Kyoto Night Kiss

The hotel lobby was dazzlingly bright.

Tang Bingqing wore a haute couture dress, her exquisite makeup had a bluish tinge, and she strode out in high heels, carrying a limited-edition designer bag.

Qu Yun followed behind, listening to the crisp sound of the heels striking the ground, each step carrying undisguised anger and arrogance.

Upon hearing the news, the general manager rushed down from his office, his suit collar disheveled, a forced and obsequious smile plastered on his face. He quickly caught up with Tang Bingqing, bowing repeatedly.

"Ms. Tang, please don't be angry. If there's anything we haven't done well, please feel free to give us your guidance."

Upon hearing this, Tang Bingqing, who had already walked to the front of the car, stopped. The driver opened the back door and waited quietly.

Tang Bingqing glanced at Qu Yun who was following behind, then stamped her foot at the general manager standing to the side, "President Jiao, really, please train your employees properly."

"Don't let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch, okay?"

The man nodded repeatedly, watching Tang Bingqing leave.

The car's red taillights lit up, and Qu Yun, like the other greeters standing at the door, clasped her hands in front of her and bowed her head.

He could only straighten his back after the car had driven far away.

The side of my face that was hit must be swollen; it stings terribly when the wind blows.

When President Jiao turned around and saw Qu Yun, he was furious: "Qu Yun, how did you do your job! You even dared to offend a VIP customer."

A colleague brought Qu Yun some anti-swelling ointment, and that's when he noticed a bright red handprint on Qu Yun's face.

Manager Jiao: "Regardless of the circumstances, today's incident was entirely due to your poor handling of the situation, which angered our esteemed guest and caused the hotel to lose face. Your bonus will be deducted by two thousand!"

If Qu Yun had dared to lay a hand on him or say anything back, he could have fired her immediately.

Make sure she doesn't stay in Lanting for even a second longer.

Qu Yun did not resist. There was a celebration banquet for the higher-ups that evening, which she was invited to attend.

The senior management of Lanting are all men, and Qu Yun is the only woman in the private room today.

They clinked glasses, the aroma of alcohol gradually spreading. Freed from the facade of professional decorum, the group completely relaxed, and their conversation veered towards vulgar topics.

Some people made fun of the new receptionist's figure, while others joked about the female customers' attire; laughter filled the air.

Qu Yun felt uncomfortable all over and picked up the juice next to her and drank it all in one gulp.

For the lofty ambitions in our hearts.

She has to endure it now.

The waiter began serving the dishes, including one called "Blooming Prosperity," which was plated with Chinese sausage and peeled tangerines.

A man picked up a piece of sausage with his chopsticks and complained, "These sausages are cut so thickly, they're not even as good as what our hotel chefs cook."

"Stop complaining," the man sitting next to him replied, his gaze slowly falling on Qu Yun. "Manager Qu should really like this kind of sausage."

"Women, well, they all prefer something a little rougher."

Laughter erupted again.

Qu Yun felt unwell and got up to leave.

President Jiao glared at her. "You're the star of the day! This celebration banquet was only held because you won over President Lu. What's with you leaving early?"

The man who was sitting across from Qu Yun stretched out his arm to pour her a glass of baijiu (Chinese liquor) and urged her to drink it.

Qu Yun could only force herself to suppress her nausea and drink that glass of baijiu, which felt like her stomach was burning.

These men wanted her to pour them more drinks.

Qu Yun braced herself on the table with both hands, feeling somewhat unable to get up.

The door to the private room was gently pushed open, and a waiter in uniform pushed in a food cart, the wheels making a soft sound as they rolled over the carpet.

There was another person following behind the waiter.

Wearing a sharp-tailored black suit, his shoulders and back appeared tall and broad, with a glimpse of his well-defined wrists peeking out from the cuffs, half-tucked into his pockets. His gait was languid yet carried an undeniable sense of pressure.

The waiter walked to the serving area.

Lu Junhe casually raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping across the quiet private room. When his gaze fell on Qu Yun after passing over the several men with greasy smiles, his dark eyes paused almost imperceptibly.

She seemed a little unhappy.

Before he entered the private room, the restaurant owner said it was a celebration banquet the hotel had prepared for her.

