Zheng Yan weaved through the crowd, eventually settling in a spot that offered a wide view of the area while remaining inconspicuous. He glanced at his watch—three minutes left.
Chen Kai was considered high-ranking in Qin city, so his arrival was bound to cause some commotion. Although being under so many watchful eyes might be inconvenient, it could also serve to conceal other actions if done skillfully.
Zheng Yan stood quietly among the crowd, his gaze calmly scanning the hall as he mentally mapped out the situation in every corner.
“Hey, you there—” a slurred, drunken voice called out. Zheng Yan lowered his eyes briefly before bending slightly toward the source of the voice. “Yes, you. Come here and pour me some wine!”
Zheng Yan lowered his gaze for a moment, releasing the grip behind his back, and approached the table. As he picked up a bottle of wine, he quickly assessed the situation.
“Sir, your wine is already finished,” Zheng Yan said calmly, retracting his hand. The group of men barely noticed his delicate hand flash by before it disappeared. He added in a gentle tone, “Gentlemen, please wait a moment. I’ll bring another bottle.”
“No need to make another trip.” One of the men, clearly intoxicated, grabbed Zheng Yan by the arm. “We’re bored just sitting here drinking. Why don’t you join us for a drink? No need for a glass—President Yang has half a cup left. Bring it over!”
President Yang chuckled. “We don’t even know his name yet, and you’re already offering him a drink. Let me get a closer look at you.” He reached out to pinch Zheng Yan’s face.
Just then, Zheng Min’s voice came through Zheng Yan’s earpiece, informing him that Chen Kai was just a few steps away. Zheng Yan didn’t have time to waste on these men. He glanced at the supervisor standing nearby.
Yuan Ming Du was owned by the famous Qin Shi, so it wasn’t a place for casual entertainment. The establishment prided itself on high-end clientele. The “presidents” drinking here were bold for causing trouble in the main hall. While the supervisor might overlook things in private, he couldn’t allow a scene in public.
“President Yang, he’s just a waiter. Why cause trouble and embarrass yourself?” The supervisor quickly stepped in, blocking President Yang’s hand, allowing Zheng Yan to free his arm. “Xiao Zheng is new and doesn’t know the ropes yet. If he’s done anything to offend you, please let it go. It’s not worth your time to argue with a waiter.” The supervisor turned to Zheng Yan and urged him, “Go get the wine, didn’t you see the bottle’s empty? What did I tell you earlier?”
“Yes, yes.” Zheng Yan nodded, but as he turned, another man—a different “president” whose name he didn’t know—stepped forward with half a glass of wine in hand. Forcing it into Zheng Yan’s grasp, he slurred, “No need to hurry off. Finish this drink first, and then you can go. Xiao Zheng, right? You won’t deny me this small favor, will you?”
Zheng Min’s voice came urgently through the earpiece: “Chen Kai is about to come in. Keep an eye on your surroundings.”
Zheng Yan pursed his lips, slowly lifting the glass. Just as he was about to move closer to the man, Zheng Min’s tone changed sharply: “Get out now! I just spotted Luo Wen’s car in the underground parking lot—the same one he used to pick up Qin Xuan last time.”
Zheng Yan froze, his heart racing. At that moment, he caught sight of Chen Kai entering through the corner of his eye. His hand slipped, and the half-full glass of wine spilled all over the man standing in front of him.
“You’ve got some nerve, haven’t you?!” The man immediately flew into a rage, raising his hand and slapping Zheng Yan hard across the face. The sound echoed loudly through the hall. “I was offering you a drink out of kindness, and you pull this? You’re looking to die, aren’t you?”
His shout drew the attention of the entire hall. Naturally, Chen Kai—who had just entered—noticed the commotion as well. He glanced at Zheng Yan, their eyes meeting briefly in an unspoken exchange. Maintaining his composure, Chen Kai subtly altered his expression and turned to the floor manager, frowning. “What’s going on here?”
Zheng Yan had clearly caused this scene for a reason, and Chen Kai knew something had gone wrong. He fought the urge to investigate further, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. He knew Luo Wen was onto him, and his future was full of uncertainty. Yet, the documents had to be delivered, and this was the only place he could risk doing so. Still, he hadn’t anticipated Luo Wen catching wind of his plan.
Chen Kai’s gaze remained steady on the floor manager, who broke out in a cold sweat. He silently cursed the men causing the trouble but kept his face neutral, offering an awkward smile. “It’s just a few customers who’ve had a bit too much. I’ll take care of it right away. Mr. Chen, will you be proceeding as usual?”
