When Wang Xiangxiang spoke those words, Li Fugui’s eyes lit up. If the restaurant could be opened in another county, he might have a chance to find Xiaotian.
The pressure from Li Fuyou made it difficult for Xiaotian to survive in their own county, so she might have gone to another county. If she were in this county, Wang Xiangxiang’s influence would surely have found her.
He did not believe Li Fuyou’s words that she ran off with some rich young master, he believed in his Xiaotian.
He was just about to agree to Wang Xiangxiang’s suggestion when he heard Chu Lian shout out, "I don’t agree."
Wang Xiangxiang did not expect Chu Lian to outright refuse. What did this have to do with him? "What business is it of yours, why do you disagree?"
Chu Lian was so furious that smoke almost came out of his seven orifices. Couldn’t this arrogant woman be a little nicer to him?
"I certainly have my reasons for disagreeing."
A look of disdain appeared on Wang Xiangxiang’s face as she demanded, "Well then, let’s hear it. What’s your reason for disagreeing? Let me hear it?"
A sly smile appeared on Chu Lian’s lips, and with a cold snort, he said to Li Fugui, "Li Fugui, you better not forget, you still owe me nearly fifty thousand taels of silver. Do you think you can just walk away?"
"What? Fifty thousand taels?" This amount astounded Wang Xiangxiang.
Seeing the arrogant girl’s surprised expression seemed to please Chu Lian. "Yes, fifty thousand taels. Are you going to help him pay it? If you do, I have no objections."
Upon hearing Chu Lian mention the fifty thousand taels of silver, Li Fugui’s eyes widened in shock, unable to believe it, he urgently asked, "Brother Chu, wasn’t it agreed initially that those fifty thousand taels would be offset by making pickles during the winter?"
The matter of the fifty thousand taels of silver had been explained to him by Yang Ming before—compensating Yuelai Restaurant for their losses required fifty thousand taels. Yang Ming had accounted for it by using all the cabbages in his warehouse, with the remainder to be paid off with the winter pickles. He hadn’t expected Chu Lian to go back on his word now.
"I have changed my mind now. Using pickles to settle the debt is too great a loss for me."
At this moment, Wang Xiangxiang lost her temper, "Are you even human? How can you go back on your word? Those pickles don’t even cost much; isn’t this just robbery?"
Addressed by Wang Xiangxiang, he admitted it. He had to snatch Li Fugui up. Firstly, he really was a man of talent, and utilizing him would take Yuelai Restaurant to new heights. Secondly, this could also be an opportunity to make Wang Xiangxiang owe him a favor, killing two birds with one stone.
Li Fugui also appeared helpless. It seemed like the plan to partner with Wang Xiangxiang in opening a restaurant was falling through. "Brother Chu, what would you like then?"
"It’s simple. Within three years, try all the delicacies in the world, record their recipes, and put them to use in my Yuelai Restaurant. Then the fifty thousand taels of silver debt can be written off," Chu Lian articulated his thoughts.
Xiaoxiao, standing by, also saw the point clearly. Just as she had said, although Li Fugui was an unpolished gem, now two people were fighting over him.
Trying all the delicacies in the world—that’s just like the modern-day critics, isn’t it? But Li Fugui must learn the recipes as he tries them.
This might actually be an opportunity for Li Fugui.
Seeing that Li Fugui gave no response, Chu Lian continued to entice him, "During this period, I will help you take back Dongfeng Restaurant and the Li Family. Is this offer sincere enough?"
The conditions he proposed were indeed tempting, but having others take back the Li Family was not Li Fugui’s style. "No need, when I return, I will take back the Li Family myself."
"So, you agree then?"
"Do I have any other choice?"
" ... " It seemed not.