In Liu Sanxing's disbelieving gaze, the hotel owner hurried to Li Chonglou's side like a subordinate, offering a fine cigar to Li Chonglou with flattery.
Though Li Chonglou recognized the person he had helped before, he didn't know him and didn't even know his name. So, he politely declined, saying, "You're too kind. Who are you?"
The atmosphere became a bit awkward. Liu Sanxing was secretly pleased, expecting a plot twist, but unexpectedly, the newcomer didn't seem to care. Instead, he apologized for his own rashness to Li Chonglou, "It was my fault for being impetuous. It's normal that Brother Li doesn't remember me. I am Wang Yifang. Brother Li helped me a great deal before. Do you remember?"
Li Chonglou nodded and said, "I remember. My apologies, I didn't recall your name for a moment."
Wang Yifang quickly waved his hands, "It's alright, it's alright. It's enough that Brother Li remembers meeting me." As Wang Yifang spoke, a fawning smile was plastered on his face. Liu Sanxing, completely ignored, felt a pang of resentment.
Today, I should be the protagonist! Liu Sanxing's expression darkened.
Just then, Wang Yifang glanced at Liu Sanxing and then asked Li Chonglou, "Brother Li, is this your..."
Li Chonglou looked at Liu Sanxing with interest and said, "I don't know him. He just said earlier that he was here to sell us insurance."
Liu Sanxing and Wang Yifang's faces both changed drastically. Wang Yifang's face immediately turned stern, and he shouted at Liu Sanxing, "Scoundrel! Is this a place you're fit to be in?"
Liu Sanxing was so angry his face turned green, and he trembled, pointing at Li Chonglou, rendered speechless by his rage.
Just as Wang Yifang was about to escort Liu Sanxing out, Li Chonglou spoke again, "Just kidding, Boss Wang. This is my wife's college classmate. We haven't seen each other for many years, and we arranged to meet up today."
Wang Yifang, being a shrewd individual, understood the situation perfectly. He put on an expression of sudden realization and then apologized to Liu Sanxing. Afterward, he cast a wry smile at Li Chonglou.
Li Chonglou smiled apologetically and patted Wang Yifang on the shoulder. Wang Yifang's emotions immediately vanished. However, he still explained, "Brother Li, I'm not the real boss. Although the hotel is temporarily under my management, I'm still just a manager. The real boss is Mr. Lu Chenggong, Lu."
"Oh, I see."
Just then, a group of people, about seven or eight, all dressed as successful individuals, suddenly entered from outside. Upon seeing Liu Sanxing, they immediately went forward to greet him.
"President Liu, it's quite hard to get a meeting with you. Why are you so free today to treat us old friends to dinner?"
Li Chonglou and the other two were somewhat bewildered by the scene.
They arrived only after the meal was almost finished?
What the three didn't know was that this was also Liu Sanxing's spontaneous decision. He had intended to move on to the next stage, finding some supporting characters to further highlight himself. But he never expected Wang Yifang to show up unexpectedly.
Now, he was no longer the protagonist in this situation.
However, just as Liu Sanxing was about to dismiss them, the shrewd Wang Yifang spoke first, "So Brother Li also has friends. Everyone, please follow me. I will arrange a better private room for you, and the entire bill will be waived."
After speaking, Wang Yifang gave Li Chonglou a meaningful glance. Li Chonglou couldn't help but feel amused and helpless, but he understood Wang Yifang's intention. Since they had already been slighted, there was no harm in pushing it further.
Thus, under Liu Sanxing's increasingly ashen face, Wang Yifang led the group out of the private room, praising Li Chonglou both openly and subtly.
The group was soon led astray by Wang Yifang, all believing that Liu Sanxing had invited them over to introduce them and give them an opportunity to curry favor with Li Chonglou. For a time, Li Chonglou became the center of everyone's attention.
Liu Sanxing, on the other hand, was completely forgotten by everyone.
Especially when Wang Yifang mentioned that this hotel was newly acquired by the richest man, Lu Chenggong, who planned to turn it into the most luxurious and top-tier hotel in Qin Prefecture, everyone was utterly shocked.
So, what kind of background did this Brother Li have?
Liu Sanxing's expression was extremely unpleasant. He remained silent until the banquet dispersed, and finally, he quietly slipped away, utterly defeated.
"Is this a bit..."
After coming out, Jiang Yuxin looked at Li Chonglou, wanting to speak but hesitating. Li Chonglou smiled calmly and said, "It's fine. For those who jump up to be clowns themselves, there's no need to be polite."
Jiang Yuxin nodded. To be honest, she had been keeping up appearances with Liu Sanxing for a long time. Unbeknownst to them, Liu Sanxing, just like last time, did not leave immediately. Instead, he hid in a dark corner, staring at the two with malicious eyes.
"Jiang Yuxin, don't blame me this time!"
Liu Sanxing muttered through gritted teeth, then took out his phone and made a call.
After leaving the restaurant, Li Chonglou and Jiang Yuxin did not return immediately. Although this was a bustling area of the city, there were many childhood memories in some of the small alleys. Li Chonglou wanted to take this opportunity to stroll with Jiang Yuxin again.
The two walked through the alleys, sampling many snacks they hadn't tasted in a long time. Earlier, with Liu Sanxing present, they hadn't eaten much. Now, they felt incredibly satisfied.
The two continued deeper into the alleys, and eventually, there were no more small shops. Li Chonglou then decided to take Jiang Yuxin back.
However, just as the two turned to leave, six or seven masked figures dressed in black suddenly appeared from somewhere.
They came with menacing intent, and each of them held a gleaming silver dagger.
"Be careful!"
Li Chonglou's eyes narrowed instantly. He shielded Jiang Yuxin behind him, and Jiang Yuxin's face turned pale in an instant.
Sensing Jiang Yuxin's unusual reaction, Li Chonglou couldn't help but comfort her, "Don't worry, it'll be fine."
As soon as he finished speaking, a man in black rushed forward with a dagger, holding it high, his eyes fierce.
"Die!"
The man in black grunted and thrust the dagger down fiercely. Jiang Yuxin instinctively closed her eyes. She heard a muffled thud and thought Li Chonglou was in trouble. She immediately opened her eyes, only to witness an unbelievable sight.
Li Chonglou remained standing still, while the man in black had been sent flying several meters away.
"This..."
Jiang Yuxin was still doubting her vision when the next man in black charged forward. This time, she finally saw clearly.
A raised hand, moving so fast that only a blur could be seen, and then the man in black was sent flying backward, losing consciousness on the spot without even a scream.
One, two, one, two, until four men in black were sent flying like this, the remaining few turned and fled without looking back.
And throughout this entire ordeal, Li Chonglou had not moved a single step.
Jiang Yuxin gazed at Li Chonglou's back, her heart filled with indescribable shock and her eyes brimming with admiration.