Chapter 33: Tang Haofeng Kneels

"Damn it, how is there still a dish missing? Old Li, has your brain been crushed by a door or have you gone blind? How could you make such a massive mistake?"

In the kitchen of Old Jiangnan, the manager, Li Chen, stood with his hands on his hips, berating a chef.

"Manager Li, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. My stomach was upset today, and I remember telling Xiaomei to serve the dishes before I went to the restroom." The chef tried to explain, but Li Chen waved him off.

"Enough, enough! Why explain so much? I don’t need the reasons for your incompetence."

"There are already so many dishes being served today; how would Xiaomei know which one you were talking about?"

"Besides, you actually left it in the steamer. Who would know where you hid it?"

"I don’t want to hear your excuses right now."

Hearing this, the chef bowed his head, trembling with fear. "Then... what should I do now? Should I take it up immediately?"

"Are you trying to get us killed?" Li Chen glared at him. "Didn't you hear the boss’s instructions? The guests dining upstairs today are VIPs. Without his orders, no one is allowed on that floor."

"If you want to die, don't drag me down with you!" Li Chen roared.

He knew the temperament of the boss, Tang Haofeng, very well. If these weren't incredibly important figures, the boss wouldn't have gone to such lengths to host them. It was, after all, a banquet prepared to the standards of a state dinner. Although Li Chen didn't know exactly who the guests were, his experience and intuition told him they were big shots he would never encounter in a thousand lifetimes.

The chef muttered, "But if the boss finds out that a dish is missing from today’s state banquet and the guests are unhappy, wouldn't the consequences be..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Li Chen’s expression grew tense. As a manager, he knew exactly how serious it was to miss a dish. Ordinary people would be furious if their order was incomplete, let alone VIPs. These big shots had incredibly demanding dietary habits; if they weren't served perfectly, he would be severely punished. If the boss failed to entertain them properly because of this missing dish, his career as a manager would be over.

Cold sweat broke out on Li Chen's back. He looked toward the upper floor and whispered, "It should still be in time if I rush to take it up now! The VIPs shouldn't have arrived yet..."

The chef nodded. "Yes, yes."

Li Chen immediately said, "Give me the dish. I’ll take it up. You stay right here, and I'll deal with you when I get back."

"Yes." The chef didn't dare hesitate; he quickly took the steamed wild yellow croaker out of the steamer and handed it to Li Chen.

After putting on heat-resistant gloves, Li Chen immediately carried the fish upstairs. A few minutes later, he reached the unoccupied floor, moving carefully, terrified of spilling a single drop of broth. But who could have imagined that when he reached the door of the private room and saw a figure inside, his face would turn deathly pale.

"This... isn't this..."

At that moment, the words of Elder Ji were still echoing in Guan Sheng’s ears. Every word had left a deep mark on his heart, like a thunderclap.

*The guardian in the shadows of the Dragon Kingdom...*

*This land and its rivers are my backing...*

*This world remains at peace because of me...*

A profound sense of responsibility, as heavy as Mount Tai, immediately settled onto his shoulders. He stared at Elder Ji, and upon confirming that the old man was sincere, his expression turned solemn.

Just as he was about to speak, a shout of anger shattered the solemn atmosphere between the two.

"Good grief, it’s you again! Who told you to come in here? Do you even know where you are?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Guan Sheng’s eyes turned cold, and he looked toward the door. Elder Ji’s expression shifted slightly as he looked over as well.

*Hadn't it been made clear? No one was allowed to enter.*

The two of them looked over and saw Li Chen in his suit, their gazes chilling. Guan Sheng, in particular, looked utterly disdainful. If this old man hadn't begged him to come here for a meal, would he have bothered? Did he really think this "Old Jiangnan" place was some sort of Heavenly Palace?

Guan Sheng gave a cold snort, ignoring Li Chen out of respect for Elder Ji. But Li Chen was displeased; he was already furious, and yet this kid dared to ignore him. He marched in, set the dish on the table, rolled up his sleeves, and pointed at Guan Sheng’s head.

"Kid, don't be ungrateful."

"This is not a place you should be."

"And it's certainly not a place someone like you is fit to be."

"I’m warning you, get out immediately, or you’ll bear the consequences."

Elder Ji could no longer stand it. "Before you say another word, you had better consult your boss."

Li Chen shrugged dismissively. "Consult? Does it need consulting?"

"You stinking old man, what kind of thing are you? Oh, you’re in cahoots with this kid? I get it now. You’re here to scam a free meal. What, seeing that this floor is empty, you thought you’d sneak in, fill your bellies, and bolt?"

"You brat, I never thought you were this kind of person. Harboring such malice to ruin our boss’s important event—is it just because our boss took away your Li family’s card the other day?"

"Is this your revenge against our boss? No wonder your Li family is about to decline. Having a lowly, shameless subordinate like you, you deserve it."

The barrage of insults made Elder Ji’s face turn black.

Guan Sheng laughed ironically. "Old man, listen to that. Just listen."

"If I agreed to become some 'guardian,' I fear half the population of this Dragon Kingdom would be gone."

"A person like this? Abroad, I’d take them out with a single strike."

*Swish!*

Li Chen laughed outright. "A single strike? Do you really think you’re something special just because you cut me the other day?"

"If you have the guts, come and cut me! Kill me then!"

"I knew you didn't have the nerve, you coward. You only dare to pick on service staff like me. Why didn't you try to touch our boss the other day? You bully the weak and fear the strong!"

Elder Ji could no longer contain himself and roared, "Enough! Call your boss here."

Li Chen held his head high arrogantly. "Who are you to see our boss? Our boss is busy with a thousand tasks and only receives important figures. Are you worthy?"

Guan Sheng smiled. "Do you not know who he is?"

Li Chen put his hands on his hips, his tone sharp. "Do I need to know who this old man is?"

"I get up at five every morning to work at this hotel and stay up until midnight before clocking out. I earn several times more than an old man who has no self-respect like him. Do I need to know who he is?"

Guan Sheng applauded. "Good."

Elder Ji took a deep breath, trying to control his emotions, and repeated, "I will say it one more time: call your boss here."

Li Chen took out his phone. "You aren't worth it. I’m calling security up here right now to throw you two thieves out."

Just as he finished speaking, a roar echoed from outside the doors.

"Li Chen, how dare you!"

"Have you lost your mind?"

Hearing the voice, Li Chen turned around in a hurry to see the owner of the hotel standing at the door—the President of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, Tang Haofeng.

Seeing his boss, Li Chen’s heart sank.

"Boss... I... I wasn't here on purpose. It’s these two who were stealing food, so I..."

Before he could finish, Tang Haofeng charged at him like a wild bull that had lost its sanity.

Then—*smack!*

A loud, crisp slap echoed through the room. Li Chen was knocked to the floor on the spot. He was stunned, staring at Tang Haofeng, dazed.

"B-boss..."

Tang Haofeng roared, "These two are my VIP guests!"

"What are you trying to do?"

"Do you want to die?"

"What?" At that moment, Li Chen was shocked. He looked at Guan Sheng—this guy was a VIP? Wasn't he kicked out of Old Jiangnan just the other day?

Guan Sheng heard this and let out a dry laugh.

"Forget it."

"I am not fit to be a VIP of your Old Jiangnan!"

"Isn't that right, old man?"

Elder Ji said with authority, "Indeed, I am not fit either."

*Thud!*

In an instant, Tang Haofeng’s spirit shattered, and he immediately dropped to his knees!