuè swallowed hard, trying to break free from Lin Dong’s grip, but he couldn’t muster even a hint of strength. “Let’s go!” With a push from Lin Dong’s arm, Huā Wú Yuè’s body moved involuntarily along with him.

The two guards watched as Lin Dong half-carried their young master to the back yard. Only after their figures disappeared did they seem to wake up from their daze. They exchanged glances for a long time, then gritted their teeth and dragged their heavy legs as they slowly followed after them.

Feeling dizzy, they followed Lin Dong to the front yard. Seeing that aside from the waiters shuttling back and forth, there was no one else around, Hua Wuyue’s face turned pale. Could this man think he had come to seek revenge, intending to find a deserted place to kill him and eliminate any future threats?

“Young Master Hua, here to eat at Lin’s Inn?” Lin Dong asked with a smile.

Hua Wuyue remained silent. His right hand subtly opened slightly, clearly ready to draw his spiritual sword at any moment to fight to the death.

“I’m the owner of Lin’s Inn. If Young Master Hua is here to eat, then he’s my guest,” Lin Dong said with a smile.

“The owner?” Hua Wuyue looked up at Lin Dong, somewhat incredulous. With such strength, could he still be interested in mundane business?

“Yes!” Lin Dong nodded. “If Young Master Hua intended to come here to seek revenge on me…”

“No, it’s not…” Hua Wuyue suddenly saw a glimmer of hope. He understood what Lin Dong meant. This supreme expert had brought him to this deserted place not because he wanted to kill him and eliminate threats, but because he was worried that Hua Wuyue might come to cause trouble and disrupt Lin’s Inn’s business.

“As long as it’s not that, it’s fine!” Lin Dong released Hua Wuyue’s shoulder. On the opening day of his inn, he didn’t want any unexpected incidents. Whether Hua Wuyue was scared or not, as long as he didn’t cause trouble at the inn today, that was enough. As for tomorrow and the day after, since Hua Wuyue already knew his identity and there was no way to avoid him, Lin Dong wasn’t afraid of trouble.

“Th-then…” Hua Wuyue hesitated.

“Young Master Hua, just write a guarantee! Promise not to cause trouble today,” Lin Dong said, pulling out pen and ink and smiling at him.

Hua Wuyue was confused. A guarantee? He used to write them often because he was lazy. But it had been over a decade since then. Moreover, if the eldest son of the Hua family had to write a guarantee for someone, he wouldn’t have the face to see anyone again.

“Young Master Hua doesn’t want to?” Lin Dong’s smile turned slightly cold.

“I… I…”

Hua Wuyue’s face grew grim, his inner conflict intensifying.

“Then, for the sake of the inn’s business…” Lin Dong opened his right hand, and a Ruyi Stool appeared instantly. Then, before Hua Wuyue’s astonished eyes, it rapidly transformed into a spiritual sword with a gleaming edge.

With a focused gaze, Hua Wu Yue instantly realized that the terrifying scene from days ago had happened again—her body was trapped. Her right arm was slowly raised as Lin Dong sneered at her. If it were another top young fighter from another city, he surely wouldn’t use such a simple method of coercion. In this world, there were too few people like Yun Lan. As the top young fighter in his city, pride was absolutely essential. Without torturing someone for a few hours to completely break their will and arrogance, just threatening them with a spiritual sword would hardly make them submit. But as for this person before him, to be honest, if he hadn’t witnessed his strength firsthand, he would never have believed that this Young Master Hua could be the top young fighter in Lingnan City. With his embroidered robe, folding fan, and gaudy appearance, this Young Master Hua seemed like a spoiled rich kid. Threatening such a person wasn’t that troublesome—just make them choose between life and face. Under Hua Wu Yue’s terrified gaze, the spiritual sword swung down rapidly—one meter, fifty centimeters, twenty centimeters… “I’ll write! I’ll write!” Hua Wu Yue screamed when the sword was less than ten centimeters from her neck. The sword stopped instantly and then disappeared into Lin Dong’s palm. Patting Hua Wu Yue’s shoulder, Lin Dong nodded toward the stone table and said with a smile, “Go write there. Remember to stop earlier next time. I almost lost control just now.” Hua Wu Yue forced a smile to respond to Lin Dong’s teasing, took the pen and ink, and sat down at the stone table. “Y-Young Master!” Watching Hua Wu Yue writing furiously at the table, two guards who had slowly approached the front yard were confused about the situation. “Wait there! Young Master Hua sent me to write something. If it’s written wrong, I’ll hold you accountable,” Lin Dong said, waving his hand to stop them. Hearing this, the two guards were even more puzzled. Meanwhile, Hua Wu Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If Lin Dong told the truth about her writing a guarantee to save her life, it would likely spread throughout entire Lingnan City within a few months. Unable to resist, she glanced up at Lin Dong and sped up her writing. Soon, Hua Wu Yue stood up and handed the guarantee to Lin Dong.

