Chapter 24: The Unfilial Ones

  Upon hearing Zhang Shiqiang's words, Wang Tong also became excited. This was a good fellow who had fought alongside him on the battlefield, and that day Li Wen yuan had loudly scolded Zhao Guodong, and it seemed their temperaments were compatible.

  On the seventeenth of the twelfth lunar month, three more shops on South Street closed for the New Year's holiday. The shop owners sent over gifts for Wang Tong and Tian Baihu.

  Nowadays, except for the same industry's Zhēn Xīng Lóu Xià Zhǎng Guì having some jealousy, all the other shops and warehouses on the street have a very good impression of Měi Wèi Guǎn, because this restaurant brings in a lot of customers, and the business of various shops on South Street has improved significantly compared to before, with a thriving atmosphere, and each household benefits from it.

  New Year's gifts can't be delayed, Wang Tong hurriedly handed these things over to Tian Baihu, and on the side of Tian Ronghao, it was a big family, busy with Spring Festival arrangements, handing over the gifts, exchanging pleasantries, and rushing back.

  This is also why the rumors that are circulating now are confusing, Tian Baihu's attitude towards Wang Tong has improved a bit, but what if it's true?

  On the way back, it was already afternoon. There were not many pedestrians on the street. Those who were seen were mostly low-ranking eunuchs and inferior imperial guards. Many of them were familiar with Wang Tong, nodding and greeting him.

  However, when they walked to the front of the restaurant, there were more than a dozen unfamiliar Imperial Guards strolling around. Wang Tong's eyes lit up with excitement as he thought to himself, "Ah, new customers!" and hurriedly smiled and said:

  "A few military uncles, our small shop has delicious hot meals and dishes. Everyone works hard on duty, especially on a cold day like today. Come in and have some hot soup to warm up, even if you don't eat a meal."

  As soon as he spoke, the unfamiliar guards looked over at him in unison, their synchronized movement startling Wang Tong, but his identity as the shop owner was confirmed.

  Two men standing at the entrance of the shop made a natural movement to the side, and Wang Tong lifted the curtain and entered the restaurant, only to find that it was exactly the same as yesterday afternoon.

  The store was empty, and the old employee and the little fat guy from yesterday came again today. Seeing the boss's gaze pass by, Xiao Zhang reacted quickly and said:

  "Master, this gentleman has settled yesterday's account."

  It was a small matter in business, and Wang Tong didn't care. He nodded and smiled at the older employee, who completely ignored him and only lovingly watched the little fatty devouring the braised pork.

  Wang Tong walked over to the corner table as usual and asked loudly:

  "What is Zhang Dage doing?"

  "Master, Zhang Er Ye has gone to discuss the expansion of the camp with the construction team and won't be back until tonight."

  The fellow responded, saying that the foreman and designer of the construction team would be available after the Lantern Festival to discuss rough expansion plans, and after the spring thaw, several courtyards would need to be thoroughly renovated, all of which would require detailed discussion with the foreman.

  While Wang Tong was drawing with charcoal, he heard that little fatty's loud complaints:

  "My mother and Mr. Zhang are really strict with me, every day I don't finish my homework I have to kneel as punishment, it's almost New Year's now, and we still have to be frugal with food, one meat dish per meal, not even as good as eating out."

  His voice was not small, and Wang Tong's attention was also drawn over. The little fatty was spitting flying, his face full of dissatisfaction, but listening to him complaining, it was nothing more than that his family was too strict, he couldn't make mistakes, he should be the one in charge, but he couldn't manage anything, and no one in the family listened to him.

  During the festival, even thinking about lighting lanterns would get me scolded. Every day I'd learn about the virtues of frugality and thriftiness, feeling suffocated. Little fatty would talk incessantly.

  But what's a bit strange is that this little fatty always stammers when speaking, and it doesn't seem like he can speak fluently.

  The older man looked very flustered, first glancing around the restaurant in a circle, then speaking in a low and pleading tone:

  "Little ancestor, please don't say anything more, this will spread inside..."

  Looking at the careful attitude, it doesn't seem like a father-son relationship. Is it a long-time servant or an official in the household? Hmm, what kind of wealthy family would have such an impressive official who dresses and acts no differently from the master of a large estate?

  The persuader's words had little effect on the man outside, but Xiao Pangzi seemed to be stimulated by this plea and his voice grew even louder:

  "It's still her own mother, but it's not as good as if she weren't her own flesh and blood. I really don't know whether she is or not, she's so demanding..."

  In a wealthy family with many wives and concubines, this is not unusual, but what Xiao Pangzi said enraged Wang Tong. In modern times, Wang Tong was an orphan who had only enjoyed twelve years of family happiness in his previous life before becoming alone again. Having parents by one's side was already the greatest blessing.

  Besides, what that little fatty said was nothing more than his mother wanting him to make a good name for himself, and Mr. Zhang being a bit stricter, why did he have to say such harsh words?

  After all, he was a guest, so Wang Tong suppressed his anger and spoke up:

  "This young brother, how pitiful the hearts of parents all over the world! Just now you said those things, they were all your mother's painstaking efforts for your own good. If she knew you spoke like this, who knows how much more sorrowful she would be..."

  What was unexpected was that the first to react was the older man in the uniform, who turned his head and said with a cold expression:

  "How dare you, a person of your status, interfere in this matter, so presumptuous and rude."

  Perhaps because of extreme anger, his voice was somewhat shrill. The little fatty was even more furious, slamming the chopsticks heavily on the table and pointing at Wang Tong, scolding him loudly:

  "Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand anything..."

  "If your mother didn't dote on you, how would you have meat to eat every meal? If your mother didn't dote on you, how would you be wearing a leather coat and silk clothes? If your mother didn't dote on you, why would there still be servants accompanying you to the restaurant for meals? As a child, think about what your parents have done for you first, then consider whether you have the right to complain!"

  Wang Tong bluntly interrupted the other party, and he was also a bit angry. The big and small ones were stunned by him, and Xiao Pangzi's words were interrupted. Originally, he was about to explode, but after Wang Tong finished speaking, it seemed to have touched something. Since Wang Tong had an outburst, he wouldn't be low-key, so he stood up from his seat and shouted:

  "The small restaurant doesn't serve food to unfilial people, Little Zhang, return their money, the two of you please leave!"

  This is directly going to drive people out of the store, and the elderly person suddenly became furious and stood up. Just as he was about to say something, the little fatty pulled on the elder's sleeve and slowly shook his head.

  It seems that this elderly person is indeed a butler of the wealthy family, and the chubby boy's attitude is like an order. The anger on the face of the man in uniform immediately dissipated, he nodded and said something in a low voice.

  The two men didn't even want the money that their partner had brought back and walked out of the store directly.

  Watching the two leave, Wang Tong slammed his hand heavily on the table and said with hatred:

  "Unfilial person!! ***Condition is slowly recovering, thank you everyone"