Scholar Wong had been pondering like this for a whole night. He was known to come back home for studying but he could not settle down or read a single word.
Later on he somehow fell asleep unconsciously and after he woke up it was already broad daylight. He remembered that he had promised Ye Xiaoxian to go to the Bamboo and Orchid School with her, so hurriedly he got up and began to freshen up and get changed.
Ye Xiaoxian and Xiao Baofeng had already got up early in the morning.
Ye Xiaoxian had gone out the previous evening specially to inquiry about this Bamboo and Orchid School and found that it was actually a very prominent school. If they had not got in through the back door, Baofeng would not even have even been able to reach the school’s gate.
So Ye Xiaoxian quickly took some fresh cloth and asked Li Hongmei to make a new outfit for Baofeng, and she herself combed and braided his hair in the morning, turning him into an adorable little school boy.
While Ye Xiaoxian was combing his hair, Li Hongmei, stood beside them, said to Xiao Baofeng, “Baofeng, see how well little Ye treats you. When you’re better off in the future don’t forget to repay your sister-in-law.”
Xiao Baofeng replied seriously, “Ma, I’ll remember that.”
As Ye Xiaoxian combed his hair her tender hands occasionally pressed on his head. Apart from his mother, the only one who could offer him such a caring touch was his sister-in-law.
After his hair was done Scholar Wong also came in.
Both Li Hongmei and Ye Xiaoxian asked him if he had had breakfast yet and asked him to eat some here if not. Scholar Wong said that he had already eaten breakfast back home and it was time for them to leave for the school.
Ye Xiaoxian then took Xiao Baofeng and got the money ready, and she was then ready to go.
Xiao Baozhu also wanted to follow them but got stopped by Li Hongmei. “They’re going to school not the market, what are you following them for?”
Xiao Baozhu could only stand there in a daze and watch as Scholar Wong disappeared around the street corner.
Right now what she envied the most was Ye Xiaoxian. She also swore secretly to herself that she must grow up to be a capable woman like Ye Xiaoxian who was self-reliant on all sorts of occasions, and then perhaps Scholar Wong would lay his eyes on her.
Xiao Baofeng’s enrollment went rather smoothly. After they paid the tuition fee the principal arranged a teacher for Baofeng right away and let him take Baofeng away.
Ye Xiaoxian then left the school together with Scholar Wong.
Ye Xiaoxian had also dolled herself up today, not for Scholar Wong but for the sake of Baofeng’s pride. She was dressed up in a way which was currently popular among young women in town. She had powdered her face slightly and wore tinted lip balm which lit up her complexion and also made her look completely different from the one who worked in the kitchen.
Scholar Wong had been refraining himself from looking at her and could only dare to peek at her once or twice.
“Scholar Wong, I’m going back to the restaurant. What about you? Are you going straight home?” asked Ye Xiaoxian.
“Let me…walk you back,” said Scholar Wong.
“You’re so kind but there’s a crowded street and I won’t bump into any trouble.”
“But it’s still not certain,” said Scholar Wong. “And I do not feel comfortable allowing a woman to go back home alone.”
“Well…okay then, if it’s convenient for you.” Ye Xiaoxian no longer wished to stand on ceremony.
She felt that an intellectual like Scholar Wong must have his own principals for doing things so she would seem rude if she was too polite to him.
The two of them were on their way back to the restaurant. It was only three li from the school to the restaurant. The street was serene and apart from some porters there were few people around.
It was the first time that Scholar Wong had been alone with Ye Xiaoxian and he was kind of nervous and not sure what to chat with her about. They ended up talking all about Baofeng, such as what material he would learn in the new school and about the rules there being strict, and so on.
Ye Xiaoxian only listened and replied with the occasional “Mhmm”, “Oh” or “That’s nice”.
Before they knew it they had arrived at the restaurant. Scholar Wong suddenly felt regret over sending Baofeng to the Bamboo and Orchid School. If he sent Baofeng to a farther school like Yangan, he would have been able to spend more quality time with Ye Xiaoxian.
“Mr. Wong, why don’t you leave after having your lunch here? You’ve done such a big favor for us and I don’t know how to thank you for that,” said Ye Xiaoxian.
Scholar Wong shook his head. “Don’t mention it, it was nothing and as long as…” He suddenly fixed his eyes on Ye Xiaoxian in a daze.
“As long as?” asked Ye Xiaoxian confused.
Looking at the gaze of Scholar Wong, Ye Xiaoxian sensed something odd as the look he gave seemed to be…
Still, Scholar Wong quickly adjusted his behavior and smiled. “As long as you give me two more ribs next time I order sweet and sour ribs.”
“Sure thing. I’ll remember.” Ye Xiaoxian also smiled.
The two of them were about to bid each other good morning when Xiao Baozhu suddenly ran out and said to Ye Xiaoxian in a hurry, “Sister-in-law, something bad has happened. That, that Young Master Zhang is causing trouble in our restaurant!”
It was still early and they did not provide breakfast in “The Xiao’s Cuisine” so there were no customers there yet.
Young Master Zhang was with Fatty, Skinny and another three who were dressed like hooligans, sitting in the restaurant in a rather casual way.
They know that there aren’t any customers at this time so that’s why they came here to negotiate.
Seeing that Ye Xiaoxian had come back Young Master Zhang swaggered in front of her and straightened up his back. “Nasty slut, you dare to rip me off. You must return my money today or don’t even think about opening up!”
“Return your money? Since when do I owe you money?” asked Ye Xiaoxian.
Young Master Zhang stood in front of her and tried his best to stand straight but he was still shorter than Ye Xiaoxian and looked ridiculous.
“You don’t owe me money? The first time I came to your restaurant you persuaded me to order loads of food and the second time I came you asked me to pay the bills for all the diners here. If that’s not a rip-off, what is it?”
Ye Xiaoxian asked, “Did I force you? You volunteered to do all of this.”
“Volunteered? You dirty slut, if you didn’t send me signals would I have volunteered myself? Anyway I give you my word today, either you return my money or go to Junlai Lodge to make out with me, otherwise don’t even think about doing any business today, or tomorrow!”
“You…” Ye Xiaoxian was also angry.
This Young Master Zhang must have come here well-prepared or he would not have brought so many people. If she could not do what he told her to do then perhaps she really would not be able to open up the restaurant any more.
Although Li Hongmei, Little Five, Little Six and Xian were all there and the number of people in both parties was roughly the same, they were no match for Young Master Zhang and his men if they were really going to fight.
At this critical moment Ye Xiaoxian immediately thought about Xiao Baoshan. If Xiao Baoshan was here he would surely find a way to take care of them all.
Li Hongmei also thought about her son and was about to ask Little Five to send a message to him but Young Master Zhang’s men spotted this, so they blocked the door right away and forbade anyone to leave.
Young Master Zhang also said to Ye Xiaoxian cockily, “What? You want to ask your big-muscled husband to come? I’ve already checked his background yesterday and he’s merely a dock keeper. He couldn’t help you much even if he did come back. If he dares to provoke me then I’ll teach him a big fat lesson. Do you know who my pa is? Hoho, my pa is in charge of the government office. You dare provoke me and I’ll ask my pa to close your restaurant down!”
