C14 I Came from the Mountains

They were doubled over in laughter, their eyes brimming with mockery. Some even let out crude chuckles.

Lin Miao hung her head, her fists clenched tight, her face dark with anger.

Chen Dafu jumped at the sound of the laughter, his body quivering for what seemed like an eternity.

The door swung open once more, and a man in a suit entered, cradling two bottles of Lafite in his arms.

"Looks like everyone's having a blast," the manager said, his grin wide, a hint of smugness shining on his face.

His eyes swept over the women, pausing when they landed on Lin Miao, a spark of recognition flickering in his gaze.

Lily barely contained her mirth as she quickly linked arms with the manager, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Hilarious, isn't it? That hick from the sticks claims to know you!"

"And that he's this fatso!" she added, pointing.

The room erupted in raucous laughter.

Lin Miao was the picture of despair, her eyes flashing with a tangible murderous intent.

Today, she felt utterly humiliated.

"You know me?" the manager asked, momentarily taken aback before slipping back into his role as the boss.

He gave Zhang Chen a dismissive glance and scoffed, "Sorry, but you don't look familiar."

Lily was laughing so hard she doubled over. She pressed on, "And this fat guy, he's you?"

The manager shook his head, a wry smile on his face.

Amidst the teasing stares, he turned to Chen Dafu.

"Doesn't look like me either," the manager quipped.

But his words were cut short as his body froze, his face petrified.

Chen Dafu's realization dawned, particularly when he recalled the taunt "Zhang Chen is a country bumpkin," which sent his heart racing.

The two men exchanged glances, their embarrassment palpable.

The laughter continued around them, oblivious to the manager's body now shaking uncontrollably.

Then, a crisp sound shattered the air.

Two bottles of Lafite crashed to the floor, shattering on impact.

Lily let out a shriek.

The laughter ceased, and everyone's heads snapped up in bewilderment.

What was happening?

They saw the two men, equally stunned.

The manager's mouth began to spasm wildly, his body's tremors now unmistakably evident.

Under the astonished stares of everyone in the room, the manager quickly nodded and bowed, his voice laced with panic, "Boss, what brings you back so soon?"

His words cast a hush over the private room, as if silence itself had taken a breath.

Lin Miao was frozen in place, her head lifting slowly in a daze.

A collective gasp broke the stillness as the reality set in: Chen Dafu was indeed the boss!

It was one thing for the average person not to recognize the boss, but the manager? How could he not?

A single word from Chen Dafu could exile him from Ningzhou for good.

Suddenly, all eyes turned to Zhang Chen, their gazes filled with shock and disbelief.

Even Lin Miao was taken aback.

With a chuckle, Zhang Chen said, "I hail from the mountains. Please, don't stare. I might blush."

But laughter was far from anyone's mind at that moment.

The green-haired woman was dumbstruck, and Lily was equally astounded.

After what seemed like an eternity, the green-haired woman murmured in confusion, "Lily, what's going on here? Didn't you say your boyfriend was the boss?"

A flicker of panic crossed Lily's eyes before she snapped, "Shut up!"

But the moment for damage control had passed.

Chen Dafu's smile vanished, replaced by an air of authority that filled the room. With a mocking tone, he asked, "So, you're the boss here?"

The manager felt a chill run down his spine under Dafu's piercing gaze.

Without a second's hesitation, he fell to his knees before Chen Dafu.

"Boss, I'm sorry! It's my fault! She's to blame!" he blurted out in a frenzy, dragging Lily beside him.

Lily was speechless, only now grasping the severity of the situation.

"It was her idea! She wanted me to play her boyfriend for the evening, to pretend to be the hotel's boss!" he continued.

"Boss, I admit my mistake, and I swear it won't happen again! Please, have mercy!"

Tears streamed down the manager's face as he pleaded for his job, his livelihood, thinking of the family that depended on him.

All eyes in the room turned to Lily.

Lin Miao, still reeling from the shock, hadn't yet regained her composure, her expression and gestures blending in with the stunned crowd of youths.

Chen Dafu's voice was icy as he murmured, "And who is she?"

The manager quickly interjected, "She's one of our hotel's waitresses."

As his words hung in the air, everyone's eyes bulged in disbelief.

"Lily, you're just a waitress?" the woman with green hair asked, her eyes wide with astonishment.

Lily hung her head, unable to utter a word, fear consuming her heart.

With a dark scowl, Chen Dafu commanded, "Kneel and apologize to Young Master Chen!"

"If he doesn't forgive you, I assure you, your night will be a nightmare."

His declaration sent a fresh wave of shock through the crowd.

Lin Miao, in particular, was so stunned she could barely speak.

Zhang Chen was brothers with the owner of the Hongtai Hotel?

The manager was petrified.

He dropped to his knees before Zhang Chen, pleading through tears, "Sir, I was wrong. Please accept my apology!"

Lily remained frozen in shock.

The manager's hand struck her across the face as he barked, "What are you waiting for? Apologize now!"

The slap resonated, leaving everyone speechless.

Cradling her face, Lily's eyes darted frantically. She fell to her knees before Zhang Chen, her voice quivering, "I was wrong. Have mercy on me!"

Zhang Chen remained seated, smiling casually, "And why are you apologizing to me?"

Confusion swept through the onlookers once more.

Finally, the manager swiftly changed course, kneeling before Lin Miao with reverence, "Miss Lin, I was wrong! I beg for your forgiveness!"

Lily's tears flowed as she cried out in despair, "Miaomiao, I was wrong! Remember our friendship as classmates, please forgive me! I don't want to die! I'm still young!"

But Lin Miao was still lost in her daze.

Zhang Chen gave her shoulder a gentle nudge, smiling as he said, "She's speaking to you."