Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 18 Buying Zuiyuexuan

In the evening, Lin Chen and Xiao Yulou changed into casual clothes and left the mansion.

Xiao Yulou was still dressed in black, but he had changed to ordinary fabric and was wearing a veiled hat.

Lin Chen, on the other hand, was dressed in a magnificent blue robe, looking like an ordinary young nobleman.

"How do we get there?" Xiao Yulou asked.

"Let's go to 'Jubao Money House' to pay off the debt first," Lin Chen said. "Pay off Boss Zhao's debt and get the IOU, then go to Zuiyue Pavilion."

"You actually brought money?"

"I brought it." Lin Chen patted the silver notes in his pocket. "Fifty thousand taels, enough to pay off debts and also enough to buy Zuiyuexuan."

Xiao Yulou clicked his tongue in amazement: "Eighth Brother, you are really generous."

"It's an investment," Lin Chen said with a smile.

"Zuiyuexuan has a good location. If it's renovated, it can break even in a year."

The two arrived at Jubao Money Exchange in the west of the city.

The money exchange had an impressive facade, and its golden signboard gleamed in the setting sun.

Two guards, both eighth-rank martial artists, stood at the entrance.

Lin Chen walked straight in.

Behind the counter was a plump shopkeeper, fiddling with an abacus. Seeing someone enter, he didn't even look up: "What kind of business do you need?"

"Pay back the debt." Lin Chen placed an IOU on the counter. "How much is Zhao Mingcheng's debt in total, including principal and interest?"

The portly shopkeeper glanced at the IOU and said lazily, "Twelve thousand taels."

"Didn't you say it was ten thousand taels?" Xiao Yulou frowned.

"That was yesterday's price," the fat shopkeeper sneered. "Today, interest has rolled over for another day, adding another two thousand. Pay it back if you want, otherwise we'll add more tomorrow."

This is a typical case of market manipulation and bullying.

Lin Chen wasn't angry, and took out a silver note:

"Here is twelve thousand taels. Give me the IOU, and write a settlement certificate."

The fat shopkeeper then took a proper look at Lin Chen:

"Oh, someone's actually paying off that poor wretch's debt? Kid, think this through, there's more to this debt than meets the eye..."

"I don't care who's behind this," Lin Chen interrupted him. "I only care whether the money exchange accepts the money or not."

The portly shopkeeper narrowed his eyes: "Of course I'll take it. But I must remind you, this debt was personally handled by Master Cui. If you pay it off for someone else, you'll offend Master Cui."

"So what?" Lin Chen said indifferently.

The portly shopkeeper stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed: "Fine, you've got guts. Ah Fu, bring me the IOU!"

A young shop assistant took out the original IOU and settlement document from behind.

Lin Chen carefully checked the documents and, finding them correct, handed over the silver notes.

The portly shopkeeper counted the silver notes and stamped the document:

"Alright, we're even. But kid, let me give you a piece of advice—Drunken Moon Pavilion is a hot potato. You can't warm it up even if you take it."

"Thank you for the reminder." Lin Chen put away the documents and turned to leave.

After leaving the money exchange, Xiao Yulou whispered, "Eighth Brother, there was something more to what the manager said."

"I know." Lin Chen nodded. "He's warning me, and he's also watching my reaction. If I'm not mistaken, things won't be peaceful at Zuiyue Pavilion later."

"Should we still go?"

"Go." Lin Chen's eyes were playful. "The more it's like this, the more we need to go."

When the two arrived at Zuiyue Pavilion, it was already dark.

The restaurant's doors were tightly shut, sealed with a seal from the Jingzhao Yin government office, citing "suspected illegal construction" as the reason.

"It seems the Second Prince can't wait any longer," Xiao Yulou sneered. "He's even resorting to official means."

Lin Chen stepped forward and knocked on the door.

After a long while, the door opened a crack, and an old servant peeked out. Seeing that it was two strangers, he said warily:

"The restaurant is closed. Please leave, sir."

"I'm looking for Boss Zhao," Lin Chen said. "I've already paid off his debts."

The old servant was taken aback, carefully examining Lin Chen, when suddenly his eyes lit up: "You...you are Young Master Lin the Eighth?"

Do you know me?

"A Mr. Yuan came by during the day and said you would be coming tonight." The old servant hurriedly opened the door. "Please come in quickly, the master has been waiting for you for a long time."

The two entered the restaurant.

The lobby was in a mess, with tables and chairs overturned and porcelain shards scattered all over the floor.

