Chapter 296 - Soft Opening Day (14)

When Joey and Jing Jing exited the dining area, they quickly located Danny and Derek. The two men were just standing at the front desk area while observing the numbers of customers that gathered outside.

"Danny, let's have a quick chat before we open the entrance and let them in," Jing Jing called the man and gestured for him to follow her.

However, before Danny could take a single step, he suddenly saw a familiar figure standing outside the door. Even Derek was slightly surprised to see the man.

This man had his hand on both sides of his waist and stood in a dignified manner. His face was just inches away from their glass door of the entrance area, obviously trying to see the inside of the establishment.

He suddenly raised his left hand and knocked on the door several times.

In an instant, Danny and Derek turned around and faced the wall to avoid being recognized by the man.

"W-wait--- Ms. Jing Jing, I think there is something important. Don't open the door," Danny stated while facing the wall.

Jing Jing was just about to attend to the guest that was knocking on the door when she heard Danny's concern. When she looked at the front desk, her eyebrow raised.

"Huh? Why are you facing the wall?" Jing Jing asked after halting her steps.

"The man at the door is surely a troublemaker," Derek quickly replied still facing the wall.

"What do you mean? Do you know him?" Jing Jing asked and walked towards the front desk. Joey could only scratch the back of his head after seeing the unusual behavior of the two men.

"Ms. Jing Jing, it's like this... w-well, uhhm..." Derek hesitated and suddenly lost of words on how he would explain the situation.

Derek sighed and continued to speak, "That man paid us to make trouble of the former owner of this establishment. He wanted the owner to leave the business. So, if he sees us working for the new owner of this place, it will only cause great trouble! Miss Jing Jing, please tell us what to do?"

"W-what?!" Jing Jing exclaimed and felt troubled. Earlier, she had been planning how she would settle the misunderstanding between Danny and Joey. But now, another problem had emerged!

"Miss Jing Jing, it's our fault. We failed to give tell you about it. How can we fix this?" Derek questioned.

"My hair will turn grey in just a day because of you two! How could you not tell me this matter in advance? Some of our customers are already waiting outside!!" Jing Jing stomped her feet in anger. She exhaled loudly and glared at the entrance door where the man was still trying to take a peek at them.

"Miss Jing Jing, we are really sorry," Danny spoke with full of sincerity.

"HA! I can't believe this. Let's go to the kitchen to seek Miss Sofia's instruction!" Jing Jing exclaimed and marched back to the kitchen. Derek and Danny quickly followed her. 

Jing Jing glanced and noticed that Joey was not moving along with them. She pondered for a while and realized that the boy may still feel awkward. "Joey, explain to the people outside that we will only open at 9 AM. Tell them that we are still preparing our tables. Please maintain an approachable expression on your face," she instructed and did not wait for his reply.

Joey just gave her a quick nod and walked the other way.

When Jing Jing entered, her troubled expression was very evident on her face. The people in the kitchen gave her a strange look.

"Is something wrong?" Clark asked and kept away his phone.

Since Jing Jing remained silent, the initial thought of Sofia and her other three companions inside the kitchen was still on the misunderstanding between Joey and Danny.

"Bro, it was not intentional. It won't happen again," Stephen voiced out.

"Yes, we will always maintain mutual respect," Claire added worriedly.

"AHH! It's not what you think!" Jing Jing instantly said after realizing what the two meant. "It's more serious than the misunderstanding!!!"

"Sister Jing, calm down," Sofia stated and glanced at Derek and Danny. "Tell me what's the problem," she continued after watching Jing Jing taking a deep breath.

"The two of you, hurry and explain it to Miss Sofia!" Jing Jing suddenly stepped on the side and pushed Danny and Derek in front of Sofia.

"Miss Sofia, in the past, we have purposely created trouble in this area to make the business owner quit their business. In fact, we are paid to do it. Now, the man that paid us was actually outside the entrance door and kept knocking!" Derek summarized their concern.

