Chapter 147: The Roast Duck Restaurant Is Open!

With the promotion from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the nearby Misty Duck Roast shop had already become the talk of every street and alley in Misty Town early on. Even people from surrounding towns had heard that a roast duck shop was opening in Misty Town.

As for what kind of roast duck it really was, those lucky enough to snag tasting spots from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion claimed it was a delicacy unrivaled on earth, a single bite of which would be pure bliss.

Wen Yao and the Wen family mingled within the crowd, overhearing the exaggerated chatter beside them. Hearing such wild praise, Wen Yao’s lips twitched; this was clearly a hype campaign orchestrated by Sister Qiu.

Now, instead, Wen Yao felt nervous. What if the roast duck didn’t amaze people as much as expected?

“Father, I’m suddenly a bit anxious,” Wen Yao whispered, tugging at Wen Xiuyi’s ear to speak quietly.

Wen Xiuyi was watching the spectacle with interest. Today marked the grand opening of the Misty Roast Duck shop, complete with performers stationed at the entrance. Initially, Qiu Rongrong had told them to watch the excitement from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion upstairs, but the Luo family didn’t want to impose any further on her. Besides, being down below among the crowd better captured the festive atmosphere.

Cheers filled the air, and if Wen Yao hadn’t whispered right into his ear, Wen Xiuyi probably wouldn’t have heard her at all.

“What’s there to be anxious about?” Wen Xiuyi craned his neck to look ahead, occasionally cheering and clapping enthusiastically.

Wen Yao gazed at the lively crowd and said, “I just think Sister Qiu has hyped the roast duck too much. I’m afraid everyone will be disappointed.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Xiuyi stopped applauding and looking around. Instead, he looked at his daughter carefully. Since she was little, he had never seen such a hesitant expression on her face. This was not like her at all.

“Yao Yao, you have to believe in your own culinary skills. Trust your father. This roast duck is no different from the XXX ducks we used to enjoy. You know my taste buds are sharp; whether it’s good or not, I can tell with one bite. Don’t worry, your roast duck will definitely become a signature delicacy of Misty Town. Who knows, hundreds or even thousands of years from now, it might not be the XX roast duck everyone talks about, but Misty Roast Duck instead,” Wen Xiuyi said.

Wen Yao quickly coughed to dismiss the exaggeration and said, “That would be a grave sin. Fortunately, we're just in a story; otherwise, I’d be scolded to death.” (Haha, Beijing roast duck forever!)

Seeing a smile on her daughter’s face, Wen Xiuyi felt relieved.

“Look, Sister Qiu’s coming out,” Wen Xiuyi pointed toward the shop entrance. Sure enough, Qiu Rongrong appeared, dressed in elegant attire that was neat yet striking, her face glowing with confident smiles as she looked out at the gathering crowd.

The performance had ended, and the scene quickly quieted down.

Standing on the steps, Qiu Rongrong spoke loudly, “Today marks the grand opening of our Misty Roast Duck. Thank you all for your support. All roast ducks are 20% off today. You can dine here or take away. I won’t say much more—I’m sure you’re all eager. I now declare the Misty Roast Duck shop officially open!”

As her words fell, firecrackers erupted in a crackling roar. Those who had long coveted the roast duck surged forward, eager to rush into the shop. However, before they could get inside, several burly men from the shop blocked their way.

Qiu Rongrong retreated inside. At the door stood another shopkeeper from the Qiu family, smiling warmly as he said, “Since it’s our opening day and many people have come, please line up nicely and come one by one.”

With those strong men present, no one dared cause trouble, and soon a long line formed outside.

Wen Yao and her family hadn’t left the crowd when Qiao Yan squeezed through and approached them.

“Miss Yao Yao, madam requests you all to come inside.” The crowd was so dense that Qiao Yan was sweating faintly.

Wen Yao glanced at her family, all accounted for, and led them following Qiao Yan into the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

The backyards of the two establishments were connected, and they did not bother with the roast duck shop’s commotion. Instead, they went directly to a private room on the third floor of the pavilion.

“Everyone said to wait upstairs, yet you insisted on staying below. How does it feel to be jostled like that?” Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu had arrived early and stayed upstairs, watching without going down.

Mrs. Luo adjusted her new clothes and sighed, “I didn’t expect so many people. Luckily, you didn’t go down. Where are the Three Hopes?”

Mrs. Luo scanned the room but saw none of the Three Hopes.

The Three Hopes had been fetched from the academy by Shopkeeper Qiu, and Director Wu was also in this private room, though he had not descended to join the crowd.

Shopkeeper Qiu said, “Xie Anyi took them to the kitchen to see the roast duck.”

Qiao Yan invited everyone to be seated and began ordering dishes and wine. After a while, Qiu Rongrong arrived fashionably late.

“Sorry for the delay, everyone. The other private rooms had guests who needed attention first,” she apologized and then greeted the elders respectfully.

“I saw the county magistrate earlier?” Shopkeeper Qiu asked.

Qiu Rongrong nodded. “Yes, he’s in the room next to the next one, being entertained by Yi’er’s father.” Thinking of Xie Yushan’s shocked yet helpless expression as he tried to restrain his anger toward her while hosting the county magistrate, Qiu Rongrong felt quite pleased.

Not long after, a waiter came in to whisper something in Qiu Rongrong’s ear, causing her to knit her brows faintly.

“Sister Qiu, what’s wrong?” Wen Yao asked.

Qiu Rongrong glanced at Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu before saying, “The county magistrate wishes to pay a visit to Doctor Jin and Mr. Qiu.”

Shopkeeper Qiu had already been prepared for this when asked if the county magistrate was present. Upon hearing this, he set down his cup from toasting Director Wu, responding calmly, “No problem. Please invite them over.”

The Wen family was stunned.

The county magistrate?

He’s coming?

They were going to meet the county magistrate?

Mrs. Luo was the first to react, suggesting, “Perhaps we should step aside for a while. We’re just country folk; it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to stay.”

“No need,” Shopkeeper Qiu said simply, then instructed Qiu Rongrong, “Go and invite the county magistrate.”

He maintained proper etiquette, even though he bore no favor toward Xie Yushan.

Qiu Rongrong bowed and left. Before long, she returned with the county magistrate in tow, shamelessly followed by Xie Yushan.

Upon entering, the county magistrate went straight to Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu.

“Old Doctor Jin, Mr. Qiu, I did not expect to meet you here. I offer my respects,” he said humbly.

The Wen family stared in disbelief at the county magistrate’s deferential posture toward Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu, barely able to keep their expressions composed.

Shopkeeper Qiu had already put on a professional, polite smile and cupped his fists. “You flatter us, sir. Now, Old Doctor Jin and I are mere commoners, unworthy of such courtesy.”