My husband Can Cultivate-Chapter 138

"Sir, how may I help you?" a waiter asked respectfully as he approached Zhang Zheng.

"I want to switch seats with him," Zhang Zheng said, pointing at Yang Qi. "I’ve taken a liking to this spot."

"I’m not sure about that, sir," the waiter said with a frown. "This gentleman is also a member of our Sea View Pavilion."

"What’s wrong with it? He’s just a Bronze Member. I, however, am a Silver Member, and my master, Chen Tiequan, is a Gold Member. Are you sure you want to provoke the Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall?" Zhang Zheng said coldly.

"This..." The waiter hesitated, clearly troubled.

It’s true that Sea View Pavilion offers different privileges. Silver Members can make reservations in advance, and Gold Members can choose private dining rooms. But there’s no actual rule about reassigning seats. Even the most common Bronze Members must be treated with respect. Then again, if a Silver Member asks a Bronze Member to give up their seat, most people would comply simply to avoid offending someone more powerful.

After considering his options, the waiter turned to Yang Qi. "Sir, please switch seats. It would be better for both you and me. I’m sure you don’t want to offend the Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall, do you?"

"The Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall?" Yang Qi said nonchalantly. "I couldn’t care less about them."

"Who are you trying to fool, you broke loser? Everyone knows you’re bankrupt. You’re just an unemployed drifter now. You probably can’t even afford to eat here, can you?" Chen Li sneered.

"Do you own this place? Why are you sticking your nose in other people’s business? If I could spend a million on a membership card, do you really think I can’t afford a meal? You’d better watch that filthy mouth of yours, lest you bring disaster upon yourself." Yang Qi shot a cold glance at Chen Li. This woman is unbelievable.

"Sir, perhaps you don’t understand the power of the Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall, or maybe you’re unfamiliar with the rules here at Sea View Pavilion," the waiter said, fabricating a rule on the spot to avoid offending Zhang Zheng. "You only hold the most basic Bronze Card. If a Silver or Gold Member requests your seat, it is customary for you to accommodate them."

"Heh, funny. I’ve never heard of such a rule," Lin Qingxuan said with a faint smile. "A mere waiter has the audacity to invent new policies? So what if we’re Bronze Members? We are still guests of Sea View Pavilion. We’re not giving up our table today, so what are you going to do about it?"

"Miss, please don’t make things difficult for us," the waiter said arrogantly. "To put it bluntly, Bronze is the lowest tier of membership, which means you have the lowest status in Sea View Pavilion. You should be grateful you can even eat here. If a higher-tiered member requires your seat, you are expected to give it up immediately."

"Heh, so what you’re saying is that higher-tiered members can kick out lower-tiered members whenever they please?" Lin Qingxuan asked with that same faint smile.

Of course, she knew the actual rules of Sea View Pavilion. After all, the entire chain was a property of her Lin Family from Jingzhou. The rules were the same at every single location. While Bronze Members were the lowest tier, they were not to be casually humiliated.

"In principle, yes, though such situations rarely occur," the waiter said with a grin. "But since it has happened today, as a waiter, it’s my duty to advocate for our higher-tiered members! If you two refuse to give up your seats, we will have to ask you to leave. I assure you, Sea View Pavilion can survive the loss of any number of Bronze Members!"

"Well said!" many people in the surrounding crowd shouted in agreement. Most of them were Silver Members and were eager to feel the superiority their status afforded them.

"If all memberships are treated the same, then what’s the point of us paying for a premium one? It would be meaningless!" another diner exclaimed.

Indeed, different membership tiers came with different perks, but they were certainly not meant to allow higher-tiered members to bully those with lower status. Unfortunately, these people seemed to have misunderstood that completely.

Zhang Zheng stared at Lin Qingxuan, practically drooling. "Miss, you don’t have to give up your seat. You can dine with me instead."

Lin Qingxuan smiled faintly. "Heh, I’m afraid you can’t afford me."

"What can’t I afford? I’m a Silver Member!" Zhang Zheng said, confused.

"Soon, you’ll be nothing at all," she replied coolly.

Lin Qingxuan turned her gaze back to the waiter. "So, according to your logic, higher-tiered members can arbitrarily drive away and humiliate lower-tiered members, is that correct?"

"I wouldn’t call it humiliation," the waiter said with a simpering smile. "It’s simply that lower-tiered members need to be aware of their place. When a higher-tiered member makes a request, they ought to comply."

"Heh. In that case," Lin Qingxuan said with a serene smile, "have them all removed. I have no desire to dine with such snobs."

Yang Qi remained silent. Since Lin Qingxuan can handle this, I’ll let her. Besides, I probably won’t see her for a long time after this.

"Miss, you must be joking," the waiter laughed. "You’re just an ordinary Bronze Member. Who do you think you can order to leave?"

"Stop wasting time with them! Just kick them out!" a man shouted from the crowd.

"Yeah, make them get lost!" others chimed in, acting as if dining in the same room as Yang Qi was a personal insult.

The waiter’s expression hardened. "I’ll warn you two one last time: give up the table immediately, or we will revoke your Bronze membership."

"Why are you still talking? Just throw them out!" Zhang Zheng bellowed.

Ignoring the uproar, Lin Qingxuan simply took out her phone and made a call. "I’m at the Sea View Pavilion in Kang City," she said into the phone, "and I’m being bullied by your staff."

She hung up and calmly watched the roaring crowd.

"Throw them out!"

"She’s just putting on an act!"

"If they don’t get out, break their legs and toss them!"

"Exactly! Sea View Pavilion is a high-class establishment. How can we let a beggar cause a scene here?"

The crowd was practically seething with indignation, as if Yang Qi and Lin Qingxuan had committed some heinous crime.

"Please leave this instant," the waiter’s tone turned menacing. With so many Silver Members backing him, he felt completely justified. "Otherwise, I’ll have to call security."

"What is all this commotion!"

Just then, a group of people descended from the upper floor. The man in the lead roared, "Who dares cause trouble at Sea View Pavilion? Do you all have a death wish?"

This man was the manager of the Kang City branch, a man with the surname Yao.

Upon seeing him, the Silver Members all stood up to greet him. "Manager Yao, you’re here! We were just teaching this troublemaker a lesson."

Zhang Zheng stepped forward and extended a hand. "Manager Yao, this waiter of yours is excellent. You should give him a big reward! He made us very happy by standing up for us."

"Get out of my way!" Manager Yao shoved Zhang Zheng aside and walked straight to Lin Qingxuan. He bowed deeply and said, "Miss, why did you come without letting me know?"

"Inform you?" Lin Qingxuan said coldly. "If I had informed you, would I have been able to witness such a wonderful show? Your rules here are quite something. My friend and I come for a quiet meal, and we’re about to be thrown out!"

"A misunderstanding! It’s all a misunderstanding!" Cold sweat beaded on Manager Yao’s forehead, and he began to tremble with fear. "It’s my fault for not training my staff properly. I am so sorry for the offense."