Since they had set out too early and the sun hadn't fully risen yet, Xu Yan and Xu Qingqing decided to grab some breakfast first.
"Because of you, I haven't had anything to eat. You should treat me to a good meal," Xu Qingqing said as she searched on her phone for nearby breakfast restaurants. Finally, she picked a popular Chinese - style restaurant with an antique charm.
"How about this restaurant?" Xu Qingqing showed the photo on her phone to Xu Yan.
Xu Yan casually glanced at the reviews. 95% of them were five - star ratings. "It's okay. Enter the navigation and let's go."
The restaurant Xu Qingqing chose wasn't far. It was only 1.5 kilometers from their starting point, and they arrived after driving just one block.
After getting out of the car, Xu Qingqing looked at the restaurant's architecture that resembled an ancient inn and all the antique - style decorations. She thought it was really nice.
When they walked up to the restaurant entrance, there was a sign. On the billboard was a photo of a vase exhibition.
According to the description under the billboard, this vase was a Mei - ping vase, an antique from the Tang Dynasty.
The Mei - ping vase in the photo had an elegant and dignified shape, looking just like a beauty. It had a slender body. Since the mouth of the vase was small and only suitable for inserting plum blossoms, it was named Mei - ping.
However, the real purpose of the Mei - ping vase wasn't for inserting plum blossoms but for storing wine.
Putting a Mei - ping vase in a Chinese - style restaurant was quite appropriate.
The genuine vase was on display in a glass case in the middle of the restaurant lobby.
The billboard also specifically marked with an eye - catching sticker: This Mei - ping vase is genuine. Please view it carefully and do not touch it with your hands. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences!
"Brother! Look at this Mei - ping vase. If it's genuine, it's really worth coming here this morning," Xu Qingqing said excitedly.
She had been busy with other things these days and hadn't appraised any treasures. Seeing a vase that claimed to be genuine made her itch to take a look.
"Let's go in quickly!" Xu Yan said with a smile, looking at Xu Qingqing's excitement.
Was it really necessary to be so excited just for a vase?
His sister was just a workaholic. She would get antsy if she didn't touch antiques for a while.
Xu Qingqing couldn't wait to walk into the restaurant. The staff wearing Hanfu immediately came out to greet them.
"Hello, welcome. Where would you two like to sit?"
"By the window, please."
Xu Qingqing smiled and looked at the beautiful Hanfu on the staff. She couldn't help but praise, "Your work uniforms are so beautiful."
"Since this is an antique - style restaurant, we want to restore the ancient style as much as possible," the staff said with a smile and led Xu Qingqing to an empty table by the window.
Since it was still early, there weren't many people in the restaurant. Only a few tables were occupied.
The staff were idle and were cleaning the place listlessly with rags.
A man in a suit, the only one who wasn't wearing ancient - style clothing besides the customers, was walking back and forth in the restaurant like a patrolman, occasionally lecturing the other staff.
Xu Qingqing noticed that the staff in front were actually wearing clogs. Her previous admiration turned into disapproval.
Although clogs also existed in China, when people thought of clogs, the first country that came to mind was usually Japan.
It was really inappropriate to wear clogs in a so - called antique - style restaurant. It would be better to wear cloth shoes or something.
"Miss, I think you can replace your clogs with cloth shoes. It would be more convenient for you to work," Xu Qingqing gently reminded.
Hearing Xu Qingqing's words, the suit - wearing man couldn't help but walk over, looking contemptuous.
"Do you know what cultural inheritance means? Clogs are also from our country. Why can't we wear them?"
"Can you shut up if you don't understand the culture!"
After saying that, the suit - wearing man still felt that he hadn't said enough. He rolled his eyes and said in a sarcastic tone, "Just anyone can point fingers at our restaurant."
Originally, Xu Qingqing had wanted to pretend not to hear, but when she heard the man attribute her suggestion to her lack of cultural understanding, she got angry.
And Xu Yan on one side knew that his sister valued culture the most. He showed a sympathetic expression to the suit - wearing man and stepped back a bit, thinking, You're done for. Wait to be bombarded by Xu Qingqing!
Xu Qingqing didn't hold back and called out to the suit - wearing man, "Hey! What do you mean?"
Since the other party was impolite, she didn't need to be polite either.
"My name is not Hey. My name is Jessica," the middle - aged man didn't expect Xu Qingqing to fight back. He looked at her like she was a country bumpkin.
"I mean exactly what I said."
"I don't care what your name is!"
Xu Qingqing said bluntly, "I admit that we also have clogs in our country, but the toe - straps of our clogs are on one side, and they are designed for left and right feet."
"Only Japanese clogs have the toe - straps in the middle.
"You guys' waitstaff are wearing Japanese - style clogs, and you still dare to say they are from our country. It's you who is uncultured!"
"You... We adjusted them on purpose," the suit - wearing man made an excuse.
Xu Qingqing didn't give him a chance to refute and continued, "The front teeth of our country's clogs are more forward, while those of Japanese clogs are more backward.
"Did you also adjust this on purpose?"
"And..." Thinking of what she was about to say, a sarcastic smile appeared on Xu Qingqing's face.
"Our ancient people wore clogs mainly for walking in the rain, just like modern rain boots.
"Only Japanese clogs are worn on formal occasions. Do you think the restaurant isn't formal enough, so it's okay for the staff to show their toes?"
The suit - wearing man was left speechless. Since everything Xu Qingqing said was reasonable, he had no reason to refute. He rolled his eyes and left.
The customers who were eating on one side heard Xu Qingqing's explanation. They all put down their chopsticks and glared at the suit - wearing man.
An old man even demanded a refund from the staff, looking imposing.
"I came here to support you because you're advertising as a Chinese - style restaurant! But you guys are wearing Japanese shoes. I'm not eating anymore! Refund my money!"
"That's right. When are our people supposed to wear clogs on formal occasions!"
Everyone's patriotism was extremely strong.
They came to a nice restaurant for a good mood.
But seeing Japanese clogs being promoted as their own culture was a real bummer!
It would probably ruin their mood for the whole day!
The suit - wearing man, who had been so stubborn before, now didn't say a word. He slunk upstairs.
The other staff quickly stepped in to soothe the customers, "We're very sorry. We'll report this to our superiors and definitely solve it."
The scene was in a complete mess. Xu Yan frowned and looked at his sister, "Do you still want to eat?"
"Of course I do."
Xu Qingqing snorted. It wasn't her fault. And she still wanted to see the genuine Mei - ping vase!
The staff who had led Xu Qingqing to the table also apologized. They arranged a table by the window for them and promised to give them a 30% discount on their meal.
Hearing that they could get a discount, Xu Yan ordered a few more dishes and gave Xu Qingqing a thumbs - up.
"Little sis, you're amazing. You got them to give us a discount with just a few words."
"I'm just pointing out their mistakes," Xu Qingqing said.