Chapter 15: From Arrogance to Humility
Zhang Jun stood calmly to one side. Although he was annoyed, he would never cause a scene or quarrel like a hooligan.
Pan Jun was the angriest, pointing his finger at the cashier’s nose, nearly slapping her.
Several colleagues jumped up and down, cheering him on.
Security rushed over, pulling Pan Jun and the others back, pressing toward Shen Qingran.
Fearing she might get hurt, Zhang Jun gently held her arm and said, “Step back a little.”
Shen Qingran huffed angrily, “People here look down on others! Last time, when Deputy Secretary Zhou treated us, there were waitstaff in the private room, but they didn’t charge a service fee and even gave us a 20% discount! Now, they won’t discount our bill at all and still charge an extra 10% service fee. It’s clearly unfair.”
Zhang Jun knew she was telling the truth. It was common for businessmen to treat powerful guests differently.
He had long seen through the world’s cold and warmth and wasn’t bothered by it.
The security guards and Pan Jun’s group first pushed each other, then a fight broke out!
The bald manager came over, waving his hands frantically and shouting, “Calm down! What’s the problem? Let’s talk it out! No fighting!”
Only then did the security back off.
Pan Jun shouted angrily, “Is your restaurant a shady establishment? Forcing us to pay a service fee, then daring to insult and hit us! Is there no law anymore?”
The bald manager looked at Pan Jun and his group, realizing he didn’t know them. Even if they had some backing, it wasn’t significant. He just sneered, “Paying for meals is a matter of course. We have clear pricing approved by the Price Bureau. If you call us a shady place, I’ll sue you for defamation!”
Zhang Jun cleared his throat and calmly said, “Comrade, that’s not right. You’re in the service industry, and you should serve customers with a smile. Raising objections to the bill is our right as consumers.”
His words were measured and confident, silencing the bald manager and others.
Taking the bill from Shen Qingran, Zhang Jun slapped it on the counter, raising his handsome gaze, “We will pay what we owe. But since you insulted and hit us, you must take responsibility! Apologize first, then compensate.”
Pan Jun and the others loudly cheered, “Yes, apologize first, then compensate! Don’t let them get away with this!”
At that moment, Zhang Jun’s phone rang.
He took it out and saw it was Secretary Zhou Kang calling, saying, “Secretary Zhou, hello.”
Zhou Kang’s voice was urgent, “Where is Vice Governor Ma?”
Zhang Jun replied, “I’m off duty now. I’m not with Vice Governor Ma.”
Zhou Kang raised his voice, “Comrade Zhang Jun, do you know where Vice Governor Ma is? I have urgent matters to discuss with him.”
Zhang Jun answered truthfully, “Sorry, Secretary Zhou. Around noon, Vice Governor Ma said he had affairs this afternoon and told me not to follow him but to handle office matters instead. So I don’t know where he is.”
Zhou Kang’s anger flared instantly, shouting, “You’re Vice Governor Ma’s secretary! How can you be so negligent? Didn’t I tell you to stay with him at all times? Wherever he is, you have to be there too!”
Zhang Jun smirked slightly, replying evenly, “Secretary Zhou, you’re right. I’m Vice Governor Ma’s secretary, so I follow his orders.”
His meaning was clear: Vice Governor Ma outranks you, so I obey him first, then you. If your instructions conflict, naturally I follow Vice Governor Ma’s.
There was no flaw in his words, but it infuriated Zhou Kang, who abruptly hung up.
Zhang Jun shook his head silently, wondering where Ma Hongqi had gone.
Why was Zhou Kang urgently looking for Ma Hongqi at this hour?
Was there a major incident in the province?
When Zhou Kang called earlier, Zhang Jun hadn’t avoided the question.
The bald manager overheard the call, looked at Zhang Jun with surprise and contemplation, then his expression stiffened as he loudly scolded the cashier, “What are you doing? How have I trained you? Treat customers like your husband—with tenderness! Who told you to insult them? Apologize to the guests immediately! Hurry!”
His attitude did a complete 180.
Just moments ago, the bald manager had been arrogant and harsh, threatening to sue Pan Jun and the others. Suddenly, he became reasonable?
Even the restaurant staff were stunned.
This was unlike the usual manager’s demeanor.
Someone capable of running such a large restaurant surely had some backing; otherwise, they wouldn’t attract provincial government officials as customers.
Yet today, the bald manager wasn’t being tough?
What was going on?
The cashier was still stunned, stammering and upset, “Manager Wu, I—”
“Enough! Apologize to the guests! Don’t you understand?” Manager Wu slammed the counter.
Startled, the cashier hurriedly apologized to Zhang Jun and the others, “Sorry, I was wrong.”
Zhang Jun didn’t want to make a big deal or spread the matter, which would embarrass both himself and Ma Hongqi. He waved his hand, “Forget it, it’s no big deal. Let’s settle the bill.”
Manager Wu sternly said, “Wait!”
Zhang Jun glanced at him, “What is it? More to say?”
Manager Wu picked up the bill, smiling obsequiously, bowing slightly, “On the house! Our mistake today, offending esteemed guests. I apologize sincerely. Mainly, I was blind to not realize this gentleman is Vice Governor Ma’s secretary.”
Everyone suddenly understood—the change in attitude was due to his knowledge of Zhang Jun’s identity.
Pan Jun and the others looked at Zhang Jun differently now.
The power of being the provincial governor’s secretary was unmistakable.
Manager Wu laughed and tore up the bill in front of Zhang Jun, then asked, “I’m the manager here, Wu Guoguang. May I know your honorable name?”
Zhang Jun didn’t answer but calmly said, “Free of charge? We can’t accept that! We’re not the kind of people who can’t afford a meal. How could we accept your charity?”
Manager Wu’s face faltered, realizing Zhang Jun’s calm exterior hid anger. He bowed deeply, “Sorry! I misspoke. This is compensation for you. Our security guards started the fight just now. This is the compensation amount.”
Zhang Jun said to Shen Qingran, “Separate the matters. You settle the bill first. Take the compensation money.”
This way, he avoided owing Manager Wu any favors or accepting a gift.
Shen Qingran took out money to pay.
The cashier hesitated, looking at the manager.
Wu Guoguang gestured for her to proceed.
After settling the bill, Wu Guoguang handed the 548 yuan compensation to Shen Qingran.
Zhang Jun and the others left the Western Warm Pavilion Restaurant, with Wu Guoguang watching them from behind.
“That really felt good!” Pan Jun laughed heartily. “Thanks to Zhang Jun, or we would have suffered.”
Shen Qingran took out money and offered it to Zhang Jun.
He declined, “This was your treat. You two split it.”
Their hands briefly touched.
Shen Qingran raised her eyelids, looking at him.
Zhang Jun naturally withdrew his hand.
His phone rang again.
After answering, his expression suddenly darkened.
Indeed, something serious had happened.