As expected, the floor manager struggled in vain against Ma Yao’s grip, breathing rapidly, and realizing she was at a disadvantage, urgently shouted to the waitstaff, "Are you all dead? Hurry up and call someone. Call security!"
The waitstaff scattered like birds and beasts, a few rushing forward trying to pry Ma Yao’s wrist off, while someone else ran to summon the security guards.
He Juan and Lin Xiang were already shaking with fear. This was just a meal, and they had never expected it to escalate into a fight.
Confronted by the arrival of several menacing security guards, the two were terrified.
Naturally, being young girls, they were already faint of heart upon seeing this scene.
Bai Xiao stood up and walked over to Ma Yao.
It was impossible to let Ma Yao face this alone; the other side had strength in numbers.
"Let go of our manager, or you’ll regret it," the lead security guard warned with a stern tone, donning a gray wide-brimmed hat, ready to swoop in like an eagle upon its prey.
Four or five security guards also closed in.
"Have you lost your minds? Daring to cause trouble in our Xingde Restaurant, it looks like you don’t want to get off easy. So young, and yet girls, learning to hit people. Release our manager, or don’t blame us for being rough."
"Just tender-skinned and soft-fleshed. If you get hurt, it’s not our fault," they added with malice.
The security guards eyed the four girls with nefarious intent.
"What do you think you’re doing? Attacking customers in broad daylight? I think you want to be on the front page of the newspaper, letting the whole of China know there’s a Xingde Restaurant in Modu, to reveal how the Xingde Restaurant owner bullies others with his power, to show that you actually play the thug, right?" Bai Xiao’s words made the head security guard hesitate. Although unsure of Bai Xiao’s identity, the mere confidence in her speech suggested she had influential backing. They were also aware that if they indeed struck the girls, they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.
But the floor manager, unable to move due to Ma Yao’s constraint, was already infuriated beyond measure and was not in a mindset to consider the consequences of her commands.
She yelled, "Throw them out! I’ll take responsibility for any trouble."
The head security guard, upon hearing this, immediately perked up like he had been injected with adrenaline. Having someone to take responsibility was all he needed.
He pounced ferociously at the command.
With a single push and a parry, Ma Yao sent the floor manager screaming onto a chair. In a swift motion, she positioned herself protectively in front of Bai Xiao. With hands split, she caught a security guard’s wrist, pushed forward, reversed her grip, and with a twist followed by a kick to the back of the man’s knee, the security guard captain’s leg buckled.
He was now being pinned down by Ma Yao, arm twisted and pressed against the floor.
As the security guards lunged at Bai Xiao, she sidestepped slightly and grabbed the oncoming wrist. With a fluid movement, the burly body of the guard toppled onto the floor. She followed with a reverse hold, twisting the guard’s arm behind his back.
The remaining security guards didn’t dare advance, as the captain emitted screams akin to a pig being slaughtered.
"What are you doing?" a stern voice demanded.
Everyone looked toward the private room’s entrance.
The impeccably dressed Hotel Manager stood at the doorway, flanked by several individuals who were distinctly different in appearance.
"What is this madness?" he asked, visibly frustrated with his subordinates.
Faced with this situation, the Hotel Manager was livid at the ineptitude of his staff. He was escorting important guests into the private room, only for them to witness the staff squabbling and fighting with clients.
And to make matters worse, a few young girls were pinning his grown men to the floor.
Such an embarrassment was a significant loss of face.