The back courtyard of the restaurant.
Looking at Luo Ge, who was carefully examining the account books, Lu Manager always felt an inexplicable foreboding in his heart, and at the same time felt somewhat guilty, afraid that Luo Ge might really see through something.
But thinking that Luo Ge and the others were just two ordinary, completely ignorant peasants with no experience, he relaxed again.
After all, she was just a woman, what could she possibly understand?
And this fellow surnamed Gu was no man either, listening to every word spoken by this long-haired woman with little understanding.
Moreover, he thought he had done an impeccable job, and doubted that they would be able to see through it.
"This account book you've done really well, Lu Manager."
Seemingly sensing his inexplicable panicked emotions, Luo Ge smiled and handed the account book to Gu Jinchen, pretending she couldn't understand it and letting Gu Jinchen review it again.
"The lady praises me too highly."
Seeing that Luo Ge indeed didn't seem to notice anything, Lu Manager breathed a sigh of relief, his expression tinged with a hint of pride.
Hearing this, Luo Ge also smiled, her face still bearing an ignorant look.
"Is that so? It should be the manager being too modest."
Only during the conversation did she glance outside without a sound, receiving a signal as Uncle Song turned and slipped out of the back courtyard.
Before Lu Manager could say anything more, Luo Ge's brow furrowed again, revealing a worried expression as she sighed.
"My husband and I are both from farming families, with no experience in running a business, as the manager should know."
"Now that the restaurant's business has just stabilized, we really can't afford to lose you, Lu Manager. Perhaps you should reconsider carefully?"
"What I said earlier when I came in was just said in the heat of the moment. Now the restaurant really can't do without you all, and I was just upset and spoke carelessly."
"If the manager feels offended, I can apologize to you, or shall we raise your monthly salary?"
"Let's raise it... Lu Manager, how about we raise it by two taels?"
Luo Ge extended two fingers, looking at Lu Manager with pleading eyes, as if worried that if she spoke too late, they wouldn't be able to keep him.
In reality, her thoughts were: Oh, fake, just making conversation to buy some time.
But Luo Ge's acting was so convincing that at least Lu Manager didn't seem to notice anything.
Hearing Luo Ge's words and seeing her demeanor, Lu Manager inwardly scoffed, unconsciously straightening his back, his expression revealing a hint of disdain.
Well, didn't you say earlier that you wanted me to 'leave' immediately when you saw me getting upset?
Now you know you regret it, know you misspoke, know you're pleading with me?
Hmph! Too late.
Although he thought this way in his heart, he didn't show it on his face, only appearing somewhat conflicted.
"Madam, this humble one..."
"Alas, this humble one naturally understands the difficulties of the lady and the master, and you are both considerate people. If possible, this humble one would also like to continue serving you wholeheartedly."
"But my parents back home are already elderly, and I've been away from home for a long time. They really miss me terribly. Now my old mother's health is deteriorating day by day, and I really can't stop worrying..."
As Lu Manager spoke, his eyes reddened and welled with tears, truly acting out his part masterfully.
Of course, all of this was just an excuse for him to leave First Class Pavilion.
After all, anyone with a bit of sense who wants to quit their job wouldn't say something like, "Oh, your rival lured me away, so I'm not working here anymore."
If Gu Jinchen and the others hadn't already sent someone to investigate Lu Manager's background, knowing that his parents had passed away long ago and that his entire family had settled in Yiyang Town, and even found out about his dealings with Spring Bloom Pavilion...
Perhaps they might have actually believed him.
Nevertheless, it had to be said that the excuse he found was quite decent, using filial piety as the reason, making it difficult to refuse to let him leave.
"Alas." Hearing Lu Manager's words, Luo Ge silently changed into a more comfortable sitting position, her face still full of worry as she sighed several times.
Yet in her heart, she thought: Your acting skills are decent, please continue your performance.
Watching his wife act like this, Gu Jinchen almost broke character several times.
His wife's current demeanor was really... yes, cute, just too cute, haha.
After listening to Lu Manager's words, Luo Ge only sighed and remained silent for a long while.
Finally, she put on an expression of reluctance and looked at Lu Manager, sighing deeply.
"Very well, we're all just parents and children, and we can understand Lu Manager's thoughts. Since that's the case, I won't press you any further."
"The restaurant's accounts are all here, and if there's anything else that needs to be handed over to us, please do so now."
"We'll settle your wages, and Madam's health is poor, so Lu Manager should go back and visit her soon."
Hearing Luo Ge's words, Lu Manager narrowed his eyes and unconsciously felt the paper package in his hand, before finally nodding: "Then I'll go and get it for the lady."
When they saw Lu Manager at that moment, they only noticed him hastily hiding something away, his movements quite fast, so they didn't manage to see clearly what it was.
However, now that they saw him trying so hard to get away from them, they naturally wanted to keep a closer eye on him.
"We'll go with you, and on the way, you can also tell us about the recent situation at the restaurant."
Saying this, Luo Ge and Gu Jinchen stood up, not giving him a chance to refuse.
Seeing this, Lu Manager's face froze again, but he could only force a stiff smile and nod.
"If that's the case, then very well." But in his heart, he was continuously cursing, Damn woman!
Noticing the resentment in Lu Manager's expression, Gu Jinchen's aura grew more solemn, and his gaze instantly turned cold. Luo Ge quickly grabbed his hand and shook her head gently.
Seeing this, he could only hold back his anger for the time being.
They followed Lu Manager to the room where he usually handled business and rested at the restaurant, and took back all the keys to the restaurant's storerooms and other items.
To fully commit to the act, Lu Manager spoke quite carefully when describing the recent operations of the restaurant.
This did save Luo Ge quite a bit of trouble.
"Since we need to settle the wages, Er Zhu, you go to the kitchen and call Chef Luo over as well."
"Understood, Madam."
The fact that Lu Manager and Chef Luo wanted to leave First Class Pavilion wasn't a secret, and Er Zhu was aware of it too. So upon hearing Luo Ge's order, he immediately went to summon them.
As for whether they would actually leave or stay, it was of no concern to him. If they truly left, all the better.
Everyone at the restaurant was well aware of Lu Manager and the others' real reasons for wanting to leave First Class Pavilion, as they had been told more than once.
They also did not lack offering the good terms that the Spring Bloom Pavilion had opened, to entice them.
As for their wanting to leave themselves, and also inciting others to leave the Pavilion as well, he truly could not stomach that.
This kind of conduct was very unrighteous.
Clearly, everyone was making a living depending on the owner, and the owner treated them all generously, yet they behaved like this, which was truly lacking in righteousness.
But he was a person of little influence, and after he simply refused them, he encountered difficulties; even though he understood this, he could not do anything about it.
In any case, for now he did his part, did not betray his original intentions, and just did the tasks the owner had assigned him well.
