Li Ying watched as A Man was like a stubborn young wolf cub, glaring fiercely in the direction where those women had fled. Even the hairpin on her head was loose. While helping her re - arrange the hairpin neatly, Li Ying said helplessly with a smile, "A Man, now that you're a music troupe instructor, why bother arguing with those shrewish commoners? It'll only lower your own status."
A Man tugged at her clothes and said carelessly, "I don't care! My life was saved by Sister. Anyone who tries to harm Sister, I won't let them off!"
She paused for a moment, then frowned tightly. On her delicate and innocent face, there appeared a rare calm and solemn look.
"Sister, it's not that I'm trying to stir up trouble, but these recent events in the capital are really strange."
"That brute Lu Xunguang has always been like a lone wolf seeing a rabbit when it comes to you. He couldn't wait to follow you all the time. Back in the fishing village, if any villain dared to say a single bad word about you, before the words could even land on the ground, he would rush up and teach them a lesson."
"But now, Sister, you're facing such slander, yet he turns a blind eye and pretends not to hear..."
A Man's words were like a sharp knife, stabbing straight into that hidden corner of Li Ying's heart.
She should trust Lu Xunguang.
But after all, she wasn't some invincible superhero.
A few days ago, her lover was still deeply in love with her, always keeping her informed of everything, treating her like a precious treasure. But suddenly, without any warning, he left without saying goodbye and there had been no news of him since.
How could she not be afraid?
Li Ying took a deep breath and said casually, "He's just taken over the Lu family. Maybe he's encountered some difficulties and is in a hurry to solve them. He simply doesn't have time to worry about these trifles of mine."
A Man frowned and was about to say something else, but Ru Yi quickly pulled at her sleeve.
The two girls exchanged a look. Ru Yi lowered her voice and advised, "Sister A Man, Sister Ying is already in a very difficult situation. She's always been perceptive. How could she not know what we can see? Don't say any more. Let her think things through on her own."
Ru Yi made sense. A Man opened her mouth but still suppressed all her unspoken words. In her heart, she had already condemned Lu Xunguang to death many times.
Li Ying returned to her room, looking a bit absent - minded. Seeing that there was still a thick stack of accounts on the table waiting to be checked, she forced herself to calm down and carefully flipped through the ledger. Strangely enough, that inexplicable sense of unease really lessened a bit.
Granny Sun peeked at her from the bedroom door. Seeing that Li Ying was acting as normal, she finally felt a bit more at ease.
It was almost dinner time when Li Ying finally left her room. She quickly stir - fried a few home - style dishes.
Ru Yi ate obediently, and even A Man obediently shut up and said nothing, as if afraid that she might accidentally say something wrong and remind Li Ying of her troubles.
Li Ying couldn't help but laugh. She cleared her throat and took the initiative to say,
"Come on, you all look like you're facing a great enemy. Is it really necessary?"
"Lu Xunguang has indeed been gone for several days without a single message. If we let the rumors in the capital spread like this, it will greatly damage my reputation and the business of the restaurant. We really shouldn't just sit back and do nothing."
"Back then when I was stranded in the fishing village, I was all alone with the newly - born Mian Mian. The situation was much more difficult than it is now. Lu Xunguang hadn't even opened his heart to me yet, but I still managed to settle down in the fishing village safely. There's no reason that after a romantic relationship, I'll regress into a helpless and complaining woman."
She said this calmly, and there was even a faint smile on her face. Only then did A Man finally breathe a sigh of relief and clap her hands and shout,
"Sister is right! You must have already thought of a way! Hurry up and tell us. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Li Ying smiled and said, "Yes, this time, I really need your great help, A Man."
The restaurant was about to open. Li Ying originally wanted to turn Yunlai Xuan into an elegant place with good wine, delicious food, beautiful scenery, and charming women.
The musicians were originally invited from the Lu family's music troupe, but now, she changed her mind.
"A Man, I'd like you to teach me the Hu Xuan Dance. On the opening day, Ru Yi and I will perform on stage with you."
The restaurant owner performing on stage personally shows the restaurant's sincerity in treating customers. Moreover, the Hu Xuan Dance costume is light and close - fitting, which can appropriately show the charming figure of a woman. The movements are quite complex. As long as she takes the stage and dances gracefully, without saying a word, all the rumors about "having a child out of wedlock" will surely be self - defeated.
After hearing her plan, the others naturally had no objections. Besides, many of the ingenious dance postures of A Man's Hu Xuan Dance were originally restored by Li Ying after racking her brains to recall the ancient books and discussing them with A Man. So it wasn't too difficult for her to learn now.
However, after all, she wasn't someone who had practiced dance since childhood, nor was she like A Man, a Hu girl with a natural talent for singing and dancing. So during the few days of dance practice, she inevitably had some bruises on her body from bumps, and her legs ached so much that it felt as if they didn't belong to her.
Granny Sun felt heart - broken when she saw this. She boiled a few hot eggs, wrapped them in a cloth towel, and gently rubbed them for Li Ying. Secretly, she shed countless tears.
Poor Ying! She had finally seen the light after so much hardship and found an ideal lover. But who would have thought that that young man Lu was actually a heartless and ungrateful person!
Li Ying was completely unaware. In her spare time, she followed A Man in the music troupe, sweating profusely. She managed to learn the Flying Apsaras dance thoroughly just in time before the restaurant opened.
The dance costume was light, and the ribbons fluttered in the wind. With a red flower decoration between her eyebrows, she looked like a celestial being.
Although Ru Yi had already resumed her female identity, for the convenience of doing business, she still often dressed like a young man. Now, with her hair pulled up in a bun and wearing bright red lipstick, she also looked delicate and charming.
The capital branch of the Li's Restaurant was opened at night. Li Ying sent out a large number of invitations and clearly stated that on the opening day, everyone who came would be treated as a guest. Regardless of their status or whether they ordered food, everyone would get a pot of fresh tea and a plate of tea cakes as a gesture of her hospitality.
This move was not only to show the restaurant's generosity but also to let Li Ying prove her innocence, killing two birds with one stone.
As for the dishes, Li Ying had already listed them. All the ingredients were fresh and in season. They would be replaced every two months according to the season, so that the diners could always enjoy something new.