Zhang Yaqing was very clear. Although she and Luo Qingli certainly had minor frictions due to their rivalry, a capable person like Chen Xiao was someone she absolutely could not afford to offend.
The respect he is due must be given! After all, we still need his help.
"A Supreme VIP Room?" Zhang Wudao was astonished. "That one-and-only Supreme VIP Room is reserved for the most powerful figures in Yuncheng City. Only they are qualified…"
Zhang Yaqing shot him a look. "Mr. Chen's medical skills are incredible. The very survival of our Zhang Family rests in his hands. What's a mere Supreme VIP Room in comparison?"
「Meanwhile, upstairs in the restaurant's main hall.」
Luo Qingli and Chen Xiao walked in.
Old Master Luo Chenggong and the others were already waiting. Also present were Luo Jianghe and Li Sufang, the Luo Family's second master Luo Baifeng, and a lavishly bejeweled middle-aged woman. Behind Luo Baifeng and his wife stood a young man and woman, who glanced at Chen Xiao with disdain.
"Little Xiao, you're here? Come over, quickly." Luo Chenggong's attitude was much more amiable, and for good reason: Chen Xiao had helped the Luo Family reclaim a twenty-million-yuan final payment. It seemed the young man had truly received that master's teachings and possessed impressive skill.
Seeing Luo Chenggong's friendly demeanor, Chen Xiao couldn't bring himself to be cold. He nodded, walked over to greet them, and casually scanned the room.
His mother-in-law, Li Sufang, glanced at him dismissively, flicking her nails and sneering, "What? Is the country bumpkin shocked by the sight? Let me tell you, Zhang's Restaurant is one of the most high-end establishments in Yuncheng City! Ordinary customers can only dine in the main hall, and even then, there's a minimum spend of 10,000 yuan!"
She continued her lecture. "As for the private rooms, only distinguished VIP members are qualified to use them! The lowest-tier Humanity Private Rooms require at least a Silver Membership to book, and even then, there's a minimum spend of 100,000 yuan! The slightly better Earth Private Rooms can only be booked by Gold Members, with a minimum spend of 500,000 yuan! As for the legendary Supreme Private Room, there's only one in the entire restaurant, and fewer than five people in all of Yuncheng City are qualified to use it! Even our Luo Family… is far from qualified! If it weren't for us, you'd never get the chance to eat at a place like this in your entire life!"
Luo Baifeng, still holding a grudge about Chen Xiao humiliating him in the meeting room, seized the opportunity to add mockingly, "So he's just a worthless bum trying to ride on coattails! And here I thought he actually had some skills!"
Beside him, in addition to his jewel-laden wife, was a young couple.
"Qingli, is this the husband you chose? Your taste is truly awful!" Luo Baifeng's wife, Wang Zihua, covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. "When I first saw him, I thought he was some beggar who'd wandered in off the street…"
Luo Qingli's pretty face darkened. "Second Aunt, my husband's character isn't for you to judge, is it?"
Regardless of their private relationship, no one else had the right to judge her husband.
"Oh?" Wang Zihua teased. "We elders say a few words and you're already getting defensive? Did I hit a nerve? Was this guy really a beggar before?"
Luo Linlin's tone was dripping with sarcasm. "Cousin, you've always been so outstanding. I never expected your taste in husbands to be so terrible," she cackled. "Oh, right, let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Xiao Han, the eldest young master of the Xiao Family from Jinling. He's also one of Jinling's Top Ten Outstanding Young People!"
As she introduced her boyfriend, her tone was bursting with pride. After all, she had spent her entire life in Luo Qingli's shadow, reduced to being a mere foil. Whether in ability, education, or beauty, she was completely crushed by her cousin. But now, her boyfriend was leagues ahead of Luo Qingli's husband. This feeling of overwhelming superiority was immensely satisfying!
Comparing the two was like comparing heaven and earth.
