Trouble at the Door

"Ah... ah—"

Su Xiner stared in disbelief, overwhelmed by the unexpected invitation.

"Get yourself a bowl and chopsticks. Eat with us," Zhang Yang repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Su Xiner was stunned. Did Zhang Yang really want her to keep him company over drinks? She was divorced, with no children, but she hadn't sunk so low that she had to become a drinking companion!

But even Lin Dongqiang didn't dare offend Zhang Yang. How could a mere restaurant manager like her refuse him? She would pay for it if she did.

Zhang Yang had helped her, and she was grateful. She had even thought about finding a chance to thank him. But now that he wanted her to eat with them, she couldn't make sense of the man.

Whatever his reason, she couldn't hesitate, or he might take it the wrong way. Uneasy inside but looking perfectly willing, Su Xiner fetched a bowl and chopsticks and sat at the table, well away from Zhang Yang.

"Zhang Yang, you scared her!"

Cheng Dongxue had been at Elegant Residence the night before. She had seen that young woman forced to kneel beside Zhang Yang's table for offending him. His background, his abilities, his standing... Zhang Yang was impossible to figure out, and frightening for it.

That was why Cheng Dongxue spoke up.

"Miss Su, please don't feel awkward. We'd feel bad having you watch us eat. If you join us, it'll be less awkward for everyone."

Zhang Yang had sensed Su Xiner's unease. He smiled and spoke gently.

Su Xiner was startled. Compared with his commanding tone just now, this sounded like something a person would say. It warmed her heart.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang, but I'm working. We're not allowed to sit with guests while on duty."

"Who says?"

"Company policy!"

"Then you're the exception."

Su Xiner didn't know what Lin Dongqiang would do if he found out, and she remained uneasy. But Zhang Yang had spoken, and his gentler tone put her much more at ease. With him there, she probably had nothing to worry about.

"There are only a few of us. Sitting so far away is inconvenient. Come closer."

Zhang Yang waved Su Xiner over.

As they began to eat, Su Xiner tried to relax and act naturally. Otherwise, Zhang Yang might say something else, making things even more awkward.

The dishes arrived one after another. Every server who brought one was stunned to see the manager, Su Xiner, eating with guests while on duty.

"Don't look at Miss Su like that. Tell Mr. Lin I invited her to eat with us."

"Of course, Mr. Zhang."

Once Zhang Yang explained, the confusion vanished from the server's face. The server smiled and left.

Only then did Su Xiner set her worries aside and slowly enjoy her lunch.

Su Xiner stole a glance at Zhang Yang. She truly couldn't figure him out. One moment he could be a devil, the next an angel. Whatever the case, she would remember how he had helped her.

Before long, the enormous Dining Table was covered in all kinds of dishes, each beautifully presented and delicious. It was a feast.

How many dishes were there? Zhang Yang hadn't counted. But with only four people eating, it felt to him like a grand imperial banquet. He might as well have been an emperor of old.

"Eat up. This is far fancier than Wangda Hotel," Zhang Yang said in admiration, urging Cheng Dongxue and Lin Xiaofei to eat.

Zhang Yang could tell that Lin Dongqiang had learned to behave. He had put real thought into this lunch, too.

And because Zhang Yang knew something Lin Cheng feared, he could do as he pleased at Elegant Residence. It wasn't exactly fair; there was an element of coercion to it.

But faced with such delicious food, Zhang Yang forgot all about that.

They were sitting in a corner of the dining hall, not in a private room, when one of Liu Zihai's men hurried over.

"Boss Liu, I checked. There's no pipe problem in the VIP room—not even a potential one. They played us."

At those words, Liu Zihai's chest muscles twitched. He slammed a hand on the table and shot to his feet. The sudden noise and movement stood out in Elegant Residence, where the diners were generally well-mannered.

Heads turned toward Liu Zihai at once.

"What are you looking at? Eat your damn food, or get out."

The subordinate who had delivered the news turned and glared at the diners, threatening them.

Tension spread through Elegant Residence.

The diners looked away. After that threat, no one wanted trouble. It had nothing to do with them, and no one had been singled out. They lowered their heads in silence and went back to a lunch that no longer tasted quite as good.

"No one in Gong City dares lie to me and make a fool of me."

Liu Zihai was used to getting his way. The more he thought about what had happened, the angrier he grew. He couldn't afford to cross the Lin Family, but he could try his luck with the fellow eating in the VIP room.

With that thought, he barked an order and strode toward the elevator.

His subordinates, lackeys, and friends hurried after him. The whole group made for the elevator.

When the doors opened, Liu Zihai pushed in with his men, leaving no room for anyone else. The elevator took them straight to the VIP floor.

"Did you find out who's eating in there?"

Only after storming up to the VIP room did Liu Zihai, his head clouded by anger, remember to ask who the diner was.

"I did. It's the Cheng Family's live-in son-in-law, the good-for-nothing they can't stand. The family was holding a birthday banquet at noon today, but they kicked him out, so he came to Elegant Residence to eat."

The subordinate reported the facts. He had made a real effort to investigate.

"Oh, really? Then let's add a few dishes to his meal. Haha..."

Hearing that it was Zhang Yang calmed Liu Zihai considerably. If he could give Zhang Yang a good beating, the day wouldn't be a total loss.

"But, Mr. Liu, the Lin Family cleared the room for him. That means he must have some standing, or at least be a close friend of the family. We should be careful."

Liu Zihai flew into a rage and smacked the young man who had warned him on the back of the head. "Zhang Yang, the Cheng Family's live-in son-in-law? Who doesn't know that good-for-nothing? His wedding in Gong City nearly had the whole city talking. Everyone knows he's worthless. Why should I be careful around him?"

"Right, right..."

Seeing the young man get hit, no one else offered a warning. Instead, they all agreed with Liu Zihai.

Liu Zihai was full of himself. He saw no reason to take Zhang Yang seriously, or the Cheng Family either. The Cheng Family couldn't contend with someone like him, who had connections on both sides of the law.

Zhang Yang and the three women were enjoying their meal. They had drunk several rounds and sampled all the dishes. Hunger had made them eat quickly; now they were taking their time, chewing slowly to pass the afternoon.

Bang!

Someone suddenly burst through the door. Zhang Yang whipped his head around and saw a man with a crew cut standing in the doorway, almost blocking it entirely.

Cheng Dongxue, Lin Xiaofei, and Su Xiner all jumped.

The newcomer's face was dark with anger. From the way he had charged in, it was clear he had come looking for trouble.