Lü Shaoqing turned to Wang Yao. "Wang Junior Brother, don't treat her like a senior sister. No special treatment. In fact, feel free to exploit her if you can."
"After all, there's no harm in getting something for nothing."
Wang Yao looked conflicted. "Senior Brother Lü, this..."
He was just an outer disciple, a world away from the status of a direct disciple. Offending one could spell the end of his future in Ling Xiao Sect.
Lü Shaoqing narrowed his eyes. "Don't worry. But if you don't listen to me, do you believe I can stop you from becoming an inner disciple?"
This threat was more than enough. Wang Yao, looking distressed, nodded reluctantly. "I—I understand."
Lü Shaoqing patted him on the shoulder. "Relax. If you do a good job, I'll have a surprise for you."
"When it's time for you to become an inner disciple, you can join us at Tian Yu Peak."
"Re-Really?" Wang Yao's face lit up with excitement.
With Ji Yan around, Tian Yu Peak was the dream destination for many outer disciples. However, Tian Yu Peak was always sparsely populated, with only three people for a long time, and they had refused to take in any servants or outer disciples.
Many who had advanced to inner disciple status had applied to join Tian Yu Peak but were turned away.
Wang Yao was thrilled. If he could join Tian Yu Peak, it would be a significant opportunity for him.
He promised earnestly, "Senior Brother Lü, rest assured, I know what to do."
Lü Shaoqing turned to Xiao Yi. "Off you go. From today, you'll work here and do your best to pay off your debt quickly."
Xiao Yi pouted, reluctant as she followed Wang Yao.
Fang Xiao, with a smile, turned to Lü Shaoqing. "Senior Brother Lü, you didn't ask Xiao Yi to work here just to pay off the debt, did you?"
Lü Shaoqing shook his head. "Of course not."
I knew it! Fang Xiao thought. You're not that shallow.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Then, what's the real reason?"
Lü Shaoqing stepped closer, and his masculine aura filled the space between them. Fang Xiao's cheeks turned bright red.
Lü Shaoqing lowered his voice. "Boss Fang, my junior sister is working here, right? That means she'll be earning wages, yes?"
"I asked Wang Yao. A regular worker here earns about two thousand five hundred lower-grade spirit stones a month."
"My junior sister owes you one thousand two hundred and thirty spirit stones. So, if she works for a month, she'll pay off her debt and still have one thousand two hundred and seventy spirit stones left. Isn't that right?"
Fang Xiao nodded, impressed by his quick math. "Senior Brother Lü, your calculation is spot on."
Lü Shaoqing grinned. "Great. When that happens, just remember to give her wages to me."
Fang Xiao was stunned, her eyes wide. "W-Why?"
Lü Shaoqing shrugged. "I'm broke, so I have to make my junior sister earn some money for her senior brother."
Fang Xiao was at a loss for words.
Is he serious? she wondered. Did he really drag his junior sister here for an expensive meal just to make her work off the debt and earn money for him?
That's ruthless—I've been a boss for years and could never think of something this cunning.
"Senior Brother Lü, you must be joking."
Fang Xiao found it hard to reconcile this version of Lü Shaoqing with the sharp, decisive person she had witnessed that fateful night. Did I misjudge him that night? Or could he have a split personality?
Lü Shaoqing remained unfazed. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
Fang Xiao hesitated. "This... isn't proper."
After all, the one working is Xiao Yi; shouldn't the wages go directly to her?
Besides, Fang Xiao pointed out, "She only needs to work for half a month to pay off the debt. There's no need for her to stay a full month."
Lü Shaoqing shook his head. "I want her here for a month."
"But the wages are Xiao Yi's," Fang Xiao insisted.
Lü Shaoqing stared at her in disbelief. "Boss, don't tell me you're trying to take a cut of her pay?"
"I mean, you're the owner of this huge establishment. Do you really need to haggle over a small amount like this?"
Fang Xiao suddenly felt that continuing this conversation with Lü Shaoqing was beneath her dignity.
She sighed. "Fine, fine. Whatever you say, Senior Brother Lü."
"I have some matters to attend to, so I'll leave you now."
With that, Fang Xiao hurried off, almost as if she were fleeing.
Too difficult to deal with.
That was yet another note Fang Xiao made about Lü Shaoqing.
Lü Shaoqing left the restaurant, leaving Xiao Yi behind to work. Xiao Yi felt utterly defeated; the idea of a noble lady from the Xiao family working as a waitress was beyond humiliating. If news of this got back to her family, her father would probably faint from rage.
But it was an order from her second senior brother, and he had Ji Yan's full authorization.
She had no choice but to comply, even if she was unwilling.
Because she was just a junior sister.
Her master, Shifu, was unreliable when it came to helping her. There was no way to escape her second senior brother's clutches.
Filled with frustration, Xiao Yi spent her first morning on the job fuming and received multiple complaints from customers.
The restaurant's clientele was a mixed bag—some were downright rude, and others tried to flirt with her, which made Xiao Yi so angry she felt like attacking them.
When have I ever been treated like this?
By the end of the day, she had wiped away her tears more times than she could count.
Back at Tian Yu Peak, she stormed into her room and slammed the door shut, refusing to acknowledge Lü Shaoqing.
Lü Shaoqing, however, seemed unconcerned as he lazily browsed the latest news on the Heavenly Mirror Tablet he'd borrowed from Shifu.
Inside her room, Xiao Yi was sobbing. Her tears flowed freely as she thought about her miserable day. She had endured more humiliation in one day than she had in her entire life.
"Stupid Second Senior Brother, rotten Second Senior Brother! I'll beat you to death!" she muttered, punching her pillow as if it were Lü Shaoqing himself.
She was determined to pummel it to shreds.
Just then, there was a knock at her door.
"Girl, are you asleep?"
It was Shifu, Shao Cheng.
"No, not yet," Xiao Yi quickly wiped away her tears and opened the door. "Shifu, do you need something?"
Shao Cheng stood at the doorway, smiling warmly. "Have you been crying?"
Xiao Yi instinctively shook her head.
Shao Cheng sighed. "Your eyes are red. Why deny it?"
Seeing the fatherly concern in Shao Cheng's smile, Xiao Yi felt her pent-up frustration swell, and tears began to flow again.
"Shifu, Second Senior Brother is bullying me."
"Alright, alright, don't cry." Shao Cheng gently patted her head. "Come with me; there's a place I want to show you."