Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 17

In the crowd, a masked man tried to slip away but was quickly stopped by the police.

“Is this your son?”

“Yes! Yes! Son, tell the officers it’s not me spreading rumors!”

The old lady cried out in distress.

“Since that’s the case, both of you need to come with us for questioning. And you, skewer stall owner, please accompany us as well,” said the police, preparing to take all three away.

“Officer! The boss here is just trying to make a living, and this unwarranted trouble has already affected her business. You see, her ingredients are fresh daily. If she leaves them now, they’ll be wasted—all her hard work gone!”

Li Zhi, understanding the struggles of running a stall, quickly stepped up to speak on Zhao Xiaojing’s behalf.

“Yes, officer, she’s done nothing wrong and has been unfairly disrupted. Our skewers are still in the pot! Everyone here knows what happened. Can we appoint someone to go with you instead?”

“Yes, yes, officer…”

“Officer, sir…”

Seeing the situation clarified, skewer stall patrons pleaded with the police not to take Zhao Xiaojing away.

“The boss only needs to come with us to give a statement. After all, she’s both the complainant and the victim. As for her losses, she can demand compensation from the defamer.”

“Compensation?! In her dreams! Why should I pay?”

“I’d rather sit in jail than pay! No way she’ll get a dime from me!” The old lady’s son, just brought over, shouted aggressively.

“Watch your mouth! Who do you think you’re intimidating?” A police officer sternly reprimanded him, making the man shrink back silently.

“Here’s the deal. You have forty minutes. We’ll handle these two first and take their statements. Then head to Chunfeng Road Police Station—don’t delay,” said the officer, recognizing a habitual offender in the man’s behavior and knowing compensation might be difficult to obtain, offering Zhao Xiaojing some leeway.

“Thank you so much, officer!” Zhao Xiaojing replied gratefully.

“Thank you, officer!”

“Thank you for serving the people!”

“A lifetime of peace and happiness!”

The skewer stall customers cheered, thanking the police.

The officers glanced curiously at the cheerful crowd and Zhao Xiaojing’s stall.

Why were they more excited than the person involved? The skewers must be really good!

Now he was curious—if not for being on duty, he’d definitely try some!

“Sis, there’s something you should be aware of—though I’m not certain,” Li Zhi pulled Zhao Xiaojing aside after the police left with the duo.

“There used to be a potato pancake vendor here who got harassed—someone falsely claimed sprouted potatoes made them sick. Despite the vendor’s explanations, they were driven off after days of trouble.

That guy looked familiar. Once, when I closed late, I saw him mingling with the front… I vaguely recall seeing him during that trouble too, but it was years ago—I can’t be sure. Just giving you a heads-up.”

“Got it, thanks! If not for you keeping that woman until the police arrived, my stall’s reputation would’ve been ruined.”

Zhao Xiaojing gratefully patted Li Zhi’s hand.

“Boss! Don’t let this bother you—let’s get back to selling!”

“Boss, only forty minutes left—let’s start working!”

Customers returned to the stall. Turning around, Zhao Xiaojing found the stove already on and someone at the sauce station.

Nothing could stop these dedicated patrons from setting up shop.

Standing there quietly, Zhao Xiaojing resumed frying skewers.

Despite the earlier ruckus, business boomed even more. Parents who had come to watch lined up with their children.

“Sis, I’ll have one duck leg and one chicken frame!”

The chubby kid finally placed his order, eagerly choosing the large duck leg he’d eyed for ages.

“Sis, I’ll take two tenders and one duck leg!”

“Boss, you seem quiet, but you’re quite tough—impressive!”

“Yeah, you handled everything calmly—didn’t panic at all!”

“Thanks to everyone—without your support, things wouldn’t have gone smoothly today.”

Order restored, customers chatted alongside, and Zhao Xiaojing sincerely expressed gratitude before reverting to her usual quiet demeanor.

With parental help, the student line moved faster than yesterday. Within half an hour, Zhao Xiaojing packed up and headed to the police station.

There, she gave a brief statement and signed papers. The police then convened both parties for mediation.

Intimidated by the formal setting, the old lady rested in another room while her son was brought in.

“I accept mediation. I want an apology and compensation for lost wages, reputational damage, and emotional distress—totaling 1,000 yuan. Is that acceptable, officer?”

“Yes, reasonable request. What’s your response?”

“Nothing to say—no money, just my life!”

The man sneered at Zhao Xiaojing.

“You can refuse mediation, but you’ll be detained.”

“Lock me up if you want! But know my mom’s old and can’t handle hardship. If anything happens, it’ll be on you!”

The man remained obstinate, refusing to yield.

“Officer, since the other party refuses mediation, may I change my request?” Zhao Xiaojing asked calmly.

“Certainly.”

“The woman is elderly; I won’t fuss over her. But I demand a thorough investigation and detention of the instigator behind this false accusation.”

“What do you mean?!” The man shot up angrily, restrained by nearby officers.

“Instigator? Are you suggesting someone orchestrated this disruption?”

“Officer, I request bringing in another individual who threatened me today—they also run a stall near the school.”

“What baseless accusations are you making?! Based on your word alone?! I can accuse you of slander too! I warn you…”

“Sit down! Did I give you permission to speak? Keep this up and I’ll detain you for a couple of days—then continue mediation and detain you again!”

The man’s bravado crumbled as he glared at Zhao Xiaojing, his complexion paling.

“Speak.”

“This irritable gentleman should know it’s a legal era—actions require evidence. Your phone records, chats, photos, and recordings of threats against me—all verifiable evidence.”

Zhao Xiaojing enunciated clearly. The man’s eyes widened in shock as his face turned white.