Chapter 58: Dispute
Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Dispute
East Unity Road, Old Flavor Restaurant.
After a final discussion, the Chi parents ultimately ignored their daughter’s advice to pick the most expensive place possible. They believed that when it came to dining, taste was the most important factor, and everything else was just superficial bells and whistles. In the end, they chose this mid-sized restaurant, a place that earned a thumbs-up from anyone who spoke of its food.
The restaurant was less than 150 square meters. The interior was exquisitely decorated but had tightly packed seating and only two private dining rooms. At this moment, Chi Chenghu was standing at the door of one of those rooms, arguing with someone.
"Chi the Second, are you really not going to give me face today?"
"We booked this private room, and our food is about to be served. Now you’re telling us to give up the space? Where is the logic in that?"
"Isn’t eating in the main hall the same thing? Besides, I’m not asking for it for nothing. Didn’t I say I’d give you a thousand yuan as compensation?"
"If it’s the same, then you can go eat in the main hall! Why do you have to fight me for it? Do you think I’m a pushover? Who wants your chump change? Get the hell out of here!"
The man arguing with Father Chi was named Liu Dafu. He had a bit of money, and since the two of them already had a history of bad blood, neither held back their words.
This animosity dated back to the New Year a few months ago.
After attending university for half a year, Chi Xinyue had returned home for the holidays. She had completely blossomed, transforming into a stunning beauty who would be considered rare even in all of Bai City.
She and Liu Dafu’s son, Liu Yuhao, were classmates. During the holidays, Liu Yuhao had coincidentally seen how Chi Xinyue looked now and fell for her at first sight. He immediately went back and begged his father to propose a match to the Chi family.
However, Chi Xinyue had a very poor impression of this classmate, and naturally, she rejected the proposal outright.
Liu Dafu had always looked down on the impoverished Chi family to begin with. He had only gone to propose because he couldn’t withstand his son’s pleading. Being rejected to his face made him feel utterly humiliated. Thus, instead of becoming in-laws, the two families became enemies.
Now, being publicly rebuked by Chi Chenghu, Liu Dafu felt his pride taking a hit. "Chump change? How much ’chump change’ can you even earn in a month? Look at you acting all tough!"
"Heh, you have a few stinking pennies and you show off all day long. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were the richest man in Bai City."
"A few stinking pennies? My family owns nearly half the storefronts on this entire street! The money I make in a single day could crush you to death!"
If this had been in the past, Chi Chenghu truly wouldn’t have had the confidence to butt heads with him. Putting aside the fact that a thousand yuan was indeed no small sum to him—in the past, he definitely would have pocketed the money without hesitation. What was losing a little face compared to that? Furthermore, in a small place like Bai City, the social circles were small and insular. The wealthy all knew one another and had a say in local affairs. If Liu Dafu had been dead set on ruining him, the Chi family might not even be able to find work here, leaving them with no way to survive.
But things were different now. Their family now had a son-in-law with astonishing wealth and power. They no longer had to live so submissively. Moreover, today’s meal was specifically to entertain this very son-in-law. There was no way he was going to back down.
"Liu Dafu, I genuinely look down on your filthy money. Stop being an eyesore here. Our food is about to come out, and looking at you is ruining my appetite."
"Chi the Second, don’t be ungrateful! Believe it or not, I can get people to throw you out!"
"Heh! I really don’t believe it. In broad daylight and under a clear sky, is there no law and order anymore?"
"You stubborn donkey!"
Liu Dafu didn’t want to argue with this stubborn mule, but today he had invited a very important person. He had chosen this place on a whim simply because of its great food. That important guest was already on his way. However, upon arriving at the restaurant, Liu Dafu found out that both private rooms were fully booked. He couldn’t possibly host such a VIP in the main hall.
Although this restaurant was usually crowded, the dishes weren’t cheap, and the private rooms were even pricier. They were typically empty, usually only reserved for banquets during holidays. How could he have predicted such bad luck today, with both rooms occupied?
While it was his own oversight, didn’t these people who were uncharacteristically occupying the private rooms share some of the blame?!
The other private room was occupied by a reputable "friend," so he naturally wouldn’t dare snatch that one. He could only set his sights on the impoverished Chi the Second. Who knew what kind of crazy pills Chi the Second had taken today. He usually lived paycheck to paycheck, yet today he was not only dining at such an expensive restaurant but had even booked a private room—and he was even refusing a thousand yuan in compensation! It was absolutely ridiculous.
Right at that moment, Zhang Yan and his two companions walked in, chatting and laughing.
"Yan, you wouldn’t know by looking at it, but not even the head chef of the best grand hotel in the city center can replicate the flavors here!"
"Is it really that good? Then I’ll definitely have to savor it, haha."
However, upon seeing the standoff at the door, their laughter abruptly cut off as they hurried over.
"Liu Dafu, what trouble are you stirring up here again?"
"Dad, are you okay?"
Zhang Yan instinctively glanced at his junior, then awkwardly pretended that nothing had happened. He observed the man confronting Father Chi, already piecing together a rough outline of the situation in his mind.
"Don’t worry, sweetie, I’m fine. We just exchanged a few words. Let’s go in and eat; ignore him."
Seeing that the agreed-upon time was drawing nearer, Liu Dafu was growing anxious.
"Ten thousand yuan! As long as you give the private room to me, I’ll give you ten thousand yuan!
"There’s no difference between the main hall and the private room, and you’ll even earn ten thousand yuan. Chi the Second, don’t let your anger get the better of you, think it over carefully!
"Even if you don’t think about yourself, think about leaving some dowry for your daughter!"
PFFT.
Zhang Yan couldn’t hold back a laugh.
Liu Dafu immediately glared at him. He already felt his pride stung when peers talked back to him; now, even a wet-behind-the-ears brat dared to mock him.
"I’m sorry, sir. My threshold for laughter is usually very high. Unless I absolutely can’t help it, I generally don’t laugh."
"What’s so funny?" Liu Dafu asked, gritting his teeth.
Zhang Yan raised his left hand, which was holding his junior’s delicate hand. He pointed at the matching couple’s bracelet on her wrist. "You might not recognize it, sir, but you can go back and look it up. The bracelet on my girlfriend’s wrist alone is worth over a hundred thousand yuan. Thinking you can kick us out for a mere ten thousand... it’s genuinely a bit hilarious."
He thought, "A bracelet worth over a hundred thousand? What a load of bullshit!"
Liu Dafu curled his lip. Did this brat think he was born yesterday? Just as he was about to continue pestering them, his phone suddenly rang. It was a call from that important guest, leaving him no choice but to step outside and answer it.
"Consider yourselves lucky! I’ll deal with you another day! Hmph!"
Although an unexpected incident had occurred, Zhang Yan’s mood wasn’t affected much. At that moment, he was keeping a close eye on the system’s notifications.
[Bride Price Card cashing in. Please wait...]
[Target Property: East Unity Road Strip (20 storefronts, total property area of 2,000 square meters)]
He thought, "Real estate in this small place is seriously cheap! Ten million is actually enough to buy an entire 200-meter street!"