Chapter 28: Who Dares to Shut Down My Hotel?

Early the next morning, Tang Chen got up. He freshened up properly in the tiny restroom first, put on his clothes, and went out.

Tang Chen noticed something felt off walking into the school today. What felt off? Well, every student looking at him seemed to hold a little bit of awe in their eyes. Some students even avoided him like the plague, ducking far away. Tang Chen felt confused. What was going on?

“Tang Chen!” A sweet voice called out from behind him. Tang Chen turned around and saw Yang Mi jogging up to him. She naturally looped her arm through his.

“Yang Mi, you’re early today.” Yang Mi was wearing a white dress. Maybe because she got up too early, her pretty face held a lazy kind of charm that almost made Tang Chen lose his soul.

Feeling Tang Chen’s scorching gaze, Yang Mi shyly looked away. “Early? Only a lazybones like you who’s always late would call this early!”

Tang Chen chuckled, holding her as they walked along the school path. Then he softly asked, “Yang Mi, did you notice all these students staring at me today? Am I just that much more handsome?”

Yang Mi gave a little scoff. “You are so full of yourself, dummy! Think about it! The news about you beating Yun Tianyi yesterday must have spread. That’s why everyone’s looking at you.”

“I see. Well, good. Let those losers know Young Master Tang isn’t someone to mess with.” Tang Chen pushed the image of the spoiled rich young master to the limit, his tone dripping with disdain.

Joking and laughing with Yang Mi along the way, they reached their classroom. Tang Chen and Yang Mi sat down at their desks. Tang Chen glared at the students staring at him, whispering stories. They instantly looked down in fear.

Just as Yang Mi guessed, the news about Tang Chen beating Yun Tianyi had spread through the school like wildfire. Not just that, talk said Fang Wenxin had even acknowledged Tang Chen as his Boss. This left all the busybodies completely stunned. Was Tang Chen turning things around? How was the poor guy causing such a big fuss in such a short time? Could he have found some powerful backer?

Because of these sensational rumors, every student treated Tang Chen like dangerous bad news, giving him a wide berth. Better to avoid angering a guy like him.

This class was English. The sounds of “Sorry,” “Hello,” “Hi” made Tang Chen’s head throb. Soon after class started, he fell asleep. Surprisingly, the English teacher said nothing, just kept lecturing as Tang Chen slept.

“It was all but a fleeting spark…” A jarring mobile phone ringtone pierced the air. Tang Chen slammed his hand on the desk. “Damn it! Which punk is interrupting my sleep?” Amidst the shocked looks from the whole class, he calmly answered the phone.

“Whoever you are, give me one reason not to mess you up,” Tang Chen declared imperiously. Some students almost fainted. OMG! Now that was true Young Master style!

Whatever the caller said seemed to calm Tang Chen slightly. “Hold on a sec,” he said. After that, he shoved his Nokia back in his pocket, stood up, and told the English teacher, “Teacher, apologies. The Principal needs me. I’m heading out.” Then he swaggered out.

“Hey! Tang Chen!” Yang Mi called softly, but Tang Chen didn’t stop, continuing straight out the door.

The students nearly choked again. Seriously ruthless! Ignoring the teacher like that! And even if you need an excuse to skip class, couldn’t you come up with something believable? The Principal needs you? Like who do you think you are? Such mouth to a Principal!

The English teacher threw her chalk on the ground angrily, determined to deal with that brat when he came back.

What they didn’t know was, Tang Chen really did go straight to the Principal’s office. He sat lazily on the sofa. “Principal, you called me about… that thing?”

The Principal showed no anger at Tang Chen’s informal manner. Instead, he nodded and answered grimly, “Don’t blame me for rushing, Tang Chen. The board of directors has been putting pressure on me again lately, especially Director Xie. He pretty much said he wants me out. I’m worried.”

Tang Chen smiled casually, reassuring him. “Principal, relax. I promised to help you get the share transfer agreement, and I will. You watch! At the shareholders’ meeting at the end of the month, I’ll make sure you slap those jerks right in the face.”

The Principal gave another wry smile. He honestly had no clue where Tang Chen got his confidence. But after a moment’s thought, he decided: since Tang Chen was this confident, he’d play along. This once.

Just as Tang Chen was about to chat more with the Principal, his phone rang again. Tang Chen was annoyed. Why so many people trying to find him today? Couldn’t he get a moment’s peace?

