At three in the afternoon, the hotel was at its busiest. Tao Xinrou and Zheng Shuhui had just finished their inspection on the 20th floor when her phone rang.
It was a message from Li Meili in the work group.
Next Wednesday, 19:00-22:00, the 25th floor VIP area will host a private party for an important VIP guest. To ensure the event runs smoothly, the following work requirements are hereby clarified:
1. Staff responsible for 25th floor service must arrive 3 hours early to complete venue setup, inventory counting, and etiquette rehearsal.
2. All service personnel must strictly adhere to VIP reception standards, pay attention to grooming, and maintain a smiling service throughout.
3. During and after the party, focus on area cleaning, material recovery, and safety inspections, eliminating any oversights.
Specific personnel arrangements are as follows.
...
After reading the task assignments, Tao Xinrou frowned deeply. This wasn't a work arrangement—it was clearly an impossible mission carefully designed by Li Meili!
Soon, Zheng Shuhui shuffled over with her phone, her face crumpled in distress: "Xinrou, look! Is she trying to work us to death or make us mess up? Even if we could clone ourselves, we couldn't handle this!"
"It's obviously aimed at us," Tao Xinrou concluded.
"Then what do we do? Go explain the situation now?"
Tao Xinrou analyzed calmly: "If we go say we can't handle it now, we'll just give her a chance to accuse us of being picky and irresponsible. We have no choice but to tough it out. We'll be extra vigilant and make sure she doesn't catch us on anything."
"But this reception isn't like before. This time, the guest is Lin Zhizhi."
Speaking of Lin Zhizhi, she was a well-known heiress across the entire city of C and even the whole country. She was the sole heir of Dongning Group, with family businesses spanning finance, real estate, new energy, and more. She personally owned three yachts and two private jets, had exclusive mansions in prime locations of major global cities, and the cost of any accessory she wore could equal several years of an ordinary person's salary.
What made her even more famous was her style: she did whatever she wanted, spent money like water, and never cared about the cost of parties—only about having fun. Two years ago, she held a birthday party at the hotel that cost nearly ten million just for the venue decoration, inviting all the elites in her circle. After the party, she even gave five-figure tips to the service staff, causing a sensation. But on the flip side, she was notoriously volatile—any little displeasure could trigger a furious outburst. Previously, another hotel had to pay full compensation because of insufficient service details, and the manager was fired as a result.
Thinking of this, Zheng Shuhui's voice trembled: "Xinrou, I heard she's extremely demanding about service. Even a small mistake can be blown out of proportion. Supervisor Li has scheduled us so tightly, she's counting on us to make mistakes under pressure. If Lin Zhizhi complains even a little, we're done for!"
Tao Xinrou knew the risks, but she hadn't come up with a good solution yet. She'd have to take it one step at a time.
Just then, Fang Rong passed by. A thought struck her, and she immediately looked down to check his work assignment. On the personnel assignment sheet, next to "inspection," it unmistakably read "Fang Rong."
She looked up at Fang Rong, who was nearby flipping through a work manual. Maybe... she could try asking for his help indirectly? But would the CEO refuse? And if she asked for his help now, would he come after her for it later when he became CEO?
But this was no time to dwell on that. Tao Xinrou decided to sound him out.
She trotted over to Fang Rong, putting on a cheerful face: "Um... Fang Rong, did you see Supervisor Li's party assignment? This time, you're in charge of inspection on the 25th floor."
Fang Rong nodded. "Yeah, what's up?"
"Well... the VIP guest this time is quite special, with very high standards for service details. The 25th floor is a large area, so you'll need to pay extra attention during inspections, especially regarding safety and material verification during and after the party. Make sure you don't slip up."
After saying this, she stared intently into Fang Rong's eyes, trying to send a "you get it, right?" signal.
But Fang Rong blinked and said, "Are your eyes uncomfortable?"
Great, the CEO didn't catch on.
Tao Xinrou deflated. But how could she explain this clearly to the CEO? She just played along: "Oh, I probably stared at the computer too long this morning. My eyes are dry. I'll go put in some eye drops. I'm heading back."
Looks like the CEO can't help with this. She'll have to rely on herself. Sob.
Over the next few days, Tao Xinrou and Zheng Shuhui almost daily repeated checking the party procedures, inspecting all kinds of facilities on the 25th floor, and even rehearsed every step of the party in advance to ensure no oversight.
Tao Xinrou was almost praying: Please, heavens, cut me some slack.
Finally, the day of Lin Zhizhi's party arrived.
That evening, the entire Yunlu Hotel was ablaze with lights, filled with the fragrance of perfume and the glint of jewelry.
The VIP area on the 25th floor had been transformed into a gilded wonderland suspended in the city's night sky.
Crystal chandeliers hanging from the dome refracted thousands of starlike beams. Custom velvet tablecloths in dazzling burgundy were spread out, adorned with gold-leaf tableware and crystal goblets. Intricate preserved flowers decorated the table corners. The air was thick with the crisp woody scent of top-tier incense, every inch exuding lavish refinement.
Tao Xinrou and Zheng Shuhui first received Lin Zhizhi's friends on the first floor, then escorted them to the 25th floor to meet Lin Zhizhi.
The arriving guests were all in haute couture gowns and sparkling jewels. The men were impeccably suited and distinguished, while the women swayed in elegant dresses with flawless makeup, every gesture exuding the exclusive elegance of their circle.
Tao Xinrou and Zheng Shuhui constantly wove through the crowd, serving tea and drinks, addressing requests, every move cautious and meticulous.
The entire party radiated opulence and nobility amidst wave after wave of excitement.
The party lasted a full five hours, ending at one in the morning.
The guests gradually left, leaving behind a mess.
Tao Xinrou and Zheng Shuhui immediately began tidying up, each attending to their tasks without any delay.
At this moment, Lin Zhizhi hadn't left yet. She had been drinking, and her face was flushed, making her delicate features even more captivating.
Her bodyguards and assistant were quietly asking if she needed a car arranged, but she raised a hand to stop them.
Lin Zhizhi, in her stiletto heels, walked straight toward Tao Xinrou and Zheng Shuhui, who were cleaning the banquet hall. She took several thick red envelopes from her exquisite handbag and held them out. "This is a little gift for you," she said lazily.
Tao Xinrou and Zheng Shuhui exchanged glances, hesitant. Hotel regulations stated that gifts from guests should not be accepted unless necessary. Just as they were about to decline, Lin Zhizhi seemed to understand and turned away, adding casually, "I'll leave them here. Oh, and the bottles of red wine I brought—I haven't opened them, so don't bother returning them. You can keep them for yourselves."
With that, surrounded by her bodyguards and assistant, she walked toward the elevator without looking back.
Before Tao Xinrou could react, Li Meili appeared out of nowhere and snapped, "Tao Xinrou, hurry up and get those bottles of red wine Miss Lin mentioned. They're expensive imported wines; we can't accept them. You take them and return them to Miss Lin."
Clearly, she had overheard everything Lin Zhizhi said.
After giving the order, she immediately put on a fawning smile and rushed off to see Lin Zhizhi out.