Chapter 50 - Can’t Be His Child (1/2)

The next morning, Mister and Madam Zhong took their son to the restaurant in the side street Qiu Ling had told them about. They left the horses at the stable for the moment, since they were unsure, if they could leave them with Mister Zhong's cousin.

The restaurant, though in a side street, was in a good location and had become quite well known in the capital. It certainly was one of the more frequented establishments. Even now, early in the morning, people hurried through the streets and stepped into the building. A servant was waiting at the entrance, leading them to an unoccupied table at once.

Mister Zhong and his family stopped in front of the building, unsure of what to do next. This was a completely new world to them.

The black roof tiles glinted in the sun, the ornaments at the sides projecting shadows onto the walls below. The building had two floors, both of which already seemed to be filled with a lot of customers. Shadows scurried around inside. The waiters obviously had a lot to do. The entrance was broad enough to enter with a group of five people lined up next to each other and above hung a plaque with the restaurant's name, that seemed to have been written by a renowned calligrapher. The interior, that could be seen from the street, looked more than decent. Looking at it from the perspective of a family like the Zhongs, it could even be described as expensive.

Mister Zhong gulped. ”This … is this really the restaurant, the daoist master was talking about?”

”We only came through this street yesterday. It couldn't be any other restaurant.”

Mister Zhong's gaze roamed over the building once more. He knew, there was only one way, to find out for sure: He had to go up and ask. But even the servant at the entrance was better dressed than him. Asking, if this really was his cousin's restaurant … He hadn't enough face to lose. Wouldn't he seem shameless, if it wasn't his cousin's restaurant in the end? It would seem as if he wanted to worm his way into some rich family to lead a comfortable life!

”Just go!” His wife nudged him.

Mister Zhong deeply breathed and went up to the servant. ”Excuse me, I am searching for Zhong Gang.”

The servant eyed him suspiciously. It didn't have to be said, that people like the Zhongs normally didn't frequent the restaurant. ”Who is that supposed to be?”

”Uh …” Mister Zhong shrunk his neck. He hadn't been sure in the first place and now, confronted with the servant's harsh attitude, he wanted to back down right away.

Qiu Ling sighed. It would probably be better, if he didn't hide his body and just accompanied them the whole way. How could everything go wrong with this family?

He slipped into the restaurant, found a inconspicuous corner and dropped his spell. In a flash, he walked to the entrance and pretended to have just heard the conversation. ”Zhong Gang? Isn't that the owner?”

Mister Zhong looked up, feeling a sense of déjà vu. Indeed. The man, who just came out of the restaurant, was the same man, that had helped him in the inn yesterday! Mister Zhong broke out in a smile at seeing his savior.

”The owner?” The servant eyed the Zhongs again. ”What do you want from him?”

Qiu Ling snorted, shook his head and exited the restaurant. ”Wouldn't one normally tell that to the person they want to see?”