Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

Liu Wenying then slowly explained her thoughts after reflecting on herself.

"Manager Zhou's disdain for me stems from my lowly status. I will first state the Madam's instructions and insist that auditing is a rule of the household."

"If he still doesn't cooperate, I will report the mistake to the Madam, and he may not be able to keep his position as manager."

"Manager Zhou is an old hand and knows the First Madam's temper well. She won't gamble her future over such a trivial matter. Besides, even if she is stubborn and obstinate, I have even better methods..."

Intrigued, Pei Yaojun asked, "What method?"

"Fengyuhao is not a monopoly; the rice and grain business in Dongshi is highly competitive. Manager Zhou has been in business for many years and has connections, but he also has many competitors."

"If I question the shop's operations or the quality of its goods during my audit, it will affect the reputation of the shopkeeper and even the credibility of Fengyu Company if word gets out."

"After weighing the pros and cons, he will ultimately choose to cooperate, or at least he will not dare to openly deceive."

But this trick is too underhanded; Liu Wenying wouldn't use it.

As she analyzed each point, Pei Yaojun's contemptuous smile faded, his eyes darkened, and he became unusually serious.

"So, it seems I was the one meddling?"

His words were laced with anger, and the atmosphere suddenly became heavy, as if the surrounding liveliness had been shut out, and a sense of stagnation had been added.

Liu Wenying was completely unaware and shook her head sincerely.

"What are you saying, Third Master? In any case, we owe you a great debt of gratitude today. If you don't mind, would you please have a simple meal to express my thanks?"

A scorching summer breeze swept by, and Pei Yaojun stared at her face, which was slightly flushed from the sun.

The nameless anger in my chest was neither dispersed nor gathered by this gust of wind.

"Let's go then, we might as well eat it."

It was midday, and the two had finished checking the accounts and then wandered around the market for quite some time, so they were already starving.

Pei Yaojun strode toward the most impressive and eye-catching three-story restaurant at the street corner.

Yuelailou is one of the top restaurants in the eastern part of the city. It is said that the cost of a meal there is equivalent to half a month's worth of food for an ordinary family.

She touched the purse at her waist; it felt heavy.

Because she was going out on business today and didn't know if there would be any extra expenses, she made sure to bring some silver with her, otherwise she really wouldn't be able to repay the favor to the Little Yama King.

Even so, the thought of inviting Pei Yaojun to dinner in such a place still made her feel a little heartache.

She wasn't a maid at Zhaolin Courtyard and hadn't personally experienced how cunning Little Yama was, but even a fool could tell that she couldn't be satisfied with just a roadside stall.

Pei Yaojun seemed to have eyes in the back of his head; he suddenly stopped and teased with a wicked smile.

"What? You're reluctant to part with what you have?"

He understood her love of money best; she would never suffer the slightest loss.

Now that she's asking him to spend money on such a meal, he must be feeling the pinch.

"I didn't," she denied vehemently, as if he were making her out to be a miser.

"No? Then why do you always ask for money afterward?"

After each time...

She instantly understood what he meant. During those absurd accidents, she would demand money from him, her attitude resolute and uncompromising.

Why? Naturally, it's because, compared to having any emotional entanglement with the Third Master, whose status is so different from hers, a transaction involving money and goods is the most profitable and safest for her.

But how could Liu Wenying possibly reveal the reasons behind it?

If I were to say it, it would likely ignite his already volatile anger.

Liu Wenying quickened her pace and grabbed the restaurant waiter who was passing by.

"Please, I'd like a quiet private room."

Upon hearing this, the waiter smiled warmly and bowed, saying, "You two have come at an inopportune time. Business is booming today, and the private rooms upstairs have been fully booked long ago."

Given Master Pei's temperament, he probably couldn't stand the noise in the main hall, so Liu Wenying wondered if they should go somewhere else.

She asked Pei Yaojun, but he didn't seem to care much, saying, "If you're tired of walking, just stay here."

He was really hungry and too lazy to do anything else.

