A group of male chefs heard these words and were filled with indignation, each of them taking Shui Miao’s side.
The mentality of these chefs was very simple—gratitude and reciprocation.
After the former head chef Bi left, these chefs faced the crisis of being fired and would be assigned by the chef guild to other kitchen teams, doing hard, exhausting work for low pay.
It was Shui Miao who stood up for them and wanted to keep them.
Now Shui Miao had opened up area B for them and raised their salaries, so naturally they chose to support Shui Miao.
Among the chefs, a few hotheads even wanted to grab knives and go after He Zhen…
※※※
Conference Room
Shui Miao, Wang Xiaomi, and Wang Xiaomi’s class leader Li Lan walked into the conference room together.
As soon as Shui Miao entered, he saw a middle-aged fat man sitting in the chairman’s seat, holding a cigar, with two bodyguards in black suits standing behind him, their waists bulging—clearly carrying handguns.
With the chairman gone, the chairman’s seat should have belonged to Shui Miao.
Seeing the middle-aged man, Li Lan quickly leaned close to Shui Miao’s ear and whispered, “Instrument detection shows firearms at the waist of these two bodyguards, and there are also cleavers behind them. Judging from their fists and their eyes, they must have trained martial arts for seven or eight years. We are already prepared; it’s not impossible to subdue them.”
“Hehe…”
Upon hearing that, Shui Miao smiled. He took out his phone, sat down on a chair opposite the conference table, and sent a message to his godfather Director Zhang, informing him that some armed people had arrived at the hotel.
Li Lan and Wang Xiaomi watched clearly as Shui Miao sent the message.
Soon, Director Zhang replied, saying he would arrive within twenty minutes.
Shui Miao showed the message to Li Lan, who nodded in understanding and hurried downstairs to meet the incoming people.
At this time, some managers and executives began entering the conference room.
Xiao Liu, Xiao Hu, and Xiao Tudou arrived too.
Middle-aged He Zhen puffed on his cigar, looking disdainfully at Shui Miao sitting across the oval table.
Shui Miao, on the other hand, rested his chin on his hand and squinted at He Zhen.
Everyone who entered the room saw this tense scene and, influenced by the heavy atmosphere, remained silent.
However, all the people who came in sat on Shui Miao’s side, and those without seats stood behind him. Shui Miao didn’t notice that Sister Tang had even brought the group of male chefs into the room—they were here to support him. Seeing the situation, Xiao Liu quickly brought in several male security guards from the security department.
About five minutes later, most of Shui Miao’s people had arrived.
At this point, He Zhen made a phone call and said, “You can come in now.” Then a large group of people from the entertainment department poured into the conference room.
Shui Miao hadn’t expected He Zhen to be so well-prepared.
There were quite a few people from the entertainment department—more than thirty. Most of them were seductive, attractive women, but among them were also about ten punk hooligans with bulges at their waists, clearly carrying weapons.
Ten minutes passed, and two factions had formed inside the conference room.
Shui Miao continued to lock eyes with He Zhen.
Suddenly, He Zhen stubbed out his cigar on the table, pointed at Shui Miao, and said, “Kid, I don’t care how you got to this position. This is Lin family’s business. I, He Zhen, own thirty percent of the shares and was entrusted by Old Master Lin to take over Linhai Hotel. If you know what’s good for you, scram now.”
“He Zhen, I respected you for your age and allowed you to temporarily sit in my seat, but I didn’t expect you to be so disrespectful, calling me ‘kid’ and telling me to scram! I guess you must have had your brain filled with gutter oil and rotten pork fat, forgetting who you really are. As for Old Master Lin, if you have the guts, why don’t you bring him out and let him try it himself?” Shui Miao fired back with his own words.
“What?! You dare to insult me!!” He Zhen slammed the table and stood up abruptly. Having navigated the business world for years, he was always surrounded by flatterers, even officials fawning over him. Now being humiliated by a young man in his twenties, his pride couldn’t take it. “Bring out the weapons! Whoever opposes me today, I’ll kill them all!”
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Behind He Zhen, the two bodyguards in black suits pulled out their pistols.
The more than ten hooligans also drew out their cleavers!
“Want to touch my Brother Shui? Try touching me first!”
“You can’t hurt my senior brother…”
Xiao Hu and Xiao Tudou rushed forward without hesitation, blocking Shui Miao’s path.
