Picking a Fight and Negotiating

"Young Master Xiao, this is beyond my authority. Please wait a moment while I find our Reception Manager to speak with you."

Though the hostess was somewhat angry inside as she looked at Xiao Chenyu, she kept a smile on her face and remained perfectly polite.

"Fine, then go get Sister Hong."

Xiao Chenyu also knew that an ordinary hostess could not negotiate with them, so he had been prepared for someone more important to come.

"Young Master Xiao, are you deliberately trying to ruin Noble Hall's reputation?"

Not long after the hostess left, a woman approached with graceful steps. She wore the same fitted black-and-white reception uniform, but she had an especially valiant appearance and a scar on her face. Looking at Xiao Chenyu, she spoke with an unpleasant expression.

Although she knew Xiao Chenyu was the son of Nuoding City's City Lord, there was not much politeness in her tone.

Noble Hall did not wish to clash with the City Lord's Mansion, but they were certainly not afraid of it either. Nuoding City was merely a small city, and a border city at that. More importantly, Xiao Chenyu was only twelve years old; in the woman's eyes, he could not represent City Lord Xiao Kuang.

After speaking, the woman stared directly at Xiao Chenyu without paying Bai Ge any attention at all. She apparently believed Xiao Chenyu had ordered all of this.

"Sister Hong, there's nothing I can do about this. My Boss told me to do it."

Under the woman's sharp gaze, Xiao Chenyu suddenly felt a chill. He was only twelve, after all. Though he was physically older than Bai Ge, his mental age was far behind Bai Ge's. Her stare immediately made him timid, and he shrank his neck as he spoke awkwardly.

"Boss?"

Hearing Xiao Chenyu's words, Sister Hong suspiciously turned her gaze toward Bai Ge.

"Sister Hong, you don't know this, but don't let my Boss's young age fool you. He's a first-rate genius! Not only did he become a Soul Master at six, but his cooking is also first-rate. He's known as the number one little culinary god within a hundred miles.

"My Boss didn't come here to ruin your reputation. He came to discuss business with you. As for what happened earlier, he only wanted your chefs to come out and compete with him in cooking, so you could see that his skills aren't just empty boasting!"

Seeing Sister Hong finally notice Bai Ge, Xiao Chenyu jolted and hurriedly blurted out everything he had prepared in one breath. His words practically praised Bai Ge to the heavens.

"A Soul Master?"

Sister Hong had not paid much attention to the rest of Xiao Chenyu's words, but when she heard that Bai Ge was a Soul Master at six, she was instantly shocked.

A six-year-old Soul Master—if that was true, it would be utterly astonishing. But was it really true?

Sister Hong frowned slightly and cast a doubtful gaze at Bai Ge.

In Sister Hong's eyes, this had originally been a minor matter. If the other party truly was a six-year-old genius Soul Master, she was ready to pretend none of this had happened and satisfy his requests as much as possible.

After all, befriending a genius brought far greater benefits than suppressing one.

Bai Ge did not mind Sister Hong's doubts. After all, he knew just how rare Innate Full Soul Power like his and Tang San's was.

The best way to answer doubt was to display the truth directly, leaving the other party with no reason to doubt any longer. Thus, Bai Ge summoned his Martial Soul, the Cloud-Soaring Vine.

As the yellow Hundred-Year Spirit Ring slowly rose beneath Bai Ge's feet, Sister Hong froze like a wooden statue. He really was a six-year-old Soul Master? And he even had a Hundred-Year Spirit Ring?!

"How about it, Sister Hong? I wasn't lying, was I? My Boss came here sincerely. A six-year-old Soul Master should barely be enough to catch Madam's eye, right? I hope you can bring someone who can make decisions. It would be best if Madam came personally. I believe you'll definitely be satisfied with what my Boss has."

Xiao Chenyu had recovered by now and smiled at Sister Hong.

"Alright. I'll immediately notify Manager Wang, then go find Madam."

Taking a deep breath, Sister Hong had to admit that she had indeed been frightened. A six-year-old Soul Master was simply too unbelievable.

As long as the young man before her did not die young, he would likely be able to reach Madam Malena's level with ease once he became an adult. Faced with such a Soul Master of immense potential, Sister Hong truly did not dare offend him.

Moreover, since he had come to discuss business, perhaps they could recruit him. A Soul Master with limitless potential and extraordinary courage was absolutely an opportunity for Noble Hall.

Thus, Sister Hong immediately prepared to notify Madam Malena. She believed that Madam Malena would certainly be willing to meet a genius like this.

"Then thank you, ma'am. I'll wait here for Madam Malena."

Seeing that Sister Hong was willing to invite someone important for a face-to-face discussion, Bai Ge smiled faintly.

"Mm."

Seeing Bai Ge's calm and composed manner, with a smile as practiced as those of businesspeople like them, Sister Hong's gaze became somewhat complicated. Not only was he a genius in talent, but his temperament was so mature as well.

Sister Hong left quickly. Not long after she departed, a young man in a suit hurried over.

"Young Master Xiao."

Seeing Xiao Chenyu, the young man gave a slight bow.

"Manager Wang, long time no see."

Seeing the young man, Xiao Chenyu casually greeted him.

"Could this little brother be the genius Soul Master Ah Hong mentioned earlier?"

After greeting Xiao Chenyu, Manager Wang looked toward Bai Ge.

In response to Manager Wang's question, Bai Ge once again summoned the Cloud-Soaring Vine and revealed the Hundred-Year Spirit Ring beneath his feet. All doubt instantly vanished from Manager Wang's eyes, and he immediately became warm and respectful.

"I never imagined that I, Wang Tian, would one day see a young genius like you, little brother. A Soul Master at six—throughout the entire Douluo Continent, that would be considered a peerless genius. May I ask what brings you, little brother, to our humble restaurant? If possible, Noble Hall will certainly do everything in our power to satisfy you."

Wang Tian wore a standard smile, and his words were exceedingly warm.

"Hehe, sir, my purpose in coming here is actually quite simple. I need money..."

"Money? That's a small matter! Noble Hall is willing to sponsor all of your expenses from Primary Soul Master Academy through Advanced Soul Master Academy, little brother. All we ask is that you do not forget Noble Hall once you achieve success in the future."

Before Bai Ge could finish speaking, Wang Tian interrupted him, speaking with great generosity.

"..."

But Bai Ge was a little speechless. He had not even finished speaking yet. Did he look like the kind of person who asked strangers for money?

"Big Brother, you misunderstood. Although I, Bai Ge, have no money, I still have my pride. I'm not here to ask you for money—I want to make money together with you."

Bai Ge shook his head and spoke slowly.

"Make money together?"

Hearing Bai Ge's words, Wang Tian became somewhat suspicious. Although he thought highly of Bai Ge's potential, Bai Ge was just a Child who probably had not even graduated from the Primary Soul Master Academy yet. What way could he possibly have to make money?

"That's right, make money together."

Bai Ge nodded.