"You're the manager here?" Chen Zheng didn't speak; instead, it was Liu Zhenguo who spoke up. "It's just a cup, and you're demanding one million in compensation? I'd really like to know who gave you the right to set prices so arbitrarily."

"Well, now..."

"Sir, you should watch your words. We are a unit directly under the provincial department. The way you speak makes us sound like a crooked establishment," Manager Zhao said, his face dripping with sarcasm.

"If you don't have the money, you should just eat at a roadside stall. What are you doing here?"

"And before you go, you must pay the one million and more—not a single penny less!" Manager Zhao stated icily.

"Insolence!"

"Do you have any idea who you're talking to? You've got some nerve!" Liu Zhenguo's blood pressure shot up instantly.

I brought Chen Zheng to one of my own subsidiary units for a meal, and this is what happens? To be extorted right in front of Chen Zheng and mocked to his face by a mere manager?

"My, you've got quite a temper!" Manager Zhao said with a disdainful look. "Do you really think you're some department head, daring to speak to me like that?"

"I'd say you and that kid next to you are exactly the same—you've both got screws loose. You'd better go to the hospital and make an appointment for a check-up!"

"If you wait too long..."

Before he could finish, Liu Zhenguo's hand flew up and slapped him squarely across the face.

Mocking me is one thing, but how dare he mock Chen Zheng? This kid really has a death wish!

Manager Zhao was stunned by the slap. It took him a long moment to recover before he roared, "You son of a..."

"You dare to hit me? Believe it or not, I'll call the police right now and have you locked up so you never get out!"

"Fine, fine... you call them! If you don't, I will!" Liu Zhenguo roared back, his face flushed with anger.

"Just you wait! I'm calling the police right now!" Overcome with fury, Manager Zhao immediately whipped out his phone and made a call.

A short while later, a police car screeched to a halt outside.

Deputy Director Wang Tianxi of the city bureau had personally led his team here, his expression filled with rage. The Golden Hill Hotel was under the provincial department's jurisdiction, which made it practically his own territory. For someone to cause trouble on his doorstep was a deep insult. If he didn't handle this, who would ever take them seriously again?

"Deputy Director Wang, you're finally here!" Manager Zhao cried, rushing over the moment he saw Wang Tianxi. He pointed at Chen Zheng and Liu Zhenguo, yelling, "These two broke our property and then had the nerve to act shamelessly. Look, they even started the fight! Arrest them, quickly!"

As Wang Tianxi entered the private room, however, he froze on the spot. The anger on his face stiffened into a mask of shock.

"Who... did you just tell me to arrest?" Wang Tianxi asked, turning his head slowly to look at the manager with an icy gaze.

"That idio—" Manager Zhao started, pointing at Liu Zhenguo, but before he could finish, a resounding slap landed squarely on his face.

"You blind fool! Open your eyes and take a good look! This is Director Liu! How dare you claim Director Liu is making a scene here?"

"Are you tired of living?" Wang Tianxi bellowed furiously.

"Director... Liu?" Manager Zhao was completely dumbfounded, and his legs gave out, causing him to sink to the floor.

He had assumed the man was just bluffing. He never imagined he was actually having dinner with Director Liu himself.

Wang Tianxi hurried over to Liu Zhenguo, his face wreathed in an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry, Director Liu! I had no idea you were dining here!"

"I invited my former superior to dine here today, only to have this scoundrel try to swindle us!" Liu Zhenguo snorted coldly.

A former superior? Everyone froze, their gazes turning to Chen Zheng with newfound seriousness. Director Liu's former leader? What kind of high-ranking official would that be? And it's this young man?

When Manager Zhao heard this, his vision swam, and he nearly fainted on the spot.

How could I be so unlucky? I casually mock some random guy, and he turns out to be such a formidable figure!

"Manager Zhao, why don't you explain to me why this cup is worth one million," Liu Zhenguo said, his voice dangerously low. "If you can't give me a clear answer, you can get lost! Not only that, but I'll also have you experience what real hard labor feels like!"

Trembling from head to toe and breaking out in a cold sweat, Manager Zhao instinctively glanced at Chen Zheng.

"Weren't you trying to stand up for Zhang Ming?" Chen Zheng asked, looking at him meaningfully.

"I'm sorry, sir! It was my fault for looking down on people. It's all my fault! I have an eighty-year-old mother to care for and children to feed. Please, sir, you must give this worthless person a chance!"

"I will definitely change my ways!" Manager Zhao immediately burst into tears, utterly terrified. If he couldn't explain himself or get Chen Zheng's forgiveness today, his career was truly over.

"I can overlook your offense," Chen Zheng said coolly. "But as for this one million, do you know who you should be asking for it now?"

"Yes, yes, I understand..."

"I get it all!" Manager Zhao nodded frantically.

"Alright, Old Liu, let's leave it at that for today. It's time for me to head back. We can have a proper get-together some other time," Chen Zheng said, standing up.

Liu Zhenguo also scrambled to his feet. "I'll see you off, Marshal..."

「Meanwhile.」

In Private Room Number Three, Zhang Ming and Wei Zixuan were also finishing up.

"President Zhang, regarding the matter of our cooperation..."

"Let's not rush this. You know that although I'm the chairman, I only hold a ten percent stake. I have to be responsible to everyone. You must allow me to consider it further," Zhang Ming said meaningfully.

"By the way, Miss Wei, the day after tomorrow, the Dynasty is holding its annual corporate development cocktail party. I still haven't found a suitable companion. How about you join me?" Zhang Ming seized the opportunity to extend an invitation.

"A companion?" Wei Zixuan frowned, her expression guarded.

"Please don't misunderstand, Miss Wei. I'm simply asking for your help. After all, with my status, you must know I'm never short of female company," Zhang Ming explained with a helpless look on his face. "Honestly, it's become a real hassle. Having a beauty like you by my side would save me a lot of trouble!"

Wei Zixuan's brow furrowed, and she didn't agree immediately.

I'm a married woman. How can I be seen out and about with another man? What would Chen Zheng do if he found out...?

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