It was obviously vandalized not long ago.

A gaunt-looking middle-aged man walked out from the back room; it was none other than Boss Zhao, Zhao Mingcheng.

He was in his fifties, with gray hair, sunken eyes, and a slightly unsteady gait.

"Young Master Lin?" Zhao Mingcheng's voice was hoarse. "You...you really paid off my debts?"

"It's returned." Lin Chen handed over the settlement document. "This is proof of settlement for twelve thousand taels. The original IOU is here."

Zhao Mingcheng trembled as he took the document, reading it over and over again. Suddenly, tears streamed down his face: "My benefactor! My benefactor!"

He knelt down with a thud, about to kowtow.

Lin Chen quickly helped him up:

"Mr. Zhao, there's no need for that. Helping you is also helping myself. I want to buy this Drunken Moon Pavilion."

Zhao Mingcheng wiped away his tears: "Young Master Lin, I will never forget your great kindness. But you can't buy this Zuiyue Pavilion!"

Why?

"The Second Prince's men said that anyone who dares to buy Zuiyuexuan is making an enemy of the Second Prince," Zhao Mingcheng said with a wry smile.

"This afternoon, they came and vandalized the place again, and even broke one of the guys' legs."

Young Master Lin, you are a kind person; I would never harm you.

Lin Chen's eyes turned cold: "Were the Second Prince's men here today?"

"He's been here before. He's the head guard of the Second Prince's residence, named Wang Meng, a third-rank martial artist," Zhao Mingcheng said.

"He brought people to smash up the restaurant, and said... he also said that if I didn't sign the transfer agreement before midnight tonight, he would kill my whole family."

Xiao Yulou roared, "This is outrageous!"

Lin Chen pondered for a moment, then said:

"Mr. Zhao, where are your family members now?"

"They're hiding at a relative's house outside the city," Zhao Mingcheng said. "I dare not let them come back."

"Very good." Lin Chen nodded.

"Boss Zhao, you have two choices now. First, I'll send you out of the city and give you some money, then you can take your family and run away."

Second, you sell Zuiyue Pavilion to me; you name the price. I guarantee the Second Prince's men won't be able to touch you.

Zhao Mingcheng was stunned: "Young Master Lin, you...you're really not afraid of the Second Prince?"

"I'm afraid," Lin Chen laughed, "but I'm even more afraid of not having money."

The joke lightened the mood a bit.

After pondering for a long time, Zhao Mingcheng gritted his teeth and said:

"I choose option two! Young Master Lin, you can give me five thousand taels of silver for Zuiyue Pavilion. I only ask one thing of you—to preserve the reputation of this restaurant."

This is a legacy passed down from our ancestors, and I don't want it to change its name or ownership.

"I promise you," Lin Chen said solemnly.

"Zuiyuexuan is still Zuiyuexuan. If you're willing, you can stay and be the manager. I'll give you a 10% share."

Zhao Mingcheng's eyes widened: "This...how can this be done?"

"Sure," Lin Chen said. "Boss Zhao has been running the restaurant for decades and has a wealth of experience. I need an experienced person like you."

"I...I am willing!" Zhao Mingcheng trembled with excitement.

The two then signed a transfer agreement.

Lin Chen took out another five thousand taels of silver notes, but Zhao Mingcheng refused to accept them no matter what.

"Young Master Lin has already shown me immense kindness by paying off my debts. Consider this restaurant a gift from this old man to you," Zhao Mingcheng said.

"All I ask for is a place to settle down and a ten percent share of the profits; that's enough."

Seeing his resolute attitude, Lin Chen no longer declined.

"Alright, then consider this five thousand taels as start-up capital for the restaurant. We'll begin renovations tomorrow."

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the door.

"Zhao Mingcheng! Get out here!"

Zhao Mingcheng's face paled: "They're here!"

Lin Chen and Xiao Yulou exchanged a glance.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, take Boss Zhao out the back door," Lin Chen said in a low voice. "I'll go and meet them."

"Are you alone?" Xiao Yulou frowned.

"Don't worry," Lin Chen laughed. "If I can't beat them, can't I at least outrun them?"

Xiao Yulou recalled the competition that morning and nodded:

"Be careful. If anything seems wrong, signal me immediately, and I'll bring men."

"it is good."

Xiao Yulou led Zhao Mingcheng quietly back towards the back door.

Lin Chen straightened his clothes and slowly walked towards the door.