Arrival of Gao clan head .

Gao Qi, caught between feeling like a fool and fearing for his life, could only stare wide-eyed as the awkward silence stretched on like a bad sock drawer—full of tension and best left unopened. The moment dragged on forever, punctuated only by the occasional nervous cough from a customer and the creaking of the shop sign.

Finally, the silence was broken by the shopkeeper, Chen Yang, who had been watching with amusement. He raised an eyebrow. "Hey there, Young Master Gao, I presume? You seem to have arrived just after a bit of a misunderstanding, shall we say?"

Desperate to salvage the situation, Gao Qi straightened his posture and forced a strained smile. "Indeed," he said, his voice a touch too high-pitched. "There appears to have been some... disagreement. However, fear not, for I, Gao Qi, am here to ensure peace and order is restored!"