Trouble at the Door

"Ah... ah—"

Su Xiner stared, stunned and flattered.

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

Su Xiner was shocked. Did Zhang Yang really want her to keep him company over drinks? She was divorced and had no children, but surely she hadn't sunk to that!

Yet even Lin Dongqiang didn't dare offend Zhang Yang. How could a mere restaurant manager 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 was inviting her to eat with him, she couldn't figure out what kind of man he was.

Whatever the case, she couldn't hesitate or he might take it the wrong way. Uneasy inside but outwardly eager, she fetched a bowl and chopsticks and sat down at the table, as far from Zhang Yang as she could.

"Zhang Yang, you're scaring 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... No one could figure him out, and that made him frightening.

That was why Cheng Dongxue spoke up.

"Miss Su, there's no need to be nervous or stand on ceremony. We'd feel awkward eating while you watched. It'll be less awkward if you join us."

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

Su Xiner was startled. Compared with the command he'd given a moment ago, these words actually sounded human. They 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 the thought troubled her. But Zhang Yang had spoken, and his tone had put her more at ease. With him here, she probably didn't need to worry.

"There aren't many of us. Sitting so far away is inconvenient. Come closer."

Zhang Yang waved Su Xiner over to sit nearer.

As they began eating, Su Xiner tried to relax and act naturally. Otherwise, Zhang Yang might say something else, and that would only make things more awkward.

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

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

"Of course, Mr. Zhang."

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

Only then did Su Xiner finally relax and slowly enjoy her lunch.

She stole a glance at Zhang Yang. This young man was impossible to figure out. He could be a devil one moment and an angel the next. Whatever he was, she would remember how he had helped her.

Before long, the enormous Dining Table was covered with all kinds of dishes. They looked beautiful and tasted superb—a feast in every sense.

How many dishes were there? Zhang Yang hadn't counted, but with only four people eating, it felt to him like an imperial banquet. He almost felt like an emperor ruling an ancient empire.

"Eat up. This is much classier than Wangda Hotel," Zhang Yang said admiringly, urging Cheng Dongxue and Lin Xiaofei to eat more.

He could tell Lin Dongqiang had learned to behave. The man had put real thought into this lunch.

Zhang Yang also held something Lin Cheng feared. Using it to make himself at home at Elegant Residence was rather underhanded—almost coercive.

But the delicious food made Zhang Yang forget all that.

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

"Master Liu, I checked. There's nothing wrong with the pipes in the VIP room—not even a potential problem. They played us."

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 sharply in Elegant Residence, where the diners were generally refined, drawing everyone's attention.

Countless eyes swung toward Liu Zihai.

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

The subordinate who had brought the news turned on the other diners and glared at them before barking the threat.

Tension spread through Elegant Residence like the smell of gunpowder.

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

"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 provoke the Lin Family, but he could try his luck with the man eating in that room.

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

Once Liu Zihai left, his subordinates, underlings, and friends hurried after him. The whole crowd headed for the elevator.

When the doors opened, they kept everyone else out. Liu Zihai and his men squeezed inside and rode straight to the VIP floor.

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

Blinded by anger, Liu Zihai had reached the VIP room's door before it occurred to him to ask who the man was.

"Yes. He's the Cheng Family's live-in son-in-law, the useless one they can't stand. The Cheng Family was supposed to hold a birthday banquet at noon today, but they threw him out, so he came to Elegant Residence to eat."

The subordinate reported what he had found. He had put real effort into investigating the matter.

"Oh, is that so? Then let's give him a few extra dishes. Hahaha..."

Hearing that it was Zhang Yang eased Liu Zihai's anger. If he gave Zhang Yang a good beating, the day wouldn't be a total loss.

"But Mr. Liu, the Lin Family cleared out a room for him. He must have connections—at the very least, he's a close friend of the Lin 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 loser? His wedding in Gong City nearly caused a citywide sensation. Everyone knows he's useless. Why would I need to be careful of him?"

"Right, right..."

Seeing the underling get hit for speaking up, no one else offered a warning. They all agreed with Liu Zihai instead.

Liu Zihai had grown arrogant—far too arrogant. He saw no need to take Zhang Yang seriously, or the Cheng Family for that matter. The Cheng Family couldn't contend with a man like him, someone with a foot in both the lawful world and the underworld.

Zhang Yang and the three women were thoroughly enjoying their meal. They had eaten quickly at first because they were hungry; now, after several rounds of drinks and plenty of food, they were taking their time over the rest.

Bang!

Suddenly, someone burst through the door. Zhang Yang whipped his head toward it and saw a man with a buzz cut standing in the doorway, nearly blocking it completely.

Cheng Dongxue, Lin Xiaofei, and Su Xiner jumped in fright.

The newcomer wore an angry expression and radiated aggression. He clearly hadn't come with good intentions.