Chapter 163 - Sowing Discord
Chapter 163 – Sowing Discord
Translator: Lonelytree
“Master Gu, this is bad. That… that…” A waiter ran into the Gu Family Hotel’s kitchen and shouted, “Zhou Huaming is coming over to our restaurant for a meal!”
Master Gu turned the wok and scooped out the stir-fried cabbage. He said indifferently, “Why fuss? This is not his first time here anyway.”
The last time Zhou Huaming was here, he was in disguise. He wore a low-brimmed hat and a pair of sunglasses. He dressed himself up as a celebrity. But did he think the Gu Family wouldn’t recognize him?
Gu Ziye and Gu Rufeng were very familiar with their competitors. They would recognize them anywhere. Gu Rufeng directly walked to the man’s table. “CEO Zhou, you should have informed us when you decide to frequent us. Ziye could have arranged a private booth for you. I just wonder why the general manager of the Yi Family Hotel would come to our restaurant? Have the food at the Yi Family Hotel gotten so bad?”
Gu Rufeng’s previous disappointment was swept away. When his competitor came to their hotel in disguise, his mood soared. If he didn’t take this chance to ridicule Zhou Huaming, he wouldn’t sleep at night.
At the time, when the nearby customers heard the CEO of the Yi Family Hotel was there, their eyes widened, and they stared at Zhou Huaming with curiosity. Some of their eyes even flashed with a strange look.
Was Zhou Huaming there was a simple meal or to test out the enemy’s food? Regardless, it was ashamed to be caught red-handed.
Zhuo Huaming was thick-skinned too. He said disdainfully. “I don’t get why people flock here when the food is so bad.” Then, he stood up and left.
When Gu Rufeng heard that Zhou Huaming had returned, he even lost interest to meet the man anymore. The waiter said, “But Zhou Huaming has invited someone this time. That someone is President Gu’s friend.”
Gu Rufeng was interested. “Ye ‘Er’s friend? Who is it?”
“The one we mistook as President Gu’s girlfriend!” The waiter said. Gu Rufeng’s face shifted. He dropped the ladle and rushed out. He needed to confirm this.
He had mistaken Xiao Lingyu as Gu Ziye’s girlfriend last time, but he did find out Xiao Lingyu was the new supplier of their hotel. Now their competition was having a meal with their new supplier? This was not good. He stood on the second floor and looked down. Zhou Huaming was indeed dining with a young woman. Gu Rufeng hadn’t seen Xiao Lingyu before, but the waiter had. So it was unlikely he made a mistake. He frowned and walked to the corner to make a call.
“Where are you?” Gu Rufeng demanded angrily, “Get back now! Your girlfriend is dining with Zhou Huaming!”
Gu Ziye was swimming with his three friends. When he heard his third uncle say his girlfriend was dining with Zhou Huaming, his first reaction was to say that he didn’t have a girlfriend. But then, everything clicked.
The last time Xiao Lingyu came to his hotel, his third uncle mistook her for his girlfriend. So that meant…
He shivered and immediately rushed off.
Zheng Haiyang asked in confusion, “Ye, what happened?”
Gu Ziye wiped the water off his body with a white towel and said, “Third uncle just called. He said that Xiao Lingyu is having a meal with Zhou Huaming.”
“What?” The three of them were shocked. “Xiao Lingyu is dining with Zhou Huaming? What’s going on?”
“I don’t know either,” Gu Ziye said in confusion. “So, I need to go back to take a look!”
“We’ll go together!” Zheng Haiyang and the other two immediately put on their clothes and left in a hurry.
After they got into the car, Yuan Xuanhao asked, “Ziye, did third uncle say where Xiao Lingyu and Zhou Huaming are now?”
“No.” Gu Ziye shook his head and said, “I’ll call and ask.”
After he made the call, his expression changed slightly. His friends looked at him and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Gu Ziye said in a puzzled tone, “Apparently, they are dining at the Gu Family Hotel!”
“Huh?” The three were shocked. “What is really going on?”
If Zhou Huaming wanted to poach Xiao Lingyu, he wouldn’t do it at the Gu Family Hotel. But then, Gu Ziye realized Zhou Huaming was probably meeting with Xiao Lingyu because he needed her help.
Zhou Hongwei was arrested, and Xiao Lingyu was the key witness. Xiao Lingyu’s testimony was crucial to Zhou Hongwei’s conviction.
“Do you think it was Lingyu who asked for them to dine at the Gu Family Hotel?” Qian Yifan guessed.
“I think it’s possible!” The others echoed.
“No matter reason, we need to go back and take a look first!” Gu Ziye said.
…
Zhou Huaming agreed to Xiao Lingyu’s conditions and accepted the invitation to the Gu family hotel. Zhou Huaming wanted to book a private booth. However, he didn’t have it done in his own name. He had his secretary book the room instead.
However, the Gu Family Hotel’s business was so good that all the private booths had been booked. The only spot left was in the general dining room.
The Zhou Family needed Xiao Lingyu. Even if they couldn’t get a private booth, they still had to abide by her rules. Xiao Lingyu wanted to have the meeting at 11. 30 am.
Zhou Huaming arrived at the destination slightly later to make Xiao Lingyu stew in anxiety. This was a power move. Then, he walked to the table he had booked two days ago. When he arrived, he saw that Xiao Lingyu was already waiting.
Xiao Lingyu glanced at him and asked with a frown. “Are you Zhou Huaming, Boss Zhou?”
