Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 904 - 902_1

Chapter 904: 902_1

"I wonder where the young lady sensed it from? Let me check what’s going on. Our restaurant is cleaned thoroughly every day in every corner, and the ingredients we use are the freshest. This is the first time a customer has mentioned a vague unpleasant smell." As a seasoned manager of the restaurant, he could easily tell if someone was deliberately causing trouble.

An unpleasant smell? Where on earth could that be coming from! The whole restaurant was either filled with the aroma of flowers or the mouth-watering fragrance of food!

How many people were lured over by the tantalizing smell of their restaurant’s dishes?

"When I stepped in earlier, I noticed a peculiar smell. I vaguely detect it again now; it seems to be wafting in from that direction." Xiao Ling pointed towards where Xiao’er was seated.

"Manager, naturally, I trust the ingredients used in your restaurant are of the freshest quality and cleanliness is maintained impeccably. Therefore, this unpleasant smell shouldn’t be an issue with the restaurant. I am wondering if someone brought in something low-quality, which is causing such an off-putting smell. It might impact everyone’s appetite! Manager, you must know how expensive your restaurant’s dishes are, it won’t do if someone influences others’ appetites because of their actions!"

Xiao Ling dared not criticize the restaurant directly; she could not afford to offend the people backing the establishment.

However, the guests dining at the restaurant were a different matter. In this city, only the Magistrate was untouchable, everyone else was fair game.

On seeing her pointed finger directed towards his master’s direction, the manager’s face darkened, "I’ll take a look."

This was a deliberate attempt to stir up trouble, and it was targeted at the restaurant owner!

Xiao Ling spoke so loudly, naturally, Xiao’er and her group overheard it. Xiao’er guessed she was referring to the stinky tofu she had brought in.

Now that Xiao Ling had pointed in their direction again, her doubts were clarified.

It was true that stinky tofu had a unique smell, and Xiao’er acknowledged that not everyone would find it pleasant.

However, her stinky tofu was stored in a basket and covered with cloth. The peculiar smell wouldn’t be noticeable unless someone came close to the basket.

So, that maid was obviously making trouble out of nothing!

Since she wanted to stir up trouble, Xiao’er decided to deal with it straightforwardly and see how she would continue to do her drama.

Xiao’er beckoned the manager straightaway, "Manager Lei, please come and take this basket of stinky tofu away! I think the smell that maid mentioned may be coming from my basket of stinky tofu."

Upon finishing her sentence, Xiao’er turned to the dining patrons and said, "My apologies to everyone, it seems the scent of my stinky tofu has affected your appetites. I’ll ask the manager to remove it now."

Upon hearing this, the manager immediately stepped forward to take away the stinky tofu.

The other patrons shook their heads in response:

"No worries, we didn’t notice any smell."

"Stinky tofu? The one from the stall at the street corner? I love it! The smell isn’t unpleasant; it’s enticing! Little maid, if you don’t understand food, don’t speak nonsense."

"That’s right! Although stinky tofu has ’stinky’ in its name, it’s really tasty! I even sent a boy to buy some today! He arrived late, and it was sold out!"

"I also brought a plate of stinky tofu here when I came to dine the day before yesterday! The restaurant was packed with people, both upstairs and downstairs, yet nobody complained about the smell affecting their appetites. You’re not a rich young lady, so why are you so finicky!"

"Exactly, there are people selling stinky tofu on the street every day. If the smell could affect people’s appetites, nobody would bother to cook at home!"

...

"Manager, don’t take the stinky tofu away, I bought it from the young lady! If I don’t have stinky tofu for a meal, I can’t eat anything else!"

"I also want to eat it! Manager, can the restaurant add stinky tofu to its menu? I’ll order a plate every day! What’s more, young lady, I’ll offer double the price for this stinky tofu. How about it?"

Xiao’er flashed a faint smile upon hearing this, "No need to pay me. We are like-minded, so I’d be happy to offer my stinky tofu to you!"

After saying this, Xiao’er turned to the manager, "Manager Lei, take this basket downstairs, divide the stinky tofu onto several plates, and serve a portion to anyone who wants it."

Luckily, she had bought four portions of stinky tofu that day, which was enough to fill six or seven small plates.

The manager agreed and promptly left with the stinky tofu basket.

Xiao Ling was slightly taken aback. Shouldn’t these people, like her, criticize bringing such common food to such an upscale place?

Why were they all clamoring to eat such a common, stinky street snack?

Xiao’er glanced at the bewildered Xiao Ling and wore a faint smile.

She had anticipated this!

Ever since she started eating here, she often saw patrons bring their own plate of stinky tofu. Nobody had ever voiced objection.

Even the manager once suggested to her whether they should purchase the secret recipe from the stinky tofu-selling couple to add the snack to their menu.

The reason Xiao’er disagreed was precisely because she was worried some customers wouldn’t be able to stand the smell.

It’s like durian. To those who liked it, it smelled divine; to those who didn’t, it was foul. However, there would always be people who liked the smell.

Realization dawned upon Xiao Ling, and she stomped her foot angrily, "This is the Four Seasons Restaurant, frequented by the rich! How can people bring such common food here? If my mistress dislikes the smell, none of you should eat it!"

Xiao Ling’s words stirred up a wave of anger.

"Why can’t we eat it? Stinky tofu isn’t poisonous! And when we’re dining here fulfilling our appetites, we’re not bothering your mistress! Why can’t we eat?"

"Yeah, is this restaurant owned by your mistress? Why can’t we eat?"

"Exactly! Even the manager didn’t say anything! Who does your mistress think she is!"

...

"We are just common people, so naturally we would eat common food!"

"This is a restaurant where food is consumed. There’s no hierarchy in food; as long as you enjoy it, you can eat it! Besides, your mistress isn’t dining here in the main hall! I don’t believe this small plate of stinky tofu can stink up the second floor! Young lady, I advise you to stop making trouble here. This isn’t a place for you to create a disturbance. If you know what’s best for you, return to your mistress! Don’t embarrass yourself here!" Xiao’er glared at Xiao Ling coldly and then glanced up at the second floor, where she warned the girl.

"You’re the one causing trouble! Manager, if your restaurant continues to disregard its customers’ feelings like this, I’ll inform my mistress right away!" Xiao Ling, intimidated by Xiao’er’s aura, retreated nervously after muttering these words, hastily rushing upstairs.

From the second floor, Fang Wanping was secretly watching the scene unfold down below. Her face had turned green with rage after hearing everyone’s words: Have these people gone mad? Such a vulgar snack was totally unbecoming for such an elegant establishment!

Had they all abandoned their sense of propriety? How could they eat such low-class food? Furthermore, how could they consume something with such a terrible smell!

And as for Xiao Ling, had she gone nuts? Why had she dragged Wanping into this!

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