Chapter 1227: Chapter 1223: Fighting Fire with Fire (First Update)

"Look, speak of the devil and he appears!" Mu Shuangshuang smiled and said to Yu Dahai.

In contrast to Yu Dahai’s serious expression, Mu Shuangshuang appeared relaxed.

"Shuangshuang, how are you planning to handle this? Should I just have my men drive him away?"

Yu Dahai would never accept it; a person who betrayed the restaurant reappearing in it? He believed Shuangshuang shared the same opinion as him!

Mu Shuangshuang shook her head and said, "No need. I actually think this is a good opportunity. Doesn’t Xia Guagua want to plant a spy in our restaurant? Let’s simply turn the situation to our advantage!

After all, this tool isn’t just for her to use!"

Mu Shuangshuang compared Mu Tou to a tool, and Xia Guagua to the one using the tool.

Whatever Xia Guagua could do, Mu Shuangshuang could do too!

Seeing Mu Shuangshuang so confident, Yu Dahai finally felt the burden lift from his shoulders!

He even began to look forward to the days after Mu Tou returned to Chengfeng Restaurant; they should be quite interesting!

Hopefully, they could strike Xia Guagua hard enough that she’d never dare to cause trouble again!

...

Outside the hall of Chengfeng Restaurant—

The staff of the restaurant were currently watching Mu Tou, who was crying miserably, tears and snots streaming down his face as he recounted his tragic situation.

"Sob, sob, I have wronged everyone; it was my fault, Mu Tou’s fault. I was bewitched back then and betrayed the restaurant, betrayed everyone, and let down the two owners who trained me!"

"I regret it very much, even think, if I hadn’t left back then, I would surely be here working happily with everyone now."

"No one would bully me, no one would hurt my self-esteem, and I wouldn’t have to live with the guilt weighing on my conscience. I can’t sleep at night; as soon as I close my eyes, I see everyone blaming me, hating me."

"..."

Mu Tou was good with words; he started by apologizing and admitting his mistakes, then spoke of living under constant guilt, eliciting sympathy from everyone.

Mu Tou was originally an old member of Fulin Restaurant, also the predecessor of Chengfeng Restaurant.

He got along quite well with several staff members, and this speech actually made some begin to empathize with him.

Some even suggested speaking to Mu Shuangshuang about possibly keeping Mu Tou and letting him return to the kitchen.

This person was none other than Erzhu, who worked with Ah Cai as a staff member.

Someone tugged Erzhu and said, "Erzhu, you’d better not say things like that!

We can’t decide on this matter; we have to talk to Steward Yu and the owner first."

"Exactly! Erzhu, don’t forget, Mu Tou once betrayed the restaurant. What if he comes back and learns our good stuff only to take it to the opposite side?"

"He won’t; didn’t you see? Mu Tou was kicked out by the other side, and he was even beaten. He definitely won’t go back!" Erzhu responded.

"So, Erzhu, are you suggesting I pick up the trash others don’t want?

He fails on the other side, cries a bit, and then gets to come back. Who’s going to compensate for the losses I’ve suffered?"

Mu Shuangshuang descended the stairs, eyes full of mockery.

Pointed out by name, Erzhu’s face turned as red as a monkey’s butt; he couldn’t even look Mu Shuangshuang in the eyes.

Beside him, Mu Tou darted his restless eyes.

Suddenly, he plopped to his knees in Mu Shuangshuang’s direction: "Owner, I, Mu Tou, know I was wrong. I made a mistake back then. I don’t ask you to take me back, just to give me a chance to make amends for my wrongs for the rest of my life!"

"Amend? How? Will you continue working in my restaurant where I must also provide your food and lodging, and pay you a salary?" Mu Shuangshuang sneered.

Mu Shuangshuang’s attitude made Mu Tou realize she wasn’t easy to fool.

With no choice, Mu Tou could only say, "Owner, as long as you’re willing to take me in, I’ll do whatever you ask; I don’t need a penny of wages. As for food, I’ll bring my own from home. Is that okay?"

Mu Tou spoke while comforting himself internally: he’ll endure a bit longer, and once he learns the recent new dishes, he’ll leave this broken restaurant!

Mu Shuangshuang knew precisely what Mu Tou was thinking. She addressed the restaurant’s staff: "Did everyone hear what Mu Tou said? No salary, no wages from our restaurant, using the rest of his life to compensate for the losses he’s caused us!"

"I heard, but boss, I still think we shouldn’t use someone like Mu Tou. Betray us once, and he’s never to be used again.

Didn’t you once say in Journey to the West that because Sun Wukong believed Gold Star Taibai, he went to Heavenly Court to become what, Horses’ Fortune? Gold Star Taibai even told him it was a good job, but it wasn’t the case at all!

Later, Sun Wukong was ridiculed by others, and eventually it escalated to him causing havoc in the Heavenly Palace, getting trapped for five hundred years. I think had Sun Wukong not believed the immortal’s words, he’d definitely be living happily in Huaguo Mountain.

Similarly, we shouldn’t believe what Mu Tou says today!"

Huang Er is a fan of the novel Journey to the West. Any time Mu Shuangshuang told one of its stories, he not only listened but would have someone tell it to him over and over in private.

Thus, he knew every plot point of Journey to the West that Mu Shuangshuang talked about.

This time, he used the storyline to prevent Mu Shuangshuang from being deceived.

Mu Shuangshuang turned her gaze to Mu Tou, "Mu Tou, you heard, right? It’s not that I disagree, but some in the restaurant still don’t agree with you joining us!

Although I own the restaurant, I must also adequately consider others’ feelings."

As soon as Mu Shuangshuang finished speaking, Mu Tou’s expression changed.

He cursed Huang Er countless times in his heart, yet on the surface, he had to speak kindly to Huang Er.

"Brother Huang Er, I know you’re mad at me for what I did back then. I know I was wrong, but if you let me go just like that, without having me take responsibility for my mistakes, I won’t ever be at peace!"

Mu Tou pleaded miserably, but Huang Er still wouldn’t relent.

Seeing Mu Tou’s plan about to fail, Yu Dahai stepped out just then.

"How about this, let me say something neutral, and maybe everyone can take a step back.

Mu Tou wants to contribute again, willing not to ask for anything, while Brother Huang Er worries that Mu Tou might have ulterior motives. Let’s combine the two: don’t let Mu Tou into the kitchen, have him do other tasks!

This way, Mu Tou won’t have contact with cooking matters, and he poses no threat to our restaurant!"

"No, I need to stay in the kitchen!" Mu Tou became somewhat agitated.

But a stern look from Mu Shuangshuang made him immediately explain: "I believe I’m best suited for the kitchen. However, whatever the owner and steward decide, that’s what I’ll do. Whatever it is, I’m willing!"

Mu Tou’s earnest demeanor did seem to show a bit of loyalty!

Unfortunately——