Eventually, they stopped before a grand building.
"Juxiang Pavilion… I haven't been here for a long time.
I wonder if the old staff can still recognize me in this disguise," Yuan Longxuan said softly, a trace of nostalgia in his voice.
Turning to Ah Yin, he asked, "Do you want to try the food from my restaurant?"
Her eyes lit up. "Yes!"
Yuan Longxuan couldn't help but smile helplessly. She was so easily pleased....truly the definition of a sweet, silly girl.
Inside, she clung to his arm as they walked in.
Her soft warmth against him nearly distracted him, but he quickly steadied himself. A mischievous thought rose in his heart.
Since he had unknowingly stolen away Ah Yin, Tang San's mother, there was no way he'd let that old man Tang Hao have her. As for Tang San, the child of destiny....well, Yuan Longxuan planned to find him a new mother someday, perhaps a two-meter-tall warrior woman, so he could still grow up with a complete family.
Patting Ah Yin's head fondly, he led her inside.
Juxiang Pavilion – Yuan Longxuan's Business
This restaurant had been built from scratch by Yuan Longxuan when he was only thirteen. Back then, the building was an abandoned shell.
He bought it at a low price and hired skilled chefs to breathe life into it.
Later, he gave shares to both the kitchen and the staff....twenty percent to the chefs, ten percent to the front staff, while keeping seventy percent for himself.
This way, everyone had a reason to work hard, since the more dishes they sold, the more they earned.
As the owner, Yuan Longxuan simply enjoyed the profits.
Every month, a large amount of money flowed into his account, more than enough to maintain his lifestyle and keep connections within the Spirit Hall.
Unlike relying solely on his Spirit Hall stipend, this business allowed him to host banquets and build relationships.
That was why, even when Yu Xiaogang schemed against him for years, he had never been truly defeated...his network of allies always stood behind him.
But thinking of Yu Xiaogang now, Yuan Longxuan sneered inwardly. Killing him would be too merciful.
He preferred to let the man live miserably, crushed by his own schemes.
Inside Juxiang Pavilion, Yuan Longxuan handed rare ingredients to a waiter.
"Take these to the chefs. Tell them to prepare something special."
The waiter's eyes widened at the sight—millennium-old dragon tendons, spirit herbs, and the precious belly of a golden-patterned tuna.
The man stammered in shock, "Y-you're… Boss Yuan?! Rest assured, I'll make sure everything is perfect!"
Although Yuan Longxuan wore a mask, his golden eyes and familiar voice were unforgettable.
"Good. And prepare my usual private room."
"Yes, Boss Yuan!"
But then the waiter's gaze shifted to Ah Yin, who still clung to Yuan Longxuan's arm. Even with a mask, her figure and aura were breathtaking.
"Boss, she is…"
Yuan Longxuan's expression cooled. "Don't ask what you shouldn't. Another word, and I'll dock half your wages."
The waiter stiffened, then forced a smile. "O-of course! Welcome, Boss Lady! Everyone, the Boss's wife has arrived! Hurry, give it your best today!"
Ah Yin, though inexperienced, still knew what the term Boss Lady meant. Her cheeks turned scarlet beneath the mask, steam practically rising from her head again.
She didn't protest, though. Instead, her heart raced with a strange happiness.
The private room Yuan Longxuan had chosen in Juxiang Pavilion was located on the second floor, in a spot with the best view of the bustling street below.
It was the place where young nobles often brought their companions to dine.
Ah Yin sat gracefully by the window, her ice-blue eyes sparkling with curiosity as she gazed down at the endless flow of people.
The warm glow of lanterns reflected off her delicate face, making her beauty even more striking.
Yuan Longxuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. A line of poetry from his previous life surfaced in his mind:
"Graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon, radiant like autumn chrysanthemums, resilient as spring pines."
Ah Yin blinked at him. "Graceful as… startled swan? Elegant as… swimming dragon?" She repeated the words slowly, stumbling over the strange phrasing.
But how could a soul beast who had only just stepped into human society possibly grasp the depth of poems born from five thousand years of civilization on Blue Star?
She tilted her head, then giggled. "I don't understand what it means, but it sounds amazing!"
After thinking for a while with no success, she finally dropped her chin onto the table in frustration. "Human words are so troublesome. Thinking too much makes my head hurt."
Yuan Longxuan chuckled. "Silly girl. That line was meant to praise your beauty."
Ah Yin's face turned slightly red at his words, though she quickly turned back to peering at the street as if pretending not to care.
As evening approached, more guests filled the restaurant below.
Their laughter and lively chatter mixed with the aroma of freshly prepared dishes.
Hearing the diners compliment his food and the excellent service, Yuan Longxuan felt satisfaction swell in his heart.
There was a saying back on Blue Star....As long as you pay enough, even gods can be toppled.
It applied well here. The reason Juxiang Pavilion was always full wasn't just because of its luxurious ingredients, but also because his staff earned more in a single month than they might make elsewhere in a year.
With profit-sharing in place, every chef and waiter worked with enthusiasm.
If a chef's dish wasn't up to standard, the other chefs themselves would be the first to beat him up....because a bad dish meant less money for everyone.
Soon, the food arrived. Two waitresses carried in trays, filling the private room with a wave of intoxicating fragrance.
"Boss Yuan, your dishes are ready!" Little Li, the waiter, announced proudly.
He set down the plates one by one, lifting the covers to reveal a feast of seven exquisite dishes.
"Braised Millennium Earth Dragon Tendon, butter-grilled root core of Millennium Green Vine, golden-seared belly of Millennium Gold-Striped Tuna…"
The dishes gleamed under the candlelight, each one exuding spiritual energy.
To ordinary cultivators, a single bite was worth nearly a month of training.
Yuan Longxuan waved his hand casually. "You've all worked hard today. The leftovers can be given to the staff tonight as a bonus."
He tossed out more spirit herbs and beast meat, enough to make Little Li's eyes shine.
"Thank you, Boss!" The waiter's gratitude was sincere.
Even scraps from such treasures were priceless outside. For ordinary workers, this was a feast beyond imagination.
Other diners, however, had also noticed.
"My heavens! So the legendary owner of Juxiang Pavilion is actually such a young man?"
"And he's so handsome! Auntie, shut your mouth! Don't ruin my future husband!"
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