Chapter 108: The Rival of Autumn Breeze Pavilion (Part II)

The red-haired thug grabbed Yun Xuan by the collar, cold sweat beading on his forehead. While one person might lie to him, the fact that everyone around was saying the same thing filled him with panic.

"You tore my clothes; paying 1,000 is enough. You can check the price of this suit yourself. Plus, since you’ve interrupted my business, I’ll let you off with that," Yun Xuan said with a faint smile as he looked at the thug.

"Don't think being a chef makes you a big shot. The worst that happens is I go inside for a few years," the red-haired thug growled, veins bulging on his forehead, as he swung a club toward Yun Xuan’s head.

The onlookers squeezed their eyes shut in terror. Even Boss Li, watching from across the street, was startled; he hadn't expected the thug to be so easily provoked by Yun Xuan.

*Thump.* The next second, the red-haired thug was curled up on the ground, rolling in agony. Yun Xuan stood where he was, a red welt visible on his hand.

"Boss!" He Wenyue rushed out, looking at Yun Xuan’s drooping hand with concern.

"I’m fine, though my hand might need some rest. Call the police," Yun Xuan said, waving her off.

"Understood." He Wenyue glanced at his hand and nodded, understanding the situation.

"I ask you all to bear witness for me; this was clearly self-defense. Please, diners, come inside. I will have another chef take over my duties immediately," Yun Xuan said, holding his left hand as he addressed the crowd.

"Who’s going to share a table with me?"
"Let's go, let's go inside to eat."
"Everyone, please, come in."

The onlookers filed into the Qiu Yi Pavilion, leaving only a dozen or so thugs standing outside. They looked at each other, then at the red-haired man writhing on the ground.

"You lot seem to be doing okay for yourselves, but you're still far from the big leagues. I can spend a little money and leave you with nowhere to turn, you understand? If you don't want to rot in a cell for a few years, get lost," Yun Xuan said, stepping up to the group and lowering his voice to a cold whisper.

The thugs hesitated. Having never encountered such a situation, they abandoned their red-haired leader and bolted.

The red-haired thug clutched his stomach. Yun Xuan’s punch had been so fast that he hadn't even had time to react.

"In a moment, you’re going to tell me exactly who is behind this. Otherwise, you can go inside for a few years, and I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of while you're there," Yun Xuan said, squatting down beside him.

"You!" The red-haired thug glared at him with fury.

"No need to look at me like that. Your name is... Yuan Yu, right? You have a younger sister in middle school, isn't that right? Life’s not easy for you, is it?" Yun Xuan tapped his phone a few times and showed the thug a photo.

"If you dare touch my sister, I will kill you!" The thug’s body trembled, his voice resolute.

"I never said I would touch her. But if you end up behind bars, I might go visit her. After all, she’s so pretty, wouldn't you agree?" Yun Xuan put his phone away and smiled.

"I’ll talk... it was Boss Li. I have proof—phone recordings and records of what he had me do before," Yuan Yu gritted his teeth. For his sister’s sake, he would do anything.

"Then I look forward to your cooperation. Once this is over, you can come work at my Qiu Yi Pavilion as a security guard and earn a decent wage." Yun Xuan stood up and extended his hand.

Yuan Yu looked at the smile on Yun Xuan’s face, baffled, but he took his hand and stood up.

Less than ten minutes later, the police arrived. Yuan Yu confessed everything and turned over numerous recordings. Boss Li was taken away immediately; because the case involved a four-star chef from the Gourmet Association, the authorities treated it with great gravity.

The Fang Yu Pavilion was investigated and found to be using substandard meat and vegetables, leading to its immediate closure.

Master Peter apologized for the trouble, and Yun Xuan seized the opportunity to hire the four-star chef at a monthly salary of 100,000. The Qiu Yi Pavilion suddenly saw a surge of Western dishes on the menu. Since Master Peter was not a Chinese citizen, he could not open his own culinary business in the country, so he served as the head chef.

Yuan Yu was formally hired as a security guard for the Qiu Yi Pavilion. He was incredibly grateful to Yun Xuan and apologized for his earlier impulsive actions.

"No need to apologize. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to make my opponent across the street retreat so quickly," Yun Xuan said with a smile, looking at the shuttered Fang Yu Pavilion.

Yuan Yu watched Yun Xuan, deeply feeling the vast gap between them. "This must be the method and temperament of someone in power," he thought with immense admiration.

...

To Yun Xuan, the Fang Yu Pavilion affair had been like a game; his method of resolution was simply a matter of utility.

He Wenyue stood in Yun Xuan’s office, watching him approve recent accounts while noting the red mark still on his hand. She felt a sense of unease at his methods.

"The accounts are in order. Your work is excellent. I intend to buy the Fang Yu Pavilion; please contact them for me," Yun Xuan said, closing the ledger.

"Buy the Fang Yu Pavilion? But it will take a long time to recruit capable chefs again..." He Wenyue hesitated.

"It’s not for business. I’m buying it to live in. The building is quite nice," Yun Xuan interrupted.

"To live in..." He Wenyue was stunned. This was a prime location in a bustling district! Buying it just to live in seemed like such a waste.

"Please, I’d like to have it bought by today if possible," Yun Xuan said with a smile.

"Understood." He Wenyue suppressed her surprise and walked out of the office with a bitter smile.

...

The transaction for the Fang Yu Pavilion went smoothly for 15 million. The money Yun Xuan had earned from his digital stickers had now reached 30 million—and that was just from the new sticker sets and the "Northern Sauce" series in the last few days.

"The first floor will be renovated into a cafe, the second into a library, the third into an art studio. I'll have the walls knocked out on the fourth floor for a large gym, the fifth floor will be partitioned into eight rooms, the sixth will stay as is, same for the seventh, and I want a swimming pool on the top level. Regarding the details..." Yun Xuan spoke as He Wenyue took notes.

"Understood. I will contact the contractors, though the renovation may take some time."

"Quality over speed. You can go now; don't disturb me." Yun Xuan took a sip of water and handed the design sketches to He Wenyue.

"Yes," she nodded and left.

Yun Xuan pulled out his super-laptop, sat in his chair, and began catching up on anime. No matter how much money he had, watching anime remained one of his greatest pleasures.

*Ring-ring.* His phone rang.

"What is it?" Yun Xuan looked at the caller ID—it was Haku from the Zabuza organization—and answered.

"We have made contact with the Shrine Maiden. She doesn't have long to live, and she wants to see her daughter one last time," Haku’s voice drifted through the line.

"You mean a private meeting?" Yun Xuan was silent for a moment.

"The Shrine Maiden's power is very beneficial to her, no less than a martial artist's, and this is the request of a dying person," Haku said, her tone cold.

"If she is willing to come to Fang Yu City alone and trusts me completely, I will let her see her daughter," Yun Xuan said after some thought.

"Cough... I am willing," a weak voice drifted from the other side of the phone.

"Then it is settled. Call me when you arrive. I don't want to bring her any trouble. If you try to harm her or take her away, be prepared for total annihilation," Yun Xuan said coldly before hanging up.

Regardless of whether the Shrine Maiden was dying, Yun Xuan would never forgive her for abandoning Yun Xue.