Early the next morning, Chen Jianhai leisurely took Bus No. 63 to the Coconut Umbrella Hotel Industry Association.
Arriving at the stop, he got off and stood in front of the association's entrance, looking up.
*Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?*
Ever since hearing about the meeting last night, Chen Jianhai had been feeling uneasy.
*"Would Wan Rong really backstab me?!"*
He thought about Wan Rong's thick-browed, big-eyed face and felt slightly reassured.
At the very least, Wan Rong seemed much more upright than that scoundrel Tong Tongsheng.
Taking a deep breath, Chen Jianhai strode into the association.
Originally, he had planned to sit in the same spot as last time and quietly hide in the corner.
But when he entered the room, he found that all the extra chairs had been removed, and the remaining seats were already filled—except for one spot left beside Wan Rong.
Everyone was staring straight at him.
*Holy crap…!*
*What is Wan Rong up to?!*
Chen Jianhai's scalp tingled, and his hairs stood on end.
He stood stiffly at the door, unsure whether to walk in or leave, his legs even feeling a little weak.
Just as he was debating whether to turn and run, Wan Rong's voice rang out:
"Boss Chen! Why are you standing by the door? Come in!"
With that, Wan Rong stood up from his seat, strode over, and warmly grabbed Chen Jianhai's wrist, pulling him inside.
In that instant,
Chen Jianhai felt as if his fate had been seized.
Like a trembling little quail,
he stiffly followed Wan Rong to the center of the meeting room,
where Wan Rong pressed down on his shoulders and forced him into the seat.
*Drip—*
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Chen Jianhai's neck and into his collar.
"More than half of the year has passed, so it's time for our association to hold a short meeting," Wan Rong said solemnly as he sat down.
"Not long ago, we received an official notice that the promotion process for intermediate hotel associations to advanced hotel industry associations will begin early next year."
"The slots are limited."
*Hiss—*
Chen Jianhai's entire body tensed up.
*That phrasing… sounded familiar!*
"Chunyang Province has only been allocated one slot. Aside from our Coconut Umbrella, there's also Zaomen's Shellfish Association," Wan Rong said, his gaze flickering toward Chen Jianhai as he spoke.
That glance made Chen Jianhai, all 1.9 meters of him, want to curl up under the table.
"Although the Coconut Umbrella Hotel Industry Association has only been an intermediate association for less than half a year,"
"the depth of the water doesn't matter—what matters is the dragon within!"
"During the recent Nanjiang Beer Festival, the sales performance of our five-star hotel beer tents ranked among the top in the entire festival."
"In terms of running hotels, I dare say no city in the country can match the professionalism of Nanjiang's resort hotels!"
"Previously, hardware standards held us back from promotion."
"But now, standing on the same starting line, our service capabilities at Coconut Umbrella are no worse than any other association!"
Wan Rong spoke with firm conviction, and the hotel owners present were instantly fired up.
Over the years, while Nanjiang's resort hotels hadn't produced any particularly outstanding ones that could elevate the association's overall tier,
their collective service capabilities were exceptional, with each hotel boasting its own unique strengths.
Wan Rong took a deep breath.
"Promoting the association to an advanced level is both an opportunity and a turning point."
"If we seize this chance, the Coconut Umbrella Hotel Industry Association can break into the country's top tier of hotel associations, which would be an immense boost to Nanjiang's hotel industry!"
"At this critical moment, our association needs a strong leader."
Wan Rong paused here.
The meeting room was dead silent, everyone's eyes fixed on him.
Chen Jianhai's back was drenched in cold sweat, and he could even hear himself gulping nervously.
"I propose that Chen Jianhai take on the role of president for our Coconut Umbrella Hotel Industry Association. Those in favor, raise your hands!"
As he spoke, Wan Rong raised his right hand.
*HOLY CRAP!!!*
Chen Jianhai nearly jumped out of his seat at those words.
*What the hell is going on?!*
First Shellfish, now Coconut Umbrella—
*Are they deliberately throwing the conflict onto me and roasting me over the fire?!*
Wan Rong might not have heard the news yet, but Chen Jianhai was *already* the president of the Shellfish Hotel Industry Association. He couldn't hold both positions at once!
But before Chen Jianhai could voice his objection, the other hotel owners protested.
