Chapter 75: Reconciliation and Drawing Swords for Aid

Jiang Shiren waved his hand lightly, his manner calm and composed as he ordered several signature dishes renowned in the restaurant. With each dish named, it was as if he painted vivid, aromatic, and flavorful pictures in the air, stirring a gleam in the waiter’s eyes beside him. After a brief pause, he added a bottle of vintage wine to his list; the scent of the wine had yet to reach the table, but already it intoxicated the hearts of those present. The meal had not yet begun, yet the atmosphere was already suffused with grace and distinction.

The waiter took the menu, the corners of her lips unconsciously curving upward. Her smile was gentle and refined, reminiscent of a blossom unfurling in spring—neither boastful nor reserved, but perfectly conveying her professionalism and warmth. She moved gracefully among the tables, her steps light, every service rendered with meticulous care. She patiently inquired about each guest’s needs, never missing even the smallest detail.

When Li Chao, tipsy from the wine, rose to head to the restroom, the waiter was particularly attentive, worry flickering in her eyes, fearing he might lose his way in this unfamiliar setting. She spoke softly, personally guiding him, offering a few kindly reminders along the way. Her thoughtful care warmed Li Chao’s heart, and a fondness for the waiter blossomed within him—a feeling pure and sincere, untouched by romance, born simply from the most humble respect and appreciation between people.

At the table, dishes abounded, wine filled their cups, and laughter mingled with conversation, weaving a tapestry of joy. Bonds between host and guest deepened; old grievances and feuds seemed to dissolve with each passing course. Li Chao and Jiang Shiren exchanged smiles, understanding conveyed without words; years of tangled emotions were finally resolved over this meal.

Afterwards, the three stepped slowly out of their private room. Jiang Shiren took the bill with a generous flourish, his boldness evident in every stroke. Li Chao and Sun Peng waited nearby, their gazes full of gratitude and reflection for this rare reunion. Yet, amidst this warmth, a sudden, crisp crash of shattered crockery rang out from afar—jarring and shrill, it instantly broke the surrounding calm, drawing curious glances from all. It became a memorable interlude in the banquet.

Those nearby were captivated by the abrupt disturbance, casting concerned and inquisitive looks. On the floor, shards of porcelain scattered like winter’s broken ice crystals, reflecting the shocked faces around them. Soup splattered everywhere; a few drops landed on the shoes of a young man nearby. His shoes, previously pristine white, were now marred by stains, stark and glaring.

The waiter’s face instantly lost its color, panic and helplessness flooding her eyes. She hurriedly apologized, her voice trembling, trying to wipe the stains from the young man’s shoes with a napkin, hoping to make amends for this unintended mishap. This was the same young woman who had just served Chen Shan with such care, now rendered utterly helpless.

The young man appeared to be in his early twenties, his gray hair glinting with rebellious light under the sun. He wore designer casual clothes, a Rolex watch gleaming on his wrist—every detail betraying his identity as a wealthy heir. He glanced down at his soiled shoes, his brows furrowing, anger flashing in his eyes. Without hesitation, he raised his foot and violently kicked the waiter, knocking her to the ground in a display of brute force that left all stunned.

“Where were you looking?” His voice was cold and furious, dripping with disdain. “What use is saying sorry?” His words cut through the air like sharp blades, wounding the hearts of all who heard.

The waiter struggled to her feet, her eyes reddened, yet she held onto a rare dignity. She explained quietly, “Sir, it was you who bumped into me…” Though her voice was soft, it carried a firm resolve.

It was as if she argued for herself, seeking a measure of justice. But her explanation only enraged the young man further. “What do you mean, I bumped into you? The aisle is so wide—when you see me coming, why didn’t you move aside? Useless!” His words fired like bullets, each one laced with venom, pushing her into deeper embarrassment.

The crowd began to whisper; some sympathized with the waiter, others disapproved of the young man’s actions, but most remained silent, watching.

“So this is your so-called top-tier service?” The restaurant manager’s voice was hurried and apologetic as he pushed through the crowd, quickly approaching the gray-haired youth, his face plastered with a smile, hoping to quell the turmoil with utmost sincerity.

The name “Young Master Zhou” made him calculate carefully—this was a notorious troublemaker in the city, not someone to offend. Zhou Shaofeng’s lips curled in a cold smile, his gaze sharp as a blade, piercing the manager’s heart.

“Cleaning?” Zhou repeated, his tone full of disdain and provocation. “Do you know the story and value behind these shoes? Fifty thousand is just a number on the tag. Do you really think a simple cleaning will suffice?” His eyes roved between the manager and the waiter, finally settling on the waiter’s aggrieved and stubborn face, his voice growing more mocking.

“I came here to enjoy a good meal, but thanks to your negligence, I’m furious. What a mess!” The manager’s expression shifted, but he quickly recovered his smiling demeanor, knowing he must handle the situation with utmost care to prevent escalation.

“Young Master Zhou, please calm down. This girl is new, a bit inexperienced. But rest assured, our hotel always puts customers first. We deeply apologize for this mistake.” He shifted his tone, proposing a solution. “How about this? I’ll personally supervise the cleaning of your shoes, ensuring they’re restored to perfection. And to show our sincerity, I’ll give you a twenty percent discount card for our restaurant. Whenever you visit, you’ll enjoy the most privileged rates. We hope this will somewhat ease your displeasure.”

In the dazzling lights and bustling crowd of the lobby, the manager’s figure seemed especially small. His repeated concessions were like autumn leaves surrendering to the wind—every bit of humility soaked in professional bitterness and hardship.

