Chapter 86:

Han Lanyi patted Han Shuying’s hand and said, “We’re just visiting Yuzhou for a while. Don’t overthink it.”

It wasn’t that Shuying couldn’t be told about this matter—it was simply that it involved her best friend’s privacy. No one would willingly expose their own humiliating side in front of a younger relative.

Han Shuying could tell her aunt didn’t want to elaborate, so she didn’t press further. Instead, she changed the subject. “Auntie, Aunt Wang, why don’t you stay in Yuzhou a little longer? I can introduce you to a friend of mine. She’s incredibly skilled, especially in medicine—few can match her.”

Han Lanyi and Wang Qijing exchanged a glance. “We were already planning to stay. But never mind us—how have you been in Yuzhou lately?”

At this, Han Shuying’s face fell. “Ugh, don’t even ask. I’ve been swamped. You know Pengpeng and I started that cosmetics company, right? Neither of us had any experience running a business, so we’ve been figuring things out as we go. Balancing studies and work has been insane. Thank goodness we’re young, or we’d have collapsed by now.”

She wasn’t exaggerating.

Since the grand opening—whether out of respect for the Bai family’s reputation or the Han family’s—Yu Meiren’s launch had been a success. Their products were genuinely outstanding, rivaling—if not surpassing—many high-end brands on the market. Beauty-conscious women had gone wild for them.

Yu Meiren’s target clientele was high-society women and socialites—wealthy, leisured ladies who wouldn’t blink at spending on beauty products. Demand was overwhelming, but the factory’s production capacity couldn’t keep up, leading to shortages.

Watching potential profits slip away was agonizing. Worse, such issues right after opening were undeniably bad for Yu Meiren’s growth.

Lately, Bai Pengpeng and Han Shuying had been pouring their energy into solving this problem. Just two days ago, a shipment of high-end equipment they’d ordered from overseas finally arrived, resolving the bottleneck.

Today, their meal at Benyuan Zhai was both a celebration and a chance to unwind.

Han Lanyi said, “I don’t know much about cosmetics, but I do run a company myself. If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Han Shuying grinned. “Don’t worry, Auntie—I won’t stand on ceremony.”

Though Han Lanyi and Wang Qijing had already eaten, they didn’t mind waiting a little longer now that they’d run into Shuying.

After the meal, as they left the private room and reached the stairwell, loud commotion erupted from the main hall.

Han Lanyi frowned. “What’s going on at Benyuan Zhai? Why aren’t they stopping that disturbance?”

Han Shuying and Bai Pengpeng also frowned. They knew about Benyuan Zhai’s connection to Qin Zhaoyu and had met its general manager, Lu, a few times. They considered him a friend.

And since he was Zhaoyu’s friend, he was theirs too. They couldn’t just ignore a scene being made in his restaurant.

Downstairs, a group of people were noisily confronting the manager.

A handsome but impatient-looking young man barked orders: “Manager Li, get me a Black Obsidian membership card—now!”

The manager demurred, “Second Young Master Lu, I’m afraid that’s not possible. The Black Obsidian card isn’t something just anyone can get. Applicants must meet certain status requirements and pay a one-time fee of one million yuan.”

His gaze swept over the crowd before lowering. “If you want to bypass the rules, I don’t have the authority. Only General Manager Lu can approve that. So causing a scene here won’t help.”

That glance made Lu Weijin feel humiliated, as if he were a child again, mocked for his questionable parentage. His face flushed red. “Li Dongzhong! I call you ‘Manager’ out of courtesy—don’t push your luck! Believe me, I’ll have you fired!”

“You flatter me. My position is insignificant—a word from you could remove me. But making a scene here is pointless. I truly can’t break the rules for you.”

Before Lu Weijin could retort, Bai Pengpeng, now at the foot of the stairs, cut in. “Oh? Who’s this ‘Second Young Master’ throwing his weight around? Demanding a Black Obsidian card like it’s nothing. What, is someone here equal in status to my brother? Step forward—let me see who it is. Wouldn’t want to offend anyone by mistake later.”

