Chapter 42: Hao Meng’s Promotion

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Though he didn’t sense anything truly serious, the presence of police cars was intimidating enough. Deputy Manager Zhang sat in the hotel lobby, his eyes following Wang Wenyu’s every move, his mind preoccupied: “Such a beautiful woman—could she be a cop? If she is, what a pity.”

His desires were strong, but the hotel’s business was more important. He couldn’t allow his personal interests to jeopardize its operations. Even lustful as he was, Deputy Manager Zhang knew that if he ever landed in trouble, he must never provoke the police, or consequences would be dire. He was intent on figuring out whether Wang Wenyu was truly an officer.

Before he could reach a conclusion, a Jinbei van, a sedan, and two police cars pulled up in front of Wang Wenyu’s vehicle.

Recognizing the sedan, Deputy Manager Zhang hurried out to open the car door and greet the arrivals. Years of dealings with the authorities had taught him that this was Lu Fuen’s personal car.

But before he could get there, Lu Fuen had already stepped out in haste, approaching Wang Wenyu’s car, wiping the sweat from his brow as he tried to curry favor: “Miss Wang, what’s happened? Why didn’t you just call me directly? Wouldn’t that have been easier?”

Wang Wenyu ignored him, stepping out and scanning the surroundings until she spotted Hao Meng hiding at the corner between the staff dormitory and the hotel.

Though she didn’t yet know Wang Wenyu’s true identity, Hao Meng could tell from the way she had confronted Deputy Manager Zhang on his own turf that this woman was no ordinary person. Deputy Manager Zhang’s judgment was clouded by desire, but Hao Meng kept her cool and followed him, wanting to observe the situation unfold—after all, she was involved as well.

Wang Wenyu walked over to Hao Meng, gently linked arms with her, and murmured, “Don’t be afraid. With me here, nothing will happen to you.”

The corner was just ten meters from the convenience store. Hao Meng could clearly see Lu Fuen’s sycophantic manner toward Wang Wenyu and the now fully sober Deputy Manager Zhang, sweating nervously, eyes wide in alarm.

It was near year’s end, and the weather in Dongguan was chilly. Seeing Lu Fuen—who rarely visited and would have the entire hotel at his service whenever he did—now sweating profusely, Hao Meng could guess at Wang Wenyu’s intentions, especially since Wang Wenyu had come to her side first, ignoring Lu Fuen.

Sensing Wang Wenyu truly cared about her feelings, Hao Meng didn’t want her profession to cause any trouble for this woman. She tried to pull her arm free and said, “Miss Wang, thank you—but I don’t want my job to have any negative impact on you.”

Wang Wenyu tightened her hold on Hao Meng’s arm and reassured her, “What impact? We’re sisters. This little matter is nothing.”

Everyone wants to be respected. Hearing Wang Wenyu disregard her profession and call her “sister,” Hao Meng’s defenses crumbled. She gazed at Wang Wenyu with gratitude, speechless for a long while, before finally choking out two words: “Thank you.”

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Lu Fuen paused in surprise as he saw Wang Wenyu affectionately link arms with Hao Meng, the hotel’s most sought-after madam. But then he quickly caught on to Wang Wenyu’s intentions. He went over, pretending not to know Hao Meng, and said to Wang Wenyu, “Miss Wang, is this your friend?”

“She’s not a friend, she’s family—my dearest sister,” Wang Wenyu replied coldly, deliberately emphasizing the word “sister.”

Intent on backing Hao Meng, Wang Wenyu had no concern for social niceties. She saw Lu Fuen as the perfect prop to bolster Hao Meng’s standing; speaking sternly to him would send a clear message to everyone else.

A seasoned operator, Lu Fuen played along immediately, extending his hand warmly: “Miss Hao, nice to meet you. I’m Lu Fuen. If you ever have any difficulties, please come to me.”

Hao Meng knew that while Wang Wenyu could afford to ignore Lu Fuen, she herself could not afford to offend such a figure. She returned his feigned warmth, extending her own hand: “Mr. Lu, you’re too kind.”

She deliberately addressed him as “Mr. Lu,” avoiding his official title so as not to corner him or risk offending this important man.

Wang Wenyu’s aim wasn’t just to give Hao Meng face, but to secure her real benefits in the workplace. Pointing at Deputy Manager Zhang, she said, “That dog who looks down on people not only tried to assault me but also threatened that on his turf, I couldn’t do anything to him. Director Lu, would you say his behavior threatens my safety?”

“Yes, yes, yes—it’s a serious issue. It must be dealt with properly,” Lu Fuen replied obsequiously, immediately ordering staff to stand guard at the hotel entrance and refuse entry to any guests.

By doing so, he both flattered Wang Wenyu and indirectly protected the hotel, without having officers enter and search the premises.

It was still early, and the only guest in the hotel was one whose room Hao Meng had booked. There was nothing to find in a search, but the point was different: any hotel that had the police come in to search would see its business severely affected. Every hotel manager understood this.

Wang Wenyu’s only intention was for Hao Meng to gain some benefit; she had no desire to cause trouble for the hotel. She saw through Lu Fuen’s maneuvering but chose not to expose it, waiting instead for the hotel to offer favorable terms to Hao Meng.

Though the police didn’t enter, their presence at the door was enough to have an impact. Deputy Manager Zhang, like a fawning lapdog, went over to Wang Wenyu to apologize: “Miss Wang, I was blind and offended you, an honored guest. Please forgive me.”

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Wang Wenyu cast him a look of contempt and turned away, ignoring him.

Deputy Manager Zhang knew that at this point, not only could he not resolve the situation, but anything he said would only deepen Wang Wenyu’s resentment. He had no choice but to report the situation truthfully to the true boss of Hejiahuan, Mr. Chen, who was currently in Liaobu Town preparing to open another hotel. On hearing the seriousness of the incident, Mr. Chen rushed back immediately.

It would take Mr. Chen about an hour to return. Seeing that Wang Wenyu would not leave without a resolution, Lu Fuen tried to smooth things over and invited her inside to wait.

Wherever she went, Wang Wenyu kept her arm linked with Hao Meng’s, making it clear to everyone just how close they were.

The astute Mr. Chen returned in haste. After a brief conversation, he grasped Wang Wenyu’s intentions and agreed to terms that satisfied her.

He dismissed a deputy manager, vacating a position for Hao Meng, with the same salary and benefits as the Taiwanese deputy. Deputy Manager Zhang was crucial to Hejiahuan’s operations, but Wang Wenyu granted Mr. Chen this favor and let him off the hook.

The deputy manager’s main responsibilities were entertaining and ensuring the guests’ satisfaction—much like the duties of a madam. Many people could fill the role, but Taiwanese investors, including those at Hejiahuan, tended to look down on locals, so all their deputy-level managers were hired from Taiwan.

Deputy Manager Zhang’s mistake ended up benefiting Hejiahuan. Hao Meng, after a year of experience as a madam and a top performer in her position, was more than qualified for the deputy manager’s job. The favor gained by Hejiahuan was something even Lu Fuen, a man others vied to please, coveted for himself. Every hotel longed for such an opportunity, though few ever found it.

Wang Wenyu was more than willing to serve as Hao Meng’s stepping stone in the workplace. The two women clasped hands tightly, united in triumph.