Chapter 95: A Cousin, Proud and Overbearing

On that unremarkable afternoon, Li Chao stepped into the shop with the most ordinary of strides, leaving only the faintest impression, as though he were merely another calm face in the crowd, never stirring so much as a ripple.

Yet the turning points of fate often hide in moments of carelessness, and the curtain on a transformation had quietly begun to rise.

When the fitting-room door eased open, it was as if magic had seeped into the air. Li Chao emerged once more, no longer the man he had been yesterday.

His face, sharpened by the play of light and shadow, had grown more defined, every line telling of resolve and uncommon strength. And the carefully sculpted muscles of his abdomen, like a masterpiece carved by an artist’s hand, proclaimed the victory of sweat and persistence.

Most striking of all was the confident, charming smile at the corner of his mouth, as though it could instantly brighten everything around him and leave people helplessly captivated.

In that moment, Li Chao seemed to have risen from the dust of the ordinary and become a walking force of allure, every step radiating an irresistible magnetism.

Even the shop lights seemed to crown him, making him shine all the more brilliantly.

Yu Xin, the friend who had been quietly watching him all along, now had eyes alight with an unprecedented gleam, as though a thousand butterflies were dancing in her heart.

“My heavens! Xiao Chao, you’re like a completely new man!”

Her voice was filled with surprise and admiration.

“I never realized before that a little dressing up could make you this devastatingly handsome!”

At her words, Li Chao’s hearty laughter rang through the shop. He teased her:

“I don’t know how others see me, but the springtime in your eyes is impossible to hide.”

With that one line, he showed both wit and ease, subtly drawing the two of them closer.

Yu Xin lightly pinched his arm, mock-scolding him with a touch of sweetness.

“You’re so full of yourself! Still, to be honest, if you walked down the streets of Jiangnan Spring looking like this, you’d probably cause quite a commotion!”

The two of them, hearts full of anticipation and laughter, set off for Jiangnan Spring.

“We should get going, or we’ll be late!”

There was a trace of urgency in Li Chao’s voice, though he could not hide the excitement and expectation in his heart.

They quickly paid their bill, left the shop with light steps, and drove straight toward the Jiangnan Spring Restaurant.

As the wheels rolled onward, the noise of the city gradually receded, replaced by the refined elegance and serenity unique to Jiangnan Spring.

But as the car slowly drew near their destination, the scene before them made one’s jaw drop: luxury cars clustered thickly at the restaurant entrance, glittering in splendor, like a flowing sea of metal, all proclaiming the extraordinary status and stature of those attending.

Li Chao threaded his way through the dense mass of vehicles, and with sharp judgment and patience, finally found a parking space that was hard to come by.

After getting out of the car, he and Yu Xin exchanged a smile and entered hand in hand this banquet of glory that was about to begin.

The moment they stepped into Jiangnan Spring, a fragrance of luxury, yet not without warmth, washed over them.

Inside the grand hall, silk and perfume mingled with laughter and conversation. Those moving about were all the elite and powerful of Kaiyuan County, dressed in suits or qipaos, each exuding a unique charm and noble bearing.

As Li Chao and Yu Xin moved through the crowd, they drew more than a few glances.

Especially Li Chao. After his earlier transformation, he now radiated confidence in abundance, every gesture and movement carrying the distinctive bearing of a successful man.

Yu Xin, as his companion, was equally radiant. Standing together, they looked like a flawless pair, becoming one of the brightest sights of the evening.

Looking around, Li Chao knew well that this launch event was far more than a simple gathering. It was a stage for the exchange and display of the county’s elite.

The fame of Jiangnan Spring, the draw of Liu Lele, the first beauty CEO, and the publicity surrounding the medicinal cuisine products had together pushed the event to its peak, making attendance itself a symbol of status and position.

In such an atmosphere, Li Chao and Yu Xin felt even more certain of their conviction and resolve.

They knew that tonight would be a pivotal moment in their lives, a rare chance to show themselves, make connections, and step toward a higher stage.

And so, with hearts full of anticipation and confidence, they continued onward through this feast of glory.

Just as Li Chao and Yu Xin were about to enter the Jiangnan Spring Restaurant, an unharmonious voice suddenly descended like a bucket of cold water, dousing the merriment and noise around them.

That voice carried unmistakable anger and grievance, causing Li Chao to halt involuntarily. His sharp gaze pierced through the crowd, seeking the source.

When he made out the scene in the corner, his expression darkened at once. Xiao Yali, who should have been a beloved cousin in his family, was now acting like some high-and-mighty queen, cruelly bullying another waitress, Luo Fei.

Luo Fei was the girl who had once offended Zhou Shaofeng by accident and without intent. Now she stood there helplessly, her face marked by clear fingerprints and tears trembling in her eyes, a pitiable sight indeed.

“Why are you hitting people?”

Luo Fei’s voice was weak, yet it carried a stubborn refusal to bend. But Xiao Yali only answered with a cold sneer, her arrogance so brazen it seemed the whole world ought to revolve around her.

