Chang’an Small Restaurant

Chapter 22.2 Hoodlums’ Extortion

Looking at the empty plates and jugs, Shen Shaoguang quickly discerned that these two wanted to dine and dash...

The ethnic minority man continued to insist, "Miss, you better give us an explanation, otherwise if we go out and spread the news..." Then he said to the other diners around, "What do you guys think?"

Immediately, people frowned; some looked back at their plates while others looked at Shen Shaoguang.

A’Yuan anxiously exclaimed, "No! Our place is the cleanest, how could there be hair?"

The brown-clothed man scowled, "Then explain the hair on this plate."

Shen Shaoguang studied the hair carefully, and then said with a smile, "Guests, there is no need to be anxious. As to how this dirty thing got onto this plate, watch this little trick of mine and it will all be explained."

As soon as they heard that there was a trick, those who were checking their plates all turned to look at Shen Shaoguang.

"Go and get two white porcelain bowls, make sure one is full of water. Also bring a pair of bamboo chopsticks, some soap beans, and a clean white cloth towel." Shen Shaoguang instructed A’Yuan.

A’Yuan responded and quickly brought everything over.

Everyone looked at Shen Shaoguang intently.

What was Shen Shaoguang doing? 

She was just washing that piece of hair.

Like a performing magician, Shen Shaoguang first gave everyone a clear look of the hair beforehand. She washed it, rinsed it in the bowl of water, then lightly dried the hair with the cloth towel, and put it in the empty bowl.

"Can you see it?" Shen Shaoguang asked with a smile.

Some people were nearsighted and didn’t notice anything particular. Isn't this just a piece of hair? The people with sharper eyes quickly discern the difference, "The hair’s curly and a little yellow! It's the hair of these ethnic minorities!"

The sauce had masked most of the hair’s characteristics, but after it was cleaned, the truth quickly revealed itself.

Everyone looked at the two men, then at Shen Shaoguang's and A’Yuan's head, and compared it to the hair in the bowl. Even the most obtuse now understood, those men were trying to extort under false pretenses!

"Just because it’s slightly yellow, it has to be our hair?" The brown-clothed man retorted anxiously.

Another guest conscientiously mumbled, "Yeah, it could also be from an animal."

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, and quickly bursted out into laughter when looking at the two northern minorities.

The two of them were already inebriated, so the jeering of the crowd successfully provoked them. Seeing that Shen Shaoguang was just a woman, they simply dropped all pretenses. "This place is completely unhygienic, yet you insist on slandering us!?" As they spoke, one of the men was able to flip over the table.

Fortunately, the long table was fixed to the wall, and it didn't even budge when the man tried to lift it.

Immediately, some brave guests stepped forward to subdue them, but A’Yuan was a step ahead. She went up and grabbed the hair of the blue-clothed man, and grabbed the collar of the brown with the other hand. The two weren’t prepared and simultaneously staggered back by the chubby maid’s unexpected strength.

The two men wanted to struggle, but A’Yuan had a firm hold on them. Moreover, with so much alcohol in their system, it made it near impossible for them to break free.

The diners all took a step back to open up some space for A’Yuan, while those who wanted to help also shyly withdrew their hands.

Shen Shaoguang was only skilled at verbal altercations. She was actually quite nervous when she saw the men taking action just now, but she quickly regained her composure. "Drag them outside!"

While the altercation continued at their door, the Lane’s guards arrived to check out the commotion amongst the gathering crowd.

Shen Shaoguang hurriedly stepped forward to explain the situation, and the diners helped to validate her statement. Soon the Lane’s guards dragged the two cussing and scolding scoundrels away.

Before the onlookers dispersed, Shen Shaoguang hurriedly laid her own traps to eliminate any similar ‘framing incidents’ in the future. She cleared herself of all suspicions, and explained the whole situation, including her preventive measures and clothing. This way, the people would no longer believe such accusers going forward.

She first explained, "If it wasn't the ethnic minorities’ characteristic yellow and curly hair, if a scoundrel caught a fly or other insect and threw it into the sauce, how could I have explained myself out of such deceptive slander?"

Everyone nodded. It’s true.

Then explained, "In our small shop, even at the hottest time, my maid and I are always wearing a full set of protective garments. You can also go inside to see if we are hygienic."

Her regular customers all nodded again, her words were all indisputable facts.

Shen Shaoguang then played the sympathy card. "I'm just a wretch, wandering about the destitute. In this Lane, where all my neighbors are esteemed and acclaimed, I am only trying to get by selling pastries and cooked meals. Never in my life would I have expected to encounter such a thing..."

Everyone commiserated, and felt that it was really not easy for Miss Shen.

… 

A gray-clothed servant came to the carriage parked under the tree on the side of the street. He respectively reported in a quiet voice, "Master, I've relayed your words. They’ll be assiduously tried in court."

Lin Yan glanced at Shen Shaoguang, who maintained her grieving expression, at the door of her eatery not far away.

"Thank you all, for nobly helping me distinguish right from wrong..." Shen Shaoguang gave a deep bow.

Although everyone was just a spectator of ‘witnessing the miracle’, at this moment, they felt as if they had also participated in the activity of catching scoundrels and helping a poor damsel in distress. Hence, they all reciprocated the ceremony one after another.

"Master, do you still want to purchase a Lion’s Head and Orchid Beans?"

After pulling down the window curtain, Lin Yan ordered, "No, let's go."