"Then could you please find us a quiet spot?"

"Okay, there's a quiet spot by the window in the lobby with a good view, is that alright?"

"Can."

The two were led to a square table by the window and sat down.

The street scene outside the window was bustling and lively, and there were quite a few guests in the lobby, but the tables and chairs were arranged in a spacious corner, so they were not too noisy.

The waiter quickly served hot tea and a menu.

The menu is a thick book, bound with exquisite silk, and features a wide variety of dishes.

From delicacies from land and sea to seasonal stir-fries, everything is available, and the prices listed are naturally quite considerable.

Fearing she would be ripped off by the little devil, Liu Wenying hurriedly grabbed the menu and started ordering.

She ordered several dishes in one go, including several signature dishes priced between mid and high.

While catering to Pei Yaojun's status and tastes, they also controlled expenses.

She didn't dare let Third Master order for himself. What if he casually said, "Bring all the dishes from your shop"? She was afraid she would really have to stay here and wash dishes to pay off the debt.

"And what about this customer?"

But it was clear that the waiter wasn't on her side, as he didn't forget to ask if Master Pei was satisfied.

Fortunately, Pei Yaojun disliked trouble, so he said, "Just do as she says, and hurry up."

"Alright, here's your signature roasted duck, a bowl of lotus root and pork rib soup, stir-fried pea shoots, and cold chicken noodles. Please wait a moment, sir, it'll be right there!"

The waiter noted down the names of the dishes, then loudly announced his departure.

Before long, the dishes were served one after another.

Two waiters took turns bringing the dishes to the table. The plating was not as exquisite as that of the Duke's mansion, but it was still delicious and appetizing.

A waitress dressed in the restaurant's uniform coarse cloth dress and with her hair neatly styled in a bun served the last dish.

After putting down the plate, she did not leave immediately. Instead, she stared blankly at Liu Wenying, her eyes filled with indescribable surprise and bewilderment.

"All the dishes have been served, please enjoy!"

After the other male employee finished speaking, he pulled her down and scolded her in a corner.

"Do you even want to work properly anymore? You've only been on trial for three days and you're still being clumsy and staring at customers like that? If you anger them, can you afford the consequences?"

Chen Yindi pleaded with the male shop assistant, "Brother Li, I was wrong, I didn't mean it, I'll do a good job right away."

"This is the last time, no more mistakes allowed!"

"I understand, Brother Li. Please don't send me away. If I don't get my wages back, my husband owes money to the gambling den. He said if he can't pay it back, he'll sell me to pay off the debt. Please..."

The male employee softened his tone a bit, "It's not that I'm not giving you a chance, just do your job well and don't make any more mistakes."

"Eh!"

The roasted duck has crispy skin and fragrant meat, the cold noodles are refreshing and appetizing, and the soup is light and delicious.

Pei Yaojun was in a good mood after eating and drinking his fill, and Liu Wenying's money was well spent.

After finishing his meal, he picked up a damp cloth from the table to wipe his hands, then got up and walked out of the restaurant on his own.

Liu Wenying put down her chopsticks; she had to go to the counter to pay the bill first.

The accountant at the counter quickly turned the abacus a few times and gave a number that was almost exactly the same as Liu Wenying's estimate.

She took out her purse, carefully counted out the silver coins, and paid the money.

Just as I was about to leave the restaurant, I suddenly felt a gaze fixed on me from behind.

Liu Wenying turned around, but no one saw her.

In the corner, Chen Yindi held an empty plate in her hand, not in a hurry to take it back to the kitchen.

She had been observing the new customer, and when Liu Wenying paid, she approached and heard her clear voice. Combining this with her appearance, she finally recognized her.

Liu Wenying didn't think much of it and hurried outside, wanting to catch up with Master Pei, who had already strolled out.

Stepping out of the restaurant and into the sweltering streets, I had only taken a few steps when an incredulous call suddenly rang out behind me.

"You are... Liu Wenying?!"

…………