Hearing this, Second Master Fan, the owner of Heyu Teahouse, immediately bristled and glared. "Which table was the customer at?"
The waiter said, "Mr. Zhongyuan's table."
Second Master Fan froze for a moment, then promptly relaxed. He instinctively looked toward the seat Zhongyuan had occupied earlier and asked in puzzlement, "Oh, him? Didn't he just order a whole pile of refreshments? How did he vanish all of a sudden?"
The waiter said, "I don't know either. He just disappeared without even touching his refreshments. Oh, and one of the teacups is missing too.
"Boss, I have to say, we're far too lenient with this Mr. Zhongyuan. He's been running a tab here for over a month, yet you still treat him with such enthusiasm. Now he's even skipped out on his bill. This is really too much."
Second Master Fan snorted and scolded him. "Small-minded, that's what you are. No wonder you're only a waiter. Mr. Zhongli of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and Mr. Zhongyuan-those two brothers are living endorsements here in Liyue Harbor. They know the past and present and have refined tastes. There's no hiding the pride in their bones.
"If those two think something is bad, they won't take it even if it's free. In other words, anything those two consider good is something everyone in Liyue Harbor trusts to be good. Having them grace us with their presence brings our teahouse untold publicity.
"Compared to that, Mr. Zhongyuan's tab is just a drop in the bucket. If I could, I'd actually pay them to come here every day to drink tea and watch opera, with unlimited refreshments."
The waiter immediately understood. "Oh, so that's why."
Second Master Fan said, "As for him running a tab for over a month, you needn't worry about that either. Heh, it's