Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 72

Qiao Fugui drove the large cart pulled by four horses, majestically transporting five jars of wine back from Yunyang Restaurant. In front of all the customers and workers of the restaurant, he paid the remaining balance one copper coin at a time and, as per Guo Dawei’s instructions, set off twenty whole strings of firecrackers.

Immediately, the whole town of Sihe knew that Qiao Family Inn had ordered wine from Yunyang Restaurant.

Lu Tang arranged the five jars of wine neatly on the shelves behind the counter. Just as he finished, the father and son staying on the second floor came downstairs.

Lu Tang quickly glanced at Qin Mo, who was sitting in the lobby drinking tea, then warmly greeted the father and son, “Are you going out?”

The father stopped at the counter, smiling, “I heard that we can book a banquet in the lobby of this inn?”

Lu Tang nodded, “Yes, as long as the number of people isn’t too many.”

The father then said, “I want to book a table for tomorrow noon, with about fourteen or fifteen people coming to eat. What do you think?”

Lu Tang raised an eyebrow and interrupted the old man, “Tomorrow noon? That’s not possible. The lobby is already booked for tomorrow noon.”

The old man was stunned. Booked?

He had been staying at the inn for several days, and every day the lobby was just occupied by the young owner’s friends, with hardly any other guests.

He looked at Lu Tang in confusion.

Lu Tang apologized, “I’m sorry. If you want to host a banquet, you can go to Sifeng Restaurant not far from here. Their food and wine are quite good.”

The old man’s son, who had already walked out of the inn, returned upon hearing this, standing behind his father. “Can we invite guests to our room for the meal? We promise not to make a mess.”

Lu Tang shook his head apologetically, “That won’t work. Having a dozen people eating in the guest room will disturb other guests.”

Reluctantly, the father and son had to give up and leave the inn to handle their business elsewhere.

As soon as they left, Qin Mo leisurely walked over to Lu Tang, looking a bit menacing.

He leaned on the counter, his fingers tapping lightly on it, about to ask why Lu Tang preferred to talk to Song Qingzhan instead of him, when someone walked in.

It was the steward from Liang Cheng’s house.

The steward entered and immediately bowed to Lu Tang, “I’m here to thank Young Master Lu on behalf of our master and mistress.”

Lu Tang hurriedly came out from behind the counter.

Having grown up together, they always caused a ruckus in each other’s homes. The stewards of their families treated them like their own grandchildren.

Seeing Liang Cheng’s steward was like seeing Qiao Fu. How could Lu Tang accept such a grand gesture?

Leading the steward to a table by the window, Lu Tang poured him a cup of tea, “You’re too kind. Liang Cheng and I are like brothers. If he has a problem, how can I not help? That Xue Tian clearly had bad intentions.”

Not knowing what Liang Cheng had told his family, Lu Tang was sure Liang Cheng mentioned Xue Tian, or else the steward wouldn’t be thanking him.

“Liang and Xue families do have old ties, but they are more of grievances than affections. Young Master Lu, rest assured, our master will handle Xue Tian. He won’t bother the inn again.”

The steward’s use of “bother” made Lu Tang not ask further. He just smiled, “Have you eaten? Let me prepare something.”

The steward declined with a smile, “I ate before leaving. I have to visit the shop now.”

He looked around the inn’s lobby, quite pleased, “You all have grown up. Look at you, Young Master Lu, managing the inn on your own now.”

Then, he held Lu Tang’s hand kindly, “The people in Liang’s shop are all our old folks. If you need anything, just tell them.”

He spoke sincerely, and Lu Tang understood his intentions, “Don’t worry, I’m not the type to handle trouble alone.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Lu Tang saw Qin Mo looking oddly at the steward, as if studying him.

Lightly frowning, Lu Tang didn’t ask in front of the steward. When the steward left, Lu Tang asked Qin Mo, “Do you know him?”

Qin Mo didn’t answer directly, “What’s Liang Cheng’s father’s name?”

Lu Tang looked puzzled, “Liang Zhongyuan.”

Qin Mo’s relaxed hand on the counter trembled slightly. Lu Tang noticed.

“You really know him?”

Qin Mo pressed his lips together, ignoring Lu Tang, and left with a sullen face.

Lu Tang: Hey! What’s with him?

Qin Mo didn’t return until noon the next day, nor did Song Qingzhan.

Lu Tang was uneasy.

Qin Mo’s reaction was significant. It seemed he not only knew but had some story with Liang’s family.

But Liang’s steward clearly didn’t recognize Qin Mo.

What was Qin Mo’s identity exactly? She wasn’t sure, but she trusted her intuition that he wasn’t a bad person.

But bad people…

Besides sociopaths, there’s no clear line. Especially in politics, it’s just different factions, hard to tell who’s good or bad.

But Liang’s family wasn’t involved in politics…

Should she have not told Qin Mo Liang Cheng’s father’s name? But even if she didn’t, Qin Mo could find out easily in Qinghe County.

Feeling unsettled, Lu Tang waited until noon and finally sent Yuan Bao back to the county to inform Liang Cheng that the Qin person seemed to know his father.

The father and son on the second floor didn’t hold their banquet at Qiao Family Inn. They booked a table at Sifeng Restaurant as Lu Tang recommended.

The banquet started, and the table was lively.

Everyone envied Xue Tian’s good fortune and bright future, toasting and flattering him.

Since the downfall of Xue’s family, it was the first time Xue Tian received such praise. While he felt elated, he saw a group enter Sifeng Restaurant.

Lu Tang led the way, followed by Xu Shen and Guo Dawei.

The three went straight to an empty table beside Xue Tian’s group, noisily pulling out chairs and sitting down. Lu Tang lazily crossed his legs, calling the waiter, “Give us the exact same dishes as theirs!”

The waiter, who had come to take their order, was stunned, looking at the three.

Xu Shen slammed two silver ingots on the table.

“Don’t worry, we won’t dine and dash!”

We have money!

The waiter quickly looked at his manager.

The manager, experienced, smiled, “We’ll bring your dishes right away. Please wait!”

Who would argue with these well-known playboys of Qinghe County?

These three spent money like water. Turning away such wealthy customers would be foolish.

Xue Tian glanced at Lu Tang and his friends, feeling uneasy.

Why do some people spend money so lavishly while he needed sponsorship to study?

He wondered where Liang Cheng and Zhou Shu were.

They couldn’t be… still asleep?

Opposite Xue Tian, the father and son also looked uncomfortable.