The receptionist led Wu Tian to the balcony, an exceptionally well-located spot. From there, one could overlook a garden filled with natural fragrance. The balcony held only a single table, set beside a rockery and flowing water that lent it a poetic and picturesque charm.
The receptionist then handed a menu to Wu Tian. It was special, as it included a final blank page with a small pen attached.
"If there is a dish you desire that is not on the menu, you can write it down," the receptionist said. "We will ensure it is specially prepared for you."
Wu Tian nodded, casually ordering a steak and some child-friendly items for the little one.
"Daddy, wuv you."
"?"
"Wuv you," the little one repeated.
This time, Wu Tian understood. The little girl was trying to say, "I love you."
The receptionist nodded. "Of course. Please wait a moment."
As the receptionist left to place the order, a waitress brought over a glass of aperitif and a cup of milk.
Wu Tian and the little girl began to sample their drinks. Honestly, Wu Tian couldn't discern anything special about the wine, despite the price of "2,000 yuan" clearly marked on the glass.
Moments later, the steak and the children's meal were served. It had to be said, the chef's culinary skills were quite impressive. The steak was cooked to perfection and was incredibly succulent. Its price was listed at 70,000 yuan.
Coincidentally, Yu Xiaolu and her family were seated inside by a window. Through the glass, Ou Xiaomei saw Wu Tian eating in the beautiful garden with a little girl she instantly deemed far cuter than herself.
This prompted Ou Xiaomei to protest, "Dad, I want to eat on the balcony, not in here!"
"But the balcony is off-limits," Ou Qing said dejectedly. He remembered that even his own father wasn't permitted to use the balcony. He'd heard that no one had used that spot for years.
"Why not?" Seeing that someone else had something she didn't, Ou Xiaomei threw a tantrum, slamming her hands on the table. "Look! That nasty girl gets to eat there, so why can't I? Dad, didn't you say you're super rich? You said that as your daughter, I could have anything I want! You promised you'd let me grow up happy and satisfied!"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaolu and Ou Qing also looked out the window toward the balcony. Yu Xiaolu was immediately stunned by the beauty of the setting, and then she noticed Wu Tian dining there. She became displeased as well, turning to Ou Qing and complaining, "Honey, I want to eat in such a beautiful environment, too."
"That's right, Dad! I want to eat there, or I'm not eating at all! Hmph!" Ou Xiaomei huffed petulantly.
The rule about not serving guests on the balcony must have changed, Ou Qing reasoned. Otherwise, how could a guy whose entire outfit costs a few hundred yuan at most qualify to dine there?
With this in mind, Ou Qing announced, "Alright, my dear wife, my precious daughter, follow me. We're going to eat on the balcony."
The receptionist and the waitstaff didn't notice them. The rule that the balcony was off-limits was so well-known throughout Yang City that no one could have imagined such a situation would occur.
Ou Qing led his wife and daughter right up to Wu Tian's table. Seeing that Wu Tian had already finished his steak, Ou Qing smiled and said, "This is a very nice spot. We're quite pleased with it. Since you're finished eating, you can leave now."
Ou Qing never considered Wu Tian his equal. If Wu Tian had been wearing an expensive suit, Ou Qing wouldn't have spoken so rudely.
Wu Tian shook his head and said calmly, "My daughter hasn't finished yet. How can we leave? Besides, the scenery is lovely, and I'd like to enjoy it with her for a while longer."
"Honey, I want this spot," Yu Xiaolu insisted.
Ou Xiaomei turned to Gugu. "Do you know the difference between being poor and being rich?"
"What's that?" the little girl asked, full of curiosity.
"You're poor. That means there are some things you just can't enjoy. Understand?" Ou Xiaomei huffed.
Gugu thought about her own family, glanced at Ou Xiaomei, and then nodded in agreement.
"Since you agree, shouldn't a poor little girl like you get lost, then?" Ou Xiaomei said smugly.
"Mhm," Gugu nodded.
"Then please get lost," Ou Xiaomei demanded.
"Huh?" Gugu looked surprised. "Shouldn't you be the one to get lost?"
"What?" Hearing this, Ou Xiaomei grew even angrier. She turned to her father. "Dad, look! She dares to talk to me like that!"
Ou Qing's face darkened with fury. Just as he was about to erupt, the receptionist arrived.
"Sir, could you please leave? Do not disturb our most honored guest while he is dining."
"Most... honored guest?" Ou Qing was stunned, wondering if he had misheard.
"You've been tricked! There's no way this kid is an honored guest," Yu Xiaolu interjected. "He's the furthest thing from 'honored' you could imagine."
Are these people from a mental asylum? the receptionist scoffed internally. For crying out loud, do they really think just anyone can possess a Black Gold Card?
Besides, this was no ordinary receptionist. She had served countless distinguished clients and could see that Wu Tian carried himself with an air of indifference. The restaurant was incredibly lavish, yet in Wu Tian's eyes, it seemed almost beneath his notice. She could tell that much. A person like that must be respected.
"It's no joke, this guy is just a poor kid, and..."
"Enough!" The receptionist cut them off, her expression turning cold. "Please leave our restaurant. You are not welcome here today, and you will not be welcome in the future."
Ou Qing was dumbfounded. Many of his business deals, negotiations, and contract signings took place here. Being blacklisted would be disastrous.
He was about to try and smooth things over, but the shortsighted Yu Xiaolu snapped, "You think we care about your restaurant? There are plenty of others in Yang City."
"It's too noisy." Wu Tian noticed his daughter covering her ears and said coldly, "Get them out of here."
"Wu Tian, do you have any idea what you're saying? I..." Yu Xiaolu began to fume.
"Security!" the receptionist called out. Guards arrived immediately. "These three are disturbing our most honored guest. They are not welcome here. Please remove them at once."
The security guards began to drag Ou Qing, Yu Xiaolu, and Ou Xiaomei away. Ou Xiaomei started crying, but she continued to spout threats. "My dad is very powerful! You'll pay for this!"
The receptionist's gaze became glacial.
Ou Qing hurriedly tried to quiet his child. "Daughter, stop it!"
"Why shouldn't I talk?" Ou Xiaomei huffed back. "My dad will have this restaurant shut down by tomorrow!"
Ou Qing wanted to cry but had no tears. This daughter of mine will be the end of me!
Finally, the family was dragged out of the restaurant. It was the peak dinner hour, and the street was bustling with people. Passersby noticed the commotion and stared at Ou Qing's family with peculiar expressions. Ou Qing wished he could find a hole in the ground to crawl into.
To think that I, a director at a subsidiary of the Qin Corporation, would be dragged out like a dead dog and thrown onto the street. When have I ever been so humiliated?
"Just wait until he comes out. He'll get what's coming to him," Ou Qing snarled to himself, immediately making a call to summon all the men from his department to intercept Wu Tian.