"What's going on? Is someone causing trouble?" Two security guards charged up aggressively.
"Exactly, these two people just started hitting someone. Everyone around saw it," Wang Xuan accused first, extending her wrist, "Look, I still have bruises on my wrist!"
"Sir, could you please explain?" The floor manager, seasoned in these matters, could tell at a glance that there had been some conflict and dispute between the two men. Of course, she wasn't going to take Wang Xuan's word for it and assume it was Fang Jueyu and Cheng Kai causing the disturbance.
"Hello, my friend and I came here to eat. Not only did this person make sarcastic remarks, but he even tried to hit us. I was simply acting in self-defense," Fang Jueyu said calmly, "If you don't believe me, you can check the surveillance footage. Then everything will be clear!"
Wang Xuan's face changed immediately. He had forgotten about the CCTV cameras. If the footage was reviewed, his actions would undoubtedly be seen as unjustifiable.
"Do you let just any kind of customers in, for a restaurant with a reputation like this?" Wang Xuan seemed to have concluded that the two couldn't afford to eat here, "Look, the total value of their outfits wouldn't cover the cost of a meal here, it's obvious they've come to cause trouble."
The floor manager's gaze swept over the two. Wang Xuan puffed out his chest, intentionally or unintentionally showing off the Rolex on his wrist—and he was indeed clad in designer brands.
In contrast, Fang Jueyu and Cheng Kai's entire outfits together probably didn't cost as much as one of Wang Xuan's shirts. Their financial capability was truly questionable.
"Whether we can afford to eat here is none of your business, right?" Fang Jueyu was almost amused by the anger. Even if they couldn't afford it, he had never seen a restaurant throw out customers. If they actually did that, the restaurant's reputation could be ruined.
"Fang, let's leave it. These two are too nauseating. Let's go somewhere else," Cheng Kai whispered to Fang Jueyu.
However, Wang Xuan immediately overheard this comment and thought they were backing down, so he became even bolder.
"See? They're planning to run off now. Isn't that proof they can't afford it and just came here to pick a fight?" Wang Xuan boasted triumphantly.
"Heh, can't afford to eat?" Fang Jueyu felt he had perhaps been too low-key. He turned to the floor manager, "Excuse me, how should I address you?"
"I am the floor manager of this establishment. My name is Bai," Manager Bai said courteously. For some reason, she felt this young man wasn't ordinary, despite his unremarkable appearance.
"I'd like to dine here right now, is that possible?" Fang Jueyu asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry, sir, but our restaurant is fully booked," Manager Bai thought Fang Jueyu was trying to prove he could afford to dine here, but a proper meal for two could likely cost over a thousand yuan, which seemed extravagant for average college students.
Not just her, but many onlookers also really believed that Fang Jueyu was putting on a brave face. Even if he really paid, they suspected he would have to get by on instant noodles for the rest of the month.
"Really? If I'm not mistaken, this restaurant should have reserved some special seats for guests with particular statuses, right?"
"Well..." Manager Bai's face changed at once. There is an unwritten rule in the mid to high-end restaurant industry. Fang Jueyu was right, the restaurant indeed reserved a few seats, but ordinary people were not entitled to use them.
"It's okay, I know your reserved seats aren't for just anyone. Give me two minutes, I need to make a call!" Just now, Fang Jueyu learned something interesting through Xiao Yi.
Fang Jueyu took out his phone and dialed Zhuang Ying's number.
"Young master, what's up? Do you need help with something?" Zhuang Ying was having lunch, and as his personal assistant, she also got to enjoy the food from this excellent team of chefs.
"Sister Ying, I need a favor. My friend and I are at Bartolo Spanish Art Restaurant on Xuéyuán Road, but it's full here. Could you talk to the owner for me?"
"Just this little thing?" Zhuang Ying didn't take it to heart at all. "Your father should've given you a black card by now, right? As long as you show that card, anyone with a bit of awareness will offer you the highest level of service."
"Oh?" Fang Jueyu didn't know that the card had this function.
"It seems you're not aware, though the card might not necessarily have a lot of money in it, it represents a certain status," Zhuang Ying explained, "At least in the whole Jiangnan City, there wouldn't be more than ten people with such a black card, including the Party Secretary of Jiangnan City. You understand what I mean, don't you?"
"This card actually has that kind of effect?"
"Let alone Jiangnan City, even in Yanjing, anyone doing business would want to give you face, so this little matter isn't even worth bothering their boss over."
"Hahaha, actually there is another private matter I want to deal with," Fang Jueyu lowered his voice, "Not hiding anything from you, I've run into an ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend here, and they're mocking me for not being able to afford a meal!"
"Is that so?" Zhuang Ying was amused to the point of being delighted. With Fang Jueyu's wealth, there wasn't anything in this world he couldn't afford. "Alright, give me two minutes!"
"Hmph, such pretense!" Seeing Fang Jueyu put down his phone, Wang Xuan started to nag again.
"Manager Bai, you might receive a phone call in a minute."
Manager Bai looked confused. Who would call her?
Sure enough, in less than two minutes, Manager Bai's phone rang, and the caller ID showed it was none other than the owner of this very restaurant!
She couldn't help but give Fang Jueyu another look before answering the call.
"Boss Xu, what do you need?"
"Little Bai, the headquarters just called me on an international line; did a young man come to your branch?"
"Uh... there are two of them, and..." But before she could finish, Boss Xu immediately interrupted her.
"That young man named Fang Jueyu, you absolutely cannot offend him. Whatever he asks for, satisfy it!" He emphasized again, "Remember, all requests!"
"If he's not satisfied, it's not just about you losing your job; our branch won't be able to continue, and even the head office would be in trouble!"
"I... I understand…" Manager Bai's voice trembled slightly. Though the branch was valuable, it certainly wasn't much in the eyes of the wealthy.
But this restaurant's headquarters was a huge catering group based in Spain, with industries in many countries around the world. It wasn't something that could just collapse. Could it be that this average-looking young man actually had such formidable power behind him?
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Fang Jueyu?" Manager Bai hung up the phone and immediately adopted a respectful attitude.
"Yes, that's me." Fang Jueyu nodded.
"My apologies for the inattentiveness earlier. Please allow us to arrange a seat for you immediately, this way please!"
"Just a moment! What do you mean? We arrived first, why are you arranging a seat for him first?" Wang Xuan hadn't realized what was going on and immediately spoke up in dissatisfaction.
"On what basis?" Fang Jueyu sneered, "Because I am the owner of this restaurant. Is that sufficient?"