Shui Miao pushed them aside forcefully—how could he let his good brothers take bullets for him?
“Who do you think you are scaring here? This is a society ruled by law. If you dare, kill me first!” Surprisingly, Sister Tang also stepped forward.
A group of male chefs pulled out knives, spatulas, and ladles hidden under their clothes, ready to fight!
Seeing this, Da Shuang and Xiao Shuang also stood up from their seats.
Da Shuang smiled slightly and said to He Zhen, “Old He, you probably don’t even know who the second largest shareholder of our hotel is, do you?”
“That’s right! He definitely doesn’t know. If he knew that the second largest shareholder is Miss Huang, I bet even with the guts of a bear or the liver of a leopard, he wouldn’t dare to come here and cause trouble,” Xiao Shuang added.
“Hmph!”
He Zhen sneered coldly, “You’re underestimating me too much. Old Master Lin already spoke to Miss Huang’s father. Do you think Miss Huang will come to save you? Hmph! That’s just daydreaming!”
So Miss Huang couldn’t come!
Hearing this, Da Shuang and Xiao Shuang’s faces changed instantly.
Sister Tang also took a fright and quickly stepped back a couple of paces.
Shui Miao stood up, pushed aside Xiao Hu and Xiao Tudou, clapped his hands, and said, “Impressive! Truly impressive! Old Master Lin’s move was indeed carefully calculated. However, in all of our hearts, Linhai Hotel will always belong to Miss Lin. Miss Lin’s business will forever be Miss Lin’s. We don’t recognize any Old Master Lin. Even if he stood in front of me now, I wouldn’t give him any respect, because in my eyes, he simply doesn’t deserve to own this business.”
Bang!
Shui Miao slammed his fist on the table, glaring furiously at He Zhen: “If it weren’t for Miss Lin’s heartless father, she wouldn’t have suffered so much, wouldn’t have been separated from the one she loved, and wouldn’t have struggled alone in Zhonghai City for years. As a father, imposing his stubbornness on his children’s happiness, forcibly tearing his daughter away from the man she loved, and abandoning her for so many years without care—now he dares to send someone to take away the business his daughter built with her own hands? I’m really impressed! What kind of father is that? If he dared to stand in front of me, I’d slap him across the face without hesitation!”
“Bravo!”
“Bravo!!”
“Way to go, Brother Shui!”
“Senior, you’re amazing…”
Shui Miao’s words moved everyone, prompting a round of applause.
Even some of the people behind He Zhen were visibly moved…
“Hmph! Naive!”
He Zhen waved his hand, “How much do you outsiders really know about the Lin family? Old Master Lin’s success is beyond your comprehension. Today, entrusted by Old Master Lin, I must take over Linhai Hotel—even if I have to kill you few, I can afford it! Now, I give you five final minutes. When the time is up, whoever remains, I will kill!”
He Zhen checked his watch and began timing.
Seeing that He Zhen was serious, some people behind Shui Miao began wavering.
“Alright, I’m the general manager. Let me take responsibility for this. You all are just employees earning salaries; there’s no need for unnecessary sacrifice,” Shui Miao sighed, glancing back at everyone. In truth, Shui Miao wanted to see who among them was truly loyal so he could cultivate them as trusted allies in the future.
There was some unrest among the chefs…
The security guards weren’t afraid. Xiao Liu’s group had a strong sense of brotherhood from their days on the streets. Moreover, having seen all sorts of people in the underworld, they didn’t believe He Zhen would really dare to shoot anyone.
Only Sister Tang looked visibly frightened, wanting to leave but hesitating.
Surprisingly, Wang Xiaomi wasn’t afraid either. She was hiding behind a tall chef, covering her mouth with her hand, contacting the surveillance room. Learning that Director Zhang had arrived at the hotel with the SWAT team, she quickly gave Shui Miao a nod.
“Only two minutes left…”
He Zhen said coldly, raising his hand as if preparing to act.
But Shui Miao suddenly grinned widely…
Seeing this, He Zhen became furious. He reached into his coat and pulled out a small pistol, shouting, “Shui Miao, what are you smiling at? Do you think I dare not kill you?”
“No, no, no!”
Shui Miao smiled and waved his hands repeatedly, “You can kill me, of course you can. I believe that as a boss who has come this far, you must have killed many people. I absolutely believe you can kill me.”
