If it were the old Qin Dayong, Yang Chen might have been skeptical, but now, he had no doubt at all. It could only mean that the front desk woman was lying.
"Our manager is right here, you beggar! How dare you lie?" The young woman at the front desk, though not old, had a knack for looking down on others. With the manager present, she spun lies without hesitation.
"You're the beggar! Your whole family are beggars!" Qin Yi exploded, pointing at the front desk woman and yelling, itching to rush over and hit her.
"Hmph! Someone as filthy as him—you can smell him from hundreds of meters away. What else could he be but a beggar?" The front desk woman retorted, then put on a pitiful act. "Manager, look how arrogant they are! They dare to cause trouble at Yellow River Baths."
The manager fixed his eyes on Yang Chen. "Well? Do you have anything else to say?"
"Yang Chen, I only said I wanted to take a bath. I really didn't say anything else, and I certainly didn't try to hit her. Besides—" Qin Dayong spoke with utmost sincerity, panic evident in his eyes. After finally reconciling with Qin Xi, he didn't want her to misunderstand him over something that never happened.
He was about to continue when Yang Chen cut him off, looking at him with trust. "Dad, you don't need to explain. I believe you!"
"Dad, I believe you too!" Qin Xi clung tightly to Qin Dayong's arm. Seeing her father publicly humiliated pained her, but with Yang Chen here, she felt reassured.
Qin Dayong was deeply moved by Yang Chen's trusting gaze. His eyes reddened slightly.
Worried that the situation might escalate, he wanted to settle things peacefully. "Yang Chen, as long as you believe me, that's all that matters. Why don't we go somewhere else?"
"Manager, look! This beggar is guilty—he wants to run away." Qin Dayong's attempt to让步 was seen as an admission of guilt by the front desk woman.
This angered Yang Chen. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he stared at the woman. "If you dare slander my father-in-law with one more word, don't blame me for what happens next."
The front desk woman felt as if she had been plunged into an ice cellar. She instinctively stepped back, but when she met Yang Chen's terrifying gaze, she was too scared to utter a word.
"Threatening my people right in front of me? Are you tired of living?" The manager's eyes gleamed coldly. If it weren't for the VIP upstairs, he would have already ordered his men to take action.
"I have limited time. Save the nonsense." Yang Chen glanced at the dome camera in the corner. "Since you think my father-in-law is lying, that's simple. There's a camera right there. Pull up the surveillance footage, and the truth will be clear."
Qin Dayong also noticed the camera and brightened. "Yes! Once you check the surveillance video, you'll see I wasn't lying."
The front desk woman trembled at the mention of pulling the footage. She knew better than anyone what had really happened.
Yang Chen noticed her reaction. The manager also paused. Initially, he hadn't considered the truth of the matter. For the sake of Yellow River Baths' reputation, he wouldn't admit that his employee had lied.
But now, seeing Qin Dayong's confidence and the front desk woman's nervousness, he immediately understood the truth.
"Exactly! There's a camera. Just check the footage, and everything will be clear."
"I thought so! This uncle looks a bit rough, but he doesn't seem like a beggar."
"Once the surveillance video is out, it'll clear this uncle's name."
...
Most of the onlookers were young people. Qin Dayong's demeanor had won their sympathy, and the front desk woman's constant use of "beggar" had already irritated them.
Now that surveillance was mentioned, many began clamoring to see the footage.
The manager's face darkened. He felt trapped. If he had been more humble earlier, none of this would have happened. But he had chosen to assert himself.
"This is Yellow River Baths' private matter. Unless you're with the authorities, you have no right to view it," the manager said narrowed eyes. He then stepped closer to Yang Chen and whispered, "Young man, let it go. You confronted my employee, but I won't hold it against you. Be sensible and leave now, and I'll pretend nothing happened."
"What? Now that you know you're in the wrong, you're threatening me to drop it?" Yang Chen冷笑. "My father-in-law's dignity cannot be trampled on so easily. I will see that surveillance footage today!"
Yang Chen didn't lower his voice. His words made it clear to everyone that the manager had just threatened him.
"I can't believe Yellow River Baths is so shady. I'm never coming back!"
"Yeah, they won't admit their mistakes and instead threaten people. I'm going to post about this on the forum to warn everyone."
"I won't come back either. What if I accidentally offend their staff and get threatened too?"
...
In an instant, Yellow River Baths became the target of public criticism. Not a single person spoke in their defense.
The manager's face was grim. He glared at Yang Chen. "Since you're being unreasonable, don't blame me for what happens next!"
With that, he waved his hand. "They're causing trouble at Yellow River Baths. Break their limbs and throw them out! Let's see who dares to make trouble here again!"
The crowd that had been criticizing Yellow River Baths fell silent at the manager's words.
They had thought this was just an ordinary bathhouse, but now they realized it was more than met the eye.
The staff were ready to break limbs over a simple dispute.
In no time, over a dozen security guards armed with rubber batons charged at Yang Chen.
Qin Dayong panicked but immediately stepped in front of Qin Xi and Qin Yi, saying firmly, "Don't be afraid, daughters. Dad is here!"
"How dare you! Touch a single hair on his head, and I'll end you!" Just as the security guards were about to reach Yang Chen, an angry roar came from the elevator. A bald man emerged, followed by two men in suits.
"Stop! All of you!" The manager trembled at the sight of the bald man and immediately shouted.
"St-Strong哥, what brings you out here?" The manager hurried over, forcing a smile, his voice shaking.
"Get out of my way!" The bald man pushed the manager aside and rushed to Yang Chen, fear in his eyes. "Mr. Yang, are you alright?"