Looking down, confirming that the contents met his instructions, Lin Dong placed it in the mobile counter. Then, smiling at Hua Wu Yue, he said in a low voice, “If Young Master Hua wants to take it back, he can come here himself tomorrow or send someone to get it—though it’s not necessary. I’ll destroy it myself the day after tomorrow. If you want to take revenge on me, just come whenever you’re ready to face the consequences. Of course, it’s best to target me; otherwise, I’ll target your entire family behind you.”

Hua Wu Yue trembled. The meaning of these words was far too clear.

“Enough! If Young Master Hua wants to eat, tell Manager Ma that I’ll treat him today.” In Lin Dong’s view, any enemy who didn’t cause him any loss was someone better left alone. Taking out a small spirit stone fan from the mobile counter, Lin Dong handed it to Hua Wu Yue and said, “The folding fan in your hand is probably made of Tianmu wood. It’s remarkable, but I think it’s more impressive to carry our Lin’s Inn’s small spirit stone fan.”

Hua Wu Yue was stunned, unable to understand Lin Dong’s intentions.

Slap someone first, then offer a sweet treat? The problem was, with Lin Dong’s strength, not to mention himself, even if the entire Hua family went all out, their chances of winning might not be high. Was it worth showing weakness? Moreover, if they really wanted revenge, giving a spirit stone fan wouldn’t help at all.

Seeing that Hua Wu Yue didn’t move, Lin Dong smiled and shoved the spirit stone fan into his hands. He believed that if Hua Wu Yue didn’t intend to take revenge, after seeing the convenience and prestige of the small spirit stone fan, he would surely want a larger one that could also bring great prestige. After a few times, he might even be attracted by Lin’s Inn’s food and drinks.

With Hua Wu Yue’s strength and his status as a young master from a major family, it was equivalent to keeping a wealthy client at the inn.

“Alright, Young Master Hua, please!” Not wanting to waste time, Lin Dong gestured toward the entrance, signaling that it was time for Hua Wu Yue to leave.

Hua Wu Yue followed Lin Dong’s gesture in a daze, with the two guards following behind, equally confused.

After confirming that Hua Wu Yue had no intention of going upstairs for lunch before leaving, Lin Dong escorted the three bewildered men out of the main hall.

Behind them, Ma Chun, who had come down and seen this scene, stepped up to Lin Dong and asked in confusion, “The cooking skills of the Hua family’s eldest son are quite poor.”

“What do you mean?” Lin Dong was utterly puzzled.

“Weren’t you interested in Hua Wu Yue’s cooking skills?” Ma Chun asked in surprise.

“Can he cook?” Lin Dong was surprised. This young master Hua didn’t seem like the kind of person who would bother cooking and getting covered in grease. Had he misjudged him again?
Ma Chun nodded. “The eldest son of the Hua family is quite a notable figure in Lingnan City. At the same time, he’s also a highly controversial person. It’s said that this young master Hua has astonishing talent and is considered the greatest genius in the Hua family’s history. Yet, he has little interest in cultivation and is instead extremely passionate about cooking. He spends most of his time on cooking. What’s puzzling is that he’s also extremely clean-minded; he insists on cooking only when there’s a strong breeze so as not to get covered in grease. In truth, most of the time, he just sits on the roof, watching the chefs cook from afar.”
“Is that really possible?” Lin Dong was amazed. A martial arts genius who loves cooking was indeed a rare sight in Lingnan City.
“And that’s not all. This young master Hua is vain, indulging in eating, drinking, gambling, seducing women, and bullying the weak… He knows almost everything a spoiled brat would know,” Ma Chun explained. “On the other hand, he’s also done many good deeds, such as standing up for justice and helping the poor. That’s why he’s so controversial.”
“Interesting!” Lin Dong smiled. “How good is his cooking?”
“To cook, he even opened a restaurant called Peach Blossom Restaurant, right in the east part of our city. Many people have tried his cooking, and it’s said it’s passable,” Ma Chun said with a smile. “More or less, it’s good enough for him to work as a chef in a large restaurant!”
Lin Dong was puzzled. “With such cooking skills, why did you think I was planning to bring him to the inn as a chef?”
“The young master Hua’s cooking isn’t great, but the visual appeal of his dishes is unmatched,” Ma Chun explained. “I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, but I’ve heard that many people, after tasting the dishes cooked by Hua Wu Yue, buy the plates just to take them home and admire them. I thought the inn owner wanted to hire him to oversee the dishes prepared by the chefs.”
Lin Dong was stunned. Could dishes really be appreciated as art?
Anyway, if that were the case, it would indeed make sense to try bringing Hua Wu Yue to the inn, as Ma Chun guessed. Although it might be a lowly position for someone like him, there’s no harm in giving it a try.
Maybe he could take some time to visit Peach Blossom Restaurant. With all aspects of flavor and appearance considered, visual appeal is just as important.