Looking again at Shen Fanyun’s flippant and cynical demeanor, Su Xiyang grew even more certain of her assumption. He was most likely just stringing her along.
However, one thing was certain: Shen Fanyun had a good relationship with Yunxiao Hotel. He might even know a high-level manager there. On this trip to Yunxiao, he most likely wouldn’t come out on the losing end.
Wait a second. Why am I worried about whether Shen Fanyun will lose out? What does it have to do with me if he does? Even if he gets into trouble, it would be his own fault. Who asked him to go head-to-head with Chen Feng? If he’d just stayed away from him, none of this pointless drama would be happening.
In fact, Su Xiyang was completely overwhelmed and had no time to worry about Shen Fanyun. Old Master Su had suddenly shown up at the company with several other Su family elders for the sole purpose of removing her from the CEO position. After much cajoling and making all sorts of guarantees, Old Master Su finally agreed to give her one last chance to prove herself: she had to secure the one project that was giving the entire Su family a massive headache.
The odds were stacked against her. Leaning against the car window, Su Xiyang rubbed her forehead. Old Master Su himself had made little progress on this project. Sending her to negotiate meant the probability of success was practically zero. It was an impossible test.
"Regardless, I have to try," Su Xiyang murmured, taking a soft breath. Her chest rose and fell, a captivating sight.
Yunxiao Hotel was situated in the most luxurious location in the city center. Though it was highly exclusive, its entrance was always bustling. Many passersby who lacked the credentials to enter would stop to take photos. Every vehicle that pulled into the hotel’s reception area unfailingly drew murmurs of appraisal from the crowd, along with a potent mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment.
"Old Master Su, please take your time."
"Ziye, come here."
Confidence radiated from Chen Feng as he swept his gaze across the scene. With one hand in his pocket, he oozed a self-important arrogance.
In contrast to Chen Feng, Shen Fanyun was far more nonchalant, lighting up a cigarette the moment he stepped out of the car.
Chen Feng noticed Shen Fanyun and resorted to his old tricks, feigning concern. "What’s the matter, buddy? Scared to go in? Or do you feel you don’t belong in a place like this?" he asked. "It’s fine. What I said earlier was just a reminder not to touch anything in the hotel. As long as you keep your hands to yourself, just having a meal won’t cause any problems. Let’s go, don’t waste everyone’s precious time."
Chen Feng said all this with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
"Don’t you talk a bit too much?" Shen Fanyun replied.
Chen Feng’s expression darkened. Just as he was about to retort, he turned toward the entrance to see Su Ziye suddenly arguing with the lobby manager.
Haughtily, Su Ziye raised his voice, berating the lobby manager for looking down on them. "We’re gracing you with our business by choosing to dine here, yet you have the nerve to block our way instead of offering a proper welcome?"
Chen Feng was horrified. One simply did not say such things to the staff of Yunxiao Hotel. Given its prestige, the hotel would absolutely blacklist their entire party, banning them from Yunxiao for life.
"What’s going on?" Chen Feng forgot about Shen Fanyun and hurried to Su Ziye’s side.
"These people won’t let me in," Su Ziye complained. "We have a reservation. Why can’t we go in?"
The manager, wearing white gloves, replied in a level tone, "It’s not that you cannot enter. A very important guest is departing, and to ensure their exit is unobstructed, everyone must wait for fifteen minutes. This applies to all, whether you are arriving to dine or preparing to leave."
Chen Feng understood immediately. A major figure must have been staying at the hotel and was now leaving, hence the temporary lockdown. The chances of encountering such a big shot at any other hotel were slim, but this was Yunxiao Hotel—its reputation spoke for itself. If the manager said there was a VIP, there was a VIP. Causing a scene and offending the wrong person could lead to dire consequences, a risk Chen Feng was unwilling to take.
He quickly tried to placate Su Ziye. "It’s only fifteen minutes. Let’s just be patient."
Since Chen Feng had voiced his agreement, the others couldn’t very well object. They ended up clustered in twos and threes to the side of the entrance, looking like a bunch of sentries. Although Old Master Su said nothing, he was inwardly displeased. He had once been a prominent figure in Hangcheng City. When had he ever been forced to wait by a door like a common doorman standing guard, stripped of all status and dignity?
Shen Fanyun finished his cigarette and started walking toward the entrance.
Chen Feng hastily called out, "Where do you think you’re going? Get back here! That’s not a place you can just walk into!"
Shen Fanyun was heading straight for the revolving door, completely ignoring the holdup.
"You should know the rules when you’re in a place like this. Stop making a fool of yourself," Chen Feng said, his tone sharpening as he vented his frustration on Shen Fanyun.
"If we’re not going in the main entrance to eat, are we supposed to find a hole to crawl through?" Shen Fanyun retorted with a look of confusion. A second glance made him chuckle. The entire group, from Old Master Su down to Su Ziye, was standing by the entrance like obedient doormen. It was a ridiculous sight.
"Didn’t you hear me? I told you to get over here," Chen Feng insisted. He was worried Shen Fanyun’s reckless behavior would provoke the hotel staff, and as the one who arranged the dinner, he would be held responsible for any trouble.
Shen Fanyun ignored him. He narrowed his eyes, a flicker of recognition passing through him as he looked at the manager standing stiffly by the door. That was him. The same man who had tried to throw Su Xiyang out that night. The bastard had nearly ruined his good time, only to be reprimanded by one of his own bosses and apparently put right back in his old position.
"Mr.... Mr. Shen, hello. We meet again," the manager stammered. He had clearly recognized Shen Fanyun and was hoping to just blend in, but one sharp look from Shen Fanyun shattered that hope.
Shen Fanyun slowly opened his hand and patted the manager’s cheek. "For the next three hours, I don’t want to see you," he said coolly. "Whether you take the day off or just go hide somewhere is up to you."
The manager looked like he wanted to cry. He knew Shen Fanyun held a grudge, since he had harassed Shen Fanyun’s woman that night. Luckily, Shen Fanyun had been lenient and hadn’t blown the situation up. After a harsh scolding from his boss, the matter had been dropped.
"I... I’ll get out of your sight right now," the manager said, head bowed. He turned to flee but quickly added, "I will have another manager come and assist you."
In the blink of an eye, the very same hotel manager who had just been blocking Old Master Su and Su Ziye scurried away like a mouse that had seen a cat.
Shen Fanyun gave a dismissive smirk and strode right inside.
Chen Feng was speechless. So was Su Ziye. And Old Master Su. The Su family members, all except for Su Xiyang, stared at each other in stunned silence. Su Ziye’s jaw dropped. "He... he just went in?"