My Ares Son-in-Law

Zhou Hao unconsciously bent his waist slightly, adopting an extremely humble posture:
"Brother, you're here to welcome us, right? I'm Zhou Hao, from the Zhou family in the west. I've booked a private room here tonight, the 'Bamboo' one, to welcome Miss Jiang."

The bodyguard in black glanced down at him, his brows furrowing slightly, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes. He remained expressionless and silent throughout, as if Zhou Hao were nothing more than an insignificant speck of dust.

Zhou Hao, completely oblivious to this aloofness and impatience, assumed the bodyguard was simply aloof and continued his overly enthusiastic attempts to ingratiate himself, his tone becoming increasingly solicitous.

"Brother, you're too kind. Master Wan is really giving us face by sending someone to pick us up. After our meal, I'll definitely go and thank Master Wan in person and bring you a small gift!"

Xiao Chen, standing to the side, merely glanced at the bodyguard indifferently, without saying a word, but nodded very slightly, a gesture so subtle that it would be completely unnoticed unless one observed carefully.

The bodyguard was about to speak when his gaze inadvertently fell on Xiao Chen's eyes, and he saw Xiao Chen shake his head slightly. His pupils contracted slightly, and he felt a chill run down his spine. He immediately understood what Xiao Chen meant... He didn't want to reveal his identity and wanted to keep a low profile.

He subtly concealed the respect in his eyes, straightened his back, and instantly adopted a cold, businesslike expression. His tone was flat and emotionless.

"Gentlemen, please follow me."

Zhou Hao's smile froze, and he subconsciously asked, "Brother, where are we going? Our private room is on the second floor, numbered 'Bamboo'. You don't need to lead the way, we can get there ourselves."

He was secretly pleased with himself, thinking that the bodyguards had come specifically to escort them to the private room, which would further enhance his prestige.

The bodyguard glanced at him sideways, his tone flat yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Third floor."

"Third...third floor?"

Zhou Hao was stunned, frozen in place as if struck by lightning. His eyes widened, his mouth gaped open enough to fit an egg, and the smugness and fawning on his face were instantly replaced by disbelief.

The third floor? Is it really the third floor?

Didn't he just mock Xiao Chen for bragging, saying that the third floor was Master Wan's private territory and was never open to the public? How come the bodyguards took them to the third floor?
Zhou Hao's mind went blank. He subconsciously turned to look at Xiao Chen, only to find that the man had already started walking out.

His steps were unhurried and his expression remained calm, as if none of this concerned him, as if going to the third floor was as simple as going downstairs to the convenience store to buy a bottle of water.

Zhou Xiaoyu panicked completely, and hurriedly tugged at Zhou Hao's sleeve, her voice trembling with unease and doubt:
"Brother, what... what's going on? Why did the bodyguards take us to the third floor? Didn't they say the third floor isn't open to the public? Did that good-for-nothing Xiao Chen really manage to book a private room on the third floor?"

Zhou Hao didn't answer; his throat tightened, and he couldn't utter a single word... He didn't know what was wrong either.

How could a good-for-nothing who had been mocked by him for three years, a penniless man supported by women, possibly be qualified to set foot on the third floor of Master Wan's private restaurant? How could he possibly have Master Wan's personal bodyguard personally leading the way?
There must be something wrong with this!
He took a deep breath, clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh, and forcefully suppressed the panic and unease in his heart, repeatedly reassuring himself:
Yes, there must be a mistake!
Maybe the bodyguard mistook him for someone else, or maybe Eighth Master has other plans. It has nothing to do with that good-for-nothing Xiao Chen! Once we get to the third floor, the truth will come out. Then we'll see how this good-for-nothing makes a fool of himself!

He gritted his teeth, suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, and forced himself to follow the bodyguard up the stairs step by step. With each step, his heart beat faster, his unease grew stronger, and his legs felt as heavy as lead.

Lin Chenghai frowned, his eyes filled with doubt and vigilance as he looked at Xiao Chen's back. He felt that this young man was increasingly mysterious and unpredictable... For Wan Baye's bodyguard to personally lead the way to the third floor, he must be more than just an ordinary unemployed man. Could it be that his brother's beating was really related to him?

Jiang Xuanxuan stood quietly behind him, her gaze fixed on Xiao Chen's back. A thoughtful look flashed in her eyes. Her previous disappointment had vanished, replaced by intense curiosity and a desire to explore.

The third floor is the most mysterious and prestigious part of Eighth Master's Private Kitchen.

Rumor has it that this place is never open to the public, and is only reserved for the most respected and distinguished guests of Master Wan. In the entire provincial capital, only a handful of people can set foot here, and each of them is a powerful figure who can turn the tide at will.

At this moment, Xiao Chen walked at the front, his back straight and his steps steady, without the slightest awkwardness or ostentation, as if he were just walking into an ordinary place. His composure and calmness were definitely not feigned.

At the end of the stairs stood an antique carved wooden door, its surface adorned with intricate patterns. The gilded doorknob gleamed softly, exuding an understated yet luxurious majesty, as if separating two worlds.

Just as everyone reached the door, the carved wooden door slowly opened inwards with a soft creak, revealing a world never before opened to outsiders...

With its carved beams and painted rafters, antique charm, and a faint sandalwood scent in the air, it is far more elegant than the private rooms on the second floor.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows in the distance lies a breathtaking view of the entire bamboo forest. Even the tables and chairs are made of rare golden nanmu wood, exuding ultimate luxury.

Zhou Hao stood at the door, completely dumbfounded. His expression froze, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief... This was the layout of the third floor?

It was a whole level above the private room he had booked, the one with the bamboo logo.
He subconsciously looked at Xiao Chen, and at that moment, the glimmer of hope and self-comfort in his heart began to crumble little by little.

"Wait a minute, sir, are you sure you haven't invited the wrong person?" Zhou Hao couldn't help but look at the bodyguard leading the way. "We only booked a superior private room, not a top-tier one."

The bodyguard wanted to explain, but after glancing at Xiao Chen, he felt somewhat helpless. Although he didn't know why Xiao Chen was hiding his identity, he still said, "Don't worry, everyone. The top-tier private room that Master Wan booked is definitely the right one."

"I'm just a bodyguard, and I don't know the specifics. You gentlemen, go in and spend some money... no, Master Wan said that all your expenses today will be reimbursed, so just enjoy yourselves."

Hearing this, everyone was stunned again.

They were all wondering who Master Wan was giving face to by reserving a top-tier private room for them.

But it's definitely not Xiao Chen. Who is Xiao Chen anyway?

"Brother, do you think it's possible that Master Wan wants to befriend our Zhou family? After all, we just secured a 10 billion yuan project from Dansheng Group, so he probably wants to curry favor with us, right?"

Zhou Xiaoyu couldn't help but speak. (End of Chapter)