"Old Wan, have you lost your mind?! You've been doing just fine as president all these years—why step down now?"
"Exactly! Even if you're changing presidents, you should recommend *me*!"
"Brother Wan, how many times have I stayed up late discussing strategies with you? Which idea of mine wasn't solid? Which plan wasn't brilliant?!! If you're changing presidents, I should be the first candidate!"
"Get lost! With your terrible decision-making, Nanjiang would collapse if you became president."
"Old Wan, you're getting old—has your eyesight gone bad too? Can't you see *me* standing right here?"
Unlike Zaomen's united front, Nanjiang's hotel owners had friendships forged through mutual bickering.
Before Chen Jianhai could even refuse, they were already tearing into each other.
*Keep arguing… keep going!!*
*To the sobs and roars in the dark night,*
*Who says only those in the light are heroes?!*
For the first time, Chen Jianhai found the chaotic noise *beautiful*.
*You're all my saviors!!!*
He gazed gratefully at the crowd, memorizing each of their faces.
"It's not that we think Little Chen isn't good, but Boss Chen has only been in the association for a year and a half. He's not very familiar with how things work here."
"For the association's future, I think it's better to choose someone with more seniority."
"I've been running hotels in Nanjiang for 14 years and have been in the association for 13. I think I'm a suitable candidate."
"Right, right! Boss Chen, we're really not targeting you—it's just that you're genuinely not the right fit!"
Listening to everyone's enthusiastic self-recommendations, Chen Jianhai felt happier by the second!
These wonderful people were speaking his *exact* thoughts.
"Time in the association doesn't determine suitability," Wan Rong sighed helplessly, exasperated by the group.
"Although Boss Chen hasn't been in the association for long, that doesn't conflict with his ability to serve as president."
*"It does conflict!"* Chen Jianhai couldn't help but interject.
Last time at Shellfish, he hadn't outright refused, and it had caused him endless trouble.
Now, managing *one* association was already a headache—if he took on another, he might as well quit the hotel business and live full-time at the associations.
"President Wan, I'm really not suitable," Chen Jianhai said tactfully.
"I'm already the president of the Shellfish Hotel Industry Association. Taking on the Coconut Umbrella presidency as well would be inappropriate."
The moment those words left his mouth, the meeting room fell silent.
After a long pause—
"Boss Chen, what did you just say?"
"Since when are you the president of Shellfish?!"
"Is this for real?"
The hotel owners stared in shock at Wan Rong and Chen Jianhai, wondering if they'd misheard.
But instead of looking surprised, Wan Rong *smiled*.
"That's right. Boss Chen was elected president of their association just a few days ago," Wan Rong said amiably.
*Huh?!*
*Wan Rong's tone is off!*
Chen Jianhai felt an inexplicable chill crawl up his spine.
"Moreover, Boss Chen was elected president *on the very day he joined their association*."
The moment Wan Rong said this, Chen Jianhai internally cursed: *"You old fox, you set me up!"*
"Whether Shellfish's approach follows proper procedures is beside the point."
"Boss Chen has been in our association for a year and a half—his qualifications are more than sufficient."
"As for capability, the fact that he was elected president of Shellfish speaks for itself."
With that, Wan Rong raised his hand a second time.
"I propose, for the association's future development, that Chen Jianhai assume the role of the new president."
Chen Jianhai shot pleading looks at the others, hoping someone would bail him out.
But to his dismay, they all fell silent, brows furrowed in contemplation.
*Damn it… useless, every last one of you!*
Adhering to the principle of self-reliance, Chen Jianhai spoke up again:
"President Wan, I truly appreciate your trust in me."
"But I'm already the president of the Shellfish Hotel Industry Association. It really wouldn't be appropriate for me to take on Coconut Umbrella as well."
Wan Rong waved his hand. "That's not an issue."
"There's no rule stating one person can't lead two associations."
"Besides, Nanjiang and Zaomen are both in Chunyang Province. Serving as president for two associations within the same province is perfectly normal."
Chen Jianhai was dumbfounded.
*What kind of logic is this?! No room for negotiation?!*
Before he could refuse again, Wan Rong raised his hand a *third* time and declared:
"I propose that Chen Jianhai serve as president of the Coconut Umbrella Hotel Industry Association. Those in favor, raise your hands!"
After a brief silence and hesitation, hands began rising one after another.
