"Sir, would you like to pay with card or cash?"
Ling Chen spread his hands.
"I don’t have that much money, ask her for it."
The waiter glanced at Su Lin, who flatly retorted, "I don’t know him."
Qin Yang sneered, "There really are all sorts of people nowadays, not having money and still daring to dine here." He deliberately raised his voice, attracting the attention of the surrounding customers.
"Three thousand eight, right?"
Qin Yang pulled out a bank card and threw it on the table, then stretched his legs out from under the table, looking at Ling Chen with a smile that was not quite a smile.
"Wipe these shoes clean for me, and I’ll cover your meal."
Ling Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly, appearing to smile on the surface, but those who knew him were aware that when he squinted his eyes, it meant he was really displeased.
Thinking he could be humiliated in public, as if he, Ling Chen, would take such a loss.
Seeing her boyfriend stand up for her, Su Lin was overjoyed, finally getting a chance to properly teach this thug a lesson.
"Ling Chen, thirty-eight hundred for a pair of shoes, that’s not a deal you come across every day. Only my dear Qin Yang would be so generous, what are you spacing out for?" she gloated.
Ling Chen remained silent, merely giving her a faint glance, but that look made Su Lin quite uncomfortable.
From his gaze, Su Lin actually felt a kind of pity and mockery, as though she was a pathetic woman.
She couldn’t understand where she appeared pitiful. Clearly, it was him who was embarrassed.
Ignoring Su Lin’s dissatisfied look, Ling Chen casually sat down, taking out his phone and said to the waiter, "I’ll call a friend to bring money over, we’ll pay the bill later."
"Sir, I apologize, but could you please vacate the seat? We have other customers waiting in line."
"I’m not refusing to pay, why should I give up my seat?"
Qin Yang scoffed, "You come to eat without money and you still think you’re right. The fact that they haven’t kicked you out is already giving you enough face. Mr. Ling, keep some dignity for yourself and don’t lose it all here."
"What’s my dignity got to do with you? Stop your useless babbling. Shut your mouth and eat your food."
"You dare talk to me like that?"
Qin Yang’s face turned dark immediately.
"What, you have a problem with that?"
"Mr. Ling, I advise you to be more observant and not to provoke anyone carelessly, or you’ll suffer consequences you can’t handle."
"In my eyes, there is no one who can’t be provoked, especially someone like you. One slap and you’ll all turn into sobbing bears. If you don’t believe me, try it, but don’t blame me later for bullying you."
Qin Yang made a move to stand up, but Su Lin hurriedly held him back. She knew Ling Chen’s capabilities; although her boyfriend was excellent, Ling Chen was, after all, someone who had genuinely practiced martial arts.
"Qin Yang, there’s no need to stoop to his level and waste energy on him."
Qin Yang snorted coldly.
"Mr. Ling, out of respect for Linlin, I’ll overlook this. Waiter, hurry up and kick him out, and don’t let this bumpkin ruin my mood."
At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in a suit approached.
"Luo Quan, long time no see."
Before the waiter could finish, Qin Yang took over the conversation, greeting him proactively.
"Isn’t this Mr. Qin? What brings you here today?"
Recognizing the visitor, Luo Quan’s attitude changed instantly, bowing slightly while speaking respectfully, his face full of smiles.
"Luo Quan, you’ve arrived just in time. This person not only ate for free but also spoiled the mood for me and my girlfriend. As the manager, shouldn’t you take care of this?"
"Rest assured, Mr. Qin. I’ll handle it right away."
While speaking, the waiter whispered a few words into Luo Quan’s ear. Luo Quan nodded in response, then turned his attention to Ling Chen.
"Mr. Ling, I believe the waiter explained the situation clearly. Please move and let another customer have your seat. As for your lack of funds, we can discuss that later."
Ling Chen toyed with the wine glass in his hand, displeased, "Manager, you should be more generous. I’m not refusing to pay; isn’t it a bit unreasonable to ask me to move? Is hospitality in your restaurant based on social status?"
Luo Quan’s expression turned cold, hands behind his back.
"Sir, if you continue to make a fuss, don’t blame me for being impolite."
"Luo Quan, some people are too shameless to take a hint. Why bother talking nonsense with him? This ungrateful sort won’t learn their lesson without a firm hand."
"Yes, Mr. Qin. Come here!"
As he said this, several tall security guards quickly arrived from the entrance, taking a formidable stance beside Ling Chen.
"Mr. Ling, I have asked nicely. Don’t be ungrateful."
"Young man, step back and you’ll find boundless prospects. Why make life difficult for yourself?"
A customer nearby said.
Ling Chen shrugged his shoulders. Why should he back down? As someone who never got the short end of the stick, that was not in his nature.
Seeing him remain unmoved, the surrounding customers shook their heads, another case of a person so concerned with face that he was willing to suffer for it.
Luo Quan motioned with a wave of his hand.
The security guards immediately moved in, about to grab Ling Chen’s clothes and drag him off the chair.
Qin Yang curled his lip, a cold smile on his face, watching Ling Chen with contempt.
Trying to fight me? Watch how I crush you.
Just as the security guards were about to make their move, a voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned to look, and saw a dignified middle-aged man accompanied by several others walking towards them.
Upon seeing the newcomer, the expressions of everyone present changed, their eyes filled with shock.
"That’s Mr. Ye from Beijing."
"What’s he doing here?"
Luo Quan was slightly surprised and quickly ran forward to greet him. First, he respectfully greeted Mr. Ye, and then, to the man behind Mr. Ye, he said, "Boss, you’re here too."
"Luo Quan, what’s going on?"
Luo Quan was about to explain, but then he saw Mr. Ye walk past him, go directly to Ling Chen’s table, and with a smile, said, "Young man, we meet again."
Ling Chen grinned, "Mr. Ye, what a coincidence to meet you here."
The Mr. Ye here was none other than Ye Liangyong, whom he’d met at Qingyun Martial Arts Hall. Initially, Ye Liangyong had only mentioned that he was a businessman, but looking at the entourage surrounding him, he was evidently not just a simple businessman.
Ye Liangyong glanced at the nearby security and inquired, "Are these guys giving you trouble?"
"Can’t help it, a gentle person is easy to bully, and an honest person like me gets picked on wherever I go."
"Mr. Ye, do you have any instructions?"
The man called Zhong Hao was the owner of this Western restaurant.