Luo Jianghe and his wife were mortified, wishing they could find a hole to crawl into as they glared resentfully at Chen Xiao.
It was all this country bumpkin's fault they couldn't hold their heads high!
After seeing Luo Qingli's grace and beauty, Xiao Han's eyes were practically glued to her. In her presence, the attractive Luo Linlin was hardly worth a second glance. Then he looked at Chen Xiao… Dressed in shabby clothes, unkempt—the spitting image of a country bumpkin!
How does someone like him deserve such a stunning woman?
He was both jealous and annoyed. With that thought, he strode forward, his tone provocative. "We're all sons-in-law of the Luo Family. Shouldn't this gentleman introduce himself? What's your family background? What are your academic qualifications? And what is your prestigious occupation?!"
"What's it to you?" Chen Xiao had no intention of indulging him.
"You don't even dare say your name?" Luo Linlin mocked relentlessly. "Is it that embarrassing? Cousin, are you blind? How could you fall for such a loser?"
"That's enough!" Luo Qingli shot up, slamming her hand on the table. "Only I have the right to say anything about my husband. Is it your place to stand here and squawk at him?"
Luo Linlin was about to retort, but Old Master Luo waved a hand. "Stop arguing. Let's eat!"
Xiao Han smiled smugly. "Grandfather is right. Let's eat first. Since this is my first time meeting everyone, allow me to make the arrangements for this meal. I just deposited a million yuan, so I'm now a Gold Member of Zhang's Restaurant. I can have them immediately arrange an Earth Private Room for us!"
Seeing Xiao Han give them so much face, Luo Baifeng's family of three beamed from ear to ear. "Our son-in-law is so outstanding, unlike some people who look like a country mutt wandering into the city to freeload. Truly disgraceful."
"It's just a meal. Is there anyone here who can't afford it?" Chen Xiao said nonchalantly. "I can eat here for free."
"Hahaha!" Hearing this, Luo Baifeng's family nearly died from laughter.
"You don't actually think this is some street stall where you can eat for free, do you?" Wang Zihua sneered. "Or are you saying you're a Supreme VIP member here, entitled to complimentary service?"
"I do happen to have a Supreme VIP Card," Chen Xiao stated coolly.
"What a braggart! Why don't you just say you own Zhang's Restaurant?"
"Now, you can't say that. Who knows, maybe he really is some powerful figure in hiding…"
Luo Baifeng and the others chimed in one after another, their voices dripping with mockery and sarcasm.
"Alright," Luo Qingli said in a low voice. "If you're going to boast, at least make it believable. There are fewer than five of the Zhang Family's Supreme VIP Cards in all of Yuncheng City, and they're all in the hands of major figures! What nonsense are you spouting?"
Seeing his chance, Xiao Han immediately stepped up to show off. "Do you even know what a membership card is? Have you ever even seen one? And you dare to brag!" He pulled out a card, flaunting it smugly in Chen Xiao's face. "This is a membership card! And it's a Gold Membership! See that?"
Chen Xiao was speechless. He could tell at a glance that the card was crudely made. Compared to his Supreme VIP Card, the workmanship was worlds apart. Still, he couldn't be bothered to waste words on such an idiot.
Xiao Han waved a waiter over and presented his Gold Membership card. "Get me an Earth Private Room!"
The waiter looked troubled. "I'm sorry, sir, but all the Earth Private Rooms have already been reserved by several important clients for today. My apologies."
"What?" Xiao Han frowned, clearly displeased. "Then go tell them I'm from the Xiao Family of Jinling—"
"It wouldn't matter if you were the Son of Heaven himself! Because the Earth Private Rooms here today have all been booked by me, and the Luo Family is only fit to eat shit here!"
At these words, everyone from the Luo Family flushed with anger, their gazes turning toward the source of the voice.
Qin Zihao and Su Yingxue were striding over, surrounded by an entourage like the moon surrounded by stars. They looked triumphant, their faces full of mockery.