Chapter 38: The Traitor

"Thank you for your patronage, we look forward to seeing you again."

Shen Xuan smiled, taking the item without so much as a glance.

"Hmph!"

Qin Yong flicked his sleeves, let out a cold snort, and turned to leave. But before he had taken two steps, Shen Xuan’s voice rang out again from behind.

"By the way, go back and tell Qin Shaotian: stop bothering me. I only want to run my restaurant in peace; I have no interest in competing with him for anything."

"This is my first and final warning. If he continues to be relentless, don’t blame me for making things unpleasant for him."

Shen Xuan’s tone remained flat, almost devoid of inflection; to an outsider, it might not even have sounded like a threat. Yet, Qin Yong was genuinely terrified. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his voice trembled as he spoke.

"You... what are you talking about? I don't understand. What does this have to do with Qin Shaotian?"

"Qin Yong, are you truly a fool, or are you just playing dumb? Has managing the Xianliu Studio for these past three years made you lose your memory? Don't forget, I used to be a young master of the Qin family too!"

Shen Xuan’s tone was calm, but his gaze sharpened in an instant, an indescribable pressure bearing down on Qin Yong.

Qin Yong felt a dull boom like thunder in his ears. He couldn't help but mutter to himself:

"That’s right! Shen Xuan was once the young master of the Prime Minister’s residence. Why was I naive enough to think he wouldn't recognize me? I’ve practically confessed everything myself! How could I be such an idiot?"

Ignoring Qin Yong’s internal remorse, Shen Xuan had no more interest in wasting words. He turned and walked back into the Jun You Lai restaurant, leaving behind only a cold, indifferent command.

"Get lost! Be a good dog for your young master and stop hopping around in front of me, or I fear I won't be able to resist slapping you to death."

Hearing such humiliating words, Qin Yong dared not turn back to retort. He simply lowered his head, hands clenched tight, his eyes filled with resentment. After steadying his emotions, he took a deep breath and, with a face ashen with rage, departed.

Once the last of the customers had been sent off, silence finally returned to Jun You Lai.

"Young Master Shen, is that Ten-Complete Vitality Porridge really as effective as they say? Could I have a bowl?"

An Miaoyu trotted over with a smile once Shen Xuan had settled down, her large eyes bright and filled with eager anticipation.

"Of course, that’s no problem. But you’ll have to wait until I settle one matter first."

After nodding, Shen Xuan turned his gaze toward a specific direction, his voice turning cold.

"Is there something else?" An Miaoyu asked softly, looking at Shen Xuan.

Shen Xuan did not answer her, but instead called out, "Lin Gui!"

"I am here, sir!"

Lin Gui hurried over, his tone respectful.

"Subdue Han Yu for me," Shen Xuan commanded, pointing at Han Yu with a low, stern voice.

"What?!"

The few people present were all stunned. Han Yu, in particular, turned pale with fright and instinctively backed away.

"Understood!"

Though confused, Lin Gui would never hesitate to carry out Shen Xuan’s orders. Without a word of protest, he lunged at Han Yu. Thanks to the good food he had been eating over the past few days, Lin Gui had grown sturdy, and paired with his near-nine-foot height, the scrawny Han Yu was no match for him. In a few swift movements, he was pinned to the ground.

"Boss, what are you doing?" Han Yu cried out, struggling against the floor as he looked up at Shen Xuan.

"Boss, is there some sort of misunderstanding? My apprentice may be a bit mischievous, but he wouldn't commit such a grave error!" Master Chen, having recovered from his shock, hurried to Shen Xuan’s side, his voice anxious.

"Yes, Boss, there must be a misunderstanding here," Tang Wu added, following his master. Though he had his grievances with his junior apprentice, they had spent many years together, and he could not help but feel anxious at the sight.

"The two of you, please calm down. You will soon understand why I have done this," Shen Xuan said, pacifying them. He then stepped up to Han Yu and asked in a cold, deep voice, "Han Yu, do you confess?"

"I don't understand what you're talking about, Boss. What am I supposed to confess to?" Han Yu said, desperately trying to maintain his composure despite his internal panic.

"Stubborn to the end. Do you recognize this?" Shen Xuan said, pulling a porcelain bowl from the side and holding it out in front of Han Yu.

"This..." Han Yu’s face turned ashen, his eyes widening.

The bowl contained a serving of congee that had already gone cold. Han Yu knew instantly that this was the very bowl he had tampered with.

"I saw you with my own eyes put the poison in this. What else do you have to say for yourself?"

Shen Xuan’s voice rang out like a thunderclap, shocking everyone present.

"What! Little Yu, did you really do this?" Master Chen’s heart sank as he asked, his voice trembling.

"I didn't! Master, I didn't! This man named Shen must be framing me! You have to believe me!" Han Yu, seeing the disappointment in Master Chen’s eyes, felt a hollow pit form in his stomach and began to scramble for excuses.

"Hmph! If you say you didn't poison it, then drink this bowl of porridge in front of everyone right now!" Shen Xuan sneered, his voice filled with cold indifference.

"I..." Han Yu’s expression froze, and he hesitated as he looked at the bowl held before him.

Seeing this, everyone present knew that what Shen Xuan had said was true. Han Yu had actually poisoned the food—he had tried to destroy Jun You Lai!

Thinking of this, both Lin Gui and An Miaoyu stared at Han Yu with fury. Tang Wu, usually a composed man, could no longer suppress his anger; he stepped forward and kicked Han Yu, cursing, "You animal! Has your heart been eaten by dogs? Have you never thought of the consequences? Traitorous and ungrateful! How can you face me, your master, or the boss after this!"

Han Yu took several kicks but dared not retaliate, tears streaming down his face. He looked toward his master, hoping for help, but Master Chen, upon meeting his gaze, simply shook his head and turned away, his eyes full of despair. Seeing this, Han Yu’s heart shattered completely.

"You still have the face to look at Master! Speak! Who was it? How much did they pay you to make you commit such an act of betrayal?" Tang Wu, still furious, kicked him again and grabbed him by the collar, demanding an answer.

"It was all Qin Yong! He tempted me with five hundred taels of silver. I was momentarily blinded by greed, and that is why I did such a foolish thing," Han Yu sobbed, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

"Ha! Five hundred taels! Are you a pig, Han Yu? Did he even give you anything? It was nothing but an empty promise, and yet you ran off like a dog to do his bidding!" Tang Wu felt like laughing out of pure frustration. Looking at Han Yu, who was usually quite clever, he now felt as though he were looking at a stranger. He couldn't believe Han Yu had actually fallen for such an empty vow.