Tonight, for Xu Jiaguo, was a long one.
The unspeakable video that had appeared on the outer wall of Hengda had caused him immense trouble. If mishandled, it was almost certain he would be ousted and retaliated against by the Zhao family.
However, a mysterious phone call had appeared, allowing him, like a drowning man grasping at a final straw, to desperately seek the other party's help.
He wasn't someone who easily trusted others, of course. After all, who knew what this mysterious caller's intentions were? But as some of the things the caller predicted came true, Xu Jiaguo hesitated. He felt this person might possess some genuine ability.
Yet, when the caller revealed the specific solution, Xu Jiaguo became suspicious again. What kind of situation was this? A fire at Tiansheng Restaurant? And not just any fire, but one during tonight's opening banquet, caused by rats chewing through exposed wires on the kitchen ceiling, leading to a short circuit and a fire. And the hotel’s sprinkler system malfunctioning...
Xu Jiaguo felt like he was listening to a fairy tale. Was this person treating him like an idiot? If he were to approach the shareholders of Tiansheng Group and say, "Uncle, I just slept with your daughter-in-law, and I hope you can forgive me because I can help your Tiansheng Group's restaurant avoid a major disaster. The cause of the accident was..." He didn't know how Zhao Guanying's father would react, but if someone said that to him, his first reaction would be that the person was an idiot. His second reaction would be to find someone to beat that idiot to death! They wouldn't even give him a chance to speak!
But... Xu Jiaguo recalled the series of plans the other party had laid out for him. After much thought, Xu Jiaguo ultimately decided to adopt that insane plan. Because... he had no other option! It was a last resort.
...
That evening.
Xu Jiaguo drove his car to the outdoor parking lot of Tiansheng Restaurant. Rows of neatly parked luxury cars stood like soldiers ready to march into battle, proud and imposing. This demonstrated, from the side, how seriously Tiansheng Group regarded the restaurant's opening. Of course, the primary reason Tiansheng Restaurant chose to open at night rather than during the day was that they had invited many prominent figures from Jinling. Those people had to work during the day. Although society preached equality, if the fire at Tiansheng Restaurant in his previous life had occurred at noon, it might not have caused such a huge stir. After all, the twenty or so people who died then, apart from three chefs, were all influential figures who could shake Jinling with a mere stamp of their foot.
"What are you doing here, you scoundrel!"
"Get lost!"
When Xu Jiaguo got out of his car, many people from Tiansheng Group saw him and rushed forward, shouting angrily, wishing they could give him a thorough beating. Who didn't know by now that scenes of Xu Jiaguo cuckolding the young master had been broadcast on Hengda's exterior wall? Although both sides had vehemently denied it publicly, everyone with eyes could see what was happening. Moreover, Zhao Guanying had secretly issued a stern warning: if Xu Jiaguo wasn't dealt with, Hengda wouldn't earn a single cent in Jinling! The two sides were at loggerheads; what else could Xu Jiaguo be here for, besides to taunt or cause trouble?
In front of these people were Zhao Guanying and his father, Zhao Dahai. However, neither of them spoke. It was their lackeys behind them who did the talking. Seeing that they were about to attack, Xu Jiaguo turned pale with fear, but he managed to calm himself and said to the group, "Guanying, Uncle Zhao. I hope you can give me a chance to explain. I've come here today to compensate Tiansheng Group for its losses!"
Upon hearing the word "compensation," Zhao Dahai, who had been calmly observing, immediately raised his hand to stop them and smiled at Xu Jiaguo. "It's too dark to see clearly, nephew. Tiansheng Restaurant is opening today, and I'm delighted to see you here. Alright, you few, welcome our guests. Guanying and I will take nephew Xu for a chat."
"Nephew, come, let's go to my private room. I had them specially reserve it when the hotel was being built. The view and ambiance are quite good." Zhao Dahai, who had been silent all along, now narrowed his eyes.
"Let's go, let's go," Xu Jiaguo said instinctively, stunned.
However, he remembered the words of the mysterious person in his mind. If you go straight to Zhao Dahai and say you're here to compensate, he will definitely take you to a private place! It came true! Since the mysterious person predicted it, Xu Jiaguo wouldn't believe this was a setup orchestrated by the mysterious person. That was unrealistic. Unless the mysterious person was Zhao Dahai himself. But this matter clearly involved setting Zhao Dahai up. Zhao Dahai would be an idiot to help him! Involuntarily, Xu Jiaguo felt a sense of awe towards the mysterious person.
Afterward, Xu Jiaguo followed the Zhao father and son towards the restaurant. But as they reached the entrance of Tiansheng Restaurant, Xu Jiaguo suddenly stopped. He looked at the magnificent six-meter-high welcoming hall above and remained silent.
"Nephew, why aren't you going in? Do you think my restaurant isn't good enough?" Zhao Dahai asked with a smile, only a fleeting glint in his eyes revealing his astuteness.
Following the mysterious person's instructions, Xu Jiaguo thought for a moment, feigned shock, then regained his composure and smiled. "Let's go in."
"Alright, alright." Although puzzled by Xu Jiaguo's peculiar behavior, Zhao Dahai continued to lead him inside.
Heh. If Xu Jiaguo couldn't provide a satisfactory compensation today, Zhao Dahai's attitude would likely be different...
After entering the restaurant, as the Zhao father and son were about to lead Xu Jiaguo to the elevator to go to the private room, Xu Jiaguo suddenly stopped. He cast a seemingly thoughtful glance around and said, "Uncle Zhao, there's space in the lobby, right? Let's talk here, no need to go inside..."
"Xu Jiaguo, you idiot, what's wrong with you! Stop blabbering so much nonsense. I'm telling you, if you don't give me a satisfactory answer today, I'll kill you!" At this moment, Zhao Guanying could no longer hold back and lunged forward, ready to unleash his anger.
"Hey, Guanying!" However, Zhao Dahai stopped him with a hand. Zhao Dahai looked at Xu Jiaguo, a hint of confusion on his face. He didn't know what Xu Jiaguo was up to. This was the lobby, and people would be coming and going. Talking here? How could they discuss compensation and make it known to the whole city?
But how could he know that Xu Jiaguo was acting entirely according to the mysterious person's instructions? The mysterious person had told him this was a crucial step. Zhao Dahai absolutely had to ask him why he wanted to sit by the entrance! At this moment, Xu Jiaguo was burning with anxiety, constantly pleading in his heart for Zhao Dahai to ask quickly, ask quickly. Only then would things truly develop as the mysterious person had predicted.
"The space here is wide, the air is good, and we can also enjoy the outside scenery. It's quite good for discussing matters; there's no need for a private room, right, Uncle Zhao?" Xu Jiaguo forced a slightly strained smile.
Hearing this, Zhao Dahai pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Since nephew Xu has said so, perhaps we shall sit here then."