“Hmph! You hit the nail on the head. I did kill a few ungrateful bastards. Today, you’ll be the seventh. I’ll count down ten seconds. If you’re still here after that, I’ll start killing. After I kill you all, I’ll fly overseas. Anyway, I’ve already transferred all my assets abroad. Who can stop me?”
“Ten… Nine… Eight… Seven…”
As He Zhen reached the seventh second, a series of rapid footsteps echoed from the corridor!
Judging from the sound, many people were approaching—well-trained ones. He Zhen was startled and turned his head to see what was happening. Suddenly, seven or eight black shadows dropped outside the window. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Fully armed SWAT officers with submachine guns kicked through the glass and descended into the conference room from above! Almost simultaneously, Wang Xiaomi shouted, “Get down!” and everyone on Shui Miao’s side crouched immediately.
“Don’t move! Don’t move!”
“Hands up!!”
At the same time, a large group of SWAT officers stormed in from the door…
Director Zhang raised his pistol and pressed it against He Zhen’s temple. He removed the earpiece from his ear and sneered coldly, “You little bastard, you’ve already killed six people, transferred your assets, and planned to escape overseas. Why don’t you go now? Should I just blow your brains out and let your soul fly there instead?”
A SWAT officer suddenly smashed the baton down on He Zhen’s hand, breaking the bones in his arm and causing the small pistol to fall to the ground.
“Fuck you!”
A group of burly male chefs, upon hearing this, were all filled with indignation and stood firmly on Shui Miao’s side.
The mindset of these chefs was simple: they believed in repaying kindness.
After the former head chef, Old Bi, left, these chefs faced the crisis of being laid off. They were to be reassigned by the chef guild to other kitchen teams, where they would have to do hard, exhausting work for low pay.
It was Shui Miao who stood up for them and fought to keep them.
Now, Shui Miao had even opened up Zone B for them and raised their salaries. Naturally, they chose to stand by Shui Miao’s side.
Among the chefs, a few hot-headed young ones even considered grabbing knives to confront He Zhen…
※※※
Conference Room
Shui Miao, Wang Xiaomi, and Wang Xiaomi’s squad leader Li Lan walked into the conference room together.
As soon as Shui Miao entered, he noticed a middle-aged overweight man sitting in the chairman’s seat. The man held a cigar, and behind him stood two bodyguards in black suits. Their waists bulged, suggesting they might be carrying handguns.
The chairman was absent, and the chairman’s seat should have been occupied by Shui Miao.
Upon seeing the middle-aged overweight man, Li Lan quickly leaned close to Shui Miao’s ear and whispered, “Our instruments detected that the two bodyguards have handguns at their waists and machetes on their backs. Judging by their fists and eyes, they seem to be martial arts experts with seven or eight years of training. We are prepared, and it’s not impossible to subdue them.”
“Heh…”
Hearing this, Shui Miao smiled. He took out his phone, sat down in a chair opposite the conference table, and sent a message to his godfather, Director Zhang, informing him that several armed individuals had entered the hotel.
Li Lan and Wang Xiaomi clearly saw Shui Miao sending the message to Director Zhang.
Soon, Director Zhang replied, assuring them he would arrive within twenty minutes.
Shui Miao showed the message to Li Lan, who understood immediately and hurried downstairs to receive him.
Meanwhile, managers and executives began filing into the conference room.
Xiao Liu, Xiao Hu, and Xiao Tudou also arrived.
The middle-aged overweight man, He Zhen, puffed on his cigar and looked across the oval conference table at Shui Miao. Contempt was evident in his eyes.
Shui Miao, resting his chin on his hand and squinting, stared back at He Zhen.
Everyone entering the conference room, affected by the tense atmosphere, remained silent.
However, all who entered gathered around Shui Miao’s side. Those without seats stood behind him. Unnoticed by Shui Miao, Sister Xiao Tang had brought the group of burly chefs into the conference room—all there to show support for Shui Miao. Sensing the tension, Xiao Liu also called in several male security guards from the security department.
In about five minutes, almost everyone on Shui Miao’s side had arrived.
At that moment, He Zhen made a phone call, saying, “You can come in now.” Suddenly, a large group of people from the entertainment department flooded into the conference room.
Shui Miao was somewhat surprised—He Zhen had also come prepared.
The entertainment department brought quite a few people, over thirty in total. Most were glamorous and seductive women, but mixed among them were about a dozen hooligans with dyed hair. Their waists were conspicuously bulging, clearly indicating they were armed.