Those pale, outstretched hands were like knives stabbing into Chen Jianhai's heart—each withdrawal leaving him colder and colder.
"Good! Unanimously approved."
Wan Rong surveyed the room with satisfaction and announced:
"I hereby declare Chen Jianhai of the Langai Hotel as the new president of the Nanjiang Coconut Umbrella Hotel Industry Association."
With that, he grabbed Chen Jianhai's stiff, ice-cold hand and shook it warmly.
*...Wait, I didn't raise my hand!*
*How is this unanimous?!*
Chen Jianhai was in shock.
The main agenda of today's meeting had been selecting a president. Once that was settled, Wan Rong unceremoniously declared the meeting adjourned—
as cold and emotionless as a system's *"Ding."*
After the meeting, Wan Rong led Chen Jianhai to the president's office for a basic handover.
Chen Jianhai remained silent, his face screaming *resistance*.
People tend to take liberties with those they're familiar with, and Chen Jianhai was no exception.
He hadn't felt comfortable expressing his displeasure in front of Tong Tongsheng, but back in Nanjiang, it was a different story.
This was his home turf—if he didn't want to do something, he could just walk away.
Closing the office door, Wan Rong looked at Chen Jianhai's sullen expression and sighed.
"Boss Chen, don't think we're forcing you."
"We're both businesspeople. We know that missing certain opportunities can set you back by miles."
"This chance is *too* important."
"In terms of boldness, I'm no match for Innkeeper Tong."
"But when it comes to seizing opportunities, I like to think I'm not inferior to him."
"If Nanjiang didn't have you, we wouldn't stand a chance against Shellfish."
"Although there's only one slot for an advanced association, I hope you can lead both Coconut Umbrella and Shellfish fairly and impartially."
"Whichever association ultimately wins, they'll be grateful to you."
Chen Jianhai was silent for a long moment.
"President Wan, even though I'm now the president of Shellfish, my roots are in Nanjiang."
"If the association ever needs anything, I'll contribute without hesitation. There's really no need to make me president."
Wan Rong shook his head lightly.
"Without the proper title, who would listen to your suggestions?"
"Boss Chen… the association will be relying on you from now on."
...
Just as Chen Jianhai reluctantly accepted his new role as president of the Nanjiang Coconut Umbrella Hotel Industry Association,
hundreds of kilometers away in Zaomen, the ever-tenacious Lin Tao, manager of the Colorful Holiday Resort Hotel, had fallen ill again.
Ever since attending the Shellfish Hotel Industry Association meeting, Lin Tao had suffered a relapse—sore throat, low-grade fever, the works.
This time, however, he didn't stubbornly drag himself to work with an IV drip. Instead, he took sick leave and checked himself into the hospital.
The poor workaholic had been utterly crushed by a certain slacker's rise to power.
Seeing Lin Tao so dejected, his assistant couldn't take it anymore.
"Boss, your health comes first!"
"Our hotel is already doing great. Maybe we're just lacking a bit of *feng shui*."
"Why don't we go make a wish at the Lion Castle Hotel?"
"Maybe if we pray there, our hotel's problems will be solved."
The moment Lin Tao heard "Lion Castle Hotel," he froze.
*"What wishing pool?"*
"The wishing pool inside Lion Castle Hotel," the assistant explained. "It's gone viral online—people say it's super effective."
"Last week, one of our PR staff went there during an exchange trip, made a wish by the pool, and three days later, his girlfriend got back together with him. They even met each other's parents!"
Lin Tao's eyes widened. *"When did this happen?!"*
"Not long ago, just last week, I think? They're already planning their engagement."
*"I'm not talking about that! When did the wishing pool become a thing?!"*
"Oh, it's been around for a while."
"Originally, it blew up on the 'Fengshen Futu Masters' forum before going mainstream."
"Lots of other guests have posted online about their wishes coming true."
"Some even said they'd go back to 'repay' the wish."
"Boss, you should go make a wish too. Maybe you'll get better."
The more Lin Tao listened, the paler his face became. He quickly pulled out his phone and searched for "Lion Castle Hotel wishing pool."
When he saw the endless stream of comments praising it as *"miraculous," "magical,"* and *"unbelievable,"*
his face flushed red, and he burst into another coughing fit.
He collapsed back onto the hospital bed, his condition worsening…