Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 191 - 17: The Heart of Making Friends, the Petty Person is Like a Ghost

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Colorful flags fluttered in front of the restaurant, and the air was filled with the chatter of the bustling crowd.

Amidst the deafening sound of firecrackers, Shen's Restaurant officially opened.

With a creak, the large doors of Shen's Restaurant slowly opened, and the enticing aroma of the dishes inside spread instantly, making everyone's mouths water.

Among the crowd, a bystander acted deliberately: "I heard the culinary skills at Shen's Restaurant are exceptional, with many fresh dishes that are unavailable elsewhere."

"Really? How could I miss such a good thing! Besides, this Lord Shen oversees Xinyi Square; if a demon were to appear here, we must rely on him. I must go in to show my support and taste some delights."

A hint of anticipation flashed in the speaker's eyes, and he slowly moved forward with the crowd.

In the blink of an eye, the restaurant was already filled to capacity, with no empty seats.

Seeing that the onlookers at the entrance had dispersed, Shen Qing turned and walked into the restaurant.

Spotting Dong Jing, who stood out in the crowd, Shen Qing hesitated for a moment before approaching and exchanging pleasantries: "I didn't expect Lord Dong to grace us with his presence today. I am truly honored."

Dong Jing turned with a smile and said, "Haha, I came uninvited today. I hope I haven't disturbed Lord Shen."

"Not at all, not at all. Your presence brings great honor to our humble establishment! Please take a seat and try our special dishes from Shen Ji." Shen Qing hurriedly stepped forward to personally lead him to a reserved private room.

"Then I will humbly accept," Dong Jing, clad in fine clothing, followed Shen Qing into the room, with several subordinates trailing behind.

Inside, Dong Jing and his subordinates seated themselves in turn, "I heard there are some unique new dishes at Lord Shen's restaurant?"

"Yes, there are a few. They're rustic dishes from the mountain areas of Taiping County, not sophisticated enough for your esteemed palate," Shen Qing modestly smiled, "You might find them amusing."

Long before the opening, Shen Qing had spread word of the novel dishes through certain channels, and Dong Jing was evidently aware of them.

Dong Jing laughed and said, "We'll try these rustic dishes of yours today. Since we are many, let's have a portion of each of your specialties, Lord Shen."

"I'll inform the kitchen right away. I still have some matters to attend to; please enjoy your meal."

"Please, Lord Shen, attend to your business."

Shen Qing clasped his hands together in respect and exited the room.

After Shen Qing left, a subordinate officer asked in confusion: "Boss, why do you hold such a high opinion of this lowly Lord Shen? Isn't he just a lucky outsider?"

Dong Jing slowly poured a cup of tea and said, "My eyes aren't often wrong. Our Lord Shen is no ordinary person. His heavy bow skills are unmatched by others. In future, I don't want to hear terms like 'lowlife,' especially in front of Lord Shen."

"Is his... archery really deserving of such praise from you, Boss?"

"It is," Dong Jing said resolutely.

A man who came from the war-torn Taiping County with his family, settled in the county town, secured a position, and even managed to handle the Eagle Demon that troubled us for long.

Shen Qing must have something unique about him.

Forming a good relationship with him, in my view, can only bring benefits without any harm.

Dong Jing raised a teacup to his lips, taking a small sip.

Hmm, this tea was ordinary.

After a while, a series of signature dishes were brought in by the waiter.

Looking at the array of dishes, Dong Jing and the others were somewhat surprised.

Coming from a high-ranking family, he had seen many banquets, but the dishes at Shen Qing's restaurant were indeed novel to him.

Originally, as Shen Qing had mentioned, he thought they would be unsophisticated dishes, but that was not the case.

"Everyone, dig in and have a taste."

Dong Jing picked up his chopsticks, first taking a piece of sweet and sour carp, placing it in his mouth, his eyes lit up instantly, and he praised, "This dish is perfectly balanced between sweet and sour, with tender meat. There's something special here."

Hearing this, the other subordinates also took their chopsticks and tried a bite, echoing: "Indeed, it is quite delicious."

Dong Jing eagerly grabbed his chopsticks again, trying the braised intestines and found himself pleasantly surprised.

Half an hour later, the table was cleaned of all dishes, with Dong Jing and his subordinates all having eaten their fill.

He walked out of the private room, looking at Shen Qing busy in the hall, his expression serious.

This person puzzled him somewhat.

Once the lunchtime rush was over, Shen Qing and others tallied the noon revenue, which came close to ten taels, with a profit of about six or seven taels.

Looking at such a "fortune," Tian Xiaohu and others were thrilled.

"This restaurant is still too small. If it were bigger with more tables, we could make even more."

Xiao Zhi, with a hint of joy on his face, said, "Our business is successful."

"Don't celebrate too soon; this is just the beginning. If in the future someone becomes envious and learns our dishes, we might not earn as much," Shen Qing said calmly.

"What?"

Xiao Zhi stared wide-eyed: "Don't worry, Boss. No one can steal the dishes you've taught me. If they manage to learn even a fraction, I'll take responsibility."

Shen Qing chuckled and said, "Starting tomorrow, let's double the price of our signature dishes, make the initial profit first. Once we've earned enough, I'll find ways to buy you all something useful. In these times, without some skills, we can't hold onto wealth; words alone won't suffice."

...

In Yongzhou City, a residential house.

An ancient stone table held a pot of tea; Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu sat across each other at the stone table.

Guan Yunjian lifted the teapot, pouring a cup of tea for Uncle Shu: "This tea was a gift from a tea merchant; it's a rare good tea. Have a taste."

Uncle Shu took a sip from his cup, smacking his lips: "Indeed, it's good. Today, the Shen family opened a restaurant; aren't we going a bit too far by not showing up?"

"When he first arrived, we treated him offensively enough. Not showing up doesn't count as anything," Guan Yunjian said indifferently: "When he slew the Eagle Demon, I realized that he and we are not on the same path. If we remain under his command, we won't fare well."

Uncle Shu sighed, "In hindsight, we shouldn't have been so impulsive that day."

"It's already happened, and lamenting doesn't help. We should rather think about what to do next."

Uncle Shu asked, "You didn't call me here just for tea, did you? Do you have a plan?"

"I have a bit of an idea."

"What is it?"

"Change allegiance."

Uncle Shu said, "Explain further."

Guan Yunjian continued calmly, "We should find a way to transfer under other supervisors or gain their secret protection for a while. As the saying goes, 'everyone stumbles at times,' and that Shen will make a mistake eventually. When the time is right, we can end him. In Yongzhou, there are plenty of capable people. He's only a Martial Master in the Qi Cultivation Realm, after all, don't you think?"

Guan Yunjian pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, "Makes sense."

"Uncle Jiu, if we lean towards other supervisors, do you have anyone in mind?" Guan Yunjian sipped his tea, expressing contentment.

"I don't have anyone specific in mind; they're all similar."

"Who do you think we should lean towards, then?"

"Naturally, we should lean towards the strongest. The first group under Dong Jing, Lord Dong."

"Great minds think alike," Guan Yunjian lifted his teacup.

Uncle Shu, understanding his gesture, lifted his cup as well and clinked it gently with Guan Yunjian's.

The two burst into laughter together.

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