It was clearly a trap—a trap specifically targeting Chu Yao.
The manager, the woman, and even some of the diners were all people Qin Xiao had brought in to help.
Two hundred thousand.
For a poor student who relied on grants and part-time jobs to survive, it was an astronomical sum.
Chu Yao's body swayed, her face turning deathly pale, as she nearly fainted.
The guests at the surrounding tables began pointing and whispering, and the atmosphere became incredibly oppressive.
At the critical moment... a clear, somewhat lazy, and magnetic voice suddenly rang out, breaking the tension of the scene.
"Hey, is it really fun for so many of you to bully a young girl and force her to pay two hundred thousand?"
Everyone looked toward the source of the voice.
They saw Qin Xiao walking over slowly, a perfectly measured look of justice on his face.
He first glanced at the aggressive woman and the troubled-looking manager, then his gaze fell upon the pale Chu Yao.
"Manager Wang, you're running a business here, and harmony is what brings wealth. This girl clearly didn't do it on purpose, so why make things so ugly? If word gets out, it won't be good for the Moonlight Restaurant's reputation, will it?"
As soon as the manager saw Young Master Qin step forward, his expression changed instantly. He bowed even lower and spoke respectfully: "Young Master Qin, you're right, you're right... We didn't have a choice either. The guest insisted on compensation, so we had to give her an explanation..."
"An explanation?" Qin Xiao chuckled softly, turning his gaze toward the middle-aged lady. His attitude was polite yet distant: "Madam, one should be forgiving whenever possible. It's just a dress and a bag, so why make things difficult for a girl working her way through school? Look how scared you've made her."
The woman was suppressed by Qin Xiao's aura, and as if receiving some kind of hint, her aggression weakened slightly, though she still held her head high.
"Then... then what about my losses? I can't just let it go, can I?"
"Losses should naturally be compensated." Qin Xiao pulled a black card from his wallet and handed it casually to the manager nearby, his tone indifferent: "Swipe it for two hundred and fifty thousand. Fifty thousand is for this lady's peace of mind, and two hundred thousand is for her dress and bag. This matter ends here. I don't want to hear any more gossip about the Moonlight Restaurant making things difficult for a working student."
The entire place went silent.
Everyone looked at Qin Xiao—young, handsome, wealthy, and generous. With his words, he had protected the restaurant's reputation and seemingly stood up for the underdog.
It was the perfect embodiment of an elegant rescue.
The middle-aged woman was also stunned. She took the card from the manager, looked at Qin Xiao, and then at Chu Yao with a complex expression.
Chu Yao looked at Qin Xiao with tears in her eyes, though it was unclear if it was from grievance or being moved.
"Th... thank you."
Chu Yao's eyes were red, and her voice was choked with emotion.
Qin Xiao was very satisfied with this reaction.
He smiled slightly, his tone softening a bit as he said to Chu Yao: "No need for thanks, just be more careful in the future."
"Manager Wang, I'm vouching for this girl. Don't make things hard for her in the future. Pay her the wages she's due and give her the treatment she deserves. I don't like seeing people bullied in my territory."
"Yes, yes, yes, rest assured Young Master Qin, it will be done!" The manager nodded like a woodpecker, his attitude incredibly respectful.
Qin Xiao took one last look at Chu Yao, said nothing more, turned around, and calmly returned to the private room under the various gazes of the crowd.
Fang Ming followed behind him, silently giving Qin Xiao's acting an eighty out of a hundred.
If he hadn't known about Qin Xiao's plan, let alone Chu Yao, even he would have been moved!
Unfortunately, while the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole follows behind. Who could have imagined that Chu Yao was no longer the Chu Yao of the past?
Now that she had Fang Ming as her backer, how could she possibly be moved by Qin Xiao's actions?
...Back in the private room, Qin Xiao was clearly in a good mood.
He sat back in the head seat, took a sip from his teacup, and looked at Fang Ming: "What do you think that girl is thinking right now?"
Fang Ming chose his words carefully: "In my opinion, she should already feel gratitude and dependence toward you, Young Master Qin. The way she looked at you just now, she clearly sees you as her savior."
"Hmm, I think so too."
Qin Xiao nodded with satisfaction and glanced at Ah Long: "That's all for today. Ah Long, take me back."
"Yes." Ah Long stood up immediately.
Qin Xiao then looked at Fang Ming and Wang Meng: "You two head back as well. Work as usual tomorrow."
"Safe travels, Young Master Qin." Fang Ming and Wang Meng bowed as they saw him off.
Qin Xiao left the private room with Ah Long.
Only after they left did Wang Meng let out a long sigh of relief, plopping down onto a chair and wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Damn, that atmosphere just now... it really scared me to death."
Fang Ming smiled, about to say something.
[Ding!]
[The commissioned task from Chat Group member 'Soldier King Lone Wolf' has been completed!]
[Mission Name: Lone Wolf's Reverse Scale]
[Reward: One random 'Soldier King Lone Wolf' skill draw.]
[Draw successful... Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Grandmaster Level Combat Technique!]
"The mission is complete?!"
Fang Ming was stunned. His mission was to reduce Qin Xiao's malicious suppression of Chu Yao and help her maintain her bottom line. After the two officially made contact today, the mission was directly completed?
In other words, Chu Yao hadn't been moved by Qin Xiao's display of kindness at all?
Before Fang Ming could think further, a warm current surged into his limbs and bones.
It wasn't a crude physical enhancement like muscle expansion, but something more exquisite—as if countless combat experiences, power techniques, and muscle memories were being imprinted into his body and brain out of thin air.
The ferocity of Muay Thai, the grappling of Jiu-Jitsu, the lethality of Krav Maga, the agility of traditional martial arts... all the knowledge and instincts of various fighting styles were integrated at this moment.
Fang Ming could even feel that any casual punch he threw now could precisely hit an opponent's most vulnerable spot; any casual dodge could predict the enemy's attack trajectory.
Completing Chat Group missions was one thing, but he could actually draw the skills of the protagonists in the group?
Grandmaster Level Combat Technique—a true killing art.
He looked down at his hands—they were still the same hands, slender and fair, looking like those of a frail scholar.
But only he knew that these hands could now easily snap an adult man's neck.
"Brother Ming, what are you thinking about?" Seeing Fang Ming in a daze, Wang Meng was curious.
Fang Ming snapped out of it: "Nothing. I'm a bit hungry, let me treat you to dinner!!"
"Eh? Here? The prices here are very high..."
"It's fine, I still have plenty of the previous bonus left, it's enough!" Fang Ming said very generously.
With the Grandmaster Level Combat Technique, he had the capital to leave Qin Xiao, so his mood was quite good.
However, unless absolutely necessary, there was no need to leave. Wasn't it better to stay by Qin Xiao's side and have first-hand information at all times?
"Waiter, order!"