The Lin's Patriarch is weird.

Chapter 153: 153. Moonveil City.

Shen Yumeng returned to the kitchen and quickly began giving his father the next few orders.

"Two bowls of chicken and ginger soup, one plate of braised meat, and another serving of steamed vegetables."

Shen Haosi nodded and continued working.

The small restaurant had settled back into its usual rhythm when the door suddenly burst open.

The sound drew everyone’s attention and three bulky men walked straight into the restaurant.

The man at the front was the most intimidating of the three. A long scar ran across one side of his face, stretching from his cheek toward his jaw. Behind him walked a thin man with narrow eyes, while the third was a tall, broad-shouldered man who nearly had to duck beneath the doorway.

The three men did not bother looking around.

The scarred man stepped forward and slammed his palm against the nearest table.

"Where’s this month’s protection money?"

The lively atmosphere inside the restaurant immediately fell silent.

Several customers lowered their heads and pretended not to hear and behind the counter, Shen Haosi’s hands stopped moving.

The scarred man swept his gaze across the restaurant before snorting.

"You won’t be exempted just because you’re new."

His voice carried an unmistakable threat.

"Every shop on this street pays us every month. You’re not going to be the exception."

Shen Yumeng swallowed nervously, he was too scared to even move.

The scarred man tapped his fingers against the table.

"What’s wrong? Lost your tongue?"

Shen Haosi slowly placed the ladle down.

"How much this month?"

The scarred man grinned.

"Same as always."

He held up his hand.

"Eighty percent."

Shen Haosi’s expression changed.

"Eighty percent?"

The scarred man chuckled.

"That’s right. Eighty percent of your total profit."

The thin man behind him sneered.

"Consider the remaining twenty percent a generous allowance for you to keep the business running."

Shen Haosi clenched his fists.

Eighty percent.

That meant that after paying for ingredients, rent, and every other expense, almost everything they earned would end up in these men’s hands.

The tall man crossed his arms and laughed.

"Don’t look so unhappy, old man. You should be grateful we’re only asking for eighty."

Shen Haosi remained silent as he stared at the three men.

He had lived long enough to understand that people who demanded this much money were rarely satisfied once they received it.

Still, he had only recently arrived in Moonveil City.

He had no desire to attract trouble so soon.

"Give me a moment," he said calmly. "I’ll prepare the money."

The scarred man smiled.

"Good."

He pulled out a chair and sat down.

"We’ll wait."

Shen Haosi turned around and opened the wooden drawer beneath the counter.

Inside was the money they had earned over the past several days.

He quietly counted through it.

There was not much, after purchasing ingredients and paying for the other expenses of the restaurant, the amount left was already pitifully small.

He slowly took out the required amount and placed it on the counter.

"Here."

The scarred man stood and walked over.

He picked up the money and casually counted it before frowning.

"This is all?"

Shen Haosi nodded.

"That’s eighty percent of the profit."

The scarred man’s expression darkened.

"You’ve only been here for a few days, haven’t you?"

"Yes."

"Then your business must be doing better than I expected."

He tossed the money into his companion’s hands.

"Perhaps you should pay a little more."

Shen Haosi’s eyes narrowed.

"That wasn’t what we agreed upon."

The thin man immediately stepped forward.

"Agreed upon?"

He laughed.

"Did you misunderstand something? We’re not asking."

The tall man cracked his knuckles.

"We’re telling you."

The surrounding customers remained silent and nobody dared interfere.

Shen Yumeng’s face became increasingly tense.

"Dad..."

Shen Haosi raised a hand, stopping him.

"How much more do you want?"

The scarred man smiled.

"That’s better."

He leaned against the counter.

"Since business seems to be doing well, we’ll take another ten percent."

Shen Yumeng’s eyes widened.

"That’s ninety percent!"

The scarred man’s smile disappeared.

"Did I ask you?"

Shen Yumeng immediately fell silent.

Shen Haosi’s expression remained calm, but his eyes had become cold.

"Fine."

He reached beneath the counter again.

However, before he could take out another spirit stone, the scarred man suddenly grabbed the bowl of chicken and ginger soup sitting nearby.

He took a sip and his expression immediately changed.

He looked toward Shen Haosi.

"This soup is pretty good."

A greedy smile slowly appeared on his face and the scarred man pointed toward the kitchen.

"Every day, you’ll also prepare meals for us."

He grinned,"We’ll make sure your restaurant stays the most protected business in town."

The scarred man’s grin widened as he placed the bowl back on the table.

"And don’t get any ideas about running away."

His voice suddenly became colder.

"I know you’re new here, but don’t mistake that for being invisible."

He pointed toward Shen Haosi.

"If you pack up this restaurant and disappear overnight, we’ll find you. Take your son and try to hide somewhere else, and we’ll find him too."

Shen Yumeng’s face paled in fright.

Shen Haosi’s expression remained unchanged, but his eyes gradually grew colder.

The scarred man noticed the change and laughed.

"Now, now. You’re looking at me as if I’m some kind of villain."

He shrugged casually.

"I’m doing you a huge favor."

He turned toward the door.

"Remember what I said. Ninety percent of your profits, plus meals for us whenever we come here."

With that, he walked out of the restaurant, followed closely by the other two men.

As the thin man passed one of the occupied tables, he suddenly raised his leg and kicked it hard.

The wooden table toppled over, sending bowls, plates, and food crashing onto the floor.

The customers seated there immediately jumped to their feet, their faces filled with fear.

The thin man did not even spare them a glance.

He simply laughed and walked out after the other two.

The restaurant fell into an uneasy silence.

Shen Yumeng stared at the shattered dishes scattered across the floor.

Then he looked toward his father.

"Dad..."

Shen Haosi remained behind the counter, his hands resting quietly against its edge.

His expression was still calm, only his eyes had become frighteningly cold.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!