Chapter 41: Another Encounter with Wu Yang

Chapter 41: Another Encounter with Wu Yang

As Feng Lun was praising Wang Guocheng, someone interjected, clearly well-acquainted with Fan Xiaoyao.

“Xiaoyao, what a coincidence! Long time no see. Are you here for dinner?”

Fan Xiaoyao, upon seeing Wu Yang, greeted him with a hint of unease. “Wu Yang, it’s you. I’m here with Uncle Feng and my friend for a meal.”

Unlike Fan Xiaoyao’s discomfort, Wu Yang fixed his gaze intently on Wang Guocheng, who stood by her side.

He asked Wang Guocheng bluntly, “Who are you to Xiaoyao, to be so close with her?”

In truth, Wu Yang had been tailing them ever since Fan Xiaoyao and Wang Guocheng stepped out of Feng Lun’s car. Watching Fan Xiaoyao smile and laugh before another man only fueled his anger. So, as he approached her, his first and foremost irritation was directed at Wang Guocheng.

Sensing the hostility from Wu Yang, Wang Guocheng deduced that it must be because of Fan Xiaoyao. Deliberately, he drew Fan Xiaoyao a bit closer into his arms, smiling broadly. “You already seem to have guessed who I am to Xiaoyao. My name is Wang Guocheng, Fan Xiaoyao’s boyfriend... and fiancé.”

A fire blazed in Wu Yang’s eyes. He had nursed a silent love for Fan Xiaoyao for over three years. Though she couldn’t accept his feelings because of Tim, he still couldn’t bear the thought of her accepting someone else.

He confronted Fan Xiaoyao, unkindly, “Fan Xiaoyao, didn’t you say your heart was already full because of Tim, that there was no room for anyone else? How is it that after barely a month, there’s already someone new? So you’re just a shallow woman after all…”

At this, Fan Xiaoyao, incensed by Wu Yang’s public outburst, raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.

“Wu Yang, you’ve truly disappointed me! How dare you speak so recklessly? What do you mean, I’m a shallow woman? There’s never been anything between us, and you have no right to judge me. Just because we went on two arranged meetings, does that mean you’re entitled to hate me for refusing you?”

With that, Fan Xiaoyao took Wang Guocheng by the hand and strode into Kangcheng Cuisine House, where Feng Lun was already waiting by the door.

Seeing her so riled up, Feng Lun couldn’t help but offer some advice. “Slapping Wu Yang in public might not have been wise. In our circles, you still need to consider others’ pride.”

Fan Xiaoyao understood Feng Lun’s meaning, but she knew her own heart best—she and Wu Yang would never have a chance.

The slap seemed to sober Wu Yang up. He regretted his actions almost immediately. Just as he was preparing to leave Kangcheng Cuisine House, his assistant appeared behind him.

“Manager Wu, all the clients are inside waiting. What’s going on?”

Wu Yang managed a strained smile. “It’s nothing. Let’s go, which private room are they in?”

The assistant consulted his order list. “They’re in Gold Room No. 1 on the second floor. These are the VIP clients Tim specifically instructed us to entertain—they’re the largest pipeline procurement company in K Country. Whether GLT makes a breakthrough in exports this year depends entirely on the impression we make tonight.”

Accompanied by his assistant, Wu Yang went upstairs, only to discover, much to his dismay, that Fan Xiaoyao’s private room was directly opposite the one he had reserved.

He stood frozen for a moment but was soon urged on by his assistant.

Inside her own room, Fan Xiaoyao was still visibly fuming. Wang Guocheng quickly poured her a cup of hot orange juice. “Come now, don’t be upset. Have something warm.”

Feng Lun, meanwhile, picked up the menu and pressed the call button. He looked over at Fan Xiaoyao and Wang Guocheng, “The dishes we’re ordering tonight are the restaurant’s most exclusive specialties. Guocheng, you must try them all.”

Things were not going as smoothly in Wu Yang’s private room.

“Sir, I’m terribly sorry, but the Drunken Hibiscus Prawns you ordered have already been reserved by another guest yesterday,” the waiter explained cautiously.

Wu Yang pointed to another exclusive dish on the menu. “Then replace it with Four-Happiness Yam with Abalone...”

The waiter, cheeks flushed, glanced nervously at Wu Yang’s already irritated face and spoke softly, “Sir, that dish... that dish has also been reserved...”

Forcing a smile at the K Country clients, Wu Yang explained in English, “Gentlemen, I have a little situation here, just a little, I'll handle it.”

After the clients nodded understandingly, Wu Yang beckoned the waiter outside.

“Is Kangcheng Cuisine House not interested in doing business anymore? Every dish I order is suddenly unavailable—what’s the meaning of this? Don’t you realize these are our company’s most important clients? If they’re dissatisfied with their meal and it jeopardizes our company’s annual performance, can you afford to take responsibility?”

He unleashed his fury on the waiter until the young man was reduced to tears.

Realizing his loss of control, Wu Yang apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. Could you do me a favor—if I pay triple the price, would that work?”

The waiter looked troubled. “I’m sorry, sir, but the person who reserved those dishes is President Feng of HK Corporation. He also has important guests... We really are in a difficult position.”

“HK Corporation? You mean Kangcheng’s HK Corporation?” Wu Yang’s eyes showed a flicker of concern. Isn’t HK Corporation the company Fan Xiaoyao works for? Could the guests he saw at the door earlier be the very ones the waiter was referring to?

The waiter nodded. “If you really want those dishes, sir, you’ll have to negotiate directly with President Feng. He’s one of our shareholders, after all...”

Wu Yang waved the waiter away. “You can go now. I’ll call you after I’ve spoken with President Feng.”

Straightening his suit and tie, Wu Yang knocked on the door of the room opposite.

When Fan Xiaoyao opened the door and saw him, she looked displeased. “What do you want?”

Wu Yang glanced past her at Feng Lun. “President Feng, I’m Wu Yang from GLT—we met before. May I come in to discuss something with you?”

Fan Xiaoyao, having already formed her opinion of Wu Yang, blocked his way. “Wu Yang, I’m sorry, but you’re neither our guest nor our client—there’s nothing to discuss. Besides, my Uncle Feng is currently entertaining important guests and has no time for negotiations.”

With just a few words, Fan Xiaoyao pushed Wu Yang out of the doorway, leaving him no chance to explain himself. Wu Yang didn’t even have time to open his mouth before being awkwardly shown the door.