"What's going on? Is someone causing trouble?" Two security guards stormed over.
"That's right, these two were hitting people just now, and everyone around saw it," Wang Xuan accused first, showing her wrist. "Look, there are bruises on my wrist!"
"Sir, can you please explain?" The lobby manager, being quite experienced, could tell there was some conflict and dispute between the two, but she wasn't about to take Wang Xuan's word and directly conclude that Fang Jueyu and Cheng Kai were causing trouble.
"Hello, my friend and I came here to eat, and this person not only mocked us but also tried to get physical. I was merely defending myself," Fang Jueyu said calmly. "If you don't believe me, you can check the surveillance footage; it will make everything clear!"
Wang Xuan's face changed instantly. He had forgotten about the surveillance cameras; if the footage was reviewed, his actions would clearly be indefensible.
"Your restaurant has some reputation. Do you let just any kind of customers in?" Wang Xuan seemed determined that the two couldn't afford to eat there. "Look at them, their entire outfit isn't even enough to cover a meal here, clearly just here to make trouble."
The lobby manager's eyes scanned over the two. Wang Xuan puffed out his chest, intentionally revealing his Rolex watch, and he was indeed dressed in designer clothes.
In contrast, Fang Jueyu and Cheng Kai's attire together might not even cost more than Wang Xuan's shirt, making their spending ability indeed questionable.
"Whether we can afford to eat here or not isn't your concern, is it?" Fang Jueyu was almost amused by his own anger. Even if they couldn't afford it, he'd never heard of a restaurant kicking out customers for that. If that happened, the place would definitely get a bad reputation.
"Fang, let it go. These two are really off-putting. How about we just find another place?" Cheng Kai whispered in Fang Jueyu's ear.
But this was overheard by Wang Xuan, who thought they were surrendering, and became even more arrogant.
"See? They're planning to slip away now, proving they came here just to cause trouble," Wang Xuan boasted arrogantly.
"Haha, can't afford a meal?" Fang Jueyu felt he might have been too low-key. He turned to the lobby manager, "Hi, may I know your name?"
"I'm the lobby manager of this store. My surname is Bai," she replied politely, though she felt there was something unusual about this young man, despite his unimpressive clothing.
"I want to dine here immediately, is that possible?" Fang Jueyu asked.
"Oh, sorry, sir, but we are indeed fully booked," Manager Bai assumed Fang Jueyu wanted to prove he could afford a meal there. A proper meal for two here could cost over a thousand dollars, which was a bit extravagant for a typical college student.
Not only her, but many onlookers also thought Fang Jueyu was just trying to put on airs. Even if he paid, he might have to live off instant noodles afterward.
"Really? If I remember correctly, your restaurant should have reserved some special seats for certain distinguished guests, right?"
"This…" Manager Bai's expression changed. This was an unwritten rule in the mid-to-high-end dining industry, and Fang Jueyu was right. The restaurant indeed had reserved seats, but ordinary people were not entitled to them.
"It's fine. I know those reserved seats aren't just given to anyone. Give me two minutes to make a call!" Just now, Jueyu learned an interesting bit of information through Xiao Yi.
Fang Jueyu took out his phone and called Zhuang Ying.
"Young master, what's up? Need my help with something?" Zhuang Ying was having lunch. As his personal secretary, she too enjoyed the excellent chef team.
"Sister Xiao Ying, do me a favor. My friend and I are trying to eat at Bartolo Spanish Art Restaurant on Xueyuan Road, but it's fully booked. Could you have a word with the owner for us?"
"Just that small thing?" Zhuang Ying didn't take it to heart at all. "Your father should have given you a black card. Just show that card, and anyone with a bit of sense would give you the highest treatment."
"Oh?" Fang Jueyu didn't realize the card had such a function.
"Seems like you don't know, this card might not hold much money, but it represents a status," Zhuang Ying explained. "In Jiangnan City, there wouldn't be more than ten people with such a black card. One of them is the party secretary of Jiangnan City. Does that make it clear?"
"This card actually has such an effect?"
"In not just Jiangnan City, but even in Yanjing, any business person would have to respect you. So no need to bother their owner for such a small thing."
"Hahaha, actually, there's a bit of a personal issue," Fang Jueyu lowered his voice. "To be honest, I ran into my ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend here, and they're mocking me for not being able to afford a meal!"
"Really?" Zhuang Ying found it amusing. With Fang Jueyu's wealth, there was nothing he couldn't afford to eat in this world. "Alright, I got it; give me two minutes!"
"Hmph, putting on an act!" Seeing Fang Jueyu putting down his phone, Wang Xuan began muttering again.
"Manager Bai, you might be getting a call."
Manager Bai looked puzzled, wondering who could be calling her.
Sure enough, within two minutes, Manager Bai's phone rang, showing the call was from this store's owner!
She took another look at Fang Jueyu and then picked up the phone.
"Mr. Xu, what's the matter?"
"Xiao Bai, I got a call directly from headquarters overseas. Did a young man show up at your branch?"
"Um… there are two of them, and…" but before she could finish, Mr. Xu interrupted her.
"Do not offend the young man named Fang Jueyu, no matter what his requests are, you must accommodate them!" He emphasized again, "Remember, all of his requests!"
"If he's unhappy, it's not just you who'd be leaving; this store won't be able to continue, and even the main company would be in trouble!"
"I... I understand..." Manager Bai's voice was a bit shaky. Although this branch was valuable, it was nothing to the truly wealthy.
But the store's headquarters was a massive dining group in Spain, with businesses in many countries around the world. That was not something that easily failed. Could this seemingly ordinary young man have such terrifying power behind him?
"Are you Mr. Fang Jueyu?" Manager Bai hung up and instantly adopted a respectful demeanor.
"Yes, that's me." Fang Jueyu nodded.
"Sorry for the oversight earlier. We'll immediately arrange a seat for you; please, this way!"
"Wait! What do you mean? We were here first, why are you giving him a seat first?" Wang Xuan, still oblivious to the situation, protested.
"Why?" Fang Jueyu sneered, "Because I'm the owner of this place, is that enough?"