The receptionist stated firmly, "Yes, apart from on-site reservations, we do not accept any form of online or verbal reservations."
Zhang Chaohe had been waiting for these words!
He has three flaws: he can't stand seeing beautiful women suffer, he's greedy, and he's stubborn and argumentative. However, at this moment, he's having a run of bad luck, and all three flaws are acting up at the same time. It's like pulling the tiger's hair out of Xiao Zhang's head!
Mr. Zhang's tone was casual, as if he were just asking casually: "Oh? Just now, your restaurant's waiter led a couple away from the back of the line—isn't that against the rules?"
The receptionist knew the manager was being inhumane. In public, he couldn't just do this because the restaurant's shareholder's son was late and wanted to cut in line... When the aggrieved party came to him, it was the ordinary receptionists who were in a difficult position.
But these two customers are really something. If they didn't get a turn, they could have come back tomorrow. Why were they so insistent? They can't fight city hall. How could they possibly argue with the son of a shareholder?
He was getting a little impatient, and his tone wasn't quite right: "Sir, what are you saying? Do you have any evidence that our staff brought other people to dine? We need to continue operating normally, please leave."
The two people in front of me looked like an ordinary young couple. Although I couldn't see their faces, they had good figures. One of them was dressed plainly, and the other was dressed like a childish high school student. I figured they would just have a little tantrum with the receptionist.
He was holding the documents and was about to walk back when the young man in the Exploding Bear T-shirt grabbed his wrist. Although the man's voice was smiling, it was inexplicably filled with murderous intent: "Don't be in such a hurry to leave."
He pointed to the surveillance camera on the street corner, so close it was practically overhead: "Evidence? Look at that, what's that?"
Zhang Chaohe's argumentative nature had taken over the top of his brain—he was already greatly affected by the failure to become sworn brothers, and now he was even offering money to be ripped off but no one did.
Cheng Jixue remained silent until suddenly said in a chilling tone, "Call your manager over."
The receptionist sized up the two of them, tapped the file in her hand twice, and after a long pause, scoffed, "Fine, I'll call the manager for you."
His temper was also rising, and before going in, he sneered in a low voice, "Don't blame me for not warning you two, not just anyone can tamper with the security cameras. If this gets out of hand, it won't do you any good! Do you even know who our boss is?"
Mr. Zhang looked at him with a puzzled expression: ?
His large sunglasses, however, blocked his arrogant and aloof gaze.
Mr. Zhang: "Who's your boss?"
Receptionist: "Ha, you wouldn't recognize me even if I told you!"
Zhang Chaohe's short temper flared up on the spot. The way he stood there was like a giant air conditioner, and the temperature around him seemed to drop because of him. He was really looking forward to seeing what else the manager of this outrageous restaurant could say!
Cheng Jixue, always eager for drama, added her own dramatic flair, saying in a teasy tone, "What should we do, honey? Have we really messed with someone we shouldn't have?!"
Zhang Chaohe's body trembled—what was Cheng Jixue yelling about?!
Is this something you can just yell about?!
However, Cheng Jixue was feigning an affair by linking her arm with his, and he keenly sensed Mr. Zhang's flustered state. A subtle smile played on Cheng Jixue's lips, and she cried out even more excitedly, "Husband—Waaah, you promised to bring me here to eat this, husband, you won't go back on your word, will you, husband?"
He already had a knack for imitating a girl's voice, and now he was using a high-pitched, coquettish voice that Zhang Chaohe couldn't resist at all. Even the waiters next to him couldn't help but glance at him!
However, Cheng Jixue's almost tantrum-like coquettishness actually amused Zhang Chaohe to some extent. The grievance of being treated unfairly was instantly dispelled by most of it. Zhang Chaohe quickly got into character, pretending to be indignant and saying, "It's all my fault for being incompetent and making my darling suffer!"
The waiter next to him struggled to form an expression: Are these two crazy? The tall one is just a big, white guy, and he actually calls the short one "husband"; and that "husband" is even more outrageous, he's wearing a shirt with an Exploding Bear pattern that even his ten-year-old nephew wouldn't wear!
When Zhang Chaohe thought about the special circumstances, he didn't take the form of address seriously—if it's offensive, then of course you should use the most offensive and disgusting words possible!
The two of them were like little kids, happily calling each other "husband" and "baby." The restaurant manager arrived quickly, and upon seeing the two college-aged children, he roughly understood what was going on.
The restaurant manager stepped forward, politely introduced himself, and first completely denied Zhang Chaohe's accusation of cutting in line; then he expressed the restaurant's regret that they could not dine there, and finally handed over the coupons in his hand.
