Ling Mo Han said casually, his gaze still sweeping across the tea house. This tea house was quite distinctive, and the investment in its decoration alone indicated significant wealth. It seemed the owner behind this establishment was either very rich or very influential.
"Sir, please wait a moment, we will bring it right up."
The waiter meticulously noted down the order and replied respectfully, then bowed and walked away.
Following him, Lu Shi and the other disguised individuals entered the tea house one by one, taking their seats. Lu Shi was positioned closest to Ling Mo Han, facilitating their planned interaction.
"Sir, here is your tea, along with some pastries. This small plate of snacks is a complimentary offering for our guests. Please enjoy your tea, and call out if you require anything else."
After serving the tea and snacks, the waiter quickly withdrew to attend to other customers.
Ling Mo Han raised his teacup and took a gentle sip. He immediately recognized the tea as a tribute tea from Jiangnan, freshly presented this year.
For a tea house in a common marketplace to possess such a premium Jiangnan tribute tea was highly unusual. It further solidified his suspicion that the owner was no ordinary person.
This only fueled Ling Mo Han's curiosity. Since he was here today, he was determined to uncover the true identity of the mysterious proprietor, deeming the trip worthwhile only if he succeeded.
Ling Mo Han's gaze shifted to Lu Shi, signaling him with his eyes to commence the plan.
Having served beside Ling Mo Han for many years, Lu Shi had become adept at understanding his master's intentions. A single glance was enough for Lu Shi to grasp Ling Mo Han's meaning.
He immediately began to act according to Ling Mo Han's instructions. Lu Shi held his teacup, drained its contents in one gulp, and then forcefully smashed the cup on the floor. He followed this by sweeping the teapot and other dishes to the ground, stopping just short of overturning the table. The tremendous crash immediately drew the attention of the other patrons in the tea house.
The waiter, alerted by the noise, rushed over. He was momentarily surprised by the scene but quickly regained his composure.
After all, this was not his first day on the job, nor was it the first time he had encountered a disruptive patron. He was quite accustomed to such incidents.
"Sir, is there something unsatisfactory? If the tea or snacks did not meet your taste, I will gladly replace them."
Lu Shi's face contorted with disdain, his demeanor resembling that of a ruffian or troublemaker intent on causing a scene. "Such a grand tea house as yours dares to sell fake tea! This tea is clearly not the Zhuyeqing; it's the worst, low-grade tea! You dare to pass off inferior goods as superior!"
"This is the imperial capital, and your tea house dares to act in such a manner! Swindling and deceiving me, and you dare to pull this on me? Today, I will smash this tea house to pieces to quell my rage!"
As he finished speaking, another loud crash echoed. Lu Shi, fully immersed in his act, directly overturned the table. Now, all eyes in the tea house were fixed upon him, and whispers began to spread.
"Sir, please speak calmly. The tables in this tea house are made of huanghuali wood, which are quite expensive. If you were to damage one, you would have to compensate..."
"What? Do I look like someone who can't afford it? Even my bowls are made of gold and silver, and my floors at home are paved with jade! Do you think I can't afford your table!"
Lu Shi's ability to boast was second to none, completely forgetting that he was currently disguised as an ordinary commoner.
The obsequious waiter's expression immediately darkened upon hearing Lu Shi's outlandish claims. He looked at Lu Shi with utter disdain.
After all this commotion, they had expected a troublemaker, but instead, they seemed to have encountered a madman.
The waiter, weary of arguing, beckoned to the entrance. Several burly, towering men entered and approached Lu Shi. The sheer height difference meant that Lu Shi, despite being a respectable one-meter-eight, had to crane his neck to look up at the men, who were nearly two meters tall.
In comparison, Lu Shi's intimidating aura instantly diminished. Faced with such individuals, even with his martial prowess, he knew he would be no match for them.
Ling Mo Han seized the opportunity while Lu Shi was engaged in his feigned confrontation. All eyes were drawn to Lu Shi, and even the waiters guarding the stairs to the second floor had rushed to join the spectacle. Ling Mo Han used this moment to quickly ascend to the second floor.
From the moment he had stepped foot into the tea house, his attention had been fixed on the second floor. Waiters were constantly patrolling the staircase, making it exceedingly difficult for any patron to gain access.
He had long wanted to investigate the upper floor, and now that Lu Shi had drawn everyone's attention, it was the perfect chance for him to ascend and see for himself.
Lu Shi looked up at the man towering over him, involuntarily swallowed, and slowly lowered the teacup he was holding.
He realized that the current situation was no longer conducive to causing trouble. It was better to act responsibly.
Seeing that Lu Shi had lost his earlier belligerence, the waiter, being perceptive, ordered the burly men to stand down and cease intimidating Lu Shi.
"Sir, your tea has spilled, and your pastries have fallen on the floor. I will prepare a fresh pot of tea and another plate of pastries for you as compensation. All your expenses here today will be complimentary."
The waiter was quite adept at business. Since the proprietor's absence, he had been managing the entire establishment alone, which was indeed tiring.
Dealing with disruptive customers could be manageable if they were receptive to reason. However, encountering someone as stubborn and unyielding as Lu Shi left no choice but to resort to force, which, as it turned out, had effectively pacified him.
"My apologies to all esteemed patrons for disturbing your pleasant diversion. I will offer each of you a plate of pastries as a gesture of our apology."
The guests, who had been anticipating a further spectacle, immediately retracted their gaze upon hearing the offer of complimentary snacks, eagerly awaiting their arrival.
However, as the waiter carried the pastries to Ling Mo Han's former seat, he found the spot empty. Not a soul was in sight. Glancing at the few copper coins left on the table, he grew even more perplexed.
Neither of the two plates of pastries had been touched, and the guest had only consumed two cups of tea. This was the strangest customer he had ever encountered; the person had vanished in the blink of an eye.