Chapter 29 Is It Not Even Allowed to Hold You for a Moment?

As soon as Xu Tong left, the neighbors who had gathered outside to watch the commotion felt too embarrassed to linger and quickly dispersed like startled birds and beasts. In no time at all, the area in front of Xu Mo’s house grew quiet once more.

Xu Mo offered Ning Yongqiang a respectful bow, his voice earnest. “Young Master Ning, I must thank you sincerely for what you just did.”

Ning Yongqiang waved his hand at once, shaking his head. “Please, don’t say that, Master Xu. You’ve done me a great favor before—this is only what I ought to do.”

At that moment, Chen Miaoyi also came out and thanked Ning Yongqiang repeatedly.

Afterward, Xu Mo invited Ning Yongqiang into the main hall. Once they were seated, Xu Mo inquired, “Young Master Ning, I’ve been away these past two days—how is business at Zhenxiu Restaurant?”

At the mention of business, Ning Yongqiang’s face lit up at once.

“Business is excellent! Truly excellent!” he replied with a broad grin. “Master Xu, these past two days, we don’t even need to wait until noon before the place is packed. We’re busy all the way until mid-afternoon, and only then do the staff and kitchen get a chance to rest in turns...”

“But it doesn’t last long. As soon as evening comes, customers begin streaming in again, sometimes until late at night, with guests lingering till the very end,” he added with a laugh and a shake of his head.

Xu Mo nodded, then asked, “And those two new stir-fried dishes I taught Chef Lu—how have they been received? Which is more popular?”

Ning Yongqiang replied at once, “The stir-fried chicken with black fungus and mushrooms! Master Xu, this dish has already become our signature at Zhenxiu Restaurant—every guest orders it!”

“But the braised pork sells very well, too. Its only drawback is that it takes too long to prepare,” Ning Yongqiang supplemented.

Xu Mo laughed. “My apologies, Young Master Ning. Last time it was so late that I forgot to tell Chef Lu: that braised pork dish can actually be prepared in advance. When a guest orders it, just heat it up and serve—the flavor will hardly be affected.”

“Is that so? That’s wonderful! I’ll tell Lu Bingding right away to have the kitchen prepare more ahead of time,” Ning Yongqiang said, delighted. After all, the braised pork was their new bestseller, and with its high price, more sales meant more profit.

The conversation then turned to the dart-throwing game—Xu Mo wondered if it remained popular.

Ning Yongqiang’s expression grew serious. “Master Xu, that’s just what I wanted to ask you about. Many customers have said the dart game has grown dull after playing it so often. Should we try something new?”

Xu Mo smiled. “It’s been three days now—no surprise that the novelty has worn off. Change it, by all means.”

“What sort of new game would you suggest, Master Xu?” Ning Yongqiang asked eagerly.

Xu Mo thought for a moment. “How about standing long jump?”

“Young Master Xu, what’s the standing long jump?” Ning Yongqiang was puzzled.

Xu Mo rose and demonstrated in the room; Ning Yongqiang immediately understood.

Xu Mo explained, “It’s simple—we’ll set different distances, and the farther a guest can jump, the greater their discount!”

Ning Yongqiang nodded immediately. “Understood!”

Xu Mo then reminded him, “But remember, you must set one distance very far—though not so far as to seem impossible. It should look achievable, but in reality be quite difficult.”

Ning Yongqiang was confused. “Master Xu, why is that?”

Xu Mo replied, “If you set that distance as the threshold for a free meal, I guarantee many will come to try. The excitement will rival the dart game!”

“Brilliant, Master Xu! Your ideas are truly ingenious!” Ning Yongqiang exclaimed admiringly.

Afterward, Xu Mo gathered more information from Ning Yongqiang. For instance, the kitchen now had three iron woks; Lu Bingding focused solely on the chicken with black fungus and mushrooms and the braised pork, while the other two woks were handled by his assistants, who managed the various egg dishes.

Regarding staff, Xu Mo shared his thoughts: he hoped Zhenxiu Restaurant would hire more people and raise the wages and benefits for the current team. Only then, he believed, would the staff and cooks be more dedicated to their work.

At last, Ning Yongqiang asked, “Master Xu, will you be coming to Zhenxiu Restaurant later?”

