C12

"This fool must have landed a new job at Daming Holy Cuisine. Obviously, internal staff aren't required to have their invitations checked!"

Su Jun voiced this guess with confidence, and Zhu Yuhong wholeheartedly agreed.

"Absolutely. That loser got divorced from Xiaoxue without a penny to his name and got booted from the company. To survive, he had to find new work. I bet he's snagged a gig as a security guard or a waiter here."

"However, the hostesses at Daming Holy Cuisine really lack discipline. How can an employee just stroll through the main entrance? Here we are, the VIPs, still queuing at the side door. They have no clue!"

In just a few sentences, they were convinced of Chen Qingchuan's new role.

They believed that someone of Chen Qingchuan's worthless caliber was only suitable for being a security guard or a waiter.

After waiting in line for over ten minutes, it was finally Su Xue and the others' turn.

Su Xue and Liu Zhen each held an invitation and escorted Su Jun and Zhu Yuhong inside.

But an incident during the invitation check really set Zhu Yuhong off.

Zhu Yuhong was too outspoken and snapped at the greeter, "Your work ethic is appalling. How can staff use the main entrance while making us, the VIPs, wait outside? It's incredibly disrespectful!"

The greeter's smile remained impeccable, her tone polite, "If this has upset you, you're welcome to leave."

That comment left Zhu Yuhong seething. She had no comeback, as the greeter's implication was clear: Unhappy? Then leave. No one's stopping you.

"The lack of manners is appalling; it's absolutely maddening. The Daming Group's hostesses are so overbearing. It's just unreasonable..."

Once inside the hall, Zhu Yuhong wouldn't stop complaining, and no amount of coaxing from Su Xue could silence her.

Even Liu Zhen had had enough. She sounded like a nagging wife. Why was this old lady so irritating?

Just then, a familiar silhouette caught Liu Zhen's eye.

He hurried over and, sure enough, it was his father. "Dad, where were you yesterday? I needed to discuss something with you, but I couldn't reach you."

The man Liu Zhen had found was none other than Liu Changhe, who had been brought here by someone working for Zhao Hongwu.

Upon seeing his relative, Liu Changhe couldn't hold back his tears. He had been tormented throughout the day.

His company, worth over 300 million, was forcibly taken over for a mere 30 million. He had been starved and confined for a day, and was even coerced into writing a 20,000-word letter of self-criticism. It was nothing short of barbaric!

Liu Zhen was alarmed to see Liu Changhe in such a pitiful state. "Dad, what on earth happened? Please tell me."

With many people around, Liu Changhe was too embarrassed to speak of his humiliations publicly. "Let's just wait until we're home to talk about it, alright? Sigh."

Liu Zhen might not have known the details, but he was aware that his father had run into some serious trouble.

Yet, he wasn't worried. In fact, he reassured Liu Changhe, "Dad, rest easy. A lot has happened in your absence, and I've already devised the perfect strategy. No matter what we face, I'm confident we can handle it with ease!"

"So just relax. Under my leadership, the Liu family's future will shine brightly!"

Liu Changhe was puzzled by his son's unwavering confidence. Before he could inquire further, Zhu Yuhong approached with her overly familiar manner. "Oh, this must be the in-laws!"

Her forwardness made Liu Zhen's stomach turn, but he had no choice but to make introductions.

Meanwhile, Chen Qingchuan was in the hotel office, processing some documents when Zhao Hongwu found him.

"The celebration dinner starts at seven, and here you are, arriving just before half-past six, burying yourself in paperwork. What are you trying to prove? The dinner is about to begin. Go on, get to the changing room and get dressed!"

In public, Chen Qingchuan was Zhao Hongwu's esteemed young master, but privately, she regarded him as nothing more than a little brother.

Seeing Chen Qingchuan's lack of urgency, Zhao Hongwu bluntly proposed, "How about this—I'll fetch some clothes and help you change. And what about your underwear? Do you need a fresh pair? I can assist with that too, and take some measurements while I'm at it..."

Chen Qingchuan, who initially didn't take the matter of changing clothes seriously, quickly capitulated at her words. He bolted from the office faster than a rabbit.

Watching Chen Qingchuan's flustered retreat, Zhao Hongwu's face lit up with a triumphant grin. "Little rascal, can't handle you? Please!"

...

Once out of the office and sure Zhao Hongwu wasn't in pursuit, Chen Qingchuan casually made his way to the changing room.

By a stroke of luck, Su Jun, the simpleton, had stumbled into the changing room while searching for the restroom, with Liu Zhen trailing behind him in search.

"Well, well, what do we have here? Found yourself a new gig?" Su Jun taunted. "But from the looks of it, they don't seem too keen on keeping you—where's your uniform?"

Chen Qingchuan had no time for Su Jun's nonsense and stepped towards the changing room.

Just then, Liu Zhen arrived, swiftly blocking the entrance. He pointed Su Jun in the right direction for the restroom and sent him on his way before turning to Chen Qingchuan with a mocking look. "Why'd you take off last night? You still haven't told me what your new name is!"

Chen Qingchuan glanced at Liu Zhen. "Move aside, I'm not in the mood to deal with you."

But Liu Zhen stood firm, his head cocked in a defiant manner. "I'm not moving. What are you going to do, hit me? You wouldn't dare. You've finally landed a new job, and if you hit a guest, you'll be out on your ear, back to being a homeless stray, right? But don't worry, even if you don't lay a finger on me, I'll make sure you're kicked out of Daming Holy Cuisine!"

"I'm not afraid to tell you, I'm tight with the new CEO of your Daming Group. He personally sent me an invitation to his celebration dinner tonight. Just one word from him, and you're out of Daming Holy Cuisine for good. Not even the gods could save you!"

"Cat got your tongue? Why so silent now? Weren't you all talk yesterday afternoon, claiming you could change the ownership of the Shengliu Group within 24 hours? What a joke! My Shengliu Group is still standing strong. But you? I even took your wife!"

"You're nothing but trash, daring to cross me like this? I could pluck a single hair that's thicker than your waist..."

Liu Zhen walked away with a smug grin, as Su Xue signaled to him from a distance that the banquet was about to commence.

Su Xue certainly noticed Chen Qingchuan, but she chose to say nothing, acting as if he were invisible.

Chen Qingchuan didn't need her to say anything. After all, they were bound to meet again later, albeit under a different guise.

...

The banquet hall was bustling with distinguished guests, each more prestigious than the last. Even Zhu Yuhong, who prided herself on her nobility, toned it down.

Su Xue's thoughts drifted away from her encounter with Chen Qingchuan. She was preoccupied with the new CEO, curious about the reason behind her invitation and whether tonight's meeting might benefit the company's future.

Liu Zhen was equally filled with anticipation. He was eager to meet the new CEO, convinced that the invitation was a sign of admiration for his abilities. Perhaps he was even being considered for a significant role. The thought of possibly becoming the deputy CEO of Daming Group wasn't too far-fetched for him!

Zhu Yuhong and Su Jun were also intently focused on the stage, eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the new CEO.

As the clock struck 7 p.m., their wait was over. Zhao Hongwu, the hostess, clad in a black evening gown, stepped forward to deliver a heartfelt and majestic introduction.

"Please join me in a warm round of applause as we welcome Mr. Chen Qingchuan, the new CEO of the Daming Group's provincial branch, to the stage!"