THE REAL PROTEGE-Chapter 493: SMELLS GREEN TEA FROM MILES AWAY

"Young Master Shi Min," the shop manager gasped, nerves tightening his voice. "Please, there is absolutely no need to pay. It would be my profound honor — my privilege — to gift these humble trinkets to your esteemed sisters. Take it as my welcoming gift." His hands shook as he lifted the Chaos Stone from his attendant’s palm and returned it to Shi Min, bowing his head, sweat trickling from his brow down his back into his robes. Every motion was deliberate, as if he feared mishandling a relic worth more than his fortunes.

Shi Min fixed the manager with a calm, steady gaze. "How can this be?" he replied, his tone firm despite his gentle words. "Business is business, and the Li Clan does not accept charity or cultivate debts over trifles. How about this?" He paused, eyes narrowing slightly in consideration. "Send your finest treasures to Li Mansion tonight. Let it be a fair exchange — my Chaos Stone’s value for goods that actually merit such payment."

"Yes, yes, I understand completely, Young Master Shi Min!" The manager’s bows became shallow and rapid, his head dipping so often he appeared to vibrate. "I will personally select and prepare our finest treasures and send them before nightfall. I appreciate your generosity, your understanding, your—" His words tangled into a grateful stammer as Shi Min turned, leaving the manager behind, dazed by unexpected fortune.

Shi Min turned smartly, Ren and Lily moving in perfect synchrony beside him, their presence poised and proud. The boutique’s air thickened with shock. The mocking women stood rooted, faces drained of color, postures rigid and statuesque — their arrogance erased. Some dropped their gaze, hands clenched. Others tracked the Li Clan’s departure, envy and dread etched in every line of their faces.

Whispers followed Shi Min out into the street:

"The Li Clan... they’re untouchable."

"Shi Min... he’s not just powerful, he’s ruthless in his loyalty."

"Those girls... who are they to deserve such protection?"

Ren and Lily walked beside Shi Min, their steps steady and unhurried, their heads held high, their pride not merely intact but forged stronger in the crucible of this confrontation. The jade pendant now resting against Ren’s collarbone and the hair accessory gleaming in Lily’s dark hair were no longer mere trinkets, no longer simple purchases. They had been transformed into symbols — of their place within the Li Clan, of the protection that surrounded them like an invisible fortress, of the price their family would pay to defend their honor. Each piece had been bought with a Chaos Stone’s worth of statement, and everyone who saw them would know it.

Shi Min’s Invitation

After leaving the boutique, Shi Min turned to the group and said, "Paps, let me take you and everyone for a good meal." He invited Four Eyes and the rest to join him.

They departed from the bustling street and soon arrived at the most prestigious restaurant in the Valley, where the manager ran out to welcome them.

"Young Master Shi Min, let me show you to your private room." The manager led the way, clearly nervous.

The restaurant is a three-storey building, with a vast garden and an artificial lake at the back where the private rooms are. The more prestigious the VIP is, the more private and luxurious the room is.

Led by the manager, Shi Min strode toward a two-storey house that stood on an island in the lake, swans gliding past its garden. Ren and Lily lingered a moment on the bridge, gazing at the blossoms before following Shi Min up the steps. The ground floor was set for entertaining guests, while the upper floor provided a lavish private retreat. All motion exuded the confidence their status commanded.

"Ah, if the twins were here, they would love this place!" Ren exclaimed.

"More as they will turn the place upside down," Four Eyes said with helplessness in his voice. His twins are too mischievous, giving him a headache.

Everyone laughed at his remark.

"They are still young and will outgrow it," Goldie said. "I saw Young Master Shi Min grow up and..."

"Ehem,... Let’s order." Shi Min cut Goldie off, afraid to lose face if Goldie spilled all his naughty past. Everyone laughed at him.

"Alright, serve us all your specialty dishes and some wine." Shi Min addressed the manager, who personally waited on them.

"Right away, Young Master."

When the manager left, Lily asked, "Brother, what are their specialty foods?"

"Just wait, you’ll be surprised, and you will definitely love them." Shi Min replied, giving Lily’s head a gentle tap.

"Shi Min, why did you not tell those women that Ren and Lily are your sisters?" Fatty asked.

Everyone turned to Shi Min; they too wanted to know.

Shi Min’s eyes narrowed slightly as he answered. "If I reveal that they are my sisters, they will be targeted more—not only by this pretentious woman but by rival sects." He tapped the table for emphasis, voice even but unyielding.

"Ah, those women, you can smell green tea a mile away," Jack declared.

“Ha ha ha ha,” Everyone in the room laughed.

"But I never thought Young Miss Lily could scold their white lotus image by acting like one," Leeroy said. "I always picture her as pure and innocent."

"Heh!" Lily snorted.

However, Fatty slapped Leeroy’s shoulder, "Are you saying my girlfriend is not pure and innocent?!"

“Ha ha ha ha!” Everyone laughed when Leeroy changed sit, away from Fatty.

The Sumptuous Meal

’Food is here," the manager announced, and several waiters followed him in with the food.

"Ah, that smells so good," Ren remarked.

"Magaer, tell everyone what these are," Shi Min said.

"Of course, my pleasure: This is...

Heavenly Meridian Soup, A broth simmered for seven days with thousand-year ginseng, is designed to clear meridians and instantly recover qi.

Iron-Skin Pork Belly, Meat from a "Stone-skinned Boar," slow-roasted until the skin acts as armor, increasing physical defense for hours.

Void-Step Noodle Bowl, Noodles crafted from cloud-wheat that make the consumer feel weightless, increasing speed and agility.

Goblin Hand-Grenade Shot, A distilled, glittering alcoholic beverage made from rare mushrooms, offering a surge of frantic energy.

And these are our top-selling house specialties,

Dragon-Heart Risotto, Made from lesser dragon-kin, this dish provides immense, intense, fire-elemental energy to the body.

Phoenix-Feather Tea Smoked Chicken offers immense healing properties and temporary resistance to fire.

Thunder-Eagle Sashimi, Raw, rare meat that imparts electric speed and quickens reaction times.

Glacial Turtle Stew, A cooling soup made from a frozen-lake beast, is perfect for calming qi deviation or reducing body heat." The manager proudly announced.

"Oooh...."

"Ahhh..."

Everyone was in awe.

"Alright, eat up," Shi Min said.