Chapter 8: The Grand Waiter

Golden Grand Hotel.

Fan Ling smiled as she watched her classmates arrive one by one. From the envious glances cast her way, she felt a deep sense of satisfaction. As a woman from an ordinary family, finding a husband worth hundreds of millions was naturally a cause for joy. Although Fan Wenbin had yet to inherit his father’s vast fortune, it was only a matter of time. Besides, he currently held a position at his father’s company, earning nearly a million a year—enough for a typical family to live comfortably for ten years.

She felt fortunate with her choice. In her mind, had she chosen Chen Yuyi, her days ahead would have been marked by hardship. Like most ordinary people, she would spend her life worrying about mortgages—and that was without children. If children entered the equation, things would be even less optimistic.

“Chen Yuyi, you will never compare to Fan Wenbin. You are worlds apart. Even if you come, you will always be beneath him!” She hadn’t spotted Chen Yuyi among her classmates, guessing he wouldn’t show up. Truthfully, she hoped he wouldn’t, and couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.

Tonight, with Fan Wenbin hosting a lavish banquet at such a grand five-star hotel, her vanity was indulged to the fullest. She felt as if she stood above everyone else.

“Darling, it seems your ex-boyfriend hasn’t shown up after all.” Fan Wenbin, after greeting a few classmates, came over and wrapped his arm around Fan Ling’s waist, smirking teasingly.

“What ex-boyfriend? I never acknowledged him as such. He’s always been the one chasing after me, wishful and persistent. You are my true boyfriend—no, my husband now.” As she spoke, Fan Ling leaned in and gave him a sweet kiss.

“Haha, you really are my little sweetheart. For you, I had to beg my father to advance me a year’s salary. I’ve already booked the presidential suite at the hotel; tonight, I’ll have to reward you properly.” With that, Fan Wenbin’s hand slid down to Fan Ling’s shapely hips, giving them a firm squeeze.

Fan Ling let out a soft, seductive moan. “Do you even need to say it?” Her alluring demeanor sent Fan Wenbin’s blood racing; he could barely contain his impatience.

As the rest of the classmates arrived and the time was right, Fan Wenbin and Fan Ling stepped forward to deliver their words of gratitude, officially announcing the start of the banquet.

“This is a 1987 Lafite! Each bottle costs over twenty thousand. Young Master Wen is truly generous—ten bottles at once!” Some classmates, seeing the wine brought to the table, couldn’t help but marvel.

“It’s really worthy of a five-star hotel. The quality of these dishes isn’t something ordinary folks can enjoy. Thank you, Young Master Wen!” Several others raised their glasses, toasting Fan Wenbin and Fan Ling with endless flattery.

“I always knew our class’s goddess Fan and Young Master Fan were a match made in heaven—and now, they’re together. Congratulations!” Yet another student showered them with compliments, their sycophancy reaching new heights.

Fan Wenbin held a glass of wine in one hand and Fan Ling’s hand in the other, basking in the adulation. Fan Ling herself felt as if she were walking on air, intoxicated by the atmosphere more than the wine.

“Bring out another ten bottles of ’87!” As the wine on the table neared its end, Fan Wenbin waved grandly at a waiter.

Meanwhile, in the hotel’s wine cellar—

“You won’t let me carry plates, but surely I can deliver some wine to the guests?” Chen Yuyi, dressed in a hotel service uniform, faced two middle-aged men in expensive suits.

“Mr. Chen, you’re really putting us in a difficult spot,” one man, wearing a badge that read ‘General Manager,’ said with a pained expression.

The other, the Deputy General Manager, looked even more distressed, his face pale and wrinkled like crumpled paper. “Whatever you want done, just tell us—we’ll do it. There’s no need for you to personally get involved!”

“I came to your hotel to work, after all. Doing some tasks should be expected.” Chen Yuyi was a bit exasperated. He was supposed to be a waiter, carrying plates, but the general manager and deputy general manager insisted he not do such work. He had to try something else.

