Chapter 8: The Malicious Navigator

[Parchment appears: Congratulations on completing side quest one: Get to know Shang Ruohuai.]
[Quest Reward: White Jade Ripple Pendant.]
[System: Hurry over to Wanbao Restaurant; Gongcheng Ling is there right now.]
[Navigation: Go straight at the intersection ahead, then turn right immediately after crossing the bridge.]

Wanyi Yue waved her hand, and the parchment vanished instantly.
Since that was the case, she should hurry up and continue with the main quest. These two interludes had wasted quite a bit of time, and the top priority remained finding Gongcheng Ling.
Lost in thought, she walked across the bridge and turned right, only to find her path blocked by a wall.

"Why is this a dead end?"
"Navigation, what is going on with you?"
[Navigation: The optimal route has been planned for you. Go straight at the intersection ahead.]
Wanyi Yue: "Open your eyes and look! Where is there a road here! You god-forsaken system, show yourself! Look at the navigation you've given me!"
[System: Dear, isn't there a dog hole in the bottom right corner? You could...]
"Do you even hear what you're saying?" Wanyi Yue was fuming.
[System: This is truly the shortest path to Wanbao Restaurant. Any other route would take several incense sticks longer~]
Wanyi Yue roared: "I think this navigation of yours should be called 'scoundrel navigation' instead!"
Looking left and right, there didn't seem to be any other way. What was she to do... did she really have to crawl through a dog hole?
Fortunately, Shang Ruohuai had left on business; otherwise, it would have been mortifying if he saw her crawling through a dog hole. And what if she got stuck?
But if she didn't crawl through, she wouldn't make it in time. It was such a dilemma.

Just as Wanyi Yue was measuring the size of the hole to see if she could fit, a rustling sound came from the other side.
She stepped back warily.
Before long, a handsome young man crawled out, wiggling his way forward inch by inch.
[System: See? I told you, our navigation is absolutely correct. Look, someone else is using this path!]
The young man suddenly stopped.
"Oh no, why am I stuck!" He pushed hard, trying to wiggle forward, but he couldn't move at all.
Just as he was feeling frustrated, he looked up and met Wanyi Yue’s shocked gaze.
"..."
The young man asked with some embarrassment: "Uh... good sir, would you mind giving me a pull?"
Wanyi Yue nodded.
After much effort, she finally pulled him out. After all, she couldn't get through herself if he didn't move.

Wanyi Yue looked at the dirt-covered youth and asked curiously: "What are you...?"
"Uh, haha, it’s a shortcut, it's a shortcut..." The youth brushed the dirt off his clothes, scratched his head, and looked at Wanyi Yue.
As if realizing something, he asked her:
"Good sir, are you standing here because you also wanted to take a shortcut?"
The question left Wanyi Yue speechless.
Awkward, truly awkward. One was the embarrassment of being caught crawling through a dog hole and getting stuck, the other was the embarrassment of being caught wanting to crawl through one. What was she to do?
After a brief moment of hesitation, Wanyi Yue suddenly slapped her forehead. Oh, wait, she knew lightness skills!
She could just fly over; why crawl through a dog hole?
"Yes, but I know lightness skills, so I don't need to crawl through the hole," she said proudly.
With a leap, she easily vaulted onto the top of the wall.
Ha, it’s a good thing I react quickly; these lightness skills are quite useful.
"Sir, what a skill! My name is Shao Chengling. May I ask how to address you?" The youth looked at her with envy.
"A mere idler among the masses, not worth mentioning. If fate allows, we shall meet again. Farewell." With that, she departed with a flourish.
That display of coolness—well, you have to admit, it was quite satisfying, haha.

[Navigation: Go straight for one hundred meters, turn left, and you will arrive at your destination.]
Walking along the path, she realized it truly was the fastest way. Otherwise, taking the main road to the East Street would have been a long detour.
Fine, though, she still couldn't forgive that scoundrel navigation!
[Navigation: You have successfully arrived at your destination. The destination is on your left. The streets are bustling with horses and carriages, and the navigation shall take its leave. Looking forward to our next meeting.]
"Better not meet again..."
Standing at the entrance of Wanbao Restaurant, she couldn't help but exclaim:
"What a grand building..."
The restaurant stood at the head of East Street, its simple yet elegant style catching the eye.
The red lacquered doors were inlaid with delicate copper nails, and the tall wooden gates were thrown open. Hanging above the door was an ornate plaque engraved with the four large characters "Wanbao Restaurant," which looked to be of some age.
The entire building had four floors and occupied a massive area.
As she stepped inside, the air was filled with the rich aroma of wine, and the walls were covered with paintings and calligraphy.
Accompanied by melodious music, dancing girls leaped as lightly as swallows, performing a graceful dance.
The one in the center, in particular, had a headdress different from the others and was even more radiant.
Who says only men love looking at beautiful women? Women love it even more.

"Oh, young master, have you taken a fancy to our Little Peach Blossom?"
The sudden voice interrupted Wanyi Yue's thoughts.
Turning around, she saw a woman wearing a rose in her hair and a red dress, walking with a sway and fanning herself with a round fan.
Uh, with this attire, is this a restaurant or...
Wanyi Yue opened her fan and fanned herself gently: "That is where you are wrong. Since this is a restaurant, I have naturally come to drink."
The woman was startled when she saw the fan, then switched to a respectful tone: "Please, go upstairs, honored guest."
Wanyi Yue felt a bit strange. Why was everyone interested in this fan today?
She had only found it in a box under her bed.
There were many interesting items in that box, and she had just taken it out because it looked nice. Could it be some kind of proof of identity?
As she pondered, she followed the woman up the stairs and observed the interior of the restaurant.
The first floor was for casual guests in linen clothes, mainly for drinking tea and wine, listening to music, and watching dances.
The second floor was quieter, with guests dressed in finer attire, mainly for dining and banquets; it had private rooms.
The third floor consisted of individual private suites, offering better privacy for resting.
The fourth floor was an open-air terrace, from which one could overlook most of Fancheng City.

"Honored guest, please this way."
She led Wanyi Yue to a seat on the second floor and then sent a waiter over to attend to her.
"Young master, what would you like to order?" the waiter asked while pouring tea.
Wanyi Yue took a few taels of silver from her sleeve, weighed them in her hand, and looked at the waiter:
"Bring me a few of your signature dishes, plus a pot of tea and some snacks. As for the rest, consider it a tip for you."
The waiter’s eyes lit up, his gaze following the silver in Wanyi Yue’s hand as it moved up and down.
"However... I have something to ask you, and you must not hide anything from me," Wanyi Yue continued.
"Sir, you are truly a kind person. Please, just give your orders!" He nodded and bowed repeatedly.
"Who was that woman just now?"
The waiter looked toward the floor below: "Are you talking about the person who brought you up? That is our proprietress, Ji Hong."
Wanyi Yue took a sip of tea, raised an eyebrow, and asked with a knowing look: "This place isn't just a restaurant, is it..."
The waiter scratched his head embarrassedly: "Heh, young master, you know how it is. You can't make much money just running a restaurant these days. If you have any needs..."
Wanyi Yue waved her hand to refuse: "Ahem, no need. One more thing, is Master Gongcheng Ling in the establishment today?"