Qin Zihao strode forward. "Today is my birthday, so I've already booked all the Earth-level VIP rooms! How could worthless nobodies like you possibly compete with me for prestige?"
Su Yingxue gloated, taunting, "Luo Qingli, why don't you get on your knees and beg me? I might consider giving one to you."
Luo Qingli's face turned livid. "I don't need a private room to show off."
Su Yingxue burst into laughter. "You look truly pathetic trying to console yourself. In all of Yuncheng City, what respectable family would dine in the lowest-tier Mortal-level VIP rooms? Your Luo Family has really set a new precedent!"
"And you call yourselves a great family!" someone in the crowd sneered.
"You're not even fit to carry Young Master Qin's and Miss Su's shoes!"
"The Luo Family is in decline!"
The people standing behind Qin Zihao and Su Yingxue all erupted in derisive laughter.
At this, even the normally composed Old Master Luo struggled to keep a straight face.
Xiao Han immediately realized his chance to play the hero and show off had arrived. He strode forward, his voice booming, "What's so great about an Earth-level VIP room? If I want to, I can get a Heaven-level VIP room opened any time!"
His words made everyone pause. This guy is so confident. Could he really have some incredible background?
Xiao Han waved a hand at the waiter. "What authorization is needed to open a Heaven-level VIP room here? Arrange one for me!"
The waiter patiently explained, "I'm sorry, sir. Our Heaven-level VIP rooms are only open to a select group of individuals, and you are not on that list."
Xiao Han's face stiffened. "You're not qualified to speak to me. Get your general manager over here!" So many rules for a lousy restaurant in a small town? If I'm not qualified, then who is?
Luo Linlin also yelled arrogantly, "Do you have any idea who my boyfriend is? He's a young master from the provincial capital! If he isn't qualified, who is?"
The waiter continued, "Only a few major figures, such as the City Lord of Yuncheng City and the three great tycoons, have this privilege. I'm afraid you don't meet the requirements, sir."
"Hahaha! I thought you had some serious clout, but it turns out you're just a country bumpkin!"
"With your pathetic status, what right do you have to make the Zhang Family open a Heaven-level VIP room for you?"
"I think you mutts from the Luo Family should be eating out of the garbage!"
Seeing Xiao Han and Luo Linlin get shut down, Qin Zihao and Su Yingxue's mockery grew even more vicious. The strange looks from the crowd made the members of the Luo Family feel utterly ashamed.
Xiao Han was furious. What kind of bullshit room has such high requirements? Now, he was in a bind.
Qin Zihao scoffed, "Just get lost, Luo Qingli. Stop embarrassing yourselves here!"
Chen Xiao looked impatient. "Are we eating or not? It's just a stupid VIP room. What's all the fuss about?"
Xiao Han sneered, "What would a hick like you understand!" Is this just about a room? This is about our honor!
Luo Jianghe also snapped coldly, "If you don't understand anything, then shut your mouth!"
Chen Xiao calmly addressed the waiter, "Can a Supreme VIP Card open the Heaven-level VIP room?"
The waiter paused, remaining polite. "Yes, it can. However, the Zhang Family's Supreme VIP Cards are held by only a few very important people, and we have all of them on record. You... don't seem to be one of them."
Chen Xiao produced a black card. "Zhang Yaqing gave it to me personally today."
The waiter's breath hitched. Just as he reached out to take the card and verify it...
Li Sufang slapped the card out of Chen Xiao's hand and onto the floor. "Enough! Shut up this instant! Stop trying to fool people with a worthless card. Haven't you caused enough embarrassment?"
Qin Zihao laughed so hard he was almost in tears. "What a pathetic, attention-seeking clown! If that card in your hand is a real Supreme VIP Card, I'll eat shit right here in public!"
"I'll eat it upside down!" Xiao Han sneered. "You think you're me?"
"All for show!"
"How dare you pose as a Supreme VIP user on Zhang Family territory? You must be tired of living!"
Everyone, from the Luo Family members to Qin Zihao and his lackeys, tore into Chen Xiao with insults.
Old Master Luo felt he had lost all face and said grimly, "Forget it. We're not eating. Let's go." He couldn't bear the humiliation of staying any longer.
"Eat? Why wouldn't we eat?" Chen Xiao's temper flared. "I'm starving. Besides, I'm going to eat in the Heaven-level VIP room, and I'm going to watch certain people eat shit in public."
Luo Qingli was exasperated and hissed through clenched teeth, "Are you trying to make an even bigger scene?" Her tone was one of extreme displeasure.
Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow. "You don't believe me?"
Luo Qingli laughed in anger. "You think you can get a Supreme VIP Card just by knowing someone from the Zhang Family? You look down on the Zhang Family too much!"
Chen Xiao nonchalantly picked his card up. "I only know that this is a Supreme VIP Card."
Seeing he was impervious to reason, Luo Qingli could only fume in silence.
Xiao Han mocked him. "I'd love to see how you're going to open the Heaven-level VIP room. Come on, I'm begging you. Hurry up and put me in my place!"
"Cousin, why doesn't your beggar husband just claim he's the president of the Eagle Country? Hahaha—" Luo Linlin cackled, tears welling in her eyes.
Luo Jianghe and his family were beet-red with shame, so thoroughly mocked they wished they could find a hole to crawl into and disappear. Why couldn't this guy just stop? Was he determined to drag their family's name completely through the mud before he was satisfied?
Seeing Chen Xiao's silence, Qin Zihao pressed on aggressively, "Weren't you acquainted with Miss Zhang? Weren't you going to have the Zhang Family open the Heaven-level VIP room? Go on, open our eyes!"
"Fine. You just wait. I'm really looking forward to watching you all eat shit today," Chen Xiao said, taking out his phone to call Zhang Yaqing.
"Keep pretending! Let's see how long you can keep up the act!" Xiao Han sneered.
Just as the call was about to connect, the elevator doors slid open. A middle-aged man strode out purposefully. His demeanor was authoritative, commanding respect without a word.
"Mr. Hu!"
"Mr. Hu!"
Everyone instantly composed themselves, bowing their heads respectfully in greeting.
This man was Lin Hu, the general manager of Zhang's Restaurant. He was Zhang Zongheng's trusted confidant, so much so that Zhang Zongheng had put him in charge of the entire establishment. It was safe to say he held a position of great importance in all of Yuncheng City.
Qin Zihao put on a fawning smile. "Mr. Hu, what brings you here personally?"
"I'm here to receive some guests," Lin Hu stated flatly.
"Well..." Qin Zihao was slightly embarrassed. "Mr. Hu, even though I booked all the Earth-level VIP rooms today, surely you didn't have to come welcome me personally."
Lin Hu shot him a sideways glance. "You aren't important enough for me to greet personally."
Hearing this, Qin Zihao's smile froze on his face.
Then, to everyone's utter astonishment, Lin Hu walked toward Old Master Luo's group with a smile. "Old Master Luo, I heard the Luo Family is holding a family banquet here today. Please, follow me to the Heaven-level VIP room for your meal."