Elegant Residence Turns Guests Away

"As long as everyone moves somewhere else, the meal is on Elegant Residence. You'll get thirty percent off next time, too."

Lin Dongqiang couldn't afford to offend either side, so he had to explain himself as best he could. Otherwise, convincing Liu Zihai would be difficult.

"That's it?"

Liu Zihai had once robbed homes, bullied men and preyed on women. There was little he hadn't done. At the mention of the bill, he naturally saw a chance to squeeze some money out of Lin Dongqiang.

"Ten thousand."

"And if I tell everyone Elegant Residence is throwing its guests out?"

Lin Dongqiang raised one finger, but Liu Zihai shook his head and threatened him.

"Ten thousand? You think I'm a beggar?"

"One hundred thousand."

Lin Dongqiang raised the offer at once.

"That's the limit of my authority."

Lin Dongqiang knew Liu Zihai was powerful, but the Lin Family was no pushover. Still, a man like Liu Zihai was a petty menace who would be hard to shake off, so Lin Dongqiang reluctantly offered a hundred thousand.

Liu Zihai considered it. He knew crossing the Lin Family would make life difficult for him, too. Their influence in Gong City couldn't be ignored.

"All right."

Liu Zihai nodded. Lin Dongqiang promptly handed over the money, and only then did Liu Zihai wave to his men.

"Come on, brothers. We're eating somewhere else."

The dozen or so men finally laughed and nodded. Some even praised Lin Dongqiang for handling things so thoughtfully. Watching the pack of petty thugs leave, Lin Dongqiang spat. If Lin Cheng hadn't been pressing him so hard, he would have kept bargaining with Liu Zihai.

The brown CC pulled into the parking lot outside Elegant Residence. Zhang Yang got out but didn't go in. He waited for Cheng Dongxue and Lin Xiaofei.

He lifted both arms slightly, waiting for the two beautiful women to take one each.

Cheng Dongxue and Lin Xiaofei exchanged a smile.

"Look at you, showing off."

Even as she grumbled, Cheng Dongxue slipped her arm through Zhang Yang's.

Seeing that Cheng Dongxue didn't mind, Lin Xiaofei took Zhang Yang's other arm. She and Zhang Yang had already done far more than that, after all.

The three walked side by side toward Elegant Residence.

Even the greeter at the entrance recognized Zhang Yang and bowed respectfully. The manager on duty today was the young woman who had helped him the night before last.

"Welcome, Mr. Zhang. Your private room is ready. This way upstairs, please."

Why was the manager greeting him instead of the boss?

Zhang Yang leaned closer and glanced at the name badge on her chest. It read: Manager Su Xiner.

"Manager Su, where's Lin Dongqiang?"

"Oh, our boss is upstairs getting the private room ready. He's just waiting for you to arrive, Mr. Zhang."

Su Xiner didn't move away when Zhang Yang leaned in. Without his suggestion, she would still be an ordinary server. Now she was the manager, dressed smartly and giving orders.

Even Lin Dongqiang couldn't afford to offend Zhang Yang, let alone a lowly manager like her. When Su Xiner learned he was coming, she made sure to show him every courtesy. She wouldn't have objected even if she'd been asked to drink with him.

Nor was Su Xiner surprised that Zhang Yang called Lin Dongqiang by name. She certainly wasn't going to comment.

"Mr. Zhang, I'll show you the way. I'll personally serve you at lunch today. Mr. Lin gave me special instructions, so please tell me if you need anything—or if there's any service you'd like."

Su Xiner spoke as she led the three of them into the elevator, holding it open for Zhang Yang.

For a moment, the elevator was quiet. Zhang Yang said nothing.

"What...?"

Lin Xiaofei had no idea what had happened between Zhang Yang and Elegant Residence. She looked utterly confused.

"I'll tell you all about it when we get home," Cheng Dongxue whispered to her.

"This way, Mr. Zhang."

When the elevator reached the upper floor, Su Xiner eagerly led Zhang Yang toward the private room.

Upstairs was much quieter than the main dining area. Only when they passed a private-room door could they hear voices calling out inside.

"Mr. Lin, Mr. Zhang is here!"

Lin Dongqiang had been helping his staff prepare the room. They had just finished when Su Xiner arrived with the guests.

"Welcome, Mr. Zhang. What do you think? Is it to your liking?"

Lin Dongqiang invited them in, then waited for Zhang Yang's verdict.

The room was elegant and tastefully furnished, with solid wood throughout. The enormous space had two sections with no divider between them, though a folded screen stood to one side.

One side held a large dining table; the other, a large tea table.

It was well suited to entertaining honored guests or holding business talks.

"It'll do." After looking around, Zhang Yang sat down.

With only three people, the huge dining table was rather wasteful and inconvenient. But Zhang Yang didn't need to say anything.

Once he sat down, Cheng Dongxue and Lin Xiaofei naturally took the seats on either side of him.

As soon as they were seated, Lin Dongqiang ordered tea and fruit brought in, all of the finest quality.

Zhang Yang didn't need to order. Knowing he couldn't afford to offend him, Lin Dongqiang said, "Mr. Zhang, please wait a moment. I'll have the dishes prepared. Manager Su will look after you."

Lin Dongqiang had gotten the wrong idea. Because Zhang Yang had been the one to recommend Su Xiner, he had taken excellent care of her. Not only had she become manager as she'd hoped, but she was paid a little more than the previous manager.

He mistakenly assumed Su Xiner and Zhang Yang already had some sort of relationship. Leaving her to serve Zhang Yang was his way of currying favor and taking credit.

Zhang Yang nodded.

Given the relationship between Lin Dongqiang and Lin Xiaofei, having him stay to serve them would be awkward for her. Zhang Yang felt it was his place to look after her, so he agreed.

"But we haven't ordered," Cheng Dongxue said at once. How could he prepare dishes when they hadn't chosen any?

"Mrs. Zhang, Elegant Residence knows what to serve. Please wait a moment."

Lin Dongqiang spoke with the utmost respect, then left the private room.

Even Lin Xiaofei was stunned by the treatment, despite what she had seen that day.

"Please let me know if you need anything, Mr. Zhang." Su Xiner smiled and stood to one side.

Zhang Yang wasn't used to being waited on while he ate, but he didn't want to dampen her enthusiasm. He let her stay.

"Zhang Yang, who is she?" Lin Xiaofei asked quietly, glancing at Su Xiner's neat uniform and fresh, delicate features.

"Oh, a friend," Zhang Yang replied casually.

The word friend left Su Xiner both flattered and touched.

The three drank tea and ate fruit. Cheng Dongxue and Lin Xiaofei hadn't eaten much at Yang Su's birthday banquet; all they'd swallowed there was their anger.

For now, they could only fill their empty stomachs with tea and fruit.

There was no need for ceremony with just the three of them. Lin Dongqiang was also worried Zhang Yang might be hungry, having seen what happened at Wangda Hotel. As soon as two dishes were ready, he had them brought in.

With food on the table, Cheng Dongxue and Lin Xiaofei began eating. Elegant Residence's reputation was well earned: the chef had taken care with every dish, and both food lovers looked delighted.

"Su Xiner, come eat with us." Zhang Yang turned to look at her. She stood waiting for instructions, her hands clasped in front of her.