C9 This Restaurant Is Mine!

Wang Chuan gazed at Zhang Xuan's retreating figure, lost in thought. He had surmised from their phone conversation that the new boss was young, but he hadn't anticipated just how youthful he would be.

No one understood the sheer magnitude of his former boss's influence better than Wang Chuan.

That's why he was profoundly shocked that the boss had handed over the reins to Zhang Xuan.

And to add to his surprise, he himself hadn't been replaced. Was it out of disdain?

Wang Chuan suspected as much.

He couldn't imagine that someone capable of persuading the boss to relinquish control of Peach House was anything less than extraordinary.

The student guise was likely a cover for the new boss's true identity.

Exiting the general manager's office, Zhang Xuan encountered the waiter who had earlier offered a reminder. He stopped the man and inquired, "What's your name?"

Caught off guard, the waiter didn't grasp Zhang Xuan's intent but courteously responded, "Sir, I'm Zhou Yi."

"Zhou Yi?" Recognizing the man's integrity, Zhang Xuan knew he needed to groom someone he could trust within Peach House. "From now on, you're the hall manager. Go inform Wang Chuan, and tell him it's on my authority."

With that, Zhang Xuan departed, leaving Zhou Yi standing there, utterly bewildered.

Zhou Yi was torn between amusement and disbelief. Zhang Xuan had an air about him that was far from ordinary, yet Peach House wasn't a place where just anyone could step into the role of hall manager.

At that moment, Wang Chuan emerged.

Zhou Yi promptly greeted him with reverence, "Good to see you, General Manager!"

"What did Mr. Zhang discuss with you?" Wang Chuan inquired, his curiosity piqued by the sound of Zhang Xuan's voice, which had prompted him to investigate.

'Mr. Zhang?' Zhou Yi paused, reflecting on the man in question. Wang Chuan was the general manager of Peach House, after all.

The deference in Wang Chuan's voice when speaking of Zhang Xuan was unmistakable to Zhou Yi.

When had he ever witnessed the general manager extend such courtesy to anyone?

Even the head of Lerwick Industry wouldn't receive such a level of politeness from the general manager.

A sudden warmth surged in his heart. Could it be that his luck was finally turning around?

Was Zhang Xuan truly a VIP?

Zhou Yi felt a rush of excitement as he spoke, "Mr. Zhang just mentioned that I should take on the role of lobby manager. I..."

His heart pounded wildly after he finished speaking.

"What's your name?" Wang Chuan inquired.

"General Manager, I'm Zhou Yi!"

"Zhou Yi? Good. Since Mr. Zhang has recommended you, you'll be the lobby manager here. Come here; I have a task for you. This is an order from Mr. Zhang."

Wang Chuan gave his instructions in a hushed tone, leaving Zhou Yi bewildered as he listened.

"Do you understand what to do?"

Zhou Yi had always harbored a dislike for Qin Shaotian, but felt powerless as a nobody. However, with the general manager's backing, what was there to fear?

Let's do this!

...

Inside the private room, Qin Shaotian was growing impatient, eager to witness Zhang Xuan's downfall.

As he flung the door open, he saw Zhang Xuan approaching.

Qin Shaotian froze.

How could Zhang Xuan be unscathed?

Something was off!

Hadn't Bian Chengmin taken action?

Zhang Xuan greeted Qin Shaotian with a courteous smile – after all, he was a major client.

The thought of making four million yuan from Qin Shaotian made Zhang Xuan suddenly find him less irksome.

Confused by Zhang Xuan's smile, Qin Shaotian was at a loss.

Had Bian Chengmin really not made his move yet?

"Mr. Qin, your red wine has arrived!"

At that moment, a waiter approached with a bottle of red wine.

Red wine?

Qin Shaotian was perplexed. He had an exciting 'game' planned for the evening and hadn't ordered any red wine.

As he pondered this, the red wine bottle crashed to the floor and shattered.

Qin Shaotian was momentarily stunned, about to erupt in anger, when a burly man with a square face approached him. Seeing the man, Qin Shaotian was rooted to the spot.

...

He pushed open the door to the private room.

Three pairs of eyes snapped to him.

"Holy smokes, Xuan, you're really okay?"

"What's the plan for handling this?"

Seeing Zhang Xuan return, everyone quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

"What could possibly go wrong? This restaurant is mine, my turf!" Zhang Xuan said with a shrug and a dismissive wave of his hand.

They were dorm brothers; the truth wouldn't stay hidden for long, so laying the cards on the table was the best move.

A hush fell over the room, as if time itself had hit the pause button.

Wang Qiang and the others shot Zhang Xuan a look, exchanged glances, and suddenly their faces took on an odd expression before they burst into laughter.

"Xuan, that's got to be the biggest joke of the century!"

"If you don't want to spill the beans, then don't. We're brothers—we won't pry. But why come up with such a far-fetched story?"

"Ease up on the jokes, man. If Peach House's owner gets wind of this, you're gonna be in deep trouble!"

"Someone in your family knows General Manager Wang Chuan, huh? Xuan, you're incredible! To be connected to someone like that... Xuan's family must be quite something!"

Someone in his family knows General Manager Wang Chuan?

What the heck?

Isn't Wang Chuan just the general manager of Peach House? Or does he have some other high-profile identity?

Since when is a restaurant's general manager considered a big shot?

Now it was Zhang Xuan's turn to be completely baffled.

Whatever, he had told these three already; if they found out the truth later, they couldn't accuse him of keeping secrets.

"Alright, guys, military training starts tomorrow. Let's not overdo it with the booze," Zhang Xuan cautioned.

"No worries. How much have we had? I'm gonna make sure this jerk pays for insulting my campus crush!" Yang Ming declared with bravado.

"Cheers! Who dared to insult the campus beauty?"

The four of them drank on, mostly Wang Qiang and Yang Ming competing, while Zhang Xuan and Faang Shiming focused on their food.

...

The next morning.

Yang Ming and Wang Qiang unleashed cries of agony.

"Damn it, if I ever drink again, I'll eat sh*t standing on my head!"

"It's all your fault. If you hadn't pushed me, would we be in this state? Barely touched the food, and now we're just full of booze!"

Zhang Xuan and Faang Shiming returned with breakfast in hand, only to be greeted by the comical banter of their two friends, prompting a silent chuckle from them both.

"The instructor's called us to form up—let's eat quickly!"

"Thanks, Xuan, you're the best!"

"Hands off, this one's mine!"

Yang Ming and Wang Qiang mumbled through mouthfuls of buns.

"Damn, I went too. Why all the love for Xuan?" grumbled Faang Shiming, feeling left out.

After breakfast, Zhang Xuan checked his phone and cursed under his breath. He'd forgotten he'd paid for the meal, a mere 30 yuan, and had unnecessarily squandered a cashback card. Now he'd have to make a trip out later; he had to spend money at school, or it'd be like falling into a financial pit.

Upon reaching the classroom, they were met with a bewildering sight: a crowd stood outside, bristling with fervor as if ready for battle.

Zhang Xuan's mind raced with confusion.

"To hell with the jerk trying to woo my campus crush!"

The outburst from someone in the crowd left Zhang Xuan speechless.

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