Chen Kai gave the scene one last glance before nodding. “I’ll head up now. Make sure this is dealt with. Yuan Ming Du isn’t some seedy joint. If they don’t respect you, send someone up to find me.”
The floor manager repeatedly nodded, relieved to see Chen Kai go. He hurried over to the table just as the young waiter—Zheng Yan—staggered back, his face pale and swollen from the slap, a bright red handprint already forming.
The manager sighed inwardly, his anger lessening. Life wasn’t easy for waiters either.
“President Fu, President Fu.” he said as he held Fu back, preventing another slap. “Waiters can be clumsy and annoying. How about this? I’ll join you for a drink, and we’ll comp this round. How does that sound?” The manager didn’t respect President Fu, but he knew he had to maintain appearances. He’d offered an olive branch, but Fu wasn’t interested in backing down.
“You’ll join me for a drink, and we’ll just call it even?” Fu sneered. “You think you have that kind of pull, Zhao?”
“Well, if his authority isn’t enough, how about mine?” A cold, young voice cut through the air, chilling Fu to the bone.
Fu’s irritation turned to confusion as he glanced at the manager, whose face had shifted into a look of barely concealed mockery. Around them, the other patrons fell silent, and several other “presidents” suddenly wore sycophantic smiles.
A jolt of fear ran through Fu, sobering him up instantly.
Fu wasn’t where he was by being oblivious. He immediately recognized that he’d messed up, and badly. When he saw who had spoken, his legs nearly gave out. Whoever was right or wrong didn’t matter anymore. Just that one sentence had already sealed his fate.
Before Fu could react, the young man had already rushed past him, straight toward the waiter.
“Teacher, why are you here?” Qin Xuan was both furious and anxious. He gently touched the red swelling on Zheng Yan’s face, and hearing him wince in pain, Qin Xuan’s anger flared. He turned toward Fu, who was now trying to force a smile, and his voice dropped several degrees. “Was it you?”
Fu now knew for sure that he was in serious trouble. His arrogance vanished as he stammered, “I had a bit too much to drink, and I lost control. I didn’t realize Mr. Zheng was your teacher. Please, Young Master Qin, show some mercy.”
Qin Xuan ignored him, turning instead to the floor manager. “You explain.”
The floor manager nudged the supervisor forward. “I just got here. Xiao He knows what happened.”
The supervisor’s heart raced as he stammered through the explanation, watching Qin Xuan’s expression darken several times throughout the story.
Qin Xuan scanned the group of “presidents”. “Since when did Yuan Ming Du allow waiters to serve drinks?” President Yang flinched, about to say something, but Qin Xuan didn’t give him a chance. He turned back to Fu and said coldly, “We’ll handle the fact that your clothes were ruined, Zhao. It’s your responsibility.”
The floor manager nodded, but Fu could barely contain his fear.
“But hitting someone on my turf?” Qin Xuan sneered, stepping forward and slapping Fu hard across the face, leaving him stunned. Waving to his bodyguards, he ordered, “Throw them all out. They’re not welcome here anymore.”
“Young Master Qin, please! We didn’t know he was your teacher. We would never have dared!” Fu clutched his burning cheek, desperately pleading. “Please, be generous…”
But Qin Xuan was in no mood to forgive. The bodyguards grabbed the men like they were nothing and tossed them out, creating fresh gossip for those in attendance.
This incident caused quite a stir. Everyone wanted to know more about the teacher that Qin Xuan protected so fiercely.
Of course, Qin Xuan was aware of the rumors circulating, but he had no interest in dealing with idle chatter.
The young master was busy gently applying ointment to Zheng Yan’s bruised face, using a tenderness he’d never shown in his twenty-some years. “Teacher, why are you working here as a waiter? Did the school dock your pay? If you’re short on money, come to me. Why bother with this?”
Zheng Yan had kept his hand in his pocket the entire time. Hearing Qin Xuan’s question, his expression darkened briefly. “It’s nothing. I’ve just had some free time after my classes…”
Qin Xuan noticed the change in his mood and turned Zheng Yan’s face to meet his eyes. “Don’t lie to me. Your thoughts are written all over your face. Teacher, is something troubling you?”
“No,” Zheng Yan murmured, his voice low as he avoided Qin Xuan’s gaze. Qin Xuan pulled him into a hug. “Teacher, if something’s wrong, just tell me. Don’t carry the burden alone, okay?”
Zheng Yan’s eyelashes fluttered as if he wanted to say something, but stopped himself.
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