Peerless Divine Doctor in the City of Flowers
Chapter 462: The Conspiracy Doesn’t Stop

Chapter 462: Chapter 462: The Conspiracy Doesn’t Stop

Phoenix Building’s back alley.

A luxury car was parked outside.

The rotund Du Defa stood in the dimly lit alley.

Seeing Xu Dakang approaching, he revealed a smug smile.

"Mr. Du, I have to be at the opening tomorrow, and there’s still so much to do in the kitchen. Didn’t we make everything clear over the phone? I won’t be switching sides. You should head back."

Xu Dakang’s face was grim.

He had already signed away his life.

He would not leave Phoenix Building no matter what.

"Mr. Xu, don’t rush to conclusions. Opening a restaurant isn’t as easy as saying it. Even if Phoenix enters the culinary world, it will just be a small player. I know what you’re worried about, you’re afraid she will take revenge on you, but you can rest assured, I’ve already figured out your way out."

Du Defa pulled out a box of Hua Zi cigarettes and stuffed them into Xu Dakang’s hand.

"According to the price we agreed on, I won’t shortchange you a single cent, and I’ll add even more so you can take a paid vacation for three months. I guarantee that within three months, I’ll deal with Phoenix. Afterwards, you’ll be the head chef of Tongtian Pavilion, and I promise you’ll be able to afford a villa within three years. Also, I know you’ve been single, and I have a distant cousin who’s just over twenty this year. I’ll have her go on vacation with you. Isn’t that a sincere enough offer?"

"Mr. Du, why go through all this trouble? In Jiangning, chefs are a dime a dozen, and Tongtian Pavilion has even more formidable talents. There’s no need to cling to me like this. Besides, I can’t do anything but cook, and your cousin deserves better than a rough man like me. Furthermore, I’ve already promised Sister Phoenix that as long as Phoenix Building is open, I will stay, whether it’s for a day or ten years!"

Xu Dakang waved his hand dismissively.

Just Qi Qi’s soup alone was worth a lifetime of study for him.

Having already made his name, what he desired was the advancement of his culinary skills.

Moreover, he was well aware that the other party only intended to ruin Phoenix.

Once Phoenix truly fell, he would no longer be in demand.

"Mr. Xu, I know you’ve seen a lot in Beijing, but Jiangning is your hometown. You must have heard that Tongtian Pavilion has powerful backers. No matter how tough Sister Phoenix is, she’s just a thug from a third-tier city. In front of real power, she’s nothing. Do you really want to go down with her?"

Du Defa furrowed his brows, eyeing Xu Dakang with confusion.

The last time they met, he had also refused, but his attitude had not been so resolute.

But today, meeting again, his stance had undergone a significant change.

"Mr. Du, I’m just a chef. My expertise is in cooking, I don’t understand all these complex issues. As long as Phoenix Building pays me, I’ll work hard right here. I don’t want to know or ask about anything else. I also appreciate your high regard for me this time, but I’m really swamped with work upstairs, so I need to get back."

Xu Dakang didn’t say anything more.

After politely giving Du Defa a firm rejection, he turned to leave.

"Mr. Xu, since you put it that way, I’ll be upfront too. Phoenix Building won’t be able to open, and even if it does, I’ll make sure it closes down for good. Since you’re so loyal, let’s talk again when Phoenix Building shuts down, though I’m afraid I won’t be able to offer you as much then."

Du Defa swaggered, a defiant look on his face.

And hearing this, Xu Dakang stopped in his tracks.

After thinking for a moment, he turned around and came back.

"What’s the matter? I told you you’d be tempted. Come on, let’s go back to Tongtian Pavilion and sign the contract."

Seeing Xu Dakang change his mind, Du Defa immediately cheered up.

But unexpectedly, Xu Dakang pushed away the hand Du Defa had laid on his shoulder.

"Mr. Du, there are some things a chef like me shouldn’t say, given my limited understanding. But since you’ve been kind to me, I’ll take the liberty of giving you some advice. There are many restaurants in Jiangning, big and small. One more or one less Phoenix Building won’t make much difference. There’s really no need for you to go so hard against Phoenix Building."

"Are you trying to educate me?"

Mr. Du squinted his eyes, showing dissatisfaction.

"How dare I educate? I’m really just advising. Business is about amicable dealings. Competing over everything isn’t something commendable. It’s good if everyone can make concessions and avoid stepping on each other’s toes. If things really get stirred up, no one will be comfortable, right? Moreover, you should heed my advice. Phoenixes may be challenging, but sea dragons are real trouble. If you provoke a man-eating dragon, the consequences are unimaginable."

Xu Dakang pulled out the pack of cigarettes from his pocket and stuffed it back to Mr. Du.

Tonight’s Lin Fan was a hundred times more terrifying than that dragon.

All along, everyone said that Qi Qi was a heroic woman among women.

Only now did he truly realize how dreadful the man behind her really was.

And those thirty-plus silent men.

They were simply devils.

But in front of Lin Fan, they were all incredibly respectful.

It was truly unforgettable for a lifetime.

"Sea dragon? Man-eating dragon? What riddles are you spouting?"

Watching Xu Dakang turn and leave, Mr. Du still couldn’t quite understand.

But the other man didn’t explain and walked back into the kitchen through the back door.

Leaving Mr. Du, with hundreds of millions in assets, standing alone in the alley.

"Damn it, I’ve seen you’ve lived too long, what sea dragons and man-eating dragons, in Jiangning they all turn into bugs for me, I don’t believe I can’t crush the Phoenix Building!"

After cursing, Mr. Du stepped out of the alley.

He got straight into the car that was waiting there.

In the car, a woman in her thirties asked coldly.

"How did it go?"

"Wife, I don’t know what spell the Phoenix has cast over Mr. Xu; he’s not willing to switch sides no matter what. He even said that as long as the Phoenix Building is open for a day, he’ll work for a day. I think that old fool must have been bewitched by the Phoenix to be so resolute about helping her with the restaurant."

Mr. Du grumbled in frustration.

"Useless, a trivial matter like this and you can’t even handle it, what use are you to me?"

Unexpectedly, the woman began to berate him.

And she did so with a sense of superiority.

"Wife, it’s not my fault. Mr. Xu’s brain must be sick. I bet he’s involved with the Phoenix, that’s why he’s so fiercely supportive of her business."

Mr. Du, the owner of the Tongtian Pavilion, didn’t show any anger.

He hung his head low, evidently henpecked.

He had no choice; he was a son-in-law who depended on his wife for support.

His wife Cai Shuzhen was the true person in charge of the Tongtian Pavilion.

"That brazen woman could do anything. She dared to go against my orders and open that restaurant. Well, she can’t blame me for being ruthless. You want to have your opening, right? Good, then I’ll make sure it ends in closure!"

Cai Shuzhen took out her phone from her bag.

She carelessly dialed a number.

"You should have received the reservation list for the Phoenix Building by now; start making calls to the guests immediately. Tell them that if they agree to change their reservations to the Tongtian Pavilion, I’ll give them a fifty percent discount, and there will also be a gift for them. Also, start spreading rumors, let everyone know that those who dine at the Phoenix Building will be blacklisted by me and barred from entering the Tongtian Pavilion!"