Chapter 4: Tell Them to Get Lost

“Mr. Zhao, the VIP will arrive very soon.”

“The manager has repeatedly instructed us to clear the hall quickly. This really isn’t our own decision.”

The front desk attendant did her best to smile and persuade, but Zhao Minghui had just boasted in front of his relatives and guests. To ask him to leave now was nothing short of a slap in the face.

Growing impatient, Zhao Minghui snapped, “Clear your damn hall! A hotel is in business to serve people, but with your attitude, you might as well close your doors for good.”

Lin Shufeng’s parents came out to mediate. “Minghui, maybe we should let it go. Tianlan Hotel has powerful backing. They’re only this nervous because someone important is actually coming.”

“Someone important?” Zhao Minghui scoffed. “This is just a small Fengzhou—what big shot could possibly show up? If my family lived here, I’d be the big shot!”

His words were bold and brash, making Lin Shufeng and Lin Shuqing’s eyes light up with admiration.

With a loud slap on the front desk, Zhao Minghui barked, “You’d better resolve this tonight! Where’s your manager? Did he die or something?”

“You promised Zhao Minghui. Even if it kills you, you’d better make it happen. Tell your manager to get out here now!”

His tone and demeanor were intimidating—no one had dared slap a desk in Tianlan Hotel before. The receptionist, frightened, hurried off to fetch the manager.

The manager arrived quickly, already briefed by the front desk. He was troubled; Zhao Minghui was no ordinary wealthy man. The Zhao family might not be local, but his own boss had business interests in their region. Mishandling this could bring endless trouble.

After a moment’s thought, the manager decided there was no choice but to lead Zhao Minghui and his relatives and guests to one of the private rooms.

Tianlan Hotel had many private rooms. The manager figured if he opened two for Zhao Minghui’s group and kept them out of sight, the situation could be smoothed over nicely.

“Minghui, you’re something else! I never thought I’d set foot in one of these private rooms in my life.”

“It’s impressive enough to get one private room, but getting two at once? I wouldn’t have even dared to dream of that before.”

“Jiahao, your son-in-law is remarkable!”

Relatives and guests, ever pragmatic, had kept quiet before. But now that Zhao Minghui had secured private rooms, they showered him with flattery.

Uncle Lin Jiahao’s family grinned from ear to ear, more pleased than ever. They demurred, saying it was nothing, that private rooms for the patriarch’s birthday were hardly a big deal.

A banquet hall and a private room were worlds apart.

After the wave of praise, Zhao Minghui stood and smiled. “Dear relatives and friends, this really is just a small matter. Please don’t make a fuss about it.”

“If you wish to thank someone, thank my family. The owner of Tianlan Hotel once wanted to open a factory back home and practically came to pay his respects at our door every day. If we’re accommodated today, it’s because of my family’s reputation.”

“I have no remarkable abilities myself. I’m just an ordinary worker, earning a few thousand a month.”

Perfect performance—Zhao Minghui had mastered the art of humblebrag.

His words gave the guests another excuse to flatter him.

“Minghui, you truly are a modest gentleman.”

“Just like those tycoons Ma and Qiang, who don’t even take a salary. Jiahao, your son-in-law has the air of a great leader!”

“With that kind of background, who cares about wages?”

After more praise, the patriarch stood up slowly.

He raised his glass. “To have such a son-in-law is the Lin family’s great fortune! Cheers!”

A smile crept across Zhao Minghui’s lips at this compliment.

His efforts today had not been in vain. Lin Jiahao’s family basked in the glory, raising their glasses in a single gulp.

Of course, when the spotlight shone on the eldest branch, others felt left out. Second Aunt, emboldened by drink, grumbled, “Father, actually, Xiao Qi’s husband isn’t bad either.”

“When the head office was hit by a tax investigation and huge debts were piling up, it was Fang Rui who pulled strings everywhere and helped resolve everything. Without Fang Rui, things could have ended very badly.”

The old man nodded. “That’s true. Fang Rui is a good kid.”

“Though he can’t compare with Minghui in terms of background, he’s diligent and responsible. Xiao Qi chose well—he’s brought honor to our family, too.”

“In short, of my four granddaughters, three are married. Aside from the youngest, who’s still in university, I’m satisfied and proud of two sons-in-law out of the three. Only the one from the third branch is a disappointment.”

With a few drinks in him, the old man grew more talkative.

The eldest branch, having been praised enough, simply nodded. The second branch, especially Second Aunt and Lin Shuqing, beamed with pride at their first compliment, their heads held ever higher and their mouths stretched in wide smiles.

Only Lin Shuyu’s family seemed meek, bowing their heads as others held theirs high, edging further into the background.

After all, the old man had just singled them out for criticism. If they stood out now, Second Aunt and the other gossips would surely seize the chance to attack.

Meanwhile, the manager, busy apologizing to guests, received a call and immediately dashed to the hotel entrance.

