Chapter 41: A little knight in shining armor
Mother Chen asked, “Is that true Suyin? Had you put your plate on the table?”
She had to admit when other guests said that they had seen her without the plate.
“Y-yes, I had put it for a minute. But maybe the kid is lying. How can he say that the salt is from that bottle? Maybe it was already half empty. Maybe he is protecting Nana too!”
Mingyu was blank. How can anybody be this stupid?
“Ugly sister. Are you dumb? Forget about the fact that I saw the whole thing happening myself. But you can use logic right? The bottle was fully filled with salt. I know that because pretty sister had given me the task to look after salt and spices. So if they start running out, we refill them.
Now even if other guests use more salt to season their food, it can’t be up to the point where it’s emptied by half. Because there would only be a few people here who like to eat with a little extra salt in their food. Matter of preferences. Just like how some people like their food spicier. So the bottle cannot be emptied that fast. Because not everyone is using it.
And secondly, just how much do you think my pretty sister was in a lala land that she wouldn’t even realize that she is pouring almost four times the amount of salt needed? I can understand double, but four times? And she wouldn’t even notice it? She is a chef! And chefs always pay detailed attention to the proportion of ingredients while cooking. All the more in such a big event. Because they cannot afford to make mistakes.”
Mingyu was done.
Everyone was stupefied. The logic…absolutely correct. You just cannot beat it! There can be no counter-argument!
The twins and Nana looked at the boy in reverence.
Bro! That was freaking awesome!
Is he really a five-year-old boy?
“So now this ugly sister is the one who should apologize.”
Even Suyin could not utter any flaw in his logic.
“I-I-“
“Haish! So it turned out to be your carelessness after all! And poor Nana had to listen to all of these accusations.”, Mother Chen said.
All the guests also sympathized.
“She should pay more attention.”
“If this boy hadn’t come forward, then the chef’s reputation would have got damaged.”
“Her own carelessness and she blamed the poor chef.”
Suyin got very embarrassed. Madam Tang too smiled awkwardly.
“But then why didn’t you say anything earlier when you saw the salt getting poured in?”, Suyin asked angrily.
“Hmph! Why should I? You were so arrogant when you talked to my pretty sister. Demanding Mapo Tofu like she is your servant.”
“One serving.”, he mimicked by using her tone and facial expressions.
Liu Hai controlled his laughter. Chunhua glared at him.
“She is getting paid but you are enjoying the food as well. It’s give and take. Then why use such a rude tone! So I thought that mouth of yours could use some cleansing.”
Suyin’s face reddened in shame.
Knowing unknowingly, every other person too, reflected on their behavior.
Grandma Liu awkwardly said, “Well everything turned out to be a misunderstanding. Suyin, let this matter go.”
“No. Apologize!”, Mingyu said angrily.
Nana stopped Mingyu, “Its okay Mingyu. Everything is cleared now-“
“No pretty sister. I still have something to clear.”
Liu Hai raised his eyebrows. What an interesting boy.
“What else is left, boy?”
“This grandma was hell-bent on making my sister apologize but even now she is asking that ugly sister to let go. As if it’s still my sister’s fault. She didn’t even admit. And even before, when you weren’t sure whose mistake it was, how could you force my sister to apologize just to end the matter? Doesn’t knowing the truth matter to you at all?
So in all other cases as well, do you hastily decide things like that? Just to get rid of that problem as soon as possible? Does someone’s innocence mean nothing to you? This may be a small matter for you, but not for my sister whose reputation was at stake!” Mingyu didn’t hold back a bit.
Nana had tears in her eyes.
Grandma Liu was beyond dumbfounded.
Nobody…has ever talked to me like that.
“So, you have to apologize as well!”
The shock on everyone’s faces was priceless! Liu Hai and Chunhua, Liu Jinhai, Huian, Mother and Father Chen, Jianyu and Suyin and all the guests.
This little boy talked to Old Madam Liu in that tone. Demanding an apology from her.
But everybody was convinced as well. Once again nobody could refute what he said.
It was embarrassing. Grandma Liu stuttered, “I-I am truly sorry miss. I shouldn’t have been so unfair to you. Please forgive me.”
Nobody would forget today’s night. First, Jinhai and Nana’s last dance and now Old Madam’s first-ever apology. And to the same girl!
Nana quickly said, “Its okay mam.”
Mother Chen looked at Suyin, “And your apology?”
Suyin gritted her teeth. “I’m sorry. I should have been careful.”
I never thought a little brat will foil my plans!
Then a glance at Madam Tang. She shuddered. “I’m truly sorry as well.”
Mo Ya also had to apologize.
Mingyu looked at Huian. “And yours?”
Huian got startled. “Huh?”
“What ‘huh’? Didn’t you too ask my sister to apologize?”, Mingyu said. He wouldn’t leave anybody.
She got embarrassed. She felt a little humiliated saying sorry to the same girl against whom she lost.
“I am also very sorry Nana.”