Xu Mo shook his head. “Not today. I need to stay home and spend time with my wife.”

“Yes, yes, of course! Madam Xu was frightened earlier—you should be with her... Silly me, I nearly forgot,” Ning Yongqiang said, patting his forehead in self-reproach.

With that, he took his leave, gathering his household staff and departing.

After seeing Ning Yongqiang off, Xu Mo led Chen Miaoyi to the kitchen.

In front of her, Xu Mo tossed the promissory note into the stove. In an instant, it burned to ash.

“Miaoyi, the debt is repaid. You never have to live in fear again,” Xu Mo said.

Chen Miaoyi was overcome with emotion; she nodded as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“What’s wrong, Miaoyi? Aren’t you happy?” Xu Mo asked in concern.

Chen Miaoyi shook her head quickly. “Husband, I am happy—so happy that I just can’t help but cry!”

She wiped away her tears as soon as she finished speaking.

Xu Mo was momentarily stunned, then pulled out all the banknotes he had and stuffed them into her hands.

“Miaoyi, keep this money safe. Otherwise, I might get the urge to gamble it all away again.”

Chen Miaoyi’s heart raced in alarm. She pleaded, “Husband, you mustn’t gamble again. We’ve just weathered a terrible storm—let’s live honestly from now on... Promise me, will you?”

Of course, Xu Mo had no intention of gambling. He only said this to encourage her to manage their finances, giving her a greater sense of security.

With a solemn face, Xu Mo nodded gravely. “I promise you, Miaoyi! Even if someone held a knife to my throat and forced me to gamble, I wouldn’t go!”

Instantly, Chen Miaoyi was overjoyed. Tears still glistened at the corners of her eyes as she nodded, “I believe you, Husband!”

At that moment, Xu Mo found Chen Miaoyi so lovely and endearing that he couldn’t help but reach out and draw her into his arms.

Startled, Chen Miaoyi instinctively tried to push him away.

But Xu Mo gave her no such chance, holding her tightly and whispering softly in her ear, “You’re my wife—can’t I even hold you for just a moment?”

Chen Miaoyi’s heart raced wildly, her face and neck flushing ever deeper. Though a voice inside her protested, “No, you mustn’t,” her body had a will of its own and she remained where she was.

Xu Mo’s chest pressed against hers, and he could feel her rapid heartbeat.

He decided to tease her. Playing dumb, he asked, “What’s wrong, my dear? Why is your heart beating so fast? You’re nearly pounding a hole in my chest.”

Already mortified, Chen Miaoyi blushed even deeper at his teasing. She shoved him away with all her might, spun around, and her delicate face was so red it seemed about to drip.

“Hahaha...” Xu Mo, seeing his mischievous plan succeed, threw back his head and laughed.

“You’re still laughing! I—I won’t speak to you anymore!”

Flustered and embarrassed, Chen Miaoyi covered her face and ran out of the kitchen.

But Xu Mo’s laughter did not cease; it only grew more cheerful and hearty.

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In an upper room of an inn within the city.

Xu Tong stood before a young scholar, his face dirty and crestfallen.

Seeing the scholar’s stern silence, Xu Tong grew uneasy and apologized, “I’m sorry, Young Master Jiang.”

This young man was Jiang Zhaoming, a native of Heyang County—the very one who had sought out Xu Mo on the day of Chen Miaoyi’s wedding.

Jiang Zhaoming fixed Xu Tong with a look of bitter disappointment. “Xu Tong, how could you let him take the promissory note? Do you have any idea how long I’ve planned for this day—how long I’ve waited?”

His words were laced with fury, and he looked ready to strike Xu Tong then and there.

Xu Tong wore a pained expression as he tried to explain, “Young Master Jiang, you don’t know what it was like. If not for that busybody Ning Yongqiang, I would have already...”

“Enough. Say no more. I am in a foul mood. Leave me—I wish to be alone,” Jiang Zhaoming interrupted, striding to the window and falling silent.

Xu Tong wanted to explain further, but after hesitating, he could only shake his head helplessly and leave the room.

Staring into the distance, Jiang Zhaoming frowned and muttered through gritted teeth, “Xu Mo, just you wait. I swear I will not rest until this grudge is repaid!”