“Yes, yes, you’re right. It’s your job to work, but your work is to direct us!” The general manager replied meekly.

“But I’m a waiter—how can I order managers around?” Chen Yuyi shook his head. He had worked as a waiter in many places, but never had he felt so stifled; he wasn’t allowed to carry plates or deliver wine. It was absurd.

“You’re not an ordinary waiter!” The deputy general manager wiped his brow.

“What’s different? I told you I’m just here as a waiter. Didn’t Miss Zuo make that clear? Oh, right, compared to other hotel waiters, I suppose I’m a bit different.”

“It’s good you understand. Please, don’t make things harder for us—otherwise, we’ll have trouble explaining to Miss Zuo.” The general manager’s face relaxed slightly.

“Because most hotel waiters are female, and I’m male,” Chen Yuyi said, blinking seriously.

The two managers nearly spat blood in frustration, caught between laughter and tears.

“Mr. Chen, the Golden Grand Hotel is owned by the Zuo family. With just a word from them, everyone could be replaced—us included. Please understand our situation. Just sit comfortably in my office and be the ‘grand waiter.’ There’s nothing else you need to worry about.” The general manager wiped sweat from his brow, pleading.

The deputy general manager nodded fervently. “The young lady has already spoken. You, as the grand waiter, have more authority than us. Even if we’re dismissed, we can’t complain. But please, consider our position—let us fulfill our duties as subordinates.”

Chen Yuyi was speechless. It seemed he couldn’t do this job after all. If he stayed too long, he might fall victim to Zuo Qianhui’s tricks, and he was a married man. Besides, those troublesome contracts were still in Shen Zhujun’s hands. Since he’d signed them, he had to keep his word.

“In that case, I quit!”

At his words, the two managers were so shocked they nearly fell to their knees.

“Mr. Chen, please don’t quit! If you do, the entire hotel staff will be dismissed. Please, have mercy—our families depend on these jobs.”

The deputy general manager broke into tears, “If you quit, I’ll jump from the hotel’s rooftop, and you'll never see me again in this world!”

Looking at the two portly managers, who surely weren’t poor, Chen Yuyi knew their pitiful act was just that—an act. He didn’t care about them, but he did think about the many low-level workers at the hotel, people like himself. Losing their jobs would be truly terrifying.

He didn’t know Zuo Qianhui deeply, but judging by the efficiency with which she handled matters, she had a formidable streak. If he quit, she might really take it out on everyone.

Thinking of this, Chen Yuyi fell silent.

“Hall 1314 just ordered another ten bottles of ’87 Lafite!” a waiter called.

“Managers, someone’s ordered wine—shouldn’t you…”

“I’ll deliver it!” The deputy general manager interrupted, eager to seize the task.

“I’ll deliver it!” The general manager shot him a glare, clearly annoyed at the competition.

“I actually think I’d better deliver it myself,” Chen Yuyi glared at both managers. “If you don’t let me, I’ll quit right now!”

Both managers broke out in cold sweat, mouths agape, barely daring to breathe.

“And don’t follow me anymore, or I’ll quit!” Chen Yuyi pushed the cart of wine, took a few steps, then turned to find the two managers still trailing him. He gave them another glare.

The two managers shrank back as if they’d seen a cat, scurrying away.

At last, Chen Yuyi pushed the wine cart comfortably to the entrance of Hall 1314.

“What kind of waiter are you? The guests are getting impatient. Watch it, or I’ll fire you!” The lobby manager happened to step out just then. He didn’t recognize the new face, but he was used to barking at the staff.

He’d just gone into Hall 1314, as the spending there was decent—a small boss’s son was hosting. As lobby manager, he’d gone in to pay his respects.

Chen Yuyi merely smiled, pushing the cart inside.

The lobby manager jabbed his finger angrily behind him. “Damn, a waiter with attitude! I’ll fire you soon enough!”