Chapter Thirty-One: Two Pillars of Support

Lin Sangqian’s expression turned cold. “What do you mean?”

Bao Mingzhi clapped his hands, and immediately three burly men strode inside.

Seeing this, the three Lin brothers hurried to shield Lin Sangqian and Liao Shuxia behind them.

“Manager Bao, what are you doing?” Lin Beitao demanded. “We simply wish to quit our jobs—is that not permitted?”

“You know I’m the manager.” Bao Mingzhi sneered. “So, if I don’t let you leave, you won’t go anywhere.”

Lin Sangqian’s heart sank.

This time, she had been too careless, too hasty.

Above all, she hadn’t expected Bao Mingzhi to be so shameless!

And today, of all days, Lin Hongda hadn’t come with them.

If Lin Hongda were here, these three thugs wouldn’t even be worth considering.

“You really are reckless!” Liao Shuxia exclaimed. “Is there no law left in this world? My sons never signed an indenture—what right do you have to keep them? Aren’t you afraid we’ll bring you before the magistrate?”

Her words made Bao Mingzhi hesitate a little, though he showed no sign of it outwardly. He merely replied coldly, “Do you think people like you—country folk—can stand against me? Even if you go to the magistrate, what difference does it make? Money can buy anything!”

Lin Sangqian gritted her teeth in anger.

At this point, perhaps the only option was to placate Bao Mingzhi for now and look for another opportunity…

Just then, a voice rang out unexpectedly, “Old Bao! I wanted to ask you—about that young lady…”

The speaker stopped abruptly, and they saw Qin Zhengde come running over, delighted. “Young lady, I finally see you again!”

“Sir, it’s you!” Lin Sangqian exclaimed in surprise and joy, recognizing the guest who had enjoyed her scallion lamb.

“Ah, ever since I tasted your scallion lamb, I haven’t stopped thinking about your cooking! Sadly, I haven’t seen you since… Eh, what’s going on here?”

A flicker of panic crossed Bao Mingzhi’s face. He wanted to speak, but Lin Sangqian cut him off, “My three brothers have worked at the restaurant, but now they wish to resign, and Manager Bao won’t let them go. He even…”

Her gaze swept past the three burly men, and Qin Zhengde immediately understood.

“Old Bao, this isn’t right, is it?” Qin Zhengde frowned slightly. “It’s perfectly normal for workers to quit—how can you refuse to let them leave? And… threaten them like this!”

Bao Mingzhi didn’t wish to offend Qin Zhengde, so he hurried to say, “It’s just that I can’t bear to lose them, that’s all. Old Qin, since you love the dishes Lin Miss makes, why not have her become the head chef here? Wouldn’t that be perfect—you could eat her cooking every day!”

“That would be wonderful for me, but only if Miss Lin is willing,” Qin Zhengde replied with displeasure. “Old Bao, we do business—this isn’t the way.”

Bao Mingzhi was so angry he could have hit someone.

That Qin Zhengde just had to meddle at this moment!

Though they didn’t run the same kind of business, both operated in the town, and Qin Zhengde was a loyal patron of Wanhua Restaurant. Bao Mingzhi really didn’t want to fall out with him.

“Old Qin,” Bao Mingzhi forced a smile, “I never meant to force Miss Lin to stay. I just want to keep these three workers—that’s a matter for our restaurant, not yours.”

Qin Zhengde’s expression froze.

He could intervene in Lin Sangqian’s case, but he really had no right with the three Lin brothers.

After all, they were employees of Wanhua Restaurant, and had worked here for some time.

“Miss Lin, you and your mother should leave first,” Qin Zhengde said. “As for your brothers, we’ll discuss it later.”

Lin Sangqian looked at Bao Mingzhi coldly.

To compromise so easily? She was unwilling to accept it!

Just then, another voice, tinged with mockery, sounded, “Old Bao, so the staff at your restaurant are all forced to stay?”

Hearing this voice, Bao Mingzhi felt as if his head would explode.

What was going on today? Why was everyone getting involved?

Everyone turned to look. They saw Lu Chengren, fanning himself, strolling over at a leisurely pace.

“Lu, what are you doing here?” Bao Mingzhi asked irritably.

The two restaurants stood opposite each other, and he had always regarded Lu Chengren as an enemy.

Though they hadn’t openly fallen out, Bao Mingzhi felt annoyed every time he saw Lu Chengren.

“I’m only here because Miss Lin is a friend of mine, and her family are my friends too. Old Bao, give me this favor—let her brothers go home with her,” Lu Chengren said with a smile.

Yet his smile never reached his eyes.

Since when did Lin Sangqian know Lu Chengren? And they were friends?

In a flash, Bao Mingzhi seemed to understand, and his face turned pale.

Had Lin Sangqian made some delicacy for Fortune Restaurant?

Damn it! He had offered such generous terms—why hadn’t Lin Sangqian accepted, but gone to Fortune instead?

If Lin Sangqian provided dishes to Fortune Restaurant, his Wanhua Restaurant would lose its edge!

“Old Bao, did you hear me?” Lu Chengren asked.

Bao Mingzhi came back to himself, feeling a bit flustered.

Now that both Qin Zhengde and Lu Chengren were backing the Lin family, it would do him no good to press the issue.

Forget it! There was no need to openly oppose Qin Zhengde and Lu Chengren over three workers.

With this in mind, he put on a show of magnanimity and said, “Oh, look at you all, so tense! I was just reluctant to lose my three workers. But since their family has matters to attend to and insists on leaving, I won’t stop them.”

Liao Shuxia’s face lit up with joy, and she quickly took her three sons to pack their belongings.

Lin Sangqian had no desire to deal with Bao Mingzhi any longer, and left with Qin Zhengde and Lu Chengren.

Bao Mingzhi glared resentfully at their departing figures.

Letting the workers go was one thing, but if Lin Sangqian truly collaborated with Fortune Restaurant, he would never let it rest!

Outside Wanhua Restaurant, Lin Sangqian respectfully bowed to the two men.

“Mr. Qin, Manager Lu, thank you both for helping me today. Otherwise, my three brothers might never have been able to leave.”

Perhaps even she and her mother wouldn’t have made it out of Wanhua Restaurant.

“No need for thanks, Miss Lin,” Qin Zhengde laughed. “I still hope to taste your dishes again someday. If you were forced by Bao Mingzhi and unhappy, you wouldn’t be able to cook, and I would be the one to lose out.”

Lin Sangqian smiled. “If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll certainly cook for you again!”

“Then it’s settled! By the way, Miss Lin, would you mind telling me where your family lives?”

“My family is in Shuangji Village.”