Ten minutes passed, and the conference room had split into two factions.
Shui Miao and He Zhen continued to stare each other down.
Suddenly, He Zhen extinguished his cigar on the conference table, pointed at Shui Miao, and said, “Kid, I don’t care how you managed to get to this position. This is the Lin family’s business. I, He Zhen, hold thirty percent of the shares and have been entrusted by Old Master Lin to take over Linhai Grand Hotel. If you know what’s good for you, get out now.”
“He Zhen, I respected your age and allowed you to temporarily sit in my seat. I didn’t expect you to be so disrespectful, calling me ‘kid’ and telling me to get out! It seems like your mind is so clogged with gutter oil and rotten pork from making a few dirty bucks that you’ve forgotten what kind of person you really are. And as for Old Master Lin—do you have the guts to bring him here?” Shui Miao was turning He Zhen’s own tactics against him.
“What? How dare you insult me!” He Zhen slammed the table and shot to his feet. Having navigated the business world for years, he was accustomed to being surrounded by flatterers, even government officials. Now, a twenty-year-old had humiliated him, and his pride couldn’t take it. “Show them what we’ve got! Today, anyone who stands against me will pay with their life.”
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
Behind He Zhen, the two bodyguards in black suits drew their handguns.
The dozen or so hooligans also pulled out machetes from their clothes!
“If you want to touch Brother Shui, you’ll have to go through me first!”
“Don’t you dare lay a hand on my senior brother…”
Xiao Hu and Xiao Tudou rushed forward without hesitation, shielding Shui Miao.
Shui Miao pushed them aside forcefully—how could he let his good brothers take bullets for him?
“Who do you think you’re scaring? This is a society governed by law. If you have the guts, try killing me first!” Sister Xiao Tang unexpectedly stepped forward as well.
The group of burly chefs brandished knives, spatulas, and ladles they had hidden on themselves, ready for a fight!
Seeing this, Da Shuang and Xiao Shuang also rose from their seats.
Da Shuang smiled faintly and said to He Zhen, “Old man He Zhen, you probably don’t know who the second-largest shareholder of our hotel is, do you?”
“That’s right! He definitely doesn’t know. If he knew it was Sister Huang, the young lady, I doubt he’d have the courage to cause trouble here even if he had the guts of a bear or a leopard,” Xiao Shuang chimed in.
“Hmph!”
He Zhen snorted coldly. “You underestimate me too much. Old Master Lin has already spoken with Huang’s father. Did you really think Huang would come to your rescue? Dream on!”
Huang couldn’t make it!
Upon hearing this, the expressions of Da Shuang and Xiao Shuang instantly changed.
Sister Xiao Tang was also startled and took a few steps back.
Shui Miao stood up, pushed Xiao Hu and Xiao Tudou aside, and clapped his hands. “Impressive, truly impressive! Old Master Lin’s move is indeed well-calculated! But in our hearts, Linhai Grand Hotel belongs to Sister Lin. Sister Lin’s business will always be Sister Lin’s business. We don’t recognize any Old Master Lin. Even if he stood right in front of me, I wouldn’t give him a second glance because, in my eyes, he doesn’t deserve to own this business.”
*Bang!*
Shui Miao slammed his fist on the conference table and glared furiously at He Zhen. “If it weren’t for Sister Lin’s heartless father, she wouldn’t have suffered so much, wouldn’t have been separated from the one she loved, and wouldn’t have struggled for years in Zhonghai City. As a father, forcing his stubbornness onto his daughter’s happiness, tearing her apart from the one she loved, and abandoning her without a care for so many years! And now, he has the audacity to send someone to take away the business she built herself? I’m absolutely disgusted. What kind of father is that? If he dared to stand in front of me, I’d slap him across the face!”
“Good!”
“Well said!”
“Brother Shui, that was amazing!”
“Senior brother, you’re incredible…”
Shui Miao’s words moved the crowd, earning him a round of applause.
Even some of the people behind He Zhen were visibly affected by his speech…
“Hmph! How naive!”
He Zhen waved his hand dismissively. “What do you, an outsider, know about the Lin family’s affairs? Old Master Lin’s success is beyond the comprehension of a junior like you. Today, entrusted by Old Master Lin, I must take over Linhai Grand Hotel. Even if I have to kill a few of you, I can afford the consequences! Now, I’ll give you five final minutes. When time’s up, anyone who hasn’t left will be killed!”
