"What's going on? Is someone causing trouble?" Two security guards stormed over with an air of authority.
"That's right, these two just hit me. Everyone here saw it," Wang Xuan accused, showing his wrist. "Look, there's even a bruise!"
"Excuse me, sir, could you explain what happened?" The restaurant manager, with her experience, could easily tell that there was some conflict between the two parties. She wasn't about to take Wang Xuan's words at face value and immediately assume Fang Jueyu and Cheng Kai were the troublemakers.
"Hi, my friend and I came here for a meal. This man not only insulted us but also tried to get physical. I just acted in self-defense," Fang Jueyu calmly explained. "If you don't believe me, you can check the security cameras. That will clear everything up."
Wang Xuan's face changed at once. He had forgotten about the cameras. If the footage was reviewed, it would clearly show that he was the one at fault.
"You're a well-known restaurant. Surely, you don't allow just anyone in, right?" Wang Xuan sneered, thinking Fang Jueyu and Cheng Kai couldn't afford to dine here. "Look at them! Their entire outfits combined wouldn't even cover the cost of a meal here. They're clearly just here to cause trouble."
The manager's eyes quickly scanned over them. Wang Xuan straightened his chest, subtly showing off his Rolex, and his attire was undoubtedly expensive.
In contrast, Fang Jueyu and Cheng Kai were dressed modestly. Their clothes were far from high-end, making their ability to afford a meal here questionable.
"Whether or not we can afford to eat here isn't your business, is it?" Fang Jueyu chuckled. In all his experiences, he'd never heard of a restaurant throwing out customers for not being able to afford a meal. Doing that would ruin their reputation.
"Forget it, Jueyu. These two are disgusting. Let's find somewhere else," Cheng Kai whispered to Fang Jueyu.
Wang Xuan overheard and thought they were chickening out. Emboldened, he became even more arrogant.
"See? They're trying to sneak away now. Isn't it obvious they can't afford to eat here?" Wang Xuan boasted.
"Hah, can't afford it?" Fang Jueyu was amused. He turned to the restaurant manager. "Excuse me, may I ask your name?"
"I'm the restaurant manager. My name is Bai," the manager replied politely, now feeling there was something unusual about this young man despite his modest appearance.
"I'd like to dine here immediately. Is that possible?" Fang Jueyu asked.
"Ah, sorry, sir, we're fully booked right now," Manager Bai explained, still assuming Fang Jueyu was just trying to prove a point. A meal here could easily cost over a thousand yuan for two, a luxury for most university students.
It wasn't just her. Many onlookers believed Fang Jueyu was just pretending to be rich. Sure, he could pay the bill, but afterward, he'd probably have to live off instant noodles for a while.
"Is that so? If I'm not mistaken, you usually reserve a few special tables for guests of certain status, right?"
"Well..." Manager Bai's expression changed. In high-end dining, there was indeed an unspoken rule of reserving special seats, but not just anyone could access them.
"No worries. I understand you don't give those seats to just anyone. Give me two minutes, and I'll make a call." Fang Jueyu had just learned something interesting from Xiaoyi.
Fang Jueyu took out his phone and called Zhuang Ying.
"Young Master, what can I help you with?" Zhuang Ying was enjoying lunch, having access to the same excellent chef team as his personal secretary.
"Ying, could you do me a favor? My friend and I are at the Bartolo Spanish Art Restaurant on Xueyuan Road, but they're fully booked. Could you have a word with the owner?"
"This small matter?" Zhuang Ying wasn't concerned in the least. "Didn't your father give you a black card? Just show that card, and anyone with half a brain will give you top-tier service."
"Oh?" Fang Jueyu hadn't realized the card had such power.
"Looks like you don't know. The card itself may not hold much money, but it represents a certain status," Zhuang Ying explained. "In all of Jiangnan, there are probably fewer than ten people who hold one of those black cards. One of them is a high-ranking official. Do you understand now?"
"This card has that much power?"
"Not just in Jiangnan, but even in Beijing, any businessperson would treat you with the utmost respect. So, this is no big deal. No need to contact the owner directly."
"Actually, there's a bit of personal business to handle too," Fang Jueyu lowered his voice. "I ran into my ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend, and they're mocking me for not being able to afford a meal."
"Is that so?" Zhuang Ying couldn't help but laugh. Given Fang Jueyu's wealth, there was nothing on Earth he couldn't afford. "Got it. I'll handle it. Give me two minutes!"
"Hmph, putting on a show again?" Wang Xuan sneered as Fang Jueyu hung up the phone.
"Manager Bai, you might be receiving a call soon.＂
Manager Bai was confused. Who could possibly be calling her?
Sure enough, less than two minutes later, her phone rang. The caller ID showed that it was the restaurant's owner!
She glanced at Fang Jueyu again before answering the call.
"Mr. Xu, how can I help you?"
"Xiao Bai, I just got a direct call from headquarters. Is there a young man at your restaurant?"
"Uh... there are two of them, and..." Before she could finish, Mr. Xu cut her off.
"The young man named Fang Jueyu, whatever he requests, fulfill it! Do you hear me? Whatever he wants!"
"Remember, all of his requests!"
"If he's not satisfied, not only will you lose your job, but our restaurant could be shut down. Even the entire company might face consequences!"
"I... I understand..." Manager Bai's voice trembled. The restaurant was valuable, but to the truly wealthy, it wasn't much. However, the parent company in Spain was a large international corporation with businesses in many countries. It wouldn't just collapse unless the person behind this young man had truly terrifying power.
"Are you Mr. Fang Jueyu?" Manager Bai hung up the phone, now full of respect.
"Yes, that's me." Fang Jueyu nodded.
"I apologize for the earlier inconvenience. We'll arrange a table for you immediately. Please, come this way."
"Wait! What's the meaning of this? We were here first. Why should they get a table before us?" Wang Xuan still hadn't realized what was happening and was furious.
"Why?" Fang Jueyu sneered. "Because I own this restaurant. Is that good enough for you?"