Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 14 Luan Academy

"Oh, right, the shopkeeper instructed me to go see him if you come to the shop."

Just as Li Hongbing was about to head to the kitchen, Liu Qiang suddenly remembered something and quickly called him back.

"Is Manager Luan looking for me?"

Li Hongbing was taken aback, and couldn't help but ask the other party, "Brother Liu, what does the shopkeeper want with me?"

"I don't know, but I don't think it's anything bad."

Liu Qiang shook his head, clearly unable to explain himself either.

Where is the shopkeeper now?

"He should be over at the accounting office; I just saw him go there."

"Okay, thank you, Brother Liu."

"polite!"

Although he hadn't been at Fengzeyuan for long, Li Hongbing got along well with most of the people there. After thanking them, Li Hongbing quickly went to wait outside the accounting office.

As the core financial area of ​​the restaurant, the accounting office was not a place that a junior apprentice like him could freely enter and exit, so Li Hongbing did not get too close.

After waiting for a while, Luan Xuetang finally came out.

"Manager Luan!"

Li Hongbing quickly greeted him.

"Xiao Li? You're back. Are you better now?"

Upon recognizing Li Hongbing, Luan Xuetang immediately expressed his concern, which was very heartwarming.

No wonder they were able to succeed!
He's already the legendary manager of Fengzeyuan Restaurant, yet he's always so kind and approachable to a mere apprentice like him when there's nothing else to do.

"Alright, thank you for your concern, Manager. I heard you needed to see me?"

Li Hongbing responded and stated the purpose of his visit.

"Oh……"

Reminded by Li Hongbing, Luan Xuetang obviously remembered the purpose of his summons and looked directly at him, asking, "Little Li, let me ask you, on your way back from the restaurant a few days ago, did you save someone?"

"Manager Luan, how did you know?"

Li Hongbing was somewhat curious.

Li Hongbing left immediately after rescuing the person and did not linger. Apart from those who were present at the time, not many people probably know about it.

"Where were you rescued?"

"The south moat is not far from here."

"Whom did you save?"

"I don't know, she's a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl."

"..."

After asking a few simple questions and comparing them with the information he knew, Luan Xuetang couldn't help but smile. He then asked Li Hongbing, "You saved someone, so why did you leave right away?"

"I saw that the girl was alright, and there were people taking care of her. My own clothes were all wet, so I was in a hurry to go back and change."

When Li Hongbing answered this question, he already had a guess in his mind.

It's likely that someone among those present that day recognized him, knowing he was either an apprentice at Fengzeyuan or worked there, and that's when the girl's elders came looking for him.

Trying hard to recall the details of that day, the girl who fell into the water was clearly not from an ordinary family, judging from her clothes and appearance.

Repay a favor?

Upon receiving this result, Li Hongbing did not experience any significant emotional fluctuations.

Putting aside the fact that the person who went into the water to save people that day was not actually him, but the original Li Hongbing.

Even so, saving people isn't for any reward.

If it were truly a matter of self-interest, neither the current Li Hongbing nor the original Li Hongbing would ever even consider getting involved. "Want to know the other party's identity?"

Luan Xuetang suddenly asked a question, and seeing Li Hongbing shake his head, he couldn't help but ask again, "Why?"

"The rescue that day was just a coincidence, it had nothing to do with who the other person was, and the rescue wasn't because of who the other person was."

Li Hongbing said calmly.

Luan Xuetang did not doubt Li Hongbing's explanation.

Otherwise, Li Hongbing wouldn't have left without saying a word after rescuing the person.

If the other party hadn't come knocking on his door yesterday, Luan Xuetang wouldn't have known about this matter until now.

Thinking of this, Luan Xuetang looked at Li Hongbing with even more admiration.

He was the one who personally recruited Li Hongbing.

Not only because Li Hongbing had an education of at least junior high school, but also because of his ability to endure hardship, he almost knelt down before him.

The beggar who fled famine to Beijing not only survived the chaos of the times, but also founded Fengzeyuan Restaurant and became a legendary manager. Luan Xuetang naturally has his own unique way of judging people.

It hasn't been long since then, and it's already proven that he wasn't wrong about Li Hongbing. Luan Xuetang is somewhat pleased with himself.

"Lou Bancheng, you know Director Lou, right? The girl you rescued that day is his daughter."

After chatting for a while, Luan Xuetang stopped being mysterious and told him directly.

Li Hongbing was taken aback upon hearing this.

There may be many people with the surname Lou in Beijing, but there is only one person who is called Lou Half-City.

Could the girl who fell into the water that day be Lou Xiao'e?

Judging from the timeline, the other person is probably around twelve or thirteen years old.

Seeing Li Hongbing's surprised expression, Luan Xuetang was not surprised. He turned around and went back into the accounting room. When he came out again, he had a note in his hand.

“Yesterday, Director Lou sent someone over to inquire about your situation. Since you weren’t there, he left this address and hopes you can come over when you have time.”

He handed the note to Li Hongbing, but fearing that the young man might not understand what it meant, Luan Xuetang added, "Find some time to go and pay a visit to this Director Lou. It will be good for you."

"Yes, Manager Luan."

Li Hongbing glanced at the address written on the note and nodded.

On the surface, Li Hongbing agreed, but in reality, he did not intend to do so.

How could he not know the other party's intention in leaving this address?

Li Hongbing never intended to gain anything from saving people, even after learning their identities.

If the other party comes to him on their own initiative and wants to express their gratitude, Li Hongbing will not refuse.

After all, he had saved the other party's daughter's life, and this gratitude was accepted on behalf of the original Li Hongbing.

But it's a bit pointless to take the initiative to visit them.

Anyone who didn't know better would think he was taking advantage of a favor and demanding something in return!
It's not that Li Hongbing is arrogant, but rather that he's living a comfortable life now, and with the system around, he's far from needing to ask for favors.

More importantly, Li Hongbing did not want to get too involved with the other party.

Don't be fooled by Lou's father's comfortable life now. As a capitalist, he can't stay here for long. If he doesn't run away, he'll inevitably suffer later.

Although that period is still a long time away, getting too involved with the other party or getting too close may not be a good thing.

Of course.

Even if he saves Lou Xiao'e's life now, given Li Hongbing's current status, Lou's father might not take him seriously.

However, if word gets out that he hasn't repaid this kindness, it will damage his reputation.

For the same reason, Li Hongbing was even less inclined to rush into it.

(End of this chapter)