ALL NOVEL Chapter 39: If I'd Known You Were This Kind of Big Shot, I Wouldn't Have Invited You
Chapter 39: If I’d Known You Were This Kind of Big Shot, I Wouldn’t Have Invited You
While Shang Guan Fan could see the two embracing, the crowd below couldn’t see clearly.
Chu Hanting’s tall frame, facing away from the stage, completely shielded the smaller Su Mu from view.
So to them, it just looked like Chu Hanting had knocked out the drunk and gone to check on the unfortunate pianist.
Smith, kicked down, lay at the stage’s edge unable to get up.
He felt like his kidneys had been destroyed.
Just as he tried to rise, nausea hit him and he vomited everywhere.
Instantly, a foul smell filled the air.
The crowd below unanimously stepped back.
Hearing the commotion, Su Mu peeked out from Chu Hanting’s embrace, then, as if seeing something disgusting, wrinkled his handsome brows and ducked back behind him.
Chu Hanting instinctively reached out with his long fingers to smooth Su Mu’s furrowed brow.
Su Mu shuddered at the touch like he’d been shocked, then lifted his teary, bewildered face to look at the man.
Chu Hanting came to his senses, unsure why he’d done that. Perhaps he just couldn’t bear to see such beautiful brows creased. He’d acted without thinking, only realizing afterward how intimate the gesture was.
Faced with Su Mu’s questioning blink, he didn’t want to explain and couldn’t find a reason for his action, so he redirected his attention.
He released Su Mu and turned to face the heap struggling to rise from the floor.
The trash covered in vomit truly looked like a pile of shit.
Disgusting and nauseating.
Just then, Shang Guan Fan jumped onto the stage with a mischievous grin, first greeting Su Mu with a two-fingered salute before leaning in to whisper to Chu Hanting.
“This is the business partner you asked me to invite.”
Others couldn’t hear, but Su Mu, being closest, caught it.
Chu Hanting glanced at Shang Guan Fan, his tone icy, “Him? From the Smith family?”
Shang Guan Fan nodded meaningfully, “So, will you choose the beauty or the empire?”
His voice was just loud enough for both Chu Hanting and Su Mu to hear.
Shang Guan Fan wore an amused expression, his gaze deliberately sweeping past Su Mu.
Clearly enjoying the drama.
He signaled Manager Wang to clear the venue.
Some people were reluctant at first, but when the bar promised free drinks for the night, everyone left willingly.
Smith held his aching kidney and looked toward Chu Hanting, clearly recognizing him.
“You!” he exclaimed.
Pointing his thick finger at Chu Hanting, he roared like a wild boar: “You dare hit me? Don’t want the deal anymore?”
While his Chu Corporation might be untouchable in Chinese eyes, Smith didn’t take a mere Mr. Chu seriously compared to the Smith family.
See? Even the wealthy Chu family had to beg for cooperation with the Smiths.
The deal hinged on his word – why should he fear some young upstart?
Smith spotted Shang Guan Fan too, as the Shang Guan family had arranged this meeting. “Shang Guan, you’re here, perfect. Make this pianist kneel and apologize, and I’ll overlook his insolence.”
Shang Guan Fan smiled at Smith’s imperious command, his tone wild and irreverent, “I don’t have that authority.”
He glanced meaningfully at Chu Hanting – he wouldn’t dare touch someone under Old Chu’s protection.
“Aren’t you in charge of this bar? Making this kid do anything should take just one word! If he won’t listen, fire him. Do I need to teach you this?”
Smith was angered by Shang Guan’s attitude.
Hands in pockets, floral shirt open at the collar, shoulder-length brown hair falling loosely – adding to his untamed air – Shang Guan spoke with undeniable authority:
“China is a nation of laws. Firing someone requires valid reasons. My pianist is skilled, attracts customers, and is dedicated. Why would I fire someone who brings profit to my bar?”
“As for you,” Shang Guan stepped forward, leaning down to poke Smith’s chest, “causing trouble in my bar has cost us considerably. Mr. Smith, shouldn’t you compensate us?”
His final words carried heavy emphasis, like an invisible pressure.
Su Mu watched Shang Guan Fan closely as he spoke.
Having known little about him in his previous life, he paid extra attention now.
Though Shang Guan Fan spoke casually with a smile, Su Mu sensed he could erupt like a volcano at any moment, crushing someone regardless of the setting.
As if his actions followed no rules but his own whims.
Smith felt insulted. Someone of his status was usually catered to everywhere – and now compensation? It wasn’t about affordability; no one had ever dared speak to him this way.
“Shang Guan Fan, did a donkey kick your head? If you hadn’t invited me, would I be in China? I came as a favor to you, and this is your attitude?”
“No, no, no,” Shang Guan Fan waved his hands, laughing maniacally, “If I’d known you were this kind of big shot, I wouldn’t have invited you. Right, Old Chu?”
“So you’re really from the Smith family?” Chu Hanting’s voice was heavy.
“Who else would I be? You? You? Or that little piano player?” Smith angrily pointed his finger around at random.
“Listen here – unless you apologize to me and hand over that pianist, forget about any cooperation!”
“In that case, I believe our cooperation ends here.”
Chu Hanting cut him off without hesitation, his voice cold as ice.
Chu Hanting had chosen to work with Smith based on documents showing the Smith family had the resources to support their joint project.
But the Smith before him was far from what he’d expected.
Was this really who the Smith family sent for the partnership? After all, his intelligence network had reported the Smith family as an extremely powerful business dynasty – how could they have reached such heights if they were all such arrogant wastes?