Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Consequence of Looking Down on Others

Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Consequence of Judging by Appearances

Guo Guo, who had gone upstairs to do her homework, suddenly dashed down like a gust of wind. "What about me!? Dad, you can't just take Mom and not Guo Guo—that's favoritism! Do you still want to see the photos we talked about the other day?"

Damn, that's a tempting offer!

"Of course I want to see them!" Xu Yun's favorite thing was the little secrets he shared with Guo Guo.

Ruan Qing Shuang, who was kept in the dark, was puzzled. "Photos? What photos?"

"I know," Qiu Yan also came downstairs, startling both Xu Yun and Guo Guo into a cold sweat. Qiu Yan wasn't usually the gossiping type—what had gotten into her?

But Qiu Yan then added, "If you don't want me to talk, take me with you."

The formidable Fox Queen wasn't after a meal; she was simply worried about Guo Guo. Now that they knew Red Scorpion had entered Hedong City, she didn't want to leave Guo Guo for even a minute.

"Absolutely!" Guo Guo wiped her forehead, quickly agreeing, and threw meaningful glances at Xu Yun.

What else could Xu Yun do but agree? If this secret got out, Ruan Qing Shuang would definitely kick him and Guo Guo out of the house. The thought of sleeping on the street with Guo Guo made him break out in cold sweat.

Sleeping on the street wasn't the scary part—it was doing it with Guo Guo...

"What are you all talking about?" Ruan Qing Shuang waved her hand, uninterested. "If you're all so eager to go, then go. I'm not going. I'll stay and work at the shop, and let Qiangzi help me."

Qiangzi pointed at his hands, still wrapped in bandages. "Shuang, I'm still injured..."

Xu Yun laughed, grabbing Qiangzi's hands for Ruan Qing Shuang to see. "He's seriously injured. He can barely carry plates. By the time the branch in Hongnan District is renovated, his hands might not be healed."

The renovation of the medicinal restaurant had been handed over to Xiao Fei's uncle, Pang Gang. All branches were unified with the main store's style, giving it the feel of a large chain.

"Then, I'll wait for Wan'er to come back and help me," Ruan Qing Shuang said, not liking to attend dinners hosted by strangers. She always felt awkward at those gatherings.

Xu Yun smiled wryly. "She's so busy lately she can't even tell which way is up. We can't even be sure she'll make it back."

Just as Xu Yun finished speaking, Qin Wan'er came back from work, rather unceremoniously, at the door of the restaurant.

"Ha, Wan'er, perfect timing! They're going out for dinner tonight—help me at the shop," Ruan Qing Shuang said with a satisfied smile.

Qin Wan'er shook her head and glanced at Xu Yun. "Where are you eating? Take me... I really don't want to move..."

"Mom, let's just close up for the day and go out for a feast with Guo Guo. We'll all go together," Guo Guo declared. "It's settled."

Xu Yun felt a headache coming on. Originally, he was taking Ruan Qing Shuang to negotiate, hoping to get some information out of Ma Pinghai. Now, it had turned into a family gathering, everyone tagging along...

Oh well, Xu Yun accepted it. So what if the whole family came? He figured Jin Biao and his crew wouldn't dare complain.

"Guo Guo, you can't just close a restaurant whenever you want—it hurts business," Ruan Qing Shuang said. "If customers find you suddenly closed without warning, they'll lose confidence in our medicinal restaurant. Do you understand?"

"That's easy," Guo Guo said, assigning the task to Qiangzi. "Qiangzi, call Dan Hongning and have him bring a chef. Don't sit idle—come here and help out. With your injured hands, just handle the money and keep track of the accounts. I'll check them when I get back."

Qiangzi looked utterly miserable. Wasn't it hard enough being injured? Now he still had to work.

Xu Yun was very satisfied with this arrangement and made the decision on the spot. "That's settled. Let's go! Oh, right—Qiangzi, give me the car keys. I'll need them."

"Bro... drive carefully..." Qiangzi felt a pang seeing the dents on his new Audi. Even though he hadn't spent a dime on it and it didn't have plates or papers, it was his treasure.

Xu Yun waved impatiently. "Got it, got it. Don't be stingy. Call Dan Hongning for a chef. The shop is yours tonight."

Qiangzi nodded in agreement.

The five of them—one car—headed straight for Hedong International Hotel in the city center. Xu Yun was curious to see what tricks Jin Biao might pull and whether Ma Pinghai really was Red Scorpion's contact in Hedong.

As soon as they arrived, Guo Guo was impressed. "It's been ages since I've eaten somewhere this grand. Hmm, feels nice."

"You've been to places like this before?" Ruan Qing Shuang was amazed at Guo Guo. She herself had never set foot in such a hotel. Just from the lines of text flashing across the LED sign at the entrance, she could tell how expensive it was: 'Special family banquet, ten-person private room: 3988 yuan...'