He Zhen checked the time and began the countdown.
Seeing He Zhen was serious, some people behind Shui Miao began to waver, their resolve weakening.
“Leave. I’m the general manager, and I’ll take responsibility for this. You’re just here for a salary—there’s no need for unnecessary sacrifices,” Shui Miao sighed and glanced back at everyone. In truth, he wanted to see who would stand by him loyally, so he could focus on nurturing them as trusted aides in the future.
Among the chefs, there was some restlessness…
The security guards were fearless. Xiao Liu and his brothers had once been part of the underworld, where loyalty was paramount. Besides, having seen much of the world, they didn’t believe He Zhen would actually dare to open fire.
Only Sister Xiao Tang seemed afraid. She wanted to leave but felt too embarrassed to do so, her hesitation obvious.
To Shui Miao’s surprise, Wang Xiaomi was also unafraid. Hiding behind a tall chef, she covered her mouth with her hand while communicating with the surveillance room. Upon learning that Director Zhang had arrived at the entrance with a SWAT team, she quickly nodded to Shui Miao.
“Two minutes left…”
He Zhen coldly raised his hand, signaling his men to prepare.
But Shui Miao simply grinned…
Enraged by this, He Zhen reached into his jacket and pulled out a miniature pistol. “Shui Miao, what are you laughing at? Do you think I won’t kill you?”
“No, no!”
Shui Miao smiled and waved his hands. “You’d kill me, of course you would. I’m sure someone who’s become as successful as you has already killed quite a few people. I definitely believe you’d kill me.”
“Hmph! You’ve got that right. I’ve indeed taken out a few who didn’t know their place. Today, you’ll be the seventh. I’ll count down from ten. If you’re still not gone, I’ll start the slaughter. After I finish you all off, I’ll fly abroad. All my assets have already been transferred overseas—what can anyone do to me?” He Zhen appeared low-key on the surface but was truly malicious. The reason he helped Old Master Lin reclaim the hotel was that, in addition to the thirty percent shares, Old Master Lin promised him another ten million. The hotel, along with the property, was worth at least sixty million. He Zhen had already planned to leave the country for good. An extra ten million was worth a few lives to him.
“Ten… nine… eight… seven…”
Just as He Zhen reached “seven,” the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway!
Judging by the noise, many well-trained people were approaching. Startled, He Zhen turned to see what was happening. Suddenly, seven or eight black figures descended outside the conference room windows. With a series of crashes, fully armed SWAT officers wielding submachine guns shattered the glass and rappelled into the room! Almost simultaneously, Wang Xiaomi shouted, “Get down!” Everyone on Shui Miao’s side dropped to the floor.
“Freeze! Don’t move!”
“Hands up!!”
Outside, a large group of SWAT officers stormed in…
Director Zhang pressed his pistol against He Zhen’s temple, removed the earpiece from his ear, and sneered coldly. “Well, well. Already killed six people, transferred your assets, and planned to flee abroad? Why don’t you try leaving now? Should I put a bullet through your head and let your soul fly there?”
A SWAT officer suddenly struck He Zhen’s hand with a baton, shattering the bones in his arm. The miniature pistol clattered to the floor.
“Go to hell!”
Furious that someone dared to threaten his nephew, Director Zhang cursed loudly and slammed his pistol into the back of He Zhen’s head, knocking him unconscious. Still enraged, he delivered several fierce kicks to He Zhen’s head.
The hooligans and so-called bodyguards, seeing the situation, dropped their weapons and surrendered.
“General Manager, everything that just happened in the conference room has been recorded. I believe He Zhen will be spending the rest of his life in prison,” Wang Xiaomi sighed in relief. Everything was under control.
In fact, Wang Xiaomi was also carrying a gun—a Desert Eagle.
It had been given to her by Lin Qing’er to protect Shui Miao.
Seeing this, the hooligans and so-called bodyguards dropped their weapons and surrendered with their hands raised.
“General Manager, everything that happened in the conference room has been recorded. I believe He Zhen is going to rot in prison,” Wang Xiaomi exhaled in relief, finally everything under control.
In fact, Wang Xiaomi was also carrying a gun hidden on her body—it was a Desert Eagle.
This gun had been given to Wang Xiaomi by Lin Qing’er, to protect Shui Miao.
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