Hearing this, Claire almost trembled in fright. She could not even tell if the reason why she felt frightened was because of the man that paid the Double Sigma Fraternity. Or the fraternity leader's capability of making the former business owner quit doing his business!

Clark swiftly went to Claire's side after seeing the pale expression on her face. It was the same look when she was surrounded by the press outside their school. He simply put his hand over her shoulder and leaned closer to her. "Calm down," he whispered.

"Everyone, take a seat. There are still 10 minutes before 9 AM," Sofia instructed while subconsciously rubbing her wristwatch. From time to time, she could not help but check if it was already 9 AM.

Jing Jing sat near Sofia while Derek and Danny pulled a chair from the corner. Then, they followed her and took a seat next to her.

"Alright, I only have two questions to make this matter clear. First..." Sofia looked at the two frat leaders in the eye. "Tell me how many people are potentially going to create trouble? Do you think this man has a companion or is he alone?"

"He is alone. The other people outside are our customers," Derek replied with a sigh.

"Second, who is this man?"  Sofia continued.

Danny pursed his lips and tried to remember the identity of the man. "W-well, he is called... Mr. Jonathan. He owns the Soo Electronics, that building which is painted in maroon."

"Ohh... a competitor then... I see," Sofia mumbled. She lowered her gaze and carefully thought of their situation. But, out of a sudden, she remembered the issue between Joey and Danny. "Hmmn, before we proceed to deal with external problems, we should solve internal conflicts first. Sister Jing, have you settled the misunderstanding?"

Jing Jing scratched the side of her head and looked helpless. "Miss Sofia before I could speak about it, this situation suddenly happened. I have no time to settle it."

"Ahh..." Sofia eyed Danny. Then, she asked, "Where is Joey?"

"Joey... I asked him to explain to our customers that we are still preparing the tables. Shall I call him here?" Jing Jing answered.

"Yes. Please call him here, sister Jing. Let's solve any internal conflict before external problems," Sofia recited.

"Alright, I'll be back," Jing Jing said and quickly went out to look for Joey.

"What's the matter? What do you mean by internal conflict, Miss Sofia?" Derek curiously asked why watching at the retreating figure of Jing Jing.

Sofia carefully brushed the side of her hair and look at him. "This is about the misunderstanding between Joey and Danny. I understand that Joey asked you to teach him about some combat lessons earlier?"

"He... h-he as-asked w-what?" Derek stuttered and his eyes widened confirming to the Chronos squad members that it was indeed a serious issue! "What did he ask, bro?" Derek inquired again, this time facing Danny.

"It was not intentional to disrespect your position or your fraternity. I am not also aware of the fraternity rules. Among us, only Stephen has little knowledge about it. And he told us about this offense. So, I hope that you can let this matter off? I've already reprimanded him to be careful next time. We apologize if we have offended you, Danny," Sofia calmly said.

Derek took a gulp and inhaled sharply. "M-Miss Sofia... U-umm... there is no need to ask for an apology. Maybe my brother was just shocked when Joey asked him. In fact, it is me who is more hands-on when it comes to training our members. So... hehe, my brother was probably having an internal conflict of his own at that time too. But, you are our boss. If you want to learn our fighting style, I will surely share it with you! However, you can also rest assured that we will protect your group. So, learning how to fight is not necessary. You have the entire Double Sigma Fraternity behind your back! We won't let anyone harm all our boss!"

"That's rather a generous offer. Thank you!" Sofia said.

"You're welcome! But in fact, we can only train people that are members of our fraternity. This is one of the rules that we follow. So, if Joey wants to learn, he has to be one of our brotherhoods too," Derek explained.

Just then, Joey and Jing Jing also entered and joined them.

"I'll remain as the member of the Chronos squad! I'm sorry if I caused you to feel awkward, big bro! I did not intend to offend you," Joey spoke towards Danny before he took a seat near Stephen.