Chapter 15: The Stolen Vegetables
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Nightfall draped the city in a cloak of neon lights. As the workday ended, Li Yuyan was still busy with her tasks. Guan Sheng left the security department and entered her office, settling onto the sofa.
“When are you going home?” she asked.
“I’m hungry,” Guan Sheng replied coldly.
Li Yuyan glanced up, surprised to see it was already seven o’clock. But with so many unfinished files and projects still unorganized, leaving now was difficult. Over the years, the group had accumulated so many bad debts that it was suffering serious losses. The pressure on Li Yuyan was immense; all she wanted was to solve these problems, not eat.
“Why don’t you go grab something to eat first? There are plenty of good restaurants nearby,” she suggested, hoping to finish her work first.
Guan Sheng nodded, “Alright. I can’t let myself starve.”
He stepped up and held out his hand. “I have no money.”
Li Yuyan was momentarily stunned. Resigned, she pulled out her cardholder, and when she took out a bank card, she happened to see a VIP card.
Suddenly, she remembered — this was from the most famous local hotel. Before she went abroad, her grandfather had taken her there to dine. It was a private establishment passed down since the last century, only admitting guests of high status. The owner, out of respect for her grandfather, had gifted her this card — a symbol of prestige that allowed her to enter and order.
Coincidentally, there was a dish she liked there. Why not...
Li Yuyan quickly took out the VIP card and handed it to Guan Sheng.
“I just remembered — this hotel is quite good. It’s about five kilometers away. It’s private, so take a taxi there. With this card, you can order inside. Also, get me a portion of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall to go.”
Guan Sheng glanced at the card and said, “Got it.”
With that, he left the group headquarters and flagged down a taxi.
Half an hour later, he arrived at the hotel Li Yuyan had mentioned. A signboard read “Old Jiangnan.”
Far from the bustling city center, the surrounding area was filled with gardens and buildings in the Jiangnan architectural style. The path leading to the hotel was paved with exquisite jade tiles, exuding ultimate luxury.
Of course, Guan Sheng didn’t care about the grandeur; he just wanted good food.
After years abroad eating nothing but compressed biscuits or wild game from primitive forests, those memories were bitter.
Now back in peaceful Longguo, well-dressed and determined to eat well.
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As soon as he stepped inside, a male waiter in a fine suit approached him.
“Sir, this is a private hotel that only serves distinguished guests. Do you have a VIP card?”
Guan Sheng handed over the card from Li Yuyan. “This one?”
The waiter examined it and immediately smiled ingratiatingly. “Yes, honored guest.”
“Will you dine in or take out?”
“Do you need a private room?”
“No, just takeout. Where do I order?” Guan Sheng asked.
The waiter promptly led him to a lounge and brought a menu.
Scanning the dazzling array of dishes, Guan Sheng first ordered the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for Li Yuyan, then selected some signature specialties for himself.
“That’s all.”
“Very well, honored guest. Please wait here briefly. Once the kitchen finishes, we will package it for you.”
“Mm.”
The waiter turned and left for the kitchen.
Meanwhile, in another private room, a very distinguished guest had arrived.
Xu Tao sat at the head of the table, flanked by a line of bodyguards.
Having just left the hospital, he came here to eat. He would never easily let go of Li Yuyan.
A young man with blond hair bowed nervously before him, clearly unused to such a grand setting.
“Young Master Xu, this place... it’s pretty expensive, right?”
Xu Tao crossed his legs. “That’s none of your concern.”
“Have you completed the tasks I assigned you?”
The blond youth patted his chest confidently. “Don’t worry, Young Master Xu. Everything’s done. I’ll lead the team to act according to plan first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Good.” Xu Tao smiled. “I’m always fair with rewards and punishments.”
“As long as you get this done, the fifty million I promised will be transferred to your account immediately.”
Fifty million — the moment he heard that number, the young man’s eyes sparkled and saliva dribbled down his mouth involuntarily.
“Rest assured, rest assured.”
Seeing the time growing late, Xu Tao said, “Order some food. Eat well so you can work well.”
“Take a look at the menu. Not everyone can come here.”
“Alright, alright, thank you, Young Master Xu.” The young man rubbed his hands eagerly, took the menu, and with a naive expression, quickly finished ordering.
Xu Tao gave a signal, and someone called over a waiter.
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When the waiter came in and took the menu, he frowned.
“Young Master Xu, I’m sorry, but the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall you ordered is sold out. The last bowl’s ingredients were just ordered by another guest.”
“Ah?” The blond youth looked disappointed. “No Buddha Jumps Over the Wall? That’s a shame. I never had such delicacies back in the countryside. Young Master Xu, what do we do now?”
Xu Tao’s eyes narrowed coldly. “Has that dish been served yet?”
The waiter shook his head. “Not yet, but it’s almost ready and was about to be packed.”
“Then don’t serve it. Bring it straight to me.”
The waiter hesitated. “But—”
“But what, huh? Are you trying to provoke me or that guest? In Jiangcheng, whose status is higher than mine, Xu Tao’s?”
The waiter was stunned by this statement. Considering the overwhelming power of the Xu family, he dared not argue.
Seeing the waiter still lingering, Xu Tao said coldly, “Do you have a photo of that person? Show me. I won’t make this difficult for you. If the other person’s status truly outranks mine, I’ll forgo the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.”
The waiter didn’t hesitate and quickly pulled up footage from the first-floor surveillance. When the photo appeared, he handed it to Xu Tao.
Xu Tao glanced at it abruptly, then squinted.
“This is...”
“Guan Sheng!”
A bodyguard stepped forward. “Young Master, that’s the guy who crippled Brother Liu this morning.”
Xu Tao chuckled. “I thought it had to be him.”
“So it’s him.”
“A dying man, how could he afford to eat Buddha Jumps Over the Wall?”
He tossed his phone to the waiter. “Bring the dish here. Whatever happens, I’ll take responsibility.”
Hearing this, the waiter no longer hesitated and left immediately.
After he left, Xu Tao said to the bodyguards, “Spread the word that Guan Sheng is here.”
“Make sure he stays far away. Don’t let him dirty my dining place or pollute the air I breathe.”
“I don’t like the smell of blood.”
The bodyguards bowed. “Understood.”
“I’ll notify the hired assassins to come immediately.”