Apollo had seen all kinds of films where the protagonist is being interrogated. Question upon questions is being bombarded, intimidation is being used and sometimes even force. But looking at his current situation, this isn't interrogation, this is a staring contest!
The beggar squinted his eyes to stare at Filly intently.
Seeing this, Filly did the same with her hands under her chin.
Oh? You want some challenge?! Apollo squinted his eyes more so until his face scrunched up and his eyelids to twitch from the intensity.
Filly was about to squint hard but someone coughed causing her to look behind the beggar boy. She saw Gail looking at them with a strange expression on her face.
What am I doing? Filly shook her head and took a deep breath.
"I've told you kid, you wouldn't like it when you disregard my order," Filly said with a smirk on her face.
"Is the street yours?" Apollo asked, his right eyebrow raised. "From what I know, you only own the restaurant!"
"Hah? Is that so? Still! You are not allowed near my restaurant!" Filly responded. "Even the city will approve of my actions if I chased you away."
"Tsk," Apollo couldn't help but click his tongue. He glanced around the room and noticed that the woman with glasses was already gone. Escaping is going to be hard if that girl is around. He has to think of other ways.
Seeing the beggar quiet, Filly leaned back on her chair. Deep inside, she's hoping that the worst case won't come. Gail went out to see if the 'person' behind this beggar will try to get him, if he didn't come then it means one of their speculation was wrong.
After a while, Gail came back. She shook her head to Filly after finding nothing strange outside the restaurant.
Filly nodded before she stared at the beggar. If there's no one outside coming for the beggar, there's only two suspicions left they have to confirm.
Is this guy a normal beggar or a wanderer?
"You… Did you beat up one of my workers, a half-step foundation building cultivator?" Filly asked, her eyes scanning the beggar from head to toe once more.
"I don't know," Apollo shrugged his shoulders indifferently.
"Hey, remember your life depends on this," Filly said with a tap on her table.
Hearing this, Apollo glanced at her, his eyes cold like that of a wolf looking at his prey. "You don't get to decide on my life."
Filly couldn't help but be shocked. She instinctively looked at her bodyguard. Gail noticed the fear in her eyes so she took a step forward and put a hand on Apollo's shoulder. She clutched it tightly forcing the beggar to turn to her.
When Apollo glanced back, the memories of her subduing him easily resurfaced. This made him cower, recalling that he's still on the losing ground.
"Hehe, what's up?" Apollo asked with awkwardness while his hand pushed Gail's hand. "Anyway, does it matter if I beat that guy up or not? You're going to kick me out of your premises right? Although technically those are not yours."
Gail took a step back to listen to their conversation.
This beggar… Is he a Wanderer or not? But it seems he has the brain for saying that, Filly thought. "You are right. No matter what you say, I will still get rid of you. My restaurant has the image to uphold and your kind is tainting it."
"Is that so?" Apollo muttered with a smirk on his face. If she really wants to get rid of me? Why bring me here and ask some questions? Can't she just order this woman with glasses to kill me?
He glanced back and saw Gail staring at him intently. The way this woman scrutinized him… he looked back at Filly then thought of the situation. They are confirming something.
But I can't just lose my Beggar spot, that lightning will kill me! Fighting is also useless because this woman behind him can easily suppress him.
Apollo started observing the room before his eyes landed on the opened notebook on the table in front of Filly.
Although it's upside down, he tried his best to read it.
Research on how to improve the restaurant's food? Apollo's mind worked to its fullest. He recalled that there's a renovation going on in front of this restaurant with a sign that said "Skyline Savory branch under construction."
With this thought in mind, the restaurant that he passed by when he went to the forest surfaced in his mind. That restaurant is very grand when it comes to its design, there's also a sign that says "Skyline Savory."
His eyes lightened up as he realized something.
Although he hadn't tasted the real food here, he knew what the taste of their bread was thanks to Big Chub. There's only one word that he could think of when describing their taste, simple. There's only flour, salt, and sugar that he could taste. A common bread that one could make in their household. Even if they try to make it unique, there's only little that they can do besides the design.
This tells the condition of their culinary world. There's a high chance that this also applies to restaurants.
Seeing that the beggar doesn't have much to say, Filly waved her hand at Gail. "Get rid of him."
"To kill him or not?" Gail asked just to make sure.
"Up to you," Filly said. A wanderer or not, this beggar doesn't seem to be that strong.
"Okay," Gail took a step forward and put her hand on Apollo's shoulder.
"Wait!" Apollo said aloud, causing Filly to frown.
"You wouldn't be able to beat the restaurant in front with your current food," Apollo said with a smirk on his face.
"You!" Filly slammed her hand on the table. She felt like she was being belittled by this little beggar. "Hah! What do you know?!"
"Come here kid," Gail pulled the beggar but Apollo pushed her hand and focused on Filly.
"Let me stay beside your restaurant and I can help you with that."