Yet this compromise appeared as a silent provocation to Zhou Shaofeng, inflaming his arrogance. Zhou Shaofeng—a man whose very name suggested arrogance and dominance—acted swiftly and ruthlessly, slapping the manager’s face like a sudden thunderclap. In that moment, the air itself seemed to freeze.

His voice, authoritative and undeniable, pierced the clamor: “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you questioning my status, or testing my limits?” Each word was squeezed out between clenched teeth, brimming with anger and contempt.

“Looking down on me?” His eyes flashed coldly, as if ready to devour anyone who dared disrespect him. “In this city, my name is like an invisible VIP card—wherever I go, doors open. You, a mere lobby manager, dare treat me this way?”

The young waitress was terrified, her meager salary utterly insignificant before Zhou’s wrath, like a drop in the ocean. The manager, feeling bitter, stepped forward once more, covering his swollen cheek with hands marked by years of toil, his voice trembling: “Young Master Zhou, please show some mercy. This girl is new, from the countryside—she can’t handle such fright, let alone pay compensation.”

Zhou Shaofeng’s gaze lingered on the waitress, a look both appraising and possessive. Suddenly, he smiled—a smile full of hidden intentions, as if he already controlled everything. “No compensation? Fine, let’s settle this another way.” He spoke slowly, each word a carefully laid trap. “Accompany me for a meal, use your sincerity and smile to make up for this unnecessary misunderstanding. If you satisfy me, today’s incident will be forgotten.”

The word “serve,” as it came from his lips, carried a disturbing ambiguity and oppression, sending a shock through all present.

The waitress was stunned; she had never imagined she would become the main character in such a debacle. Yet, caught in the vortex of power and money, how could she escape? She could only bite her lip, hold back tears, and try to find a sliver of survival in this sudden storm.

Clearly, this dinner invitation was nothing short of disaster for her. Her world, in that moment, seemed shrouded in dark clouds, her expression full of panic and helplessness. Tears welled in her eyes, but she fought not to let them fall. Her voice trembled, nearly choking as she said, “I’m sorry, sir… Our restaurant has never offered such a service. Dining with guests is beyond my duties and against my principles.”

In her eyes flashed complex emotions—fear of the unknown and steadfast defense of her own dignity. Her resolve was as fierce as a cactus growing in the desert, blooming despite the harshest conditions.

“If… if you really must have an answer, then… I’ll accept the consequences.” She took a deep breath, as if making a momentous decision. “I… I’ll pay compensation. Though I know it’s an astronomical sum for me, I’m willing to do whatever I can to make amends.”

The manager was deeply troubled, knowing the gravity of the situation and what the waitress’s choice entailed. He tugged at her sleeve, trying to dissuade her with his eyes, whispering, “Are you crazy? That’s not a small amount—you can’t possibly afford it! And this will only make things worse.”

But the waitress merely shook her head gently, her sorrow unhidden, yet her resolve even firmer. She was not mad; in this moment, she was clearer than anyone. She knew that if Zhou Shaofeng’s antics continued unchecked, not only would she be ruined, but the restaurant’s reputation and business would suffer as well.

Zhou Shaofeng’s lips curled in a cold smile as he lingered on her, then replied, “Well, you’ve got a bit of backbone!” His tone was mocking. “Alright, let’s do it by the book—compensation.” He spat out the word, then extended his hand, commanding, “Hand it over.”

The waitress was pale, her voice barely audible: “I… I really don’t have the money right now.” She tried to explain, “Once… once I’ve saved enough, I’ll definitely…” Her words were cut off as Zhou Shaofeng impatiently interrupted, kicking her hard and sending her sprawling to the floor. His gaze was icy, his tone full of ridicule: “No money and still running your mouth? Do you think I’m running a charity? By the time you’ve saved up, the opportunity will have long passed!”

Finding this insufficient, he raised his foot again, intent on inflicting further violence. The diners’ hearts ached at the scene, but none dared intervene, cowed by Zhou Shaofeng’s dominance.

The waitress’s scream echoed through the restaurant, full of helplessness and fear. At that critical moment, a powerful hand suddenly reached out, grabbing Zhou Shaofeng’s collar and yanking him back, halting the impending blow.

This action instantly drew everyone’s attention; the air became tense, charged with expectation.

With a sharp tearing sound, Zhou Shaofeng was flung aside like a severed kite, crashing into a distant pillar, his world spinning, stars dancing before his eyes.

“Damn it!” he cursed, rubbing his aching chest as he glared forward, trying to identify the audacious challenger. As his vision cleared, he saw that the spot he had occupied was now taken by a plainly dressed yet dignified young man—Li Chao.

There was no connection between them; Li Chao and the waitress were strangers. Yet he stood forth without hesitation.

“Hmph, you should pick your battles,” Zhou Shaofeng sneered, full of disdain for Li Chao’s intervention. “Bullying a woman? Ridiculous! She bumped into me herself; compensation is only right!”

Confronted with Zhou Shaofeng’s unreasonable behavior, Li Chao remained calm, his gaze unwavering: “A true man never vents his anger on the weak. You call yourself a man, yet you trouble a woman—what kind of ability is that? Even if she did bump into you, you have no right to force her to pay.”

At his words, the crowd showed their approval—some shook their heads, others whispered, all clearly dissatisfied with Zhou Shaofeng’s conduct.

Zhou Shaofeng’s face darkened, his anger burning, yet he found himself at a loss for words.