Chapter 36: The Freeloader Uncle’s Family

The faint smile on Tang Shu’s face instantly froze.

A surge of anger rose straight to her head.

Them again.

Every few days, this family would show up to eat and drink for free, taking advantage of her family’s generosity whenever they could.

“Sister Li, thanks for your hard work. Go ahead and get back to work. I’ll go upstairs and take a look.”

Suppressing her irritation, Tang Shu gave a brief instruction and headed straight for the second floor.

As soon as she reached the private room, loud voices drifted through the door.

The noise was chaotic and grating.

“Qingrou, hurry up and put all that fresh beef into the pot! Cook more of it. This little bit isn’t enough!”

“Add another plate of tripe and another plate of pork aorta!”

“The broth tastes too bland now. Bring up two cold drinks!”

“Damn, this soup base is too spicy! Water! Hurry and add some water! My tongue’s gone numb!”

Tang Shu gripped the cold metal doorknob tightly.

Her chest rose and fell.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she pushed the door open.

The hinges creaked softly.

But the people inside were too focused on eating to even glance at the entrance.

They simply assumed another server had come in.

Only Tao Qingrou, who was standing beside the table holding a kettle, noticed her daughter from the corner of her eye.

Her heart skipped a beat.

The warm water she was pouring splashed onto the edge of the table.

Some of it landed on the pants of the man sitting opposite her.

Immediately, he frowned and barked,

“How are you working?”

“You can’t even pour water properly?”

“With service like this, your hot pot restaurant is going to shut down sooner or later.”

“You might as well close it now!”

Panicking, Tao Qingrou grabbed a towel and bent down to wipe the water.

She apologized repeatedly.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Seeing this, Tang Shu strode forward and pulled her mother behind her protectively.

Then she looked at the man who had just scolded her.

A cold smile tugged at her lips.

“Cousin.”

“The hot pot tastes pretty good, doesn’t it?”

“Are you satisfied with the meal?”

The man was none other than Tang Hao, the only son in her uncle’s family.

Upon seeing Tang Shu, a look of contempt immediately appeared on his face.

Leaning lazily against his chair, he sneered,

“Oh? Tang Shu’s back?”

“To be honest, your restaurant’s hot pot is just average.”

“And the service is terrible.”

“You should really improve it.”

Beside him, Wang Huaying was chewing on a slice of beef.

The moment she saw Tang Shu, her eyes lit up.

She glanced toward the middle-aged man sitting nearby.

Calculation filled her gaze.

This was President Liu—the man she’d tried to force Tang Shu to meet on a blind date that morning.

He was already in his late forties.

Overweight.

With murky eyes and an oily appearance.

From the moment Tang Shu entered the room, his gaze had remained glued to her.

His eyes traveled shamelessly over her body.

The greed and lust in them were completely undisguised.

Putting down her chopsticks, Wang Huaying spoke in a deliberately friendly tone.

“Perfect timing, Tang Shu.”

“Since you’re here, I’ll stop beating around the bush.”

“President Liu came specifically today because he wants to get to know you properly.”

“Your parents say they’ll repay the debt, but businesses always run into cash-flow problems.”

“What if you can’t pay later?”

“Why don’t we keep the marriage arrangement as planned?”

“It’ll be good for you and good for the whole family.”

Tao Qingrou’s face instantly turned pale.

She stepped in front of Tang Shu.

“Sister-in-law, we’ve already said we’ll repay the debt within three days.”

“This matter is over.”

“Please stop bringing it up.”

Tang Shu gently placed a hand on her mother’s shoulder.

Then she guided her behind her.

“Mom.”

“Go help out in the front hall.”

“I’ll handle things here.”

Lowering her voice, she added,

“Also, help me print out today’s bill for this table.”

“And gather all their previous dining records as well.”

Seeing the sly look in her daughter’s eyes, Tao Qingrou finally nodded.

Though still worried, she left the room and closed the door behind her.

The atmosphere inside instantly became tense.

Tang Xinyao crossed her arms and spoke sarcastically.

“Tang Shu, don’t be so ungrateful.”

“President Liu is worth several million yuan.”

“The fact that he likes you is already a blessing.”

