C8 The More Arrogant You Are the More Miserable You will Be!!

"Kid, let me tell you, it won't make a difference who you call in today!"

Bian Chengmin gloated with satisfaction.

"Oh, is that so? Well, I'll have you know that soon you'll be rolling up your bedding and beating it out of here!"

The situation was despicable. In the service industry, reputation is key, and Peach House harboring a pest like this had to be dealt with swiftly.

Zhang Xuan was aware that there was more to this situation than met the eye. He had no quarrel with Bian Chengmin; there was no reason for him to be targeted so arbitrarily.

Then it hit him – could it be Qin Shaotian?

If he had managed to offend anyone, it would have to be Qin Shaotian, whom he had encountered in the lobby earlier.

The more Zhang Xuan pondered, the more convinced he became.

He felt resigned. The troubles a beautiful woman could cause!

He hadn't anticipated being targeted on the very first day of school.

And the stakes were high; a demand for four million yuan was a clear sign they were out for blood.

Anyone else might have been utterly destroyed by Qin Shaotian's tactics.

"No more, I need to keep my distance from the campus beauty from now on!"

Meanwhile, Xia Meng, oblivious in another private room, was lost in her daydreams of a future with Zhang Xuan.

"You think you can make me roll up my bedding and scram? Hahaha, kid, I'd love to see you try!"

Bian Chengmin had encountered his fair share of braggarts. Zhang Xuan's words held no weight for him; they were laughable at best.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

A knocking sound interrupted the moment.

"Who's there?"

Bian Chengmin was confused. Hadn't he instructed the waiter not to disturb him?

"Mr. Zhang, my name is Wang Chuan. May I enter?"

The mention of Wang Chuan's name not only stunned Yang Ming and the others but also sent a jolt of panic through Bian Chengmin as he swallowed hard.

The General Manager?

The general manager was addressing Zhang Xuan as 'Mr. Zhang'?

Just who was Zhang Xuan to command such respect from Wang Chuan?

Yang Ming quietly slipped his phone into his pocket, realizing they had underestimated Zhang Xuan.

But then again, it made sense. A man who could captivate the school belle wasn't likely to be just anybody.

"Come in!"

Zhang Xuan regarded Bian Chengmin with a cool detachment.

Under Zhang Xuan's gaze, Bian Chengmin was drenched in a cold sweat, trembling with the premonition of impending doom.

The door creaked open, and a square-faced man in a suit entered.

Bian Chengmin's fleeting hope vanished at the sight of the newcomer, his face ashen.

It was Wang Chuan, the general manager of Peach House.

"Excuse me, which one of you is Mr. Zhang Xuan?"

Wang Chuan scanned the room, his eyes settling on Zhang Xuan.

"I'm Zhang Xuan. Find us a quiet place."

"Mr. Zhang, please come this way," Wang Chuan said with deference.

"Guys, go ahead and eat. I'll be right back," Zhang Xuan told Yang Ming and the others. As he passed Bian Chengmin, he added, "You should come along too."

Bian Chengmin, petrified by the general manager's reverent treatment of Zhang Xuan, didn't dare refuse.

"Xuan, we..." Faang Shiming, fearing trouble, quickly stood up, intending to follow.

"Don't worry, I'll return shortly!" Though it was his first encounter with the three dorm mates, Zhang Xuan found them to be decent folks. He was open to lending them a hand in the future, should the opportunity arise.

Yang Ming pressed down on Faang Shiming, who was still anxious.

"Old Yang, this is Peach House. I've heard about this place. What if something happens to Xuan..."

"Relax, didn't you notice how respectfully Wang Chuan looked at Xuan?"

"It's no surprise the school belle is into him. I've always said it takes someone special to catch her eye."

"What are you implying? That my goddess is shallow?"

"Damn, Old Yang, I worship her too. I'm saying Xuan is impressive! If you disagree, why don't we settle this with a little sparring?"

"Let's make it a challenge—ten bottles each. Whoever can't keep up is the loser. I'll start!" Zhang Xuan followed Wang Chuan, and as they passed a private room, the door creaked open, revealing a head.

Qin Shaotian, spotting Zhang Xuan, assumed he had been dealt with and a cruel smirk spread across his face. "Kid, you're on a one-way street to doom if you cross me!"

Zhang Xuan, seeing that look, confirmed his suspicion: Qin Shaotian was indeed involved in this affair.

Returning to the private room with a smug grin, Qin Shaotian was greeted by his friend's eager question, "Young Master Qin, is that kid taken care of?"

"Without a doubt. He's made the mistake of crossing me; I'll make sure he never recovers," Qin Shaotian replied icily.

A chill ran through everyone in the room; they had no reason to doubt his words. Since Qin Shaotian's arrival at the University of Lerwick, no one who had crossed him had ever fared well.

"Find out everything about that kid. I want his whole family ruined," Qin Shaotian commanded, and the room tensed at his words. To them, Zhang Xuan and his family were as good as destroyed for having provoked Qin Shaotian.

...

Upon entering the General Manager's office, Zhang Xuan took his seat with authority.

Bian Chengmin, observing Wang Chuan's lack of displeasure and respectful demeanor, turned deathly pale. Zhang Xuan's status was clearly higher than he had imagined. Even Qin Zhengyang, Qin Shaotian's father, would only receive a nod from Wang Chuan, which would thrill him to no end. This was all because Wang Chuan had the support of the owner of Peach House.

Bian Chengmin had never met the enigmatic owner of Peach House, but since becoming the lobby manager, he had noticed that those who once seemed unapproachable now greeted him with kindness.

Bian Chengmin had never witnessed Wang Chuan display such reverence towards anyone before, but that day had come.

A sudden spark of realization flickered through Bian Chengmin's thoughts, leading him to a chilling possibility.

If Zhang Xuan was...

"Gulp!"

Bian Chengmin swallowed hard, his mind racing with fear. He dared not let his thoughts wander any further; the mere idea was enough to terrify him.

"Damn it, Qin Shaotian, you've really done me in this time!"

Inwardly, Bian Chengmin unleashed a torrent of curses upon Qin Shaotian and his lineage. He'd been thoroughly duped.

"Boss, I take full responsibility for this oversight."

Wang Chuan hung his head in contrition, cautiously gauging Zhang Xuan's reaction.

"Thud!"

Bian Chengmin's legs gave out, and he crumpled to the floor. Wang Chuan's confession obliterated any lingering hope he had clung to.

"Was this all Qin Shaotian's doing?" Zhang Xuan inquired.

"Yes, boss. It was all Qin Shaotian's scheme. He said..."

Seizing what felt like his final lifeline, Bian Chengmin spilled every detail.

"Repeat this little performance for Qin Shaotian, then get out. I don't want to see you around here again," Zhang Xuan commanded.

Turning to Wang Chuan, he continued, "You're in charge here now. Reach out to me for any major issues."

With those final words, Zhang Xuan rose and departed. He had only recently assumed control and was intent on a stable transition. As for Wang Chuan, Zhang Xuan resolved to keep an eye on him a bit longer.

"Thud!"

Bian Chengmin was left in utter shock.

The lofty days he once knew had swiftly receded into the distance.