He glanced at his phone and saw it was Boss Pang calling. He answered. “Boss Pang, what’s up?”

Boss Pang’s voice was frantic. “Young Master Tang! Trouble! Health Bureau inspectors are raiding our hotel!”

Tang Chen sounded puzzled. “So they’re inspecting? Our hotel runs smooth and clean, no violations. What trouble can they make?”

“It’s not just that! A customer was eating here, suddenly collapsed! The Health Bureau people said we broke the food hygiene rules. They’re demanding we shut down for cleaning!”

Tang Chen’s relaxed grin vanished, replaced by seriousness. “How did this happen suddenly? Stall those Health Bureau guys. I’ll be right there.” He hung up, apologized to the Principal, and immediately rushed off campus to Junyue.

The trouble started an hour ago.

Junyue Hotel opened at 8 am as usual. But just over ten minutes later, a customer drinking the “Snow Otter with Silver Ear Soup” (basically turtle soup) suddenly foamed at the mouth, spasmed, and collapsed on the spot. The other customers panicked. The stunned servers immediately reported this to Boss Pang.

Boss Pang almost keeled over. Restaurant nightmares? Food poisoning issues. If not handled swiftly, this could ruin their reputation forever. Who wants to eat at a place where someone actually fell over dead?

Manager Pang rushed to the dining hall. He ordered staff to call the police and an ambulance before anything else. Strangely, before any ambulance arrived, Health Bureau officials showed up instead. Leading them was Deputy Director Guo – the father of that snob Young Master Guo whom Tang Chen had publicly embarrassed.

Deputy Director Guo’s appearance struck Manager Pang as suspicious. First, the timing was incredibly convenient – how did the Health Bureau arrive right after the incident? Almost like they knew beforehand and were waiting nearby. Second, was Deputy Director Guo really necessary? Problems like this didn’t usually warrant such high ranking official’s attention. Why here? Very concerned? Didn’t seem likely.

“We received a report of a suspected food poisoning case here! Seal the scene immediately! Unrelated personnel leave!” Deputy Director Guo declared with a stern face. Health Bureau staff then entered, shooing customers away before stringing up caution tape outside.

“Deputy Director Guo! Such an honor for your presence!” Though suspicious, Manager Pang still greeted him respectfully with a warm smile.

Deputy Director Guo’s eyes narrowed. “Manager Pang, quite calm despite a disaster unfolding in your establishment?” he remarked coldly.

Manager Pang chuckled awkwardly. Lowering his voice he reasoned, “Deputy Director, sir, perhaps this scale isn’t necessary? I was just arranging to send the customer to hospital…”

“Don’t bother. We’ll handle the transfer.” Deputy Director Guo’s chilly tone clearly rejected Manager Pang outright. “Manager Pang, I must say – Junyue has been operating in this city for some time now. Yet your hygiene standards? Careless. Doesn’t it take a death warning for you people? Effective immediately, Junyue Hotel is temporarily shut down. Ordered to stop operations – cleaning and rectification. Reopen only when fixed.”

“Deputy Director Guo! Isn’t that… extreme?” Manager Pang’s anger rose finally. They had offered substantial courtesies to Deputy Director Guo before! Acting so utterly heartless now? No escape path left? Shutting under “rectification”? If Deputy Director Guo deliberately made life impossible, Junyue might close doors forever!

Deputy Director Guo sneered. “Extreme? As public servants, it’s our duty to serve the people! To root out pests disrupting harmony! Manager Pang! Produce Junyue’s operating license for confiscation… now!”

Nonsense! Such righteous hypocrite garbage! Manager Pang thought bitterly. He remembered Deputy Director Guo gladly pocketing bribes before without such grand ideals!

Manager Pang spoke coldly, “My apologies, Deputy Director. I’m no longer the owner here. Our owner is arriving any moment. Should you wish to revoke the license? Speak with our Young Master Tang.”

“Pang Tianze! Cooperate with official proceedings! Or we seal this building instantly!” Deputy Director Guo pressed harshly with a sharp tone.

“And which idiot ordered my hotel shut down?” Suddenly a frigid voice questioned from the outside entrance.

Hearing that voice, Manager Pang quickly beamed with relief! He rushed over respectfully to greet the new arrival. “Young Master Tang! You’ve arrived!”

Likewise, the distraught staff instantly breathed easier. Young Master Tang was here! Crisis resolved! They’d definitely keep their jobs!

Tang Chen merely voiced an acknowledgment as he strode confidently inside.