The noodles in his mouth were barely swallowed, and Qi Xiaobawang, sitting in his chair, couldn't recover for a long time. He was so full that talking now felt like torture.
Brother Li glanced at the person with his mouth shut, then at the remaining noodles. With a fawning smile, he approached. "Young Master, are you finished eating? This leftover..."
Xiaobawang turned his face away, weakly waving his arm. Though he was reluctant to part with the taste, he really couldn't bear to look at any more food right now.
Seeing him like this, Brother Li knew he truly couldn't eat anymore. With a grateful expression, he took away the remaining half bowl of noodles and retreated to the side to eat them slowly.
In truth, after so long, the taste of instant noodles had deteriorated considerably. But for Brother Li, who had never tasted such a flavor before, it still made his eyes light up with joy.
"We're going to have a midday rest. You guys can come over yourselves after you're done eating!" Huo Qiyuan said to Leng Ren and the others, then pulled Su Muqing's hand, preparing to leave.
"Where are you guys... *hic* going *hic*~ *hic*?" Seeing the two of them stand up to leave, Xiaobawang suddenly stood up. As a result of eating too much, he started hiccuping uncontrollably.
"The weather is so hot, we won't be rushing today. We'll find an inn to rest," Su Muqing said, seeing the little fatty struggle to stand up. She told him of her plans.
"Then... *hic* where will *hic* you *hic* eat *hic* dinner *hic*?" Even though he was stuffed to death, Xiaobawang was most concerned about the evening meal. He was afraid these people would just leave, and he'd never be able to eat these things again.
"Young Master, will we still be here tonight? There's still so much food from lunch that hasn't been finished! If we're still at this restaurant tonight, then your subordinate will go tell the proprietor to hang the meat dishes in the well," Leng Si ignored Xiaobawang and turned to ask Huo Qiyuan about their arrangements for the evening.
Huo Qiyuan simply thought for a moment and then happily agreed. Anyway, the sun was so strong outside, they wouldn't be able to travel during the day.
There was also the matter Su Muqing had promised him... Once they returned to the inn, they would go into the space, which would give him a lot more time. They could come out again in the evening, and after dinner, they could resume their journey.
Leng Si ran to the backyard to find the proprietor. Leng Ren and the others, setting down their empty bowls, walked over and stood beside Huo Qiyuan and Su Muqing. "Young Master, we've finished eating too. Let's go together!"
Soon, the proprietor and Leng Si came out from the kitchen. He had originally intended to eat a couple of bites and then come out to serve. However, the food brought by these outsiders was simply too delicious, especially those curly noodles. They were incredibly tasty, and he couldn't help but sit down and eat.
He had been thinking that there was still a lot of the ingredients these people brought left and whether he should pack them for them to take away. But the guest who did the cooking said they would be coming again tonight, so the items wouldn't be taken for now.
In fact, the proprietor had a few little thoughts. He really wanted to ask Leng Ren how they made the dishes so delicious. Everything they brought out was something he had never seen before.
If it weren't for the noble aura and presence they possessed, which set them apart from ordinary people, the proprietor might have even suspected these people were chefs from some grand restaurant in the prefectural city.
If their restaurant could also make dishes with such flavors, why would they ever worry about a lack of business in the future? Just looking at Xiaobawang's reluctant gaze towards them, it was clear he had enjoyed this meal immensely.
Seeing the people standing at the door, the proprietor quickly went to greet them. "Are you gentlemen looking for lodging?"
"Yes! We're not familiar with Yong'an Town, do you have any recommendations, proprietor?"
"That's easily said, easily said. How about Yue Lai Inn? It's the largest inn in Yong'an Town, with a good environment and bright, clean rooms. What do you think?" The proprietor was very happy, thinking about whether he could learn a trick or two from Leng Ren and the others tonight.
However, usually, people wouldn't readily reveal their own culinary secrets to outsiders. The proprietor decided to see how much money he had on hand. He just didn't know if these people would be willing to sell their secret recipes to him.
"Why are you going to the inn? It's so troublesome! Why don't you come to my place? My house is big and has many rooms. You can all fit if you come," Xiaobawang, finally managing to speak without hiccuping, quickly tugged at Leng Nuo's sleeve.
Huo Qiyuan naturally wouldn't agree to go to someone else's house; they had to travel that night. "No! With so many of us, it would be too much of a disturbance to visit your estate. Young Master, you should go back and rest after eating. If you'd like, you can come over and join us again tonight!"
"Really? I can come and eat with you tonight?"
"Yes!"
"Alright then! Let's go! I'll go to the inn with you too!" Having received the invitation for the evening, Xiaobawang was very happy. He enthusiastically offered to escort Huo Qiyuan and the others to the inn.
The inn was indeed not far, perhaps only a few dozen meters away. It was a three-story wooden structure, occupying a considerable area, with an exterior and interior decoration in an antique style.
After escorting them to the inn, the proprietor was about to pay for the rooms, but Xiaobawang pushed him aside.
"Qi... Young Master Qi, why are you visiting my humble establishment today?" Seeing that the person entering was Qi Xiaobawang, the inn proprietor's face immediately turned pale!
Why had this great Buddha come here? Could it be that this second-generation wastrel was here for money again? But their inn had paid their "filial piety" of two taels of silver just a few days ago, and now he was back so soon!
The proprietor smiled obsequiously and looked behind Xiaobawang. Brother Li shot him a fierce glance, shook his head slightly, and quickly averted his gaze.
Xiaobawang looked at the inn proprietor strangely. Did they know each other? He just loved to eat, so why didn't he remember knowing such a person?
However, he didn't pay much attention to this minor matter, and he was even less aware of the many exploitative things his subordinates had done behind his back.
Xiaobawang took out a ten-tael silver ingot from his sleeve and slapped it onto the counter. "These esteemed guests are my honored guests. However many premium rooms you have left, I'll take them all today!"
"Stay... stay at the inn? Are you here to lodge?"
Seeing the silver ingot, the proprietor was a bit stunned and didn't dare to reach for it.
What a strange day, and today was especially strange! This second-generation wastrel, who had such a large house in town, why was he running off to stay at an inn? And most importantly, the leader of the local ruffians was actually paying to stay at an inn!