"Although we are very sorry that we cannot provide you with dining services, you should not disrupt our normal dining order. Here is a small token of our appreciation. We welcome you to come again when you have time."
At first, they were still somewhat reasonable, but later they revealed their true colors and turned the tables, making the customer who was caught in the middle the one at fault.
Zhang Chaohe was truly angry this time. He withdrew his arm from Cheng Jixue's, which he had been playfully linking with, and began to gather his strength: "You mean not only do you not admit to cutting in line just now, but you also accuse us of disrupting your normal business operations?"
The restaurant manager thought to himself, "These two little brats are so ungrateful." He smiled, but his words were harsh: "Isn't that right?"
Of course, we can't admit to cutting in line! After all, there was a lot of demand for online reservations before, but D•M explicitly rejected the proposal to open online reservations in order to maintain a high profile.
So if we admit to the existence of queue-jumping now, it will not only affect this cooperation, but also the restaurant's reputation—why are these two brats so troublesome!
Zhang Chaohe was almost laughing in anger. He made one last attempt to reason with the manager: "Do you see the camera?"
He tried to remain calm as he spoke: "If you review the security footage, it will be very clear that your restaurant just tolerated queue jumping."
Cutting in line is a minor issue; a big business bullying its customers is an extremely serious issue!
The restaurant manager was also annoyed by the young man's stubbornness and refusal to back down. He was speechless: "Sir, you shouldn't be so absolute. Unless a major accident occurs, we have no right to access the mall's surveillance footage."
"If these coupons aren't enough, I can offer you another chance to have your meal free on behalf of the restaurant. Sir, don't be too greedy."
Translation: Pay me to keep quiet, or else we're done!
"Are you saying we're trying to extort your restaurant?" Cheng Jixue added fuel to the fire with her pitiful act, her tone perfectly timed. "Is it wrong to protect one's own rights?"
The restaurant manager, his patience exhausted, sneered, "Let me put it this way: the two who just went in are people you ordinary folks can't afford to offend. Take your compensation and leave quickly; there's nothing I can do about it."
Seeing that some people were already casting strange glances at him, he felt annoyed and decided to go back and leave the two boys alone. Maybe they would leave on their own if they didn't cause any trouble?
However, the simply dressed boy's voice suddenly became ridiculously high-pitched and bright, as if he had just taken a bottle of throat lozenges, and he spoke with great emotion, full of anger and resentment: "Do we need to provide proof of assets to prove that we are not ordinary people when we come to your restaurant!"
This shout completely drew the attention of everyone nearby. People looked over curiously, and the crowd even seemed to be gathering to watch the excitement!
Nan Guan Restaurant has always prided itself on being a high-end establishment, frequented by distinguished guests. They'd never encountered such a disturbance before. The manager, while outwardly smiling, actually lowered his voice and snapped, "Yes! If you're really angry, then show me your proof of assets!"
That idiot brat is never going to stop!
Just then, the kid in the ridiculous Exploding Bear T-shirt slowly took off his mask. His voice was unchanged, but his handsome face made it sound particularly cold and stern.
"Does my face count as proof of assets?"
⚹
Ma Gaozhu rushed over and saw a row of people sitting in the waiting area outside "Nanguan Xiaoguan".
From left to right: mall manager, lobby manager, restaurant manager, security chief, customer service representative, and... two college-aged boys.
"Master Ma!" Upon seeing Zhang Dong's trusted lieutenant arrive, the mall manager quickly stood up to greet him.
Ma Gaozhu glanced around—he never expected that the college student wearing the teddy bear costume was his family's usually sharp and serious second young master, so he automatically ignored him: "Where's Manager Zhang!"
He recalled the reason why Chairman Zhang had urgently sent him to Wantaihui: "Young Master Zhang was turned away by a restaurant in his own group's shopping center and couldn't get a meal."
Absolutely audacious! Absurd!
"Hi, Uncle Ma?" Zhang Chaohe raised his hand in greeting.
Masakazu turned around in disbelief: ...
The restaurant manager looked desperate: Isn't this the same reaction everyone has?
How can you blame me? Who would dress like this and wander around like that? If he hadn't taken off his mask, he wouldn't have known who these two kids, whose clothes looked to cost less than two hundred yuan in total, were!
Ma Gaozhu suppressed his shock, adjusted his glasses, and inquired about the details. The restaurant manager's smiling demeanor finally crumbled; sweat beaded on his forehead, and he nervously apologized, "I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang, on behalf of..."
