Chapter 201: Chapter 201: This Won’t Set a Precedent

Translator: 549690339

Zhang Yongchang was somewhat puzzled.

“Well…”

Zhang Yongchang chuckled twice, looking at Zhuang Qingning with a face full of apology, “I really don’t know what’s gotten into the shop manager. I’ll have a good talk with him and make sure he apologizes to you, Miss Ning.”

“Indeed, the shop manager is to blame for this incident. You’ve suffered greatly, Miss Ning, and I apologize on his behalf.”

As Zhang Yongchang spoke, he bowed to Zhuang Qingning.

“Uncle Zhang, this is totally unacceptable.”

Although Zhuang Qingning disliked Feng Yongkang, she was greatly indebted to Zhang Yongchang who had helped her many times. She quickly helped him steady himself, “Uncle Zhang, you had nothing to do with this. I can’t allow you to apologize for me.”

“I understand that Uncle Zhang has been with Fushun Tower for many years and has a deep friendship with Manager Feng. Out of respect for the bond you’ve built over these many years, and your feelings toward Fushun Tower, Uncle Zhang naturally wants to take responsibility for this issue and plea for me.”

“I’m truly angry about what Manager Feng did today, but I am clear-minded. I understand Uncle Zhang’s dilemma and appreciate our friendship.”

“No matter how we handle this issue today, out of respect for Uncle Zhang, I won’t quibble with Manager Feng. From now on, my shop will continue supplying goods to Fushun Tower as usual. But about today’s vegetables…” Zhuang Qingning gave a smile, “They were intended as a gift for you, Uncle Zhang. You can handle them however you like.”

At her words, Zhang Yongchang felt his throat tighten.

In everyday life, Zhuang Qingning is kind and soft-spoken, always meeting people with a smile. If you don’t know her well, you might think she’s an easy-going person. But Zhang Yongchang knows that Zhuang Qingning is in fact a person of clear boundaries. If you don’t provoke her, all is well; but if you do, she won’t let you get away with it.

Isn’t Feng Ershu an example?

What about Mrs. Bai and Xiao Liuzi?

But today, Zhuang Qingning, with her strong character, downplayed a great offense, swallowing her anger without complaint, and even managing to wear a smile.

And this, all out of respect for his face.

It seems that Zhuang Qingning is very grateful just because he once helped her out.

Zhang Yongchang sighed heavily, the corner of his mouth twitching.

“Miss Ning, I owe you one,” Zhang Yongchang said, his voice somewhat hoarse.

“Interpersonal relationships involve give and take. There’s no debt between us, especially not with you, Uncle Zhang”

Zhuang Qingning smiled, “However, let me be clear with you, Uncle Zhang. You know my character; I’m not someone who can be easily provoked. I won’t take this incident to heart, but this is a one-time thing.”

“If something like this happens again in the future, I won’t let it go easily. And I won’t care whose face I lose, Uncle Zhang. Please understand that.”

This will not happen again.

Tolerating once is kindness; tolerating repeatedly is weakness.

Zhuang Qingning’s words were absolutely right. If she constantly ignored these wrongs out of respect for him, outsiders would likely think she’s easy to bully; they might push her even further in the future.

Especially since Feng Yongkang obviously fails to understand…

“I understand, I get it.” Zhang Yongchang nodded, “Don’t worry, there won’t be a next time. Even if there is, I won’t let it go without you saying a word.”

Zhang Yongchang spoke without any falsehood.

Last time, with the recipe for the soy-braised pork bone dish, Feng Yongkang got away with a cheap trick and pretended it was nothing. This time, such a misunderstanding occurred and he didn’t even apologize. If something like this happened again…

This kind of employer is something he can’t tolerate any longer

“Don’t worry, Miss Ning.” Zhang Yongkang reassured once more.

“It’s late now. Uncle Zhang just returned from the county town with new seasonings which the kitchen will certainly need soon. My shop is also not idle, I need to get back to check on it. So I’ll take my leave now,” Zhuang Qingning said.

“Alright, take care of your things first.” Zhang Yongchang walked Zhuang Qingning out of the backyard entrance and even all the way to the entrance of the tofu shop before returning.

Lian Rong had already cleaned up the vegetables that had scattered on the ground earlier. He rinsed them off with water and laid them neatly in the basket to dry.

“Master, should we prepare the pumpkin? Shall we make roasted pumpkin with fresh duck egg yolk for lunch?” Lian Rong suggested: “A few days ago, Master mentioned this dish, and it seems to be the right time to put it on the table.”

“If we prepare the dish, I will let Ma Tong hang up a sign for this dish later.”

“We indeed will prepare it but we won’t hang up the sign. We’ll just leave it for the staff to eat,” Zhang Yongchang said: “This pumpkin was given to me by Miss Ning. It wouldn’t be right to serve it as a dish.”

“Indeed.” Lian Rong nodded: “If Miss Zhuang found out, she’d think we were using her vegetables to do favors for the shop manager. It’d seem like we’re biased and Might make Miss Zhuang feel even worse.”

Mentioning ‘the manager,’ Lian Rong’s expression and mindset were both full of discontent. His eyebrows deeply furrowed, “I don’t know what’s up with the manager. Why would he pin the blame on Miss Zhuang? If it weren’t for Miss Zhuang’s good nature and tolerance, I would’ve picked a fight with him.” What could possibly be happening?

He simply dislikes someone and always assumes the worst.

Zhang Yongchang really didn’t understand what was wrong with Feng Yongkang. Even though he, Zhang Yongchang, who was so direct and straightforward, knew how to handle this situation, then why couldn’t Feng Yongkang, who usually knew how to navigate social situations, not understand?

No, he had to go and clarify things with Feng Yongkang.

If he didn’t clarify, he wouldn’t feel at ease doing his job.

“Alright, start preparing. I’m going to find the manager,” Zhang Yongchang said.

“Okay.” Lian Rong knew Zhang Yongchang was going to talk to Feng Yongkang about this matter, and he nodded, following Zhang Yongchang’s instructions to continue the preparations.

Zhang Yongchang went to the front hall to find Feng Yongkang.

However, after searching around, there was no sign of Feng Yongkang. He finally heard from a waiter that after Feng Yongkang left the backyard, he stormed off somewhere. The waiter didn’t know where he was heading and wasn’t brave enough to ask.

What does he have to be angry about?

At this point, Zhang Yongchang was somewhat angered himself. So, he didn’t bother to look for Feng Yongkang any more, but went straight to the kitchen to start working.

Lian Rong was at the cutting board.. Seeing that Zhang Yongchang had returned so soon and his face looked gloomy, he cautiously asked, “Master, did things not go well with the manager?”