“Who dares—” Lu Weijin spun around, ready to berate the interloper, but froze when he saw Bai Pengpeng. He swallowed his words, relieved he hadn’t said anything worse.

Bai Pengpeng arched a brow, arms crossed. “Pfft. You lot think you’re Black Obsidian material? Don’t make me laugh—I don’t even have one. If you could get one just because of this ‘Second Young Master,’ wouldn’t that mean I’m beneath you? What, looking down on me?”

Lu Weijin and his friends tensed. Though the woman before them only came up to their shoulders, her presence was overpowering.

“Not at all!” the manager hurriedly explained. “Benyuan Zhai would never disrespect you, Miss Bai. You’re a valued guest. Second Young Master Lu was just joking about the card—it’s not serious!”

“Oh?” Bai Pengpeng eyed Lu Weijin skeptically.

Gritting his teeth, he forced out, “…Right.”

Admitting this meant losing face in front of his friends—a humiliation for someone as prideful as him. But the Bai family wasn’t someone he could afford to offend.

Bai Pengpeng scoffed. “If it’s just a joke, then it’s not worth fussing over. Though I’d expect nothing less—Benyuan Zhai wouldn’t dare look down on me, Bai Pengpeng!”

Lu Weijin’s face darkened. He shot Li Dongzhong a venomous glare—clearly marking him for revenge—before storming out with his entourage.

Bai Pengpeng smirked, glancing at the meek-looking manager. “A little impatience spoils great plans. Wouldn’t you agree, Manager Li?”

Li Dongzhong paled, then bowed his head bitterly. He understood her warning. His temper had gotten the better of him—had he disrupted Lu Yaoqing’s plans?

Seeing his expression, Bai Pengpeng knew he’d taken the hint. Without another word, she left Benyuan Zhai with Han Shuying and the others.

—

**Nightfall, Lu Yaoqing’s Office**

Li Dongzhong stood before Lu Yaoqing, guilt-ridden. “Sir, I mishandled today’s situation. I’ve been too impatient lately. Punish me as you see fit.”

Leaning back in his chair, Lu Yaoqing massaged his temples, easing the fatigue of a long day.

The Columbia ratings were approaching, and he’d been working tirelessly to secure Benyuan Zhai’s place. A successful rating would mark their first step onto the international stage. Returning to this mess was the last thing he needed.

The Columbia Awards, founded by a gourmet billionaire, had grown from a passion project into a global culinary benchmark. Earning a star—especially three—was a chef and restaurant’s ultimate honor, bringing prestige and profit.

Beyond that, it opened doors overseas—something Lu Yaoqing desperately wanted for Benyuan Zhai.

Exhausted but forcing himself to focus, he said, “Lu Weijin isn’t the priority now. Don’t waste energy on him. Just keep Benyuan Zhai running smoothly. You know the critics could visit anytime. If we embarrass ourselves, going global will be much harder.”

The thought of international expansion excited Li Dongzhong, but Lu Weijin’s antics worried him. “The ratings matter, but Second Young Master’s disruptions are hurting our reputation. Guests have complained about the noise.”

Lu Yaoqing’s gaze turned icy. After a long pause, he said slowly, “I’ll handle him. But today’s incident was poorly managed. If Miss Bai hadn’t stepped in, how would you have ended it?”

Li Dongzhong opened his mouth but couldn’t respond.

Could he admit Lu Weijin’s constant provocations had worn him down, making him lose his temper?

Lu Yaoqing didn’t wait for an answer. “Don’t let it happen again. You’re dismissed.”

“Yes, sir!” Relieved, Li Dongzhong bowed and left.

Alone, the office fell silent. Lu Yaoqing’s breathing was the only sound. After a while, he picked up his phone. His pianist’s fingers hovered over the contact labeled “Father” before tapping it.

The call was brief.

Hanging up, Lu Yaoqing’s lips curled in scorn.

*How pitiful. So easily discarded—like goods. Useful? Keep. Useless? Toss aside.*

*That’s why nothing gained through others’ favor lasts.*