Chapter 452: Chapter 452: Just Don’t Believe
Zhou Yong, hearing this, wasn’t the least bit surprised and mocked, "I know! I already heard someone say that some Great Mage had been invited a few days ago, and tonight there will be an exorcism!"
"But, I think that so-called Great Mage is probably just a phony. Can he really deal with those evil spirits? It’d be good enough if they don’t tear him apart and eat him!"
His mocking tone was so over-the-top that it disturbed the couple at the next table. The man turned around, re-evaluated the two for a moment, and nervously asked:
"Boss? Did you really run into those ghosts? I heard it was a bunch of kids. What were they like? Were they scary?"
Although Zhou Yong had been scared out of his wits last night, he now took on the persona of a lone hero, boldly saying, "What’s there to be afraid of? It’s just a bunch of ghost children!"
His show-off tone successfully attracted the attention of the surrounding tables. Everyone turned around, looking at him with a mix of anticipation and fear.
Zhou Yong, seeing he had become the center of attention, didn’t bother to tone it down. Instead, he raised his voice and bragged:
"Last night, I specifically went to that place for a walk. I really did run into ghosts. But there was nothing to be afraid of. Didn’t I come back in one piece?"
When someone brags, there’s naturally someone to pick apart the boast. A middle-aged man, seeing Zhou Yong’s absurd claims, questioned:
"Boss Zhou, you’re not kidding, right? Knowing there are ghosts, you’d still go to that place? Who are you fooling?"
Seeing someone question him, the others chimed in: "Exactly...exactly...even if you’re not afraid of ghosts, you wouldn’t go looking for trouble, right?"
"I heard that over twenty years ago, the same group of ghosts harmed several people. I don’t believe you’re that brave!"
Zhou Yong might seem rash, but he was actually quite shrewd, having grown up in a restaurant. He knew well that a restaurant was a hub of gossip.
Once something spreads in a restaurant, it quickly radiates outward. Before long, everyone would know about it.
The reason he talked about seeing ghosts, embellishing his courage and belittling the ghosts without fear, was to reassure the townspeople and alleviate their fear of ghosts, so the inn’s business would pick up again.
However, those who knew about the incident wouldn’t easily believe his tall tales.
Facing everyone’s doubts, Zhou Yong knew that once he started bragging, he couldn’t back down, even if it meant getting himself into trouble.
Zhou Yong asserted confidently, "You really shouldn’t doubt! I never believed in ghosts. Yesterday, I specifically dragged Zhang Dadan for a walk. Unexpectedly, we really did encounter those ghost kids!"
"Although Zhang Dadan was scared half to death, I wasn’t afraid at all. I even made him drop his pants and pee on them. One splash of virgin urine and they were gone!"
The crowd, hearing this, couldn’t help but exchange glances and whisper. They had heard about the exorcising power of virgin urine.
And since Zhou Yong dared to do business single-handedly in Stone Town and quickly outpaced Juxian Inn to become the hottest restaurant in town, he must have some tricks up his sleeve!
Could it be that they really did check out the haunted area? Perhaps those ghost kids were just putting on a show?
As the crowd wavered between belief and disbelief, a diner named Hu the Third shouted: "Blow your own trumpet all you want..."
Zhou Yong, hearing this, got a bit angry. He turned to see a regular customer and immediately dropped his angry expression.
"Uncle Hu, don’t you doubt it! How about we go there again tonight, so you can see for yourself?" Zhou Yong teased.
Hu the Third immediately backed down, mumbling, "I’m not stupid. Why would I go with you on a death wish? If you want to go, go yourself. I still want to live a few more years!"
Seeing him chicken out so quickly, everyone burst into laughter and started teasing Hu the Third, which made them believe Zhou Yong a bit more.
But Hu the Third’s companion, sitting next to him, wasn’t convinced. He stood up and shouted at Zhou Yong, "Boss Zhou, you’re too slick, huh?"
The crowd fell silent, curious about what would happen next. The old man then laughed and said, "Of course, you can talk big tonight because there’s a mage coming to catch the ghosts!"
Hu the Third suddenly got fired up and retorted, "Yeah! With a mage coming, of course, you’re not afraid!"
"If you put it that way, I have nothing to add! Anyway, there’s nothing to fear with those little ghosts!" Zhou Yong muttered.
The patrons, still half-believing, were less frightened of the ghost children, finding some comfort in Zhou Yong’s words.
After the laughter died down, Zhou Yong fell silent, knowing that such wavering belief was most effective. If he claimed too much, people would find it uninteresting and stop spreading the story.
Zhou Yong shot Zhang Dadan a smug smile and asked, "So, what do you think? Impressed by my clever plan?"
At first, Zhang Dadan thought Zhou Yong was just trying to show off and maintain a facade of bravery.
But seeing the crowd become more cheerful and less gloomy about the ghosts, Zhang Dadan sensed something was off; maybe Zhou Yong did it on purpose.
"I don’t know. What are you really up to?" Zhang Dadan played dumb, giving Zhou Yong the spotlight.
Zhou Yong, seeing him puzzled, was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter. Seems like my smarts have improved. Even Zhang Dadan can’t figure me out.
Just as Zhou Yong was feeling proud and about to explain to Zhang Dadan, a couple from the next table stood up and walked over.
The girl gently patted Zhou Yong’s back, asking, "Excuse me...mind if I ask you a few questions?"
Zhou Yong, interrupted, felt a bit displeased and turned around, ready to scold, but saw a beautiful young woman.
"What’s up? Ask away. I’ll tell you everything I know without holding back!" Zhou Yong said with a goofy smile.
The girl, seeing him so entranced by her, felt a bit smug and sat down beside him.
"Boss Zhou, right? You said you went to the haunted place last night and saw the ghosts. Could you describe what they looked like in detail?" The girl took out a small notebook and asked seriously.
Seeing her take out the notebook, ready to take notes, Zhou Yong felt a wave of suspicion. Aren’t girls usually most scared of ghosts?
Why was this beauty so interested in ghosts? And why take notes? What’s going on here?
"Dadan, what’s she up to?" Zhou Yong turned slightly and whispered to Zhang Dadan.
Zhang Dadan, also finding the girl’s behavior strange, scrutinized her and felt she looked familiar.
"Have we met before?" Zhang Dadan tried to remember but couldn’t recall when they had met.
Before the girl could respond, Zhou Yong teased, "Buddy, how old-fashioned are you? We’re not in that era anymore. You still use this line?"
The girl, hearing Zhou Yong’s jest, couldn’t help but smile and said, "Mr. Zhang, your memory is good. We indeed have met before!"
Zhou Yong, seeing this, felt a pang of frustration. Heaven, why are you so unfair? Why do all the beauties have to be connected to Zhang Dadan? Can’t you send a few my way?
"Sorry, where exactly did we meet before?" Zhang Dadan hesitated and asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.