“Because my brother is a friend of President Liu!”

Those words were like a sharp blade driven straight into Luo Fei’s dignity and pride.

“If you don’t like it, get lost!”

Xiao Yali’s tone brimmed with threat and contempt.

“Don’t stand here pretending to be pitiful!”

Li Chao could no longer watch.

He knew exactly who the “President Liu” she was talking about was, and he understood why Xiao Yali dared to be so overbearing in a place like this: she was merely relying on her family’s connection to Liu Lele.

The waitstaff passed in haste, all shaking their heads in displeasure at Xiao Yali’s behavior, yet none dared step forward to interfere directly.

In the whispers that drifted about, one could hear speculation and caution regarding Xiao Yali’s status: “gold-plated,” “about to be promoted.” Such words were like invisible shackles, binding the hands of those who might otherwise have stood up for justice.

After that phone call involving Li Chao and Liu Lele, Xiao Yali had, as though overnight, acquired special privilege. She had entered Jiangnan Spring with ease and been placed in the most comfortable post.

But the swelling of power had brought no corresponding sense of responsibility or humility. Instead, it made her even more unrestrained, as though Jiangnan Spring had become her private domain.

Coming late and leaving early had become routine. The pastries and delicacies in the shop were casually packed up and taken away by her. Even a veteran employee like Liu Juhong had been “well rewarded” by her greed, quietly putting on weight.

More infuriating still, Xiao Yali imposed her laziness and arrogance on others, assigning work at will and even striking people when she was in a bad mood, showing no regard at all for the feelings or dignity of her coworkers.

Within Jiangnan Spring, an undercurrent began to churn.

Though the waiters and waitresses remained respectful on the surface, they were privately full of complaints. Discontent and anger spread through the group.

They had begun to wonder whether such an employee could truly bring anything positive to Jiangnan Spring, or whether she was merely running rampant here by virtue of her connection to Liu Lele.

The hall manager, faced with the employees’ constant grumbling, was inwardly anxious beyond measure, yet he was powerless to do anything. He knew full well the deep relationship between Li Chao and Liu Lele, and so he had to tread carefully. Xiao Yali’s behavior left him both helpless and furious.

Under such indulgence, Xiao Yali’s arrogance only grew more rampant, as though the whole of Jiangnan Spring belonged to her.

In the corner, Luo Fei’s face was swollen, her eyes wet with tears, yet she still held her ground.

Her words carried both defiance and anger, trying to meet Xiao Yali’s unreason with reason.

What she received in return was even crueler treatment: Xiao Yali once again raised her hand, preparing to strike her a second time.

At that very critical instant, a steadfast figure strode forward from afar, appearing before everyone like a savior.

It was Li Chao. His eyes burned with anger and an unquestionable force as he seized Xiao Yali’s wrist, stopping her violence.

“Enough!”

Li Chao’s voice was deep and powerful, like an irresistible force that startled everyone present.

He fixed his gaze on Xiao Yali, and in his eyes flickered complex emotions: disappointment, anger, and a faint sorrow difficult to detect.

“Xiao Yali, you’ve gone too far!”

Li Chao rebuked her.

“Do you think that just because of your connection to Liu Lele, you can do whatever you please here? You’re wrong! Jiangnan Spring is not your home. Every person here has dignity and rights! What gives you the right to hit and curse your coworkers at will? What makes you think you’re above everyone else?”

When Luo Fei looked up at Li Chao, a tangle of emotions surged in her heart.

She had never imagined that the man who had appeared in her life so many times would be the so-called “Brother Xiao Chao” that Xiao Yali kept mentioning, the very backing she relied upon.

In an instant, Luo Fei’s heart sank to the bottom. She realized her situation might be even more difficult now.

What happened next, however, was utterly beyond everyone’s expectations. Li Chao’s expression darkened, and with a backhanded motion he delivered a fierce slap across Xiao Yali’s face.

The sudden turn of events left everyone stunned. Even Xiao Yali herself froze, clutching her cheek for a long moment without coming to herself.

“Brother Xiao Chao, why did you hit me?”

Xiao Yali’s eyes were filled with confusion and grievance. She could not understand why her cousin, who had always doted on her, would suddenly lay hands on her.

Looking at his cousin, Li Chao’s eyes flashed with disappointment and anger.

He shook his head and said in a low voice:

“I had wanted to give you a chance. I hoped you would recognize your mistakes and change your ways. But I never expected that you wouldn’t repent at all. Instead, you’ve become even worse, bullying coworkers and acting lawlessly. Xiao Yali, you’ve truly disappointed me. Mud can never be plastered onto a wall. If you keep this up, no one can save you!”

That slap, and those words, not only shocked everyone present but also brought Xiao Yali fully to her senses.

At last, she realized how absurd and unforgivable her behavior had been all along.

Looking at Li Chao, she felt both fear and remorse, but she knew it was already too late to undo anything.