Qu Yun's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively held her breath.

She didn't dare to look up, and could only stare at the white bowl in front of her.

Suddenly, the empty chair next to her was pulled out.

Lu Junhe turned and sat down, casually gathering the hem of his suit jacket. His posture was relaxed yet noble, exuding an invisible aura.

He glanced up at the hotel executives at the table, a smile playing on his lips. His tone was casual, yet carried an undeniable air of authority: "Sorry for coming uninvited. Please forgive me, esteemed leaders."

As soon as the words were spoken, the smiles on the faces of the several high-ranking officials who had just been directing Qu Yun to drink with the guests instantly became respectful, and they even unconsciously straightened their posture.

"Not at all, Mr. Lu, it's our honor to have you here. How could we possibly blame you!"

"Yes, you're such a busy person, we're overjoyed that you could grace us with your presence!"

Lu Junhe stopped talking to these people and treated them as if they were invisible.

His fingertips paused on the automatic turntable, and the braised oxtail in gravy stopped in front of Qu Yun.

He said in a low voice, "Try it? You didn't like it much before."

Qu Yun neither spoke nor touched her chopsticks.

The man beside her turned to another dish, picked it up, and put it directly into her bowl.

Several hotel executives, including General Manager Jiao, looked at each other in bewilderment.

I desperately wanted to speak, but I didn't dare to utter a single sound.

In this capital city, who doesn't fear Lu Junhe?

Even though he smashed up the hotel yesterday and didn't pay a single cent in compensation, they could only swallow their anger silently.

But who would have thought that he not only lost a lot of money, but also renewed the lease on the apartment he had already given up.

It seems that Manager Qu is not just a mistress...

Or perhaps Lu Junhe was in high spirits and that's why he treasured it.

Qu Yun felt an increasing nausea rising in her stomach. She almost fled as she put down her chopsticks and gave a slight bow to everyone: "Excuse me, I'm going to the restroom."

As soon as she closed the door to the private room, President Jiao approached Lu Junhe with a wine glass in hand, his face full of a deliberately ingratiating smile: "President Lu, come, let me toast you! Thank you for gracing our hotel again. We'll be relying on your guidance in the future!"

Lu Junhe glanced at it, his fingertips resting on the rim of the wine glass, but he didn't move.

He said lazily, "It's not a matter of mentorship. Your hotel has terrible rules and a mixed bunch of people. If it weren't for..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the tense faces of the people at the table, before slowly speaking, "For someone's sake, I wouldn't even bother stepping in."

Mr. Jiao's smile froze on his face, and the wine glass in his hand trembled slightly. "Mr. Lu, you're too kind. Please feel free to point out any shortcomings in our hotel, and we will definitely make changes!"

Lu Junhe slowly raised his eyes, his dark pupils devoid of warmth. He leaned back in his chair, his voice not loud, but clear enough for everyone at the table to hear: "Why would I be willing to spend money to support your lousy venue?"

"It's not about giving face to you people, it's about giving face to her."

Lu Junhe did not name names, but everyone present knew who he was talking about.

The few people who had just dared to make lewd jokes and glare at Qu Yun were now pale and ashen-faced, not daring to utter a sound.

"From now on, with her here, no one will dare to lay a finger on her or cause her the slightest grievance."

Lu Junhe's voice suddenly dropped, "Your hotel can forget about staying open."

The color drained from Mr. Jiao's face, and he hurriedly nodded and bowed, "Yes, yes, yes! We understand, Mr. Lu! We will definitely treat Manager Qu well from now on and never let her suffer any grievances!"

Lu Junhe rubbed his temples, and seeing that Qu Yun hadn't returned from the bathroom yet, he asked again, "Why is she so unhappy today?"

Mr. Jiao: "Maybe I was slapped..."

Lu Junhe frowned and asked who it was.

Mr. Jiao hesitated, wondering whether he should reveal that she was his fiancée.

Just then, the door to the private room opened again, and Tang Bingqing swayed in, her waist swaying gracefully. She gently placed a hand on Lu Junhe's shoulder and asked affectionately, "Darling, why are you sitting here?"

"My parents are waiting for you in the next private room."