Scanning the area, he spotted a middle-aged man in a suit and gold-rimmed glasses and hurried over, ingratiating himself. “Boss, I’ve apologized to the guests. The hall is nearly cleared.”

“Good,” replied Chen Tiancheng. After a pause, he warned, “The VIP coming tonight is truly important. You must be on full alert. Apart from hotel staff, not a soul can know about this.”

The manager hesitated. “Well... it’s easy enough to clear out the main hall, but the guests in the private rooms are all wealthy and influential, most of them regulars...”

Chen Tiancheng snapped, “You think I don’t know that? Just do as I say!”

“The person coming tonight is a true powerhouse. If we’re not careful, losing Tianlan Hotel would be the least of our worries—we might have a host of enemies waiting to pounce.”

Cold sweat broke out on the manager’s brow and his face turned pale.

“Boss, Young Master Zhao from the Zhao family is hosting a birthday banquet for the Lin family patriarch today. I was worried they’d be too noisy in the main hall, so I arranged private rooms for them. Should I...”

“Are you out of your mind?” If not for his suit, Chen Tiancheng would have kicked him to the ground.

Pointing at him, he cursed, “Are you an idiot? Don’t you understand what ‘clear the hall’ means? Zhao family? Which Zhao family? Get them out—now!”

The manager hurried to explain, “It’s the Zhao family from Yulong City. They’re powerful—I didn’t dare offend them without your orders.”

“Is it Zhao Minghui?” Chen Tiancheng paused, then decided immediately. “Get him and the Lin family out! Compared with the VIP, the Zhao family is nothing but local bullies in Yulong. At worst, I’ll write off my business there!”

“But, boss, you just invested two hundred million over there...” The manager quaked.

“So what? Two hundred million is nothing! Get everyone out, Zhao family included. If you mess this up, don’t bother coming to work tomorrow. You have ten minutes!”

Ten minutes?

With so little time, the manager didn’t dare delay. He rushed back inside.

Gone was his earlier courtesy. Now, driven to the wall, he didn’t care about status or connections; even guests nearly finished with their meals were politely but firmly asked to leave Tianlan Hotel.

Outside, the eviction was in full swing, but inside the private room, the Lin family was blissfully unaware.

Though the food hadn’t been served yet, everyone had already had a few drinks.

Amid the revelry, the patriarch praised the eldest and second sons-in-law, the scene one of harmony and cheer.

“By the way, why haven’t we seen that live-in son-in-law?”

“Could he have not shown up? Maybe he’s hiding in a corner, embarrassed to be seen.”

“That’s impossible—this private room isn’t that big. How could we not see a living, breathing person?”

“He must have left. He wasn’t in the other room with the guests either.”

Whether by accident or design, a guest mentioned Hong Yu, and only then did everyone realize he was missing.

Second Aunt laughed and explained, “No surprise—a live-in son-in-law being insecure is only natural.”

“Especially with Minghui and Fang Rui here—anyone would feel inferior. A little self-consciousness is good. A person should have some dignity.”

Lin Shuqing sneered, “Inferior or not, today is Grandpa’s birthday! To leave without a word is to show no respect at all.”

Lin Shufeng chuckled, “Let it go. It’s no loss without him. Poor Shuyu, though, for marrying such a useless man.”

All eyes turned to Lin Shuyu, their mocking and disdainful looks self-evident.

Lin Shufeng and Lin Shuqing watched Lin Shuyu’s embarrassment with secret delight.

From childhood, Lin Shuyu had always been the most accomplished among the Lin sisters—prettier, smarter, excelling in school. Envy and resentment had long taken root in Lin Shufeng and Lin Shuqing’s hearts.

Now, married to outstanding husbands, it was their turn to settle old scores, venting all their past grievances.

“At last the tables have turned, Lin Shuyu. What good is your excellence now?”

“A husband is a wife’s backbone. You were foolish enough to bring home a useless man—you deserve what you get!”

“Your life is ruined. From now on, I’ll stomp you into the ground like mud. Don’t dream of ever standing over me again, like when we were kids!”

The cousins watched coldly, the derision in their eyes unmistakable.

With a bang, the old man slammed his hand on the table at the mention of Hong Yu.

He shouted angrily, “Does he think I’ve lived too long? From now on, no one is to mention that freeloading good-for-nothing!”

Zhao Minghui was quick to appease. Seeing the old man’s anger, he raised his glass. “Come, come! It’s the patriarch’s birthday—let’s all have another drink!”

Everyone followed, raising their glasses and downing the contents. With more boasting and flattery, the atmosphere once again reached a fever pitch.

But then—

At that very moment, the door to the private room was pushed open.

Zhao Minghui assumed it was a neighbor coming by mistake, but when he saw it was a server, his face darkened immediately.

“Is this the time to serve food?” he said curtly. “Get a move on! If the patriarch goes hungry, you’ll answer to me.”

The server froze, then stammered nervously, “Mr. Zhao, I’m afraid we can’t serve your food tonight...”