Zhou Huaming sighed in relief when he saw Xiao Lingyu arrive earlier than he did. He assumed that this meant Xiao Lingyu was eager to negotiate for money and benefits. It made him feel proud, but before they reached an agreement, he didn’t let it show on his face.
He pulled a chair and sat down. He nodded and replied, “Yes, I am Zhou Huaming. Miss Xiao, I have heard a lot about you.” Then, he extended his hand to shake hers.
Xiao Lingyu was a person who was very good at observing people’s expressions. Naturally, she did not miss the disrespectful look in Zhou Huaming’s eyes. She chuckled internally.
She didn’t take his hand. Instead, she looked at her wristwatch and said, “Boss Zhou, you’re fifteen minutes late. Boss Zhou doesn’t seem to care about this meeting since you have me wait for you.”
The expression on Zhou Huaming’s face instantly froze. ‘What does she mean by that? Doesn’t she know it’s common for business people to come late? But I have to endure it.’
He forced a smile. “Sorry, there was a traffic jam.” This was a common excuse for tardy people.
Xiao Lingyu raised her eyebrows and said with a smile, “Traffic jam?” Her gaze deliberately glanced behind Zhou Huaming. Through the entrance, she saw the opposite building, the Yi Family Hotel.
The two hotels were one street apart. Xiao Lingyu’s meaning was clear. She saw Zhou Huaming walk out of the Yi Family Hotel earlier. He walked over from his office, so how could there be a traffic jam?
Zhou Huaming knew his lie had been exposed. He opened his mouth to explain, but Xiao Lingyu picked up her bag and prepared to leave. “Boss Zhou, I don’t work with impolite people. Since you don’t seem to care about this meeting, then we shouldn’t waste time.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Xiao!” Zhou Huaming gritted his teeth and stood up to apologize. Zhou Huaming was frustrated. He didn’t expect that Xiao Lingyu would use his move against him.
Xiao Lingyu sat down again and said, “Okay. Since Boss Zhou has apologized, I’ll stay.”
After the two of them sat down, the waiter came over and asked for their order.
When Zhou Huaming heard Xiao Lingyu order all the expensive dishes, his eyes turned up with disdain. ‘A country bumpkin will always be backward. She only knows to order the most expensive dishes. She probably hasn’t even tasted them before. She is using me to have that opportunity.’
Of course, Zhou Huaming didn’t say anything.
When Xiao Lingyu was done and handed the menu back to the waiter, Zhou Huaming asked, “Miss Xiao, why not order some more?”
Xiao Lingyu shook her head and said, “I’m fine.”
After the waiter left, Xiao Lingyu asked directly, “May I know why Boss Zhou has invited me out?”
Zhou Huaming’s breathing stopped, and a wave of anger suddenly surged out of his heart. He knew that Xiao Lingyu was doing this on purpose. She had to know why he had asked her out to meet.
He looked around and said in a low voice, “Miss Xiao, do you think we should talk about that at this place?”
People already recognized Zhou Huaming when he walked in. Therefore, curious gazes kept turning their way.
Xiao Lingyu acted dumb and asked, “Why not?” Then, Xiao Lingyu gasped in fear and shock. “Boss Zhou, you mean that thing?! I will never agree to that. Even though I’m not as rich and as powerful as you, I will not violate my principles. I can’t help you with that.”
Zhou Huaming, “…”
Everyone, “…”
‘What is going on? What is she up to? Is she trying to ruin my reputation?’
Zhou Huaming’s face darkened. He gritted his teeth and said, “Miss Xiao, you’ve misunderstood. I absolutely didn’t mean that.”
“Good!” Xiao Lingyu patted her chest and sighed. “I thought you asked me out to talk about Zhou Hongwei. He is the purchasing manager of the Yi Family Hotel. Wait, he’s your nephew too.
“So, I thought you came to find me to talk about how Zhou Hongwei had kidnapped and threatened me.
“Thankfully, he is now arrested. Don’t worry, Boss Zhou. I will never tolerate criminals. This time, I will make sure Zhou Hongwei will be inside for years. When he comes out, he’d be powerless to fight with you for the Yi Family Hotel.”
Xiao Lingyu uttered loudly. She didn’t seem like she knew she had said something wrong. Internally though, she thought, ‘Your whole family has tried to threaten me with my brother. Do you think I’m a pushover? In that case, I’ll turn the tricks on you and cause your family to turn on itself!’
Xiao Lingyu had gathered every intel on the Zhou Family over the past three days.
“Zhou Hongwei wants to fight his uncle to control the Yi Family Hotel? This is one big insider news!”
“That doesn’t sound right. I heard that Zhou Hongwei is the Zhou Family’s only heir. Old Master Zhou had already said that Zhou Hongwei would have everything in the Zhou Family, and that includes the Yi Family Hotel. So why fight his uncle for it now?”
“Because CEO Zhou is only 50 years old. He also has two daughters. Do you really think he’s going to surrender everything he has worked for to his nephew and not his daughters? No one would believe that! Definitely not Zhou Hongwei.”
“But, the Zhou Family is famous for favoring boys over girls. Old Master Zhou has already made the decision. Everything will go to Zhou Hongwei in the future.”
“Do you think we still live in feudal China? So what if Old Master Zhou has made the decision? Can Zhou Huaming not consider his own daughter? It’s very unlikely he’d hand over all his life’s work to Zhou Hongwei.”
“You’re right!”