newbobooks Chapter 178 At your own risk
Chapter 178 At your own risk
"Hmph, I advise you to be smart and pack your bags and leave as soon as possible. I will still pay the 120 taels of rent. Otherwise... hmph, you will bear the consequences at your own risk."
The boss's words were full of naked threats, and anyone could hear the cruelty in them.
"You are a restaurant owner, how can you not even have the most basic credibility? If you act like this, how can your business last long?" Fang Wenfu couldn't hold back and was furious, pointing out the boss's inaction.
"It's not your turn as an outsider to tell me how I run my business. I think you'd better be smart and pack up your things and get out, and don't block my path to wealth." Faced with a situation where soft tactics didn't work, the boss decided to throw in the towel and take a tough stance.
"I must solemnly remind you that any threats are futile in front of me. The contract is still firmly in my hand. Oh, by the way, there is a small thing that I may have forgotten to mention. I went to the county government office and asked the official seal there to stamp an authoritative chapter on our contract. So, even if you are lucky enough to try to default on your debt or continue to put pressure on me, it will be in vain." Chen Xi's words were firm, and her eyes were like torches.
When the boss heard this, his face suddenly changed, and he looked incredulous, as if he had heard something incredible.
"You, you really... went to the county government office and stamped it with the official seal?" He asked stutteringly. Obviously, Chen Xi's move was completely beyond his expectations.
Chen Xi's lips curled up into a faint smile, his expression calm, sitting steadily on the carved wooden chair.
"Of course, I have no reason to lie to you, this is the fact." Her tone was calm and firm.
"Did you hear that? That's what our Chen family's girl said." Fang Wenfu chimed in, his words full of support and affirmation for Chen Xi.
"Since this boss has no credibility, there is no need for us to be polite. Xi girl, let's go directly to the county and let the county magistrate give us a judgement!" Fang Wenfu said, and wanted to pull Chen Xi out, with a firm attitude and decisive actions.
"Hey, hey, hey, let's talk it over. We can discuss it." Upon seeing this, the boss hurried forward to stop them, sweat dripping from his forehead like beads from a broken string, and he was obviously frightened by this sudden change.
He knew very well that once the matter was brought to the county government, the consequences would not be as simple as compensation. He might even suffer physical pain. He could not afford such a risk.
"Mrs. Chen, have you... have you really been to the county government office and completed the stamping?" The boss was uneasy, but still kept asking, hoping to get a different answer from Chen Xi.
"Haven't I already told you? If you don't believe me, why bother asking again. Xi girl, let's go."
As Fang Wenfu spoke, he had already stepped out with one foot and crossed the threshold with a firm attitude, seeming to have lost his patience.
"No, don't be like that, Madam Chen, I believe it, I really do! Let's sit down and have a good talk. Sir, please come in first. I have some excellent tea here. I will brew a pot for you right away."
Seeing that Chen Xi had no intention of leaving, the boss quickly changed his attitude and became extremely attentive, fearing that he would offend these two "distinguished guests".
Upon seeing this, Fang Wenfu walked back into the house, put on a superior attitude, and waited for the tea to be served.
The boss hurriedly ordered his men to prepare the best tea.
"Madam Chen, I was inconsiderate just now. Let's forget about going to the county government office. There's no need to alarm the county magistrate over such a small misunderstanding, right?" The boss tried to save the situation with a smile on his face and a flattering look in his eyes.
Chen Xi sneered inwardly. She had long lost interest in negotiating with this fence-sitter.
This kind of people will immediately change their faces when encountering the slightest disturbance and are really not worth associating with.
At this moment, she had no interest in continuing to rent the restaurant.
"I won't say anything else. According to the contract, once the money is in place, we will leave immediately."
The boss' smile froze on his face. Although he was mentally prepared, three hundred and sixty taels of silver was not a small amount after all, enough to make him feel painful.
"Mrs. Chen, this number is indeed a bit large. How about I give you two hundred and forty taels? This is already twice the rent." The boss stretched out two fingers, trying to make a final struggle.
"Boss, now that we have come to this, we should follow what is written in the contract." Chen Xi's tone was calm, but revealed his determination.
"That's right, do as my sister said, the rent will be tripled, and we will pack up and leave immediately." Chen Pingan straightened his back and stood up to support his sister. He knew that at this moment, he must not let his sister lose face.
The atmosphere at the scene was extremely tense, especially Chen Xi, who looked weak on the outside but showed amazing tenacity and decisiveness in this confrontation.
The restaurant owner secretly groaned in his heart, wondering why he had to run into such a difficult opponent.
Finally, he realized that he had to pay the three hundred and sixty taels of silver.
"Hmph, you have the nerve to call this kind of tea top-notch?" Fang Wenfu took a sip of tea with contempt, then put the cup down with disgust and didn't touch it again.
For a moment, the hall was so quiet that even the sound of a pin drop could be heard clearly, and no one made a sound.
Thinking of the restaurant's past prosperity, the boss gritted his teeth and decided to go and get the silver himself.
His residence was not far from the restaurant, and not long after, he returned with a heavy bag of money.
"Mrs. Chen, please count it. Three hundred taels of silver notes plus sixty taels of cash. If everything is correct, you can start preparing to leave." The boss handed the silver to Chen Xi, feeling as if his heart was being cut by a knife. He was deeply saddened by the loss of such a huge sum of money.
Chen Xi carefully counted them, and after confirming that they were correct, he nodded gently, indicating to Chen Pingan that everything was fine.
In this contest, she won the final victory with wisdom and persistence.
Chen Pingan understood what he meant, a firm look flashed in his eyes, and then he gently held his wife's warm hand. The two of them walked in tacit understanding towards the simple residence in the backyard of the restaurant, ready to start packing their few luggage.
Although their residence is small, it carries the memories of the couple's common struggle.
"Okay, let's go." Chen Ping'an's voice was gentle but powerful, giving his fellow travelers peace of mind.
His eyes swept over everyone present one by one, filled with reluctance and anticipation.
Stepping out of the carved wooden door of the restaurant, the sunlight instantly filled his whole body, and Chen Pingan couldn't help but squint his eyes.
At this moment, he suddenly realized that a familiar figure seemed to be missing from the team - Li Qiang.
"Li Qiang, let's go." Chen Ping'an's call was mixed with a bit of confusion and anxiety.
"Hey, Brother Chen, you guys go your way. What does it have to do with me?" Li Qiang responded lazily with a playful smile on his lips.