Zhang Chaohe was tired of hearing it, so he raised his hand to stop the other party's repeated apologies: "There's no need for that, let's go check the surveillance footage."
"Since the manager insists on producing evidence, then produce evidence." Zhang Chaohe's voice, which sounded like a half-smile, came from behind his mask.
An ordinary diner wanted an apology, but the arrogant manager thought it was making a mountain out of a molehill and trying to extort money from him; now that he has transformed from an ordinary diner into the son of a shopping mall director, an apology is readily available to him.
What's the logic behind this?
Ma Gaozhu nodded with a smile: "Let's go to the monitoring room together. I can also stand up for the chairman and witness this for everyone."
“Oh, those two who cut in line just now,” Zhang Chaohe suddenly added after standing up and taking a few steps, “the two whose backgrounds you said I can’t afford to offend. Tell me, what kind of backgrounds do I have that I can’t afford to offend?”
Upon hearing this, Ma Gaozhu added coldly, "If we really can't afford to offend them, I'll call Chairman Zhang right now to ask for instructions?"
The restaurant manager broke out in a cold sweat and frantically waved his hands: "No, no, he's just an ordinary relative. I was just kidding, I was just kidding, please don't take it to heart!"
"How did it turn into relatives talking nonsense again?" Zhang Chaohe asked, his tone seemingly puzzled but actually sarcastic. "Does it mean you don't like someone who's someone ordinary people can't afford to offend?"
If you're not happy, let's settle this offline. Since you insist on using your special background to gain privileges, then let's all use our privileges!
Cheng Jixue barely managed to suppress a laugh: This goose is so vengeful!
Meanwhile, Ma Gaozhu was discreetly observing the young man beside Xiao Zhang. The two seemed very close, and when they spoke, Xiao Zhang would unconsciously lean slightly towards the other person; when they walked, the other person would also subconsciously walk on Xiao Zhang's outside in a protective posture.
I have to report this to Chairman Zhang! Ma Gaozhu smiled to himself: The young man has a good image and temperament, he looks like a high-quality daughter-in-law from a wealthy family, very good!
Zhang Chaohe was overjoyed. Although he had just queued for a long time and hadn't even gotten a meal yet, and was feeling quite annoyed, he was now quite arrogant with Ma Gaozhu's support!
You bastard, in this technological age and a society governed by the rule of law, you still want to deny it?
I'll make you socially dead right now!
The security chief has already instructed the monitoring room to adjust the surveillance footage. The camera is of such high quality and is located right on the street corner, so close that even conversations with slightly louder voices can be heard clearly.
They could hear everything the young couple who cut in line were saying!
The restaurant manager turned pale as he was publicly executed. What's infuriating is that Zhang Chaohe seemed reasonable, but he was actually unreasonable at all. He even commented on everything he saw!
Ma Gaozhu watched helplessly as Xiao Zhang waited patiently in line for half an hour for his meal, only to be blocked at the door by two shameless people who cut in line. He was even harassed by the receptionist and the manager, and couldn't get his meal!
He sighed, "Just handle it however you see fit, sir..."
Ma Gaozhu patted the restaurant manager on the shoulder: "Regardless of whether it was General Manager Zhang who was treated unfairly today, what you did was inappropriate!"
It can only be said that he had exceptionally bad luck today. He originally wanted to twist his thigh and wrist, but who knew he would step onto a diamond-encrusted titanium steel plate?
The restaurant manager frantically agreed and sincerely apologized to the two customers again. Just as Ma Gaozhu was about to say a few more words to end today's little farce, he suddenly heard a strange sound coming from the surveillance video that was playing continuously!
"Honey, what should we do? Have we really messed with someone we shouldn't have?!"
"Honey - Waaah, you promised to bring me here to eat this, honey, you won't go back on your word, will you?"
"It's all my husband's fault for being so incompetent, making my darling suffer!"
Makosuke: ? ?
He looked at Mr. Zhang and his friend in shock!
Zhang Chaohe, who vowed to cause others' social death but suddenly became socially dead himself: ...
Uncle Ma, please let me explain! Things aren't really as you imagine, I can explain!
Cheng Jixue quietly pulled up her mask, trying to cover her entire face.
Today, no one can possibly pull the mask off my face.
no way.
A note from the author:
Xiao Cheng: Oh my god, that was close! We almost became people who couldn't appear in Green River!
Goose: Why doesn't he appreciate my kindness?!
I saw the assault incident today. Kids, please be careful and try to avoid eating at food stalls or roadside vendors where there might be drunk people or conflicts! You must protect yourselves; it's really too dangerous. We can't fight back against danger, so we can only try to stay away from it.