Even the 'special economy family banquet' cost this much! Madness!

Or maybe the customers were just fools?

"Who's hosting this dinner? Such extravagance?" Qin Wan'er couldn't help but ask.

"Jin Biao," Xu Yun replied with a slight smile.

Qin Waner's eyes widened. "What? What's he up to? I haven't even gotten around to giving him trouble, and he dares..."

"Wan'er, we're just here for dinner today. We'll settle scores later. Besides, you don't have time for Jin Biao's nonsense right now," Xu Yun suppressed her rising anger. "Whatever he's planning, we'll only find out once we're there."

Qin Waner was still angry. If it weren't for the fugitive situation, she'd have confronted Qi Yishan and Jin Biao, those two co-conspirators.

"Since we're here, let's make the best of it," Guo Guo said cheerfully. "Even if it's a trap, so what? If Xiang Zhuang draws his sword with intentions toward Liu Bang, don't we still have Dad to transform into Xiang Bo and Fan Kuai?"

Well, this girl certainly takes things in stride. Qin Wan'er felt a bit ashamed by comparison. "Alright, since Guo Guo says so, I'll join you and see what he wants."

Qiu Yan said nothing. She sensed no danger here. She wasn't coming because she liked this kind of dinner, but because she knew Guo Guo wanted to go and she couldn't persuade her to stay home. This way, she could keep an eye on her.

Only now did Ruan Qing Shuang realize the host was the troublemaking gangster. "Why... why are we having dinner with a gang boss?"

Xu Yun smiled but said nothing; Qin Wan'er looked resigned; Qiu Yan still kept silent.

"Mom, haven't you figured it out yet?" Guo Guo shrugged. "You're a gang boss yourself now."

Ruan Qing Shuang's eyes widened as she suddenly understood her new identity.

Qin Wan'er didn't approve, but for various reasons, she kept quiet.

Once Xu Yun agreed to attend, Jin Biao came directly to the hotel and waited, due to the rise of his influence in the southern district. Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei had arrived early, waiting in the room Jin Biao had reserved.

As the time approached, Jin Biao personally waited in the lounge area of the hotel lobby, sitting on a rosewood sofa, smoking two cigarettes. He waved at the lobby manager. "I'm going to take a nap. I'm expecting important guests—one man and one woman. Let me know when they arrive."

"Yes, yes, Biao, what important guests are you personally waiting for?" the lobby manager replied, bowing and scraping. He knew Jin Biao's status and was careful with his words.

"Is that any of your business?" Jin Biao glared at him and closed his eyes.

The manager smiled, nodding and bowing, then went to wait at the entrance, imagining what kind of big shot Jin Biao was personally welcoming.

Jin Biao dozed off until a childish voice called his name, jolting him awake.

...

Xu Yun strode into the grand lobby of Hedong International Hotel with four beauties—three adults and one child—at his side. The revolving door swung open, and Xu Yun walked in confidently.

"Hold it," a manager dressed as a floor supervisor blocked Xu Yun's path. He scrutinized Xu Yun's casual attire, then glanced at the stunning women behind him, frowning and thinking, What kind of world is this? How did this unreliable guy end up with such gorgeous women?

Xu Yun paused. "What's up?"

"Sorry, what are you here for?" the manager asked, frowning.

"Someone invited me for dinner," Xu Yun replied, speechless. Surely he wasn't here to play mahjong?

The manager didn't believe him at all. "You? Friend, this is a high-class place. Dressed like that, I can't let you in."

Guo Guo covered her face, speechless. Dad was really embarrassing her now.

Xu Yun glanced at the snobbish manager and smiled. "So I can't eat here because of my clothes? Who says so?"

"I say so," the manager replied, certain this unfamiliar, poorly dressed man wasn't anyone important, so he had no fear of offending him.

Xu Yun shrugged and turned to the beautiful women, helpless. "Looks like we won't be eating tonight. Let's go."

He had nothing to say to such a snob. All he had to do was leave and tell Dan Hongning, who could pass it on to Jin Biao. Once Jin Biao got wind of this, the manager's days would be over.

Ruan Qing Shuang was glad to leave and finally breathed a sigh of relief, while Qin Wan'er was annoyed—so embarrassing! Qiu Yan turned, indifferent.

"Do you know who's invited my dad?" Guo Guo wasn't having it. She put her hands on her hips. "Don't judge people by appearances. My dad may look shabby, but you can't afford to offend him."

The manager sneered at this cheeky little girl. "Alright, tell me, who invited you?"

"Jin Biao!" Guo Guo was clever; she knew the notorious local thug's name would have impact.

The manager was stunned, then amused, but as his brows furrowed, he grew nervous...

Suddenly, a furious shout and a slap sent the manager stumbling several steps away!