“Countless women would kill for a chance like this.”

President Liu grinned smugly.

“Little girl, if you come with me, you’ll live comfortably for the rest of your life.”

“You won’t have to worry about your family’s debts anymore.”

“I certainly won’t treat you badly.”

Tang Shu let out a cold laugh.

Her eyes swept across the three of them.

“First.”

“My family’s debt will be repaid in full.”

“Second.”

“A man who’s nearly fifty years old, divorced three times, and already has three children is far beyond my reach.”

“And frankly, I have no desire to reach that high.”

“Third.”

“Our little restaurant isn’t worthy of hosting someone as important as President Liu.”

“Please find someone else.”

President Liu’s face instantly turned dark.

Slamming his hand on the table, he stood up in fury.

He pointed at Tang Shu, unable to speak from anger.

Finally, unwilling to embarrass himself further, he snorted and stormed out of the private room.

The remaining family of three sat there with ugly expressions.

They were furious.

But seeing the luxurious hot pot spread still sitting on the table, none of them could bear to waste it.

So they lowered their heads and continued eating frantically.

If they were getting a free meal, they were determined to get their money’s worth.

Tang Hao deliberately made things difficult.

Lifting his chin, he ordered Tang Shu around.

“Since you’re staying, then serve us properly.”

“Hurry and add more broth.”

“Put more food in the pot.”

“Bring drinks.”

“We’re helping improve your restaurant’s service.”

“You should be thanking us.”

Tang Shu maintained a pleasant smile.

She didn’t argue.

She obediently picked up the ladle, added broth, cooked food, and handed them drinks.

Her attitude appeared exceptionally cooperative.

The three of them assumed she had finally submitted.

They became even more arrogant.

While stuffing themselves with food, they continued nitpicking and criticizing everything.

More than an hour passed.

Only after their stomachs were completely full did they slowly stand up.

Then they prepared to leave without paying.

The group arrived at the front counter.

Tang Shu walked over calmly.

Picking up a prepared paper bill, she handed it over with a professional smile.

“Aunt.”

“Cousin.”

“Cousin Xinyao.”

“This is your bill for today’s meal.”

“The total comes to 1,026 yuan.”

“Considering we’re relatives, I’ve given you a 1% discount.”

“The final amount is 1,017 yuan.”

“Please pay at the counter.”

Wang Huaying’s expression changed dramatically.

As if she had heard the greatest joke in the world, she raised her voice.

“What?”

“Pay?”

“Since when do relatives have to pay when eating at family restaurants?”

“Tang Shu, have you become obsessed with money?”

“We’re honoring your restaurant by eating here!”

Tang Xinyao immediately joined in.

“Exactly.”

“You don’t have any sense of family at all.”

“What’s wrong with eating a little hot pot?”

“Do you really have to be this stingy?”

Tang Hao stuffed his hands into his pockets and spoke lazily.

“We’ve never paid when eating here before.”

“Today won’t be any different.”

“Just put it on the tab.”

“We’ll talk about it later.”

The three turned around and headed for the exit.

But two restaurant employees standing by the door immediately stepped forward.

Side by side, they blocked the entrance completely.

Not willing to give an inch.

Their path was cut off.

The commotion immediately attracted the attention of every customer in the restaurant.

People began turning around to watch.

The smile on Tang Shu’s face slowly disappeared.

Her eyes reddened at just the right moment.

When she spoke, her voice carried a trace of grievance.

Yet it was loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear.

“Everyone, please help judge this fairly.”

“Our family runs a small business.”

“We wake up early and work late. Every yuan we earn comes from hard work.”

“We really can’t afford to support people who eat and drink for free.”

“These three people are my aunt, cousin, and cousin.”

“They come here every few days to eat for free.”

“They have never paid a single bill.”

“My parents are soft-hearted and care too much about family ties to ask them for money.”

“But running a restaurant isn’t charity.”

As her words fell, she pulled out a long roll of printed receipts from behind the counter.

Releasing her fingers—

The lengthy statement unfurled dramatically.

Receipt after receipt cascaded downward.

The paper rolled across the floor…

All the way to Tang Hao’s feet.

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