"Miss Shen is busy, so let's reschedule," Lu Fan said. "I have other matters to attend to as well."
"How can that be? We've already agreed, and it can't be changed."
Shen Xiaoxiao quickly added, "We're eating this meal today, and none of you are leaving!"
Lu Fan showed a helpless expression. He glanced at the men present and didn't feel any goodwill towards them. Their eyes were filled with hostility towards them, which Lu Fan could not fail to notice.
"I am the eldest daughter, you should listen to me," Shen Xiaoxiao said coldly. "Go to Tianxia Mingchu and reserve a table. I want to personally host a banquet!"
The men in sunglasses exchanged glances and finally agreed. After all, Shen Xiaoxiao was the eldest daughter of the Shen family, and they were not in a position to offend her.
Led by Shen Xiaoxiao, Lu Fan and the others arrived at Tianxia Mingchu. It looked magnificent and was quite a nice venue.
"Are we eating inside?" Da Pang looked at the tall buildings with a hint of unease.
"That's right, it's inside!" Shen Xiaoxiao nodded. "We're friends now, so a meal is nothing."
"If it were an ordinary meal, it would be fine. Eating here probably costs quite a bit," Da Pang said again.
"It's alright. It's clear you have substantial wealth," Lu Fan chuckled. "Miss Shen is so generous, we don't need to be polite."
"That's right," Shen Xiaoxiao nodded and smiled, leading the way towards Tianxia Mingchu.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, they found a private booth and everyone sat down.
"You can all wait by the entrance!" Shen Xiaoxiao said. "After the meal, I'll be going home!"
One
The men in sunglasses exchanged glances, then nodded slightly and stepped out of the restaurant. Shen Xiaoxiao was likely quite safe at Tianxia Mingchu and didn't require their close protection.
After the men left, Da Pang breathed a sigh of relief. "Those people were bodyguards, weren't they? With such a grand display, Miss Shen must have a significant background."
"It's nothing, just relying on my parents," Shen Xiaoxiao said with a wry smile, though she felt a bit proud.
"Didn't you come to Chuzhou to find a job?" Lu Fan looked at Da Pang. "If that's the case, why not let him help? With his status, finding you a job would be a simple matter!"
"That might not be very appropriate!" Da Pang glanced at Shen Xiaoxiao.
"There's nothing inappropriate about it. You can report to Shen Group tomorrow, and I'll arrange it for you," Shen Xiaoxiao declared generously. "Regardless, you are all my friends."
"That's wonderful!" Da Pang's face lit up with joy.
Shen Xiaoxiao looked at Lu Fan. "Do you want to find a job? I have a very suitable one for you. If you need it, I can arrange it for you right now!"
"I have other matters to attend to in Chuzhou, not to find a job," Lu Fan chuckled. "Just arrange it for him."
Shen Xiaoxiao was instantly a little disappointed. She had hoped to have Lu Fan as her bodyguard, but he had refused.
"You're supposed to drink with me, and you're putting on airs. Believe it or not, you'll regret it."
As they were talking, a shout came from not far away. A middle-aged man was grabbing a waitress, looking very impolite, and slapped her.
Many people in the restaurant watched, surprised that such a thing would happen at Tianxia Mingchu.
"I really can't drink..."
The female server apologized quickly. She looked like a schoolgirl and was incredibly delicate, evoking pity from many. However, no one stepped forward. The middle-aged man seemed to have a strong presence and was likely not someone to trifle with.
"Xiao Jia, what happened?"
A man in glasses walked over and looked at the middle-aged man. "Sir, I am the manager of Tianxia Mingchu. Is there any aspect of our service that has been unsatisfactory?"
"It's just a server, and she dares to offend me?"
Brother Datou said coldly, "Don't you know who I am? There's no woman I fancy who can escape my grasp!"
"Sir, this is Tianxia Mingchu," the manager in glasses said. "We only provide dining services here, and we don't have any other arrangements. Please conduct yourself with decorum!"
"Go to hell!" Brother Datou stood up abruptly. "Are you tired of living? To speak to me like that!"
The manager in glasses was startled and dared not say anything more, not knowing what to do. These people clearly weren't to be trifled with. If a commotion were to break out, it would not be good for Tianxia Mingchu's reputation.
"If he doesn't come and drink three cups with me today, Tianxia Mingchu doesn't need to open anymore!" Datou said coldly. "Do you really think I'm a pushover!"
Xiao Jia was quite frightened, her face pale. She was already quite frail, and in her current state, she looked even more pitiful.
"There is a cycle of retribution; heaven spares no one!"
Just then, Lu Fan's voice rang out. "It's always good to be forgiving where one can be forgiving!"
Many people in the restaurant looked at Lu Fan and gave him a thumbs-up. They had long been displeased with the arrogance of the man, but they dared not speak out. Lu Fan's willingness to speak frankly earned him much admiration.
"Forgiving where one can be forgiving?"
Datou sneered instantly. He ignored Xiao Jia and walked up to Lu Fan. "My brother, who are you? To speak such words."
"I'm new to Chuzhou," Lu Fan chuckled. "Is there a problem?"
"New to Chuzhou and daring to speak so wildly?" Datou said coldly. "You truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Do you know who I am?"
"What does it matter to me who you are?" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Today, I am protecting that young lady!"
The people in the restaurant were stunned. They had thought Lu Fan was just speaking casually, but they hadn't expected his attitude to be so arrogant. Datou clearly wasn't someone to be trifled with, and if a fight were to break out, Lu Fan would be in great danger.
"You have quite an attitude!" Several men beside him said coldly. "If Brother Datou wants someone, can anyone protect them?"
"I advise you to be sensible," Han Yunhai said with a smile. "If it comes to a fight, you might not fare well."
Datou and the others looked displeased. In Chuzhou, they had never been threatened like this. To fall out with them over a server, Lu Fan and his companions had considerable courage.
"Tear this kid into eight pieces!"
Brother Datou said coldly, "Let him know the harsh realities of society!"
"Hold on!" Shen Xiaoxiao stood up. "These people are my friends, you can't touch him! Otherwise, my Shen family will not let you go."
Datou's body trembled. "You are the eldest daughter of the Shen family?"
"Genuine!" Shen Xiaoxiao said coldly. "You are bullying commoners here, acting like tyrants. If you dare to oppose the Shen family, you should know the consequences!"
Brother Datou was displeased but did not make a move. If it truly involved the Shen family, he really couldn't act rashly.
"Since it's Miss Shen, I'll give you this face."
Datou then left directly, with considerable resentment.