As for Luo Fei, in that moment she saw another side of Li Chao: a just and impartial man who favored neither kin nor cronyism.

A warm current rose in her heart, and her respect and gratitude for him came naturally.

Li Chao’s words were firm and forceful, without the slightest hesitation or softness.

He waved to the hall manager, who had hurried over from afar. Seeing this, the manager quickly lengthened his stride and stood respectfully before Li Chao.

As part of the restaurant’s management, he knew very well Li Chao’s standing and influence within Jiangnan Spring, and so he did not dare show the slightest disrespect to his decision.

“Mr. Li!”

The hall manager greeted him respectfully, secretly relieved that someone had finally stepped forward to solve this thorny problem.

Li Chao pointed to Xiao Yali beside him, his tone cold.

“I’ve already understood her situation. Someone like her is utterly unsuited to remain in Jiangnan Spring. Dismiss her immediately.”

The hall manager froze for a moment, then barely suppressed a smile and nodded at once.

“Understood! Don’t worry, Mr. Li. I’ll handle this right away.”

Inside, he was privately delighted. At last someone had made the decision for him, and he would no longer have to suffer over accommodating Xiao Yali.

At those words, Xiao Yali’s face turned as white as paper. In disbelief, she shouted,

“Li Chao, I’m your cousin! And you’re going to have an outsider fire me?”

Her voice was filled with anger and unwillingness. She never dreamed that her cousin, who had always spoiled her, would treat her with such cold finality.

But Li Chao only shook his head and said firmly,

“I side with reason, not with relatives. What you’ve done today has already gravely violated Jiangnan Spring’s rules and professional ethics. As your cousin, I cannot let you bring shame upon the entire restaurant. I can’t afford to keep a cousin like you.”

Having said that, Li Chao turned and walked into the restaurant with Yu Xin, not giving Xiao Yali another glance.

His back looked especially tall and imposing in the eyes of the crowd, inspiring reverence.

Xiao Yali stared after him, her face ashen, her heart overflowing with despair and regret.

She knew she had lost her final support and protection, and from this day on she would have no place left in Jiangnan Spring.

As for Luo Fei, she kept watching Li Chao’s retreating figure for a very long time without looking away.

Her eyes were full of complicated feelings: admiration, gratitude, and a trace of barely perceptible infatuation.

She knew she had met someone truly worthy of respect and trust, and that person would become the guardian deity in her heart forever.

Inside and outside the restaurant, the crowds were thick and bustling.

At the entrance to Jiangnan Spring, the masses bustled about. Apart from the notable figures who held invitations and entered directly into the VIP seats, everyone else waited patiently in line nearby, their faces glowing with the pride and honor of being able to take part in this grand occasion.

For ordinary people, merely standing here and waiting was already a tremendous privilege.

Yu Xin, being a newcomer to such a setting, was inevitably a little nervous. She clutched Li Chao’s arm tightly and asked in a low voice what they should do.

Li Chao, though usually unflustered in all matters, could not help feeling somewhat puzzled as well.

By all logic, with his status and position, he should have been among the invited VIP guests, yet he had no invitation card in hand to prove it.

Just as he was about to look for a hostess to ask, an unexpected voice cut through the surrounding noise.

“Li Chao?”

That familiar and slightly surprised voice came from the line in the distance. A woman waved in his direction, gesturing for him to come over.

Li Chao paused, then turned around. His gaze cut through the crowd and landed on the woman walking toward him.

Amid the lively atmosphere of Jiangnan Spring, Li Chao unexpectedly ran into his high school classmate, Lu Yan.

Time seemed to have favored her. Though she had once been unremarkable, after a bit of dressing up she had indeed acquired a measure of feminine grace.

Beside her stood a bald man with a bulging belly and a gold chain around his neck, clearly her current partner.

“Lu Yan?”

After taking a closer look, Li Chao smiled and walked toward her.

The two of them exchanged pleasantries, as though they had returned to those awkward, youthful days of school.

Yet this warm atmosphere was soon broken by the bald man beside Lu Yan.

He narrowed his eyes and looked Li Chao up and down, a hint of hostility in his gaze.

The instinct to compete between men emerged plainly at that moment, especially when Li Chao appeared with such exceptional bearing and handsome features, which only made the bald man feel threatened.

He could sense that the eyes of those around them were being drawn to Li Chao, and especially when he saw his wife Lu Yan staring so fixedly, he could not conceal the sourness in his heart.

“What, do you know each other?”

The bald man asked casually, though his tone carried obvious hostility.

Lu Yan felt her husband’s displeasure and answered a little awkwardly:

“We were classmates back then. He was really good at studying!”

Her tone held a trace of nostalgia, but more than that, a sense of helplessness toward the present.

The bald man gave a cold laugh at that.

“So what if he was good at studying? What’s the use of that now? In the end, don’t people still have to speak with strength?”

His words were full of contempt for Li Chao and confidence in his own power, but that confidence looked somewhat pale in front of Li Chao.