"Miss Shen is busy, so let's reschedule," Lu Fan said. "I have other matters to attend to as well."
"How can that be? We've already agreed, and it can't be changed."
Shen Xiaoxiao quickly added, "We are definitely having this meal today, and none of you are leaving!"
Lu Fan showed a look of helplessness. He glanced at the men around them, feeling no goodwill. Their eyes were filled with hostility towards them, which Lu Fan could not fail to notice.
"I am the eldest daughter, and you should listen to me," Shen Xiaoxiao said coldly. "Go to Tianxia Mingchu and book a table. I will personally host a feast!"
The men in sunglasses exchanged glances and could only agree. After all, Shen Xiaoxiao was the eldest daughter of the Shen family, and they could not afford to offend her.
Led by Shen Xiaoxiao, Lu Fan and his companions arrived at Tianxia Mingchu. It looked magnificent and opulent, a truly fine establishment.
"Are we eating inside?" Da Pang looked at the tall buildings with a hint of unease.
"That's right, it's inside!" Shen Xiaoxiao nodded. "We are friends now, so a meal together is nothing."
"If it were just a regular meal, it would be fine. But eating here is likely to be quite expensive," Da Pang said again.
"It's alright. You clearly come from a well-off background," Lu Fan chuckled. "Miss Shen is so generous, we don't need to be polite."
"That's right," Shen Xiaoxiao agreed with a smile and led the way into Tianxia Mingchu.
Upon entering the restaurant, they found a private seating area, and everyone sat down.
"You can all wait by the entrance," Shen Xiaoxiao said. "After the meal, I will be going home!"
One
The men in sunglasses exchanged glances and then nodded slightly before heading outside the restaurant. Shen Xiaoxiao was likely quite safe in Tianxia Mingchu and did not require their close protection.
After the men left, Da Pang breathed a sigh of relief. "Are those men bodyguards? With such an entourage, Miss Shen must have quite a background."
"It's nothing really, just relying on my parents," Shen Xiaoxiao said with a wry smile, though she felt a sense of pride.
"Didn't you come to Chuzhou to find a job?" Lu Fan looked at Da Pang. "If that's the case, why not let him help? With his status, finding you a job would be a piece of cake!"
"That might not be appropriate!" Da Pang glanced at Shen Xiaoxiao.
"There's nothing inappropriate about it. Tomorrow, you can report to Shen Family Group, and I'll arrange it for you," Shen Xiaoxiao declared confidently. "No matter what, you are my friends."
"That's wonderful!" Da Pang's face lit up with joy.
Shen Xiaoxiao looked at Lu Fan. "Do you want to find a job? I have one here that's very suitable for you. If you need it, I can arrange it for you right now!"
"I have other matters in Chuzhou, I'm not here to find a job," Lu Fan said with a light smile. "Just arrange it for him."
Shen Xiaoxiao looked momentarily disappointed. She had hoped to have Lu Fan as her bodyguard, but he had declined.
"You're supposed to have a few drinks with me, yet you're putting on airs. Believe me, you'll regret it if you don't comply."
As they were talking, a shout erupted from not far away. A middle-aged man was grabbing a waitress, acting very rudely, and even slapped her.
Many people in the restaurant were watching. They hadn't expected such an incident to occur at Tianxia Mingchu.
"I really can't drink..."
The waitress apologized profusely. She looked like a young student, exceptionally delicate, drawing pity from many. However, no one stepped forward. The middle-aged man exuded an imposing aura and was clearly not to be trifled with.
"Xiao Jia, what's happening?"
A man in glasses approached and looked at the middle-aged man. "Sir, I am the manager of Tianxia Mingchu. Is there something we have not provided?"
"She's just a waitress, and she dares to offend me?"
Brother Da Tou said coldly, "Don't you know who I am? Any woman I fancy has never escaped my grasp!"
"Sir, this is Tianxia Mingchu," the manager in glasses stated. "We only provide dining services here, nothing else. Please conduct yourself with decorum!"
"Go to hell!" Brother Da Tou suddenly stood up. "Are you tired of living, talking to me like that!"
The manager in glasses was startled and dared not speak further. He didn't know what to do. These people clearly weren't easy to deal with. If a real commotion broke out, it would harm Tianxia Mingchu's reputation.
"If he doesn't come and have three drinks with me today, then Tianxia Mingchu doesn't need to open anymore!" Da Tou said coldly. "Do you really think I'm a vegetarian!"
Xiao Jia was terrified, her face turning pale. She was already quite delicate, and in her current state, she looked even more pitiable.
"There is a cycle of retribution; heaven spares no one!"
At this moment, Lu Fan's voice rang out. "It's always good to show leniency when one can. It's not necessarily a bad thing!"
Many people in the restaurant looked towards Lu Fan and even gave him a thumbs-up. They had long disliked the man's arrogance but dared not speak out. Lu Fan's courage to speak his mind earned him much admiration.
"Show leniency when one can?"
Da Tou sneered instantly, ignoring Xiao Jia. He walked up to Lu Fan. "Who might you be, my friend? To utter such words."
"I'm new to Chuzhou," Lu Fan said with a light smile. "Is there a problem?"
"New to Chuzhou and speaking so boldly?" Da Tou said coldly. "You truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Do you know who I am?"
"What you are is none of my business," Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Today, I am protecting that young lady!"
The people in the restaurant were stunned. They had thought Lu Fan was just speaking casually, but they hadn't expected such an arrogant stance. Da Tou clearly wasn't someone to be provoked easily. If a fight broke out, Lu Fan would be in grave danger.
"What a big mouth!" Several men beside him said coldly. "Does anyone have the power to protect the person Da Tou Ge wants?"
"I advise you to be sensible," Han Yunhai said with a smile. "If it comes to blows, you might find yourselves in a difficult situation."
Da Tou and his men's expressions turned grim. In Chuzhou, they had never been threatened like this. To fall out with them over a waitress, Lu Fan and his companions were quite audacious.
"Tear this kid limb from limb!"
Brother Da Tou said coldly. "Let him know the dangers of society!"
"Wait a moment!" Shen Xiaoxiao stood up. "These people are my friends, you cannot touch him! Otherwise, my Shen family will not let you off."
Da Tou's body trembled. "You are the eldest daughter of the Shen family?"
"Genuine and bona fide!" Shen Xiaoxiao said coldly. "You bully ordinary people by acting like thugs here. If you dare to make an enemy of the Shen family, you should know the consequences!"
Brother Da Tou was displeased but did not make a move. If it truly involved the Shen family, he couldn't act rashly.
"Since it's Miss Shen, I'll give you face."
Da Tou spoke and then left directly, with considerable resentment.