Chapter Fifty-Eight: Backing

Fang Nian had been pondering—though he was merely the son-in-law who had married into the Xia family, with the Xia family's influence, how could a mere hotel manager dare make things difficult for him? But now, Fang Nian understood. Behind this hotel manager stood the Xu and Xiao families, and most importantly, Fang Nian had offended the greatest power in District 16 at the speech event: the Duan family.

He had publicly humiliated Duan Rui, the pride of the Duan family, before so many people, and naturally incurred the wrath of the family behind her. The cordial conversation Duan Lenghan had held earlier would inevitably be interpreted as veiled fury. A family that had crossed the Duan family would naturally be treated as a drowning dog.

Fang Nian had never imagined the relationships would be so complex, nor had he expected Duan Lenghan to be so enraged. Perhaps, for someone whose brilliance could not be hidden, opposition was simply inevitable.

Nevertheless, Fang Nian was not one to admit defeat. Since they wished to drive him away, he would simply refuse to leave.

He smiled helplessly and spread his hands. “It doesn’t matter. The seat itself isn’t important—gold will shine wherever it is. Just like during the speech, even if some people sit in the front, they’re merely spectators.”

“You—!” Xu Fan and Xiao Xuefeng were infuriated by his words, for Fang Nian was perfectly correct. Their current behavior was exactly as he described—they were nothing but onlookers. In terms of talent, they could hardly compare with Duan Rui or Fang Nian.

Just then, a hearty laugh rang out from behind. Everyone turned to see Duan Lenghan approaching with Duan Rui at his side.

Duan Lenghan smiled faintly, but Duan Rui shot Fang Nian a fierce glare.

“Brother Fang, the banquet is about to begin. Why haven’t you taken your seat?”

Fang Nian was briefly taken aback, then, realizing who it was, hurriedly greeted him. “Elder Duan, I was just about to sit.”

Helpless, Fang Nian gestured for the Xia family to be seated. Seeing Duan Lenghan himself had intervened, the Xia family, despite their reluctance, dared not protest further. One by one, they pulled out their chairs and prepared to sit.

Xiao Xuefeng, Xu Fan, and the hotel manager were utterly delighted to see Fang Nian thwarted. It seemed to be the first time they had the upper hand since crossing paths with this troublemaker—they could hardly restrain themselves from going over to sneer at him.

But at that very moment, Duan Lenghan’s previously amiable expression turned icy cold.

“Brother Fang, why are you sitting here?”

Fang Nian was stunned, then seemed to understand. He pointed at the nameplate on the table and replied helplessly, “Elder Duan, it’s like this—the hotel assigned the Xia Family’s Hunting Grounds to these seats, so naturally, we’re seated here.”

“Nonsense!” Duan Lenghan erupted in anger. “Where is Jiang Shan? Bring Jiang Shan to me!”

Jiang Shan was the owner of North City International Hotel. Hearing that Duan Lenghan was asking for him, the hotel manager immediately broke out in a cold sweat and stepped forward. “Elder Duan, our chairman, he…”

Duan Lenghan’s gaze turned sharp and chilling. Gone was the gentle elder; he was now a storm incarnate. One look was enough to make the manager swallow her words in terror.

“What are you? I want Jiang Shan—tell him to be here within two minutes, or he’ll know the consequences.”

Not daring to utter another word, the manager hurried off. Soon, a rather overweight, shabbily dressed man came rushing over, panting heavily. Seeing Duan Lenghan’s furious countenance, he gasped, “Elder… Elder Duan, you wanted to see me?”

Duan Lenghan’s expression remained frigid. “Let me ask you, the Xia Family’s Hunting Grounds is one of the top families in our District 16, with indelible achievements in our hunting industry. Even my own Duan family must treat them with respect.”

He paused, frowning, and bellowed, “But why has such a meritorious family been marginalized at your North City International Hotel? Not only were they assigned the last seats at the speech event, but now, during the banquet, they’re seated here? Are you trying to put your hotel out of business?”

Jiang Shan’s clothes were already soaked through with sweat. He had been enjoying himself with his mistress on the top floor when this disaster struck. The moment he heard Duan Lenghan was looking for him, he hadn’t even had time to put on his underwear before running down—utterly disheveled.

He dared not offend Duan Lenghan—the man could destroy him with a single word. As rage boiled within him, he caught sight of the trembling hotel manager, standing nearby.

“Did you do this?”

The manager glanced furtively at Xu Fan and Xiao Xuefeng, then quickly looked away. Though they had orchestrated everything, how could a mere manager dare expose them? Despite the injustice, she could only bear it herself. She dropped to her knees before Jiang Shan, sobbing loudly. “Chairman Jiang, I was wrong! I acted foolishly for a moment. Please, you’re generous—just forgive me this once!”

Jiang Shan, enraged, gave her a fierce kick, then slapped her twice across the face. Her cheeks turned purple and blood trickled from her lips.

“Damn you—who gave you the right to treat my honored guests this way? Get over there and apologize!”

Stunned and beaten senseless, the manager cared for nothing else. She crawled over to Fang Nian on her knees, kowtowing repeatedly, her voice choked with tears. “Director Fang, I was wrong, I truly was! Please, you are magnanimous—don’t stoop to my level, forgive me, please…”

At this point, Jiang Shan realized Fang Nian’s true status and hurried over to apologize as well. “Brother Fang, I am truly sorry. Everything today was the doing of this wretch—I had no idea. I’ll fire her immediately and make it known across the industry—no hotel will dare hire her again.”

With that, Jiang Shan accepted a gleaming platinum-black card from his secretary and handed it to Fang Nian. “Brother Fang, this is the Platinum Black Card of our North City International Hotel. In the future, as long as you show this card, all accommodation and dining here will be free of charge. You will always receive our best service.”

He glanced nervously at Duan Lenghan, sweat pouring down his forehead. But Duan Lenghan said nothing—it was clear he was backing Fang Nian all the way, granting him total authority.

Fang Nian was no fool. Since Jiang Shan had offered complete sincerity, there was no need to reject his good faith. He took the card and tucked it into his pocket.

“In that case, thank you, Chairman Jiang.”