“Wait!”

 

“Boss, another round!”

 

“This… this… just when we were getting into the story, now it’s stopped—it’s killing me!”

 

The entire hall erupted in excitement.

 

All the diners were thoroughly engrossed, demanding that the story continue.

 

The main reason being, Ye Chuan was being infuriating!

 

You could just end the story, but no, he had to leave so many tantalizing hints about what was to come.

 

Fetching water?

 

Listening to lectures?

 

Disciplinary punishments?

 

Late-night hours?

 

Damn it!

 

These were all hooks!

 

If you weren’t planning to tell us more, then why bring it up and tease us like this?

 

Among the crowd, only two people weren’t in too much of a hurry.

 

One was Li Wuling.

 

Although he was enjoying the story the most, he wasn’t anxious at all.

 

What’s our relationship with the big brother?

 

We can go out the back door!

 

If we want to know something, we’ll just ask after!

 

The other was Lin Zhao.

 

Although he was also interested in the story, he was an imperial bodyguard, and his self-control and rationality were beyond the ordinary.

 

But even these two were surprised.

 

Because they saw that sitting at the same table, Li Zhiqing’s face was full of anxiety and frustration, her eyes fixed on Ye Chuan at the storytelling stage.

 

Impressive!

 

At that moment, Li Wuling sincerely admired Ye Chuan.

 

To make his aunt so restless and eager—that’s a real feat!

 

Ye Chuan on the stage wasn’t at all surprised by the effect he was getting.

 

Come on, this was one of the Four Great Classic Novels of China—Journey to the West!

 

A timeless masterpiece, beloved by all, suitable for all ages, both young and old, male and female!

 

That’s what we call a classic!

 

“Everyone!”

 

“Please hold on a moment, hear me out!”

 

Ye Chuan spoke loudly to calm the crowd, smiling as he said, “It’s not that I’m trying to tease you all, but don’t forget, why did you come to Shengde Tower in the first place?”

 

“Now, all the dishes are served, it’s time to eat!”

 

“If we keep going like this, all the food will get cold!”

 

“Don’t worry, there’s still another session tonight. For anyone interested, Shengde Tower is always welcoming you!”

 

“For those of you who just want to listen to the story and not eat, we welcome you as well!”

 

“All you need to do is buy a small snack for two copper coins, and you can enjoy the story!”

 

These words instantly drew applause from the entire hall.

 

Shengde Tower really knew how to please!

 

Look at other taverns or restaurants; although they also have storytelling, if you’re not eating there, they’ll kick you out!

 

But here at Shengde Tower!

 

This is class!

 

Lin Zhao nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration.

 

Now, he was more and more convinced that the Emperor and General Xuanwu had made the right choice!

 

You could see the depth of a person’s character from the little things. Doing business wasn’t easier than studying or fighting wars.

 

Ye Chuan’s methods, his grasp of human nature, was truly remarkable.

 

But beside him, Li Zhiqing couldn’t help but bite her lip, deep in thought.

 

Tonight… the story would continue…

 

But…

 

Should she come?

 

She had already told Li Wuling not to hang around here…

 

She had already said that scholars and the vulgar merchants shouldn’t be mixed…

 

But if she didn’t go tonight, how could she miss the rest of the story?

 

Journey to the West was just too good!

 

For a moment, Li Zhiqing was in a dilemma, her brows furrowed.

 

Li Wuling saw his aunt in such a state, and inwardly he found it amusing. His eyes twinkled, and he leaned over to whisper,

 

“Aunt, places like this, not really suitable for you to frequent.”

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll stay here and listen to the story carefully. Afterward, I’ll tell you everything. How about that?”

 

Li Zhiqing snapped back to reality and saw Li Wuling’s half-smiling, half-teasing expression, and immediately her face flushed with a slight pink hue.

 

“Shut up!”

 

“Eat!”

 

“Who… who said I wanted to listen…”

 

Li Zhiqing, for the first time ever, seemed flustered. She purposefully stiffened her face and picked up her chopsticks to eat.

 

But after tasting each dish, she was getting frustrated!

 

How could the food be so delicious?

 

At this moment, Ye Chuan spoke again from the storytelling stage.

 

“One more thing, please bear with me for just a moment!”

 

“This is our new feature at Shengde Tower. Please take a look!”

 

Ye Chuan raised a small paper card in his hand, which was beautifully crafted. The corners and back were intricately painted with images of green mountains and bamboo.

 

The crowd’s attention was immediately drawn, and they eagerly listened.

 

“What is this ‘Points Card’?”

 

“Look here, I have seven stamps.”

 

Ye Chuan took out seven small stamps and placed them on the table.

 

“They represent: Loyalty, Filial Piety, Benevolence, Righteousness, Etiquette, Wisdom, and Trust!”

 

“From now on, every time you dine here at Shengde Tower, you will receive a Points Card.”

 

“Each time you dine, we will stamp your card in order.”

 

“When you fill your card with all seven stamps—Loyalty, Filial Piety, Benevolence, Righteousness, Etiquette, Wisdom, and Trust—you can use this card to get one coin off your next meal!”

 

“Once used, the card will be collected, and you can get a new one to start collecting again!”

 

“Anyone interested can come and get their card now!”

 

This announcement caused another stir!

 

If you collect seven stamps, you get a coin off—free money!

 

Who wouldn’t want that?!

 

In an instant, all the diners rushed to the counter!

 

“Everyone, don’t rush. There’s enough for everyone. Please queue up in an orderly fashion to receive your card!”

 

Seeing the frenzy over the cards, Li Zhiqing grew anxious.

 

She wanted one.

 

With her status, she wouldn’t normally care about a mere coin discount.

 

But something about collecting those stamps—Loyalty, Filial Piety, Benevolence, and so on—had an almost magical pull.

 

It felt like once she completed the collection, there would be some inexplicable sense of achievement…

 

But how could a lady of her stature go up and join the crowd? It would be beneath her.

 

She bit her lip, lowered her head, and muttered, “You, go get one.”

 

Li Wuling froze.

 

“Aunt, me?”

 

“Mm.” Li Zhiqing’s face was so red it almost felt like it was burning.

 

“Oh, alright!”

 

Li Wuling was overjoyed and hurried to the counter.

 

“This Ye Chuan is truly a talent!”

 

Beside him, Lin Zhao came back to his senses and couldn’t help but exclaim.

 

“This move may seem like the shop is losing money, but in reality, it’s getting everyone to think about coming here to eat. It will drive so much more business…”

 

“What a good tactic!”

 

Lin Zhao said with admiration, but inside, he was bitter.

 

Could he deal with someone like this?

 

He’d be lucky just not to be played by Ye Chuan…

 

He thought about convincing Ye Chuan to take the exam—it was going to be as hard as climbing to the heavens!

 

Just as he was thinking about it, his eyes caught a glimpse of Ye Ying’er standing at the counter.

 

A sudden idea sparked in his mind.

 

Maybe… he could work through her!

 

Ye Chuan cared about Ye Ying’er, and if she spoke to him, it would be much more effective!

 

This was it!

 

Lin Zhao made up his mind and immediately got up, heading towards the counter.