120 Palace Invitation (1/2)

Zhong Xiang and the others waited outside the room and listened. They didn't know how Li Yao would deal with Liu Qisheng.

Ye Jiayao continued, ”We found a 20 silver-note in your bag. Let me guess where it came from.”

Liu Qisheng blinked.

”The sale of ice cream mooncakes is quite good so it's not surprising that other restaurants would want to ruin it because they can't replicate it. They would figure that everyone in Heavenly Residence would know how to make it. What they also know is the staff of the restaurant. They know who needs money the most and can be bought easily. Am I right?

Ye Jiayao spoke casually but she was observing every micro change in Liu Qisheng's expression.

”Since you are so good at guessing, why don't you just become an advisor to the governor?” Liu Qisheng said calmly.

Ye Jiayao pretended to laugh. ”Was that a compliment? Or were you just mocking me? Hmmm... I think that was a compliment.”

Liu Qisheng rolled his eyes to express his disdain.

”I don't really care who gave you the silvers nor your purpose. You did things that would harm the restaurant and that automatically kicks you out of Heavenly Residence. You know that, and yet you still went through with it. That makes me think that you're prepared to leave. Someone must've promised to take you in if you get caught,” Ye Jiayao said softly. She cajoled in a different voice, ”Just do it, Liu Qisheng. If anything happens, you can come to us. We won't treat you as bad as Heavenly Residence...”

Liu Qisheng's mouth twitched.

Ye Jiayao laughed. ”Betrayal is the worst thing to do in any industry. I will suggest to Shopkeeper Li to make an official notice to tell people about what you did. Do you think anyone will still take you then? Do you think that the person who got you into this mess will still keep his promise?”

”Do you think that the 20 silvers in your hands can guarantee your family's life in the future? What will you do when you've used them all up? What if you can't find a job?”

Liu Qisheng's bravado began to crumble. His family was his weakness and Li Yao's words struck a fear in his heart.

He didn't think that the consequences would be so serious. Before, he held the idea that he could move to somewhere else and start over. He thought that he had a safety net to fall back on.

Zhong Xiang wanted to go in and beg forgiveness for Liu Qisheng. If Li Yao does what he said, Liu Qisheng was as good as done and that would include his family, too.

Wang Mingde pulled him back and shook his head at him.

”Brother Yao always knew how to deal with things. Just wait for what Brother Yao would say,” he whispered.

”I am very kind, Liu Qisheng, and I think that despite your hatred of me, you know that. I will give you a chance. If you tell me who put you up to this, I will persuade Shopkeeper Li to just let you resign and we'll pretend that this has never happened. If you refuse to admit your mistake...” Ye Jiayao said.

Liu Qisheng said with difficulty, ”I will tell Brother Xiang.”

Ye Jiayao sneered, ”I am the manager in the kitchen now and you will report to me. If you want to see Brother Xiang after, that's okay. However, you have to tell me everything first or I'm not sure if your best friend would ever want to see you again.”

This assh*ole has the nerve to bargain with me? Hey, buddy, you're the one at fault here. You should be groveling at my feet, not making stupid demands.

”I don't have time to let you think this over. Shopkeeper Li will come soon and everyone will start to work,” Ye Jiayao said impatiently. ”My offer expires at the count of five.”

”1.”

”2.”

”3.”

”Okay, okay!” Liu Qisheng rushed.

”Who is it?” Ye Jiayao demanded.

”The first time I did it was because of my jealousy. The second time... it was Master Chef Niu. When I went to the drugstore yesterday to get some medicine, their people found me and it was just like what you said. I told them the way to extract agar and cream and they gave me a 20 silver-note. If I could create problems for Heavenly Residence, they will give me 30 more. That is it,” Liu Qisheng confessed.

”What do you think now?” Ye Jiayao asked.

Liu Qisheng lowered his head and said weakly, ”I was wrong. I thought it was the best course since everyone here hates me anyway because I offended you. Even Brother Xiang was alienated from me! I didn't think that I have a future here and I really need the money.”

Ye Jiayao was torn between sympathy and hatred.

”It was your self-abasement. They don't hate you. They are avoiding you because you walk around looking as if someone owes you five hundred silvers. Liu Qisheng, if you want others to like you, you should show them that you are worthy of their kindness and affection. How could they befriend you when you act so arrogantly? Also, friends are made by heart, not by mouth.”

Liu Qisheng blinked a few times and his tears fell down.

Ye Jiayao got up and opened the door and saw the staff waiting for her. She asked Zhong Xiang to go in.

”All of you, go to work with me,” Ye Jiayao ordered, taking everyone else away.

When Shopkeeper Li arrived, Ye Jiayao relayed to him what happened and convinced him to allow Liu Qisheng to just resign.