Chapter 188: Doesn’t Matter Who Comes
On the other end of the line, a satisfied expression appeared on Duan Tian’s face. "Xiaochao, if you make the arrangements well tonight, I’ll introduce you to Brother Hu. With Brother Hu looking out for you, your Chu Family will have a chance to rise and become a second-tier family in the Provincial City."
"Thank you for the opportunity, Brother Tian."
Having received Duan Tian’s promise, Zhu Chao couldn’t sit still. He immediately took out his phone and dialed the number for Jiang Li, the director of the Food and Beverage Department.
The call connected quickly, and a sultry voice came through. "President Chu, you’re awake? Do you need me to take a shower?"
Zhu Chao felt a flush of heat, but business came first.
Zhu Chao laughed. "Lili, don’t you worry. This young master won’t let a little vixen like you off the hook tonight. But let’s take care of business first. Have Chef Klaus get ready, arrange for the best private room, and prepare for the highest standard of service. I’m entertaining an important guest soon!"
"Yes, President Chu."
A short while later, Jiang Li called back, her voice tinged with displeasure.
"President Chu, that Tan Jie is getting more and more out of line! He’s abusing President Zhu’s trust and overstepping his authority! Chef Klaus is part of our Food and Beverage Department, but he transferred him without even telling me! When I tried to get Chef Klaus back, he flat-out refused!"
Zhu Chao’s expression darkened, but he didn’t immediately fly off the handle. ’What if Tan Jie is hosting an important guest he couldn’t afford to offend?’
Suppressing his anger, Zhu Chao asked, "Why did Tan Jie transfer Klaus? Who is this important guest he’s arranging things for?"
"Some bullshit important guest! It’s just a classmate of Tan Jie’s, some minor businessman from Luocheng with assets of a few tens of millions at most. Not only did Tan Jie get Chef Klaus, he also requisitioned the Duke’s Mansion!"
’Only a few tens of millions in assets?’
Zhu Chao sneered. "Lili, go to the Duke’s Mansion and get him yourself. Just say it’s my order! I refuse to believe that I, a vice president, can’t handle a mere Tan Jie!"
"Yes!"
Jiang Li headed straight for the Duke’s Mansion. She and Tan Jie had a long-standing feud. ’I’ll take this opportunity to settle the score once and for all!’
BANG! Jiang Li shoved open the doors to the Duke’s Mansion.
Li Bo and Li Yankui, who were in the middle of flattering Ji Yanjun, jumped in fright. They turned to look at Jiang Li with displeasure.
"Miss, we didn’t call for room service. Please leave."
Jiang Li shot Li Bo and Li Yankui a contemptuous glance. "Excuse me, I’m not a waitress. I’m Jiang Li, the director of the Food and Beverage Department. I’m here to take Chef Klaus with me."
Cheng Yuan couldn’t help but frown, but he didn’t say anything.
Li Bo and Li Yankui wilted. The director of the Food and Beverage Department was on par with the director of housekeeping—a position far too high for them to provoke.
The two of them could only look instinctively toward Ji Yanjun. Ji Yanjun, however, wasn’t flustered at all. He said in a deep voice, "Director Jiang, show some respect. Director Tan was the one who invited Chef Klaus."
Unfortunately for him, Jiang Li wasn’t giving any. "Tan Jie has no authority to transfer personnel from my Food and Beverage Department," she said coldly. "Today, I’m taking Chef Klaus with me, and that’s final!"
Ji Yanjun’s expression changed. He quickly dialed Tan Jie’s number. "Old Tan, a woman showed up here calling herself the director of the Food and Beverage Department. She wants to take Chef Klaus. I dropped your name, but it didn’t do any good!"
Tan Jie was furious. He had always looked down on Jiang Li. ’If she hadn’t crawled into Zhu Chao’s bed, how could she have become the director of the Food and Beverage Department?’
’That bitch dares to disrespect me?’
