A farmer has a shrewish wife; he's busy making money every day.

On the last day before the new store opened, the owner of Li's Noodle Shop made a move.

He directly announced the new products at the noodle shop. Ye Qingxue inquired about them and found that, apart from the different names, everything else was copied verbatim from Ye Qingxue's.

Not only that, the price is also half that of Ye Qingxue's place!

The purpose of this stunt before Ye Qingxue's new store opened was to divert the attention of the county residents, so that no one would pay attention to the opening of Ye Qingxue's new store.

They have achieved initial success.

Today, half of the customers were snatched away by them, leaving the other half as regular customers who had a good relationship with Ye Qingxue.

Not only that, he engaged in malicious price competition, but also came to Ye Qingxue's noodle stall to show off his power.

"Hey, why is there no one here today?" He walked into the noodle stall with a smug look on his face.

Ye Qingxue ignored him, so he started looking at the red paper on the stall, a mocking smile on his lips.

After finishing looking around, he didn't plan to leave. He slowly sat down at Ye Qingxue's noodle stall and began to observe Ye Qingxue with great interest.

Ye Qingxue frowned tightly, afraid that he would cause trouble, and was also secretly observing her.

A group of guests were discussing the hero's deeds at the birthday party that day.

"Are you serious? Magistrate Xu really came to this noodle stall?"

"Really, why would I lie to you? I think the owner of this noodle stall is the real hero."

"Indeed, judging from what's written on that paper, the new store is about to open. Who knows what kind of reward they received."

Ye Qingxue lowered her head and smiled helplessly. How many days have passed since the birthday banquet? Why are people still talking about this?

It seems that the capture of the people from Meng Hu Village is a big deal for the locals.

It is still a joyous occasion.

Instead of guessing so much, why not just ask?

Some people are already itching to ask Ye Qingxue.

"Hmph, a bunch of idiots." Suddenly, a harsh curse came from the other side. Ye Qingxue looked over and saw that it was the owner of Li's Noodle Shop who had spoken.

Those who had been discussing it at the beginning were indignant. One man spoke up and asked, "Hey, what do you mean? Are you talking about us?"

The man's friend recognized him: "Are you Boss Li?"

The owner of Li's Noodle Shop chuckled, "It's me."

This attitude angered the man: "Hey, what's with that sarcastic look on your face?"

Boss Li put down his chopsticks and slowly wiped the corner of his mouth: "I was just laughing at how silly you are. You just said that the hero is the owner of this noodle stall?"

"So what if I am? I know you're implying to others that you're the hero, but can't I have my own thoughts?"

Boss Li smirked and said, "That requires a brain. Think about how strong and powerful the people of Tiger Stronghold are. The hero who can stop them from escaping must have the same strength."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Ye Qingxue, glancing at her a few times: "Look at the boss here, so skinny, he looks like he's not even twenty yet, right? How could he escape unscathed from those people from Fierce Tiger Stronghold? Without even a scratch?"

Ye Qingxue felt extremely uncomfortable with that look, and a hint of disgust flashed in her eyes.

Is it because she's opening a new store, and they're planning to take this opportunity to damage her reputation?

Thinking this, Boss Li spoke again, this time addressing Ye Qingxue: "If you really don't believe me, why don't you ask Boss Ye? Don't you think so, Boss Ye?"

Ye Qingxue frowned slightly. This Boss Li must genuinely believe that he couldn't possibly be the hero, which is why he so brazenly claimed the hero's identity in front of her.

He believed that Ye Qingxue would definitely deny it, so he could mock Ye Qingxue's customers again and make a name for himself, since all the customers in the shop were paying attention to this place.

If a customer is bullied by someone else on Ye Qingxue's turf, who would dare to eat noodles here in the future?

This is practically stepping on Ye Qingxue's face.

Ye Qingxue stared intently at Boss Li, a calculating glint in her eyes.

Judging by the time, the plaque should arrive soon.

She curled her lips into a smile and looked at Mr. Li: "Mr. Li is right. If you want to know if it's me, just ask me directly."

Mr. Li smiled and said, "In that case, I'll ask for you. Mr. Ye, were you the hero that day?"

The surrounding guests all looked in their direction.

Chen and Aunt Lu cast worried glances at her.

Ye Qingxue lowered her head and said casually, "It's me."

Mr. Li's face immediately froze.

The guests who had been discussing the matter looked delighted: "Mr. Ye, it really is you!"

"Mr. Ye, are you serious? You can't just say things like that." Mr. Li's face fell.

Ye Qingxue looked up at him: "Oh? Why does Mr. Li think I'm talking nonsense? Did you go to the birthday party that day?"

Mr. Li looked surprised and uncertain, and couldn't utter a word for a long time.

Seeing his behavior, the surrounding customers were a little puzzled: "Mr. Li, I heard that you were the hero that day? Why don't you refute Mr. Ye?"

"Yeah, yeah, could it be that you're the one pretending to be the hero?"

"True or false heroes, I never expected to see such a good show over a meal."

Mr. Li's face darkened; he hadn't expected Ye Qingxue to actually admit to it.

Could it really be her...?

impossible!

No matter what, Boss Li didn't believe that Ye Qingxue's physique was strong enough to stop the people from Fierce Tiger Stronghold.

He gritted his teeth and glared at Ye Qingxue: "You're talking nonsense. I was clearly the one at the birthday party that day. Stop pretending."

Ye Qingxue smiled without saying a word, which gave Boss Li immense confidence.

She could never have been the person from that day.

"With your puny build, you think you can stop the people from Fierce Tiger Stronghold? Do you think you can impersonate me just because you've got a connection with Magistrate Xu? Besides, his birthday banquet is for high-ranking officials and dignitaries, why were you invited?"

The surrounding customers started discussing it, and they felt that what Mr. Li said made some sense.

Only the guests who had been discussing it at the beginning felt something was amiss and still wanted to help Ye Qingxue: "These are all just your words, can anyone verify them?"

Boss Li rolled his eyes at them: "Boss Ye has already said nothing, what are you all meddling for?"

"You! You've gone too far!"

Boss Li ignored them and looked at Ye Qingxue again: "Admit it, you were lying just now."

Ye Qingxue raised an eyebrow and smiled, just about to say something, when a familiar voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Oh, I had no idea. Who did my little hero, whom I brought to the birthday party, fool?"

Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice, and there was Wen Yanyu.

He walked up to Ye Qingxue and asked Mr. Li with a smile, "But what about you? I've never seen you at the birthday banquet before."

"Isn't this the young master of Shi Ding Lou?"

"Yes, he's in charge of the birthday party, so what he says can't be false."

"It seems that Mr. Li really did lie to us."

The surrounding guests were gossiping, and Mr. Li lost face, his expression turning pale and then red. He hadn't expected that Ye Qingxue would know such a person.

He still didn't believe it; it must be fake!

"Well, you even invited the young master of Shidinglou to put on this show. I really underestimated you."

A hint of impatience flashed in Ye Qingxue's eyes; this Boss Li was still being stubborn.

Perhaps trying to hide his guilty conscience, Mr. Li continued muttering, "Young master, your siding with him like this isn't good for your restaurant's reputation. I advise you..."

He was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

A group of young men dressed in official robes ran into the noodle stall; they appeared to be constables.

The leader called out into the shop, "Boss Ye! Is Boss Ye in? Our magistrate sent us to deliver a plaque to you!"

Ye Qingxue raised an eyebrow and smiled: You've finally arrived!