CHAPTER 302: CHAPTER 302: A SENSE OF DÉJÀ VU

At this moment, Xing Kang had already walked up to the storytelling platform, and the audience who had been discussing the plot fell silent one by one.

Duan Yunfei whispered to Chu Wuqu, "Master, do you want to stay downstairs with Sect Leader Song, or go upstairs with me?"

"Sect Leader Song wants to listen to the story; if I go, he might get distracted. Let’s go upstairs!"

Chu Wuqu, who usually spoke loudly, also lowered his voice upon seeing the scene.

"Alright then!" Duan Yunfei looked at Shen Qinglan, "Qinglan, please!"

She nodded knowingly.

Shen Qinglan turned back to the counter and whispered to Shopkeeper Wen, "Before the story begins, quickly have someone add another chair to Young Master Le’s table."

Shopkeeper Wen agreed and hastily called someone to go upstairs and add a chair.

Shen Qinglan leaned against the counter, gazing upstairs, and saw Duan Yunfei curling his lips at her.

She smiled with her lips pursed, then shifted her gaze, landing it on Lan Ruo, who was eagerly staring at the platform.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, Song Ting beside Lan Ruo frowned and looked over. When he saw it was her, he was momentarily stunned but then nodded and smiled, before returning his gaze to the platform.

Shen Qinglan moved her gaze to the other side of Lan Ruo, studying Song Ting’s wife thoughtfully.

For some reason, every time she saw Lady Song’s face, she always felt a sense of familiarity, yet upon careful scrutiny, it also seemed strangely unfamiliar.

She lowered her eyes in thought but still couldn’t figure out who Lady Song resembled.

Shaking her head slightly to dispel the thoughts, she looked at Shopkeeper Wen and said, "Later, have someone go upstairs to check Young Master Le’s table. If the tea is empty, add more."

"Yes!"

As the former shopkeeper of the Le Family, Shopkeeper Wen naturally knew Le Zhao.

Today’s story covers the plot from Chapters eight to twelve.

Xing Kang’s expressions and gestures while narrating were particularly captivating. At the climax, listeners unconsciously held their breaths, and once he finished, they eagerly applauded.

Even Shen Qinglan, who could transcribe the entire story word for word, was drawn in, as scenes and characters from the drama resonated in her mind.

When the words "To know the next part, stay tuned for the next episode" were uttered, the crowd couldn’t help but shout for more tea and to add two more Chapters.

These two Chapters were, of course, Shen Qinglan’s rule; no matter how much tea you order, it’s feigned—only two additional Chapters per day at most.

Shen Qinglan didn’t consider herself a benevolent person, but as the owner, she naturally had to protect her employees. After all, she relied on Xing Kang’s voice to make money, so how could she not take good care of it?

She looked at Shopkeeper Wen and said, "Later, when Mr. Xing is finished, brew a pot of chrysanthemum and rock sugar tea for him."

"Don’t worry, Mistress!" Shopkeeper Wen said, "I already went to Huichun Hall to ask Doctor Chen for a few throat-soothing recipes and had people prepare them for Mr. Xing."

Shen Qinglan nodded in satisfaction, "You’ve done very well!"

Shopkeeper Wen modestly smiled and said, "This is just what I should do, after all, the more you earn, the more I get, isn’t it?"

Shopkeeper Wen gets a share rather than the same wages as others.

Shen Qinglan thought this was good because it motivated them to work hard rather than always scheming and slacking.

Although a ten-percent share might not seem much compared to the total, it was quite a substantial amount once received.

If spending money could buy loyalty, Shen Qinglan was willing, provided the other party wasn’t ungrateful.