"Old Ji, stop her! Don’t let her take him! I’m coming over myself!"
"Got it!"
With Tan Jie’s approval, Ji Yanjun was completely at ease.
"Everyone, don’t worry. Old Tan will be here shortly. No one is taking Chef Klaus anywhere!"
The crowd immediately launched into another round of flattery.
As they spoke, Jiang Li led Chef Klaus and his assistants out of the kitchen and walked straight toward the private room’s main doors.
Ji Yanjun quickly stood up to block her way. Eager to suck up to him, Li Bo and Li Yankui also rose to their feet, flanking him and glaring coldly at Jiang Li.
"Director Jiang, you can’t leave. Director Tan is on his way!"
The corners of Jiang Li’s mouth lifted slightly. ’I deliberately avoided mentioning Zhu Chao’s name, afraid it would scare Tan Jie off. This is perfect. Tan Jie has finally walked into my trap, putting him in direct conflict with Zhu Chao!’
Though she was gloating inwardly, her face showed only fury. "What do you think you’re doing? Is this false imprisonment?"
Of course, Ji Yanjun couldn’t admit to that. He said coldly, "Director Jiang, shouldn’t we do things by the book? It’s first come, first served, isn’t it? You’re the one breaking the rules and forcibly taking someone, yet you have the nerve to accuse us of false imprisonment?"
"The one who isn’t following the rules isn’t me, it’s Tan Jie! Chef Klaus is part of the Food and Beverage Department. Tan Jie transferred him without even informing me. Does he have any respect for me at all?"
The words had barely left her mouth when a cold voice cut in. "Jiang Li, you’re right. I, Tan Jie, have never had any respect for you! You know damn well how you became the director of the Food and Beverage Department! Know what’s good for you and get the hell out! Otherwise, I’ll expose your dirty secrets to everyone!"
A fire of uncontrollable rage ignited in Jiang Li’s heart. What she hated most was people saying she had used improper means to get her position.
’That damn Tan Jie!’
’How dare he say that in front of so many people!’
’Unforgivable!’
"Tan Jie! It’s President Chu who needs to entertain an important guest! He sent me to get Chef Klaus! You can disrespect me, but are you going to disrespect President Chu as well?"
Tan Jie curled his lip in disdain. ’This Jiang Li is just name-dropping again. Besides, even if she wasn’t, I’m not afraid of a good-for-nothing rich kid like Zhu Chao!’
’I absolutely cannot lose face in front of my classmate today!’
"Let’s not even talk about whether you can get Vice President Chu over here. Even if he really did show up, it would be useless! I’m telling you right now, even if God himself came down today, he couldn’t take Chef Klaus away!"
Instead of getting angry, Jiang Li was delighted. "Very good, Tan Jie. You’d better remember what you just said!"
After saying her piece, Jiang Li swayed her slender hips and strode quickly out of the Duke’s Mansion, heading straight for the vice president’s office to deliver an embellished report.
"President Chu, you have to stand up for me! Tan Jie was incredibly rude and kicked me out! He even boasted that it would be useless even if you went there yourself!"
Zhu Chao was so angry he laughed. "Good! Very good, Tan Jie! So my name is useless, is it? Fine, I don’t want Klaus anymore! Tell Tan Jie and all his friends to get the hell out!!"
Zhu Chao took out his phone and called the security captain, Iron Bull. The call connected quickly, and a deep, gruff voice came through: "President Chu, what are your orders?"
"Iron Bull, someone’s causing trouble at the Duke’s Mansion. Take some men and wait for me at the entrance. I’m on my way!"
"Yes, sir!"
Two minutes later, Zhu Chao arrived at the entrance of the Duke’s Mansion. Iron Bull hurried forward to greet him. "President Chu, you’re here."
Zhu Chao gave a slight nod, then kicked the doors to the Duke’s Mansion open. He pointed at Ji Yanjun, Cheng Yuan, and the others, roaring, "You’re not welcome here! All of you, get out!!"