Chapter 27: The Bicycle That Would Not Budge

Seeing more than a hundred people applauding in unison, Chen Yun was startled. Embarrassed, he quickly hopped off his battered bicycle, finding himself at a loss, unsure whether to move forward or retreat. For a moment, his mind was in utter disarray.

Manager Liu stepped out of his car and approached Chen Yun, glancing first at the pitiful state of the bicycle, then at Chen Yun himself—immaculately dressed, not a hair out of place. All Liu could feel was confusion upon confusion.

Can anyone tell me what on earth happened on the way here?

“Welcome, Master Chen, to the Lan Yun City branch of Yahua Chain Hotels. I am Zhang Lang, the manager here,” Zhang Lang, momentarily stunned, quickly composed himself, strode forward, and extended his hand with genuine warmth.

“Hello, Manager Zhang.” Chen Yun shook his hand and replied, “It’s my first time here, so I hope you’ll guide me in the days to come.”

“I wouldn’t dare presume. You’ve reached the level of a master chef at such a young age and have earned the deep trust and respect of Chairman Jiang. You’re truly gifted. I hope you’ll guide us in turn,” Zhang Lang replied humbly.

“Enough, you two,” Manager Liu interjected with a chuckle. “No need to be so formal with each other. Master Chen has come a long way—Manager Zhang, will you really let him stand here talking?”

“Ah! Thank you for reminding me, Manager Liu. That was quite thoughtless of me. Master Chen, please come inside. I’ve prepared a luncheon in your honor. This way, please!”

“You’re too kind, Manager Zhang. Now that I’m here, I’m part of the team. Please, just call me Chen from now on. Manager Zhang, Manager Liu—after you,” Chen Yun replied, displaying the hospitality he’d mastered back on Earth.

“If you insist, Chen, then I’ll take you up on it—just call me Brother Zhang from now on. Together, we’ll make this hotel bigger and better and live up to Chairman Jiang’s expectations.” Seeing how easy-going Chen Yun was, Zhang Lang breathed a sigh of relief. He’d been nervous, having heard that master chefs often came with difficult tempers, but this young man was clearly different.

“You two go ahead. I need to report back to Chairman Jiang,” Manager Liu said. “Manager Zhang, this car is Master Chen’s—please see to it. And Master Chen, about your… bicycle… do you want me to find someone to fix it?”

“No need. Just throw it away,” Chen Yun replied with a shake of his head.

“No trouble at all, Manager Liu. I’ll handle it,” Zhang Lang said, slipping into his role as host and general manager. “Secretary Wang, drive Master Chen’s car to Garage No. 3, and take care of the bicycle. Chen, please, this way.”

“Your mount is more than ten meters from you. Would you like to recall it to the mount space?” Chen Yun suddenly received a system prompt after walking a few steps.

Damn, how could I forget that? Chen Yun paused, then apologized to Zhang Lang, “Uncle Zhang, could you wait a moment? I’d like to see my bicycle off myself. After all, we’ve been through a lot together—it’s better if I handle it personally.”

“I understand. You’re a man of sentiment and loyalty, and I respect that above all. I’ll come with you,” Zhang Lang replied, his admiration for Chen Yun growing. Who would have thought the new chef would even want to give a proper farewell to a scrapped bicycle? If he treated him sincerely, this young man would surely remember him when he made it big.

“No need, I’ll go alone. Let me say my goodbyes in private,” Chen Yun insisted. He wasn’t about to let anyone watch him make the bicycle vanish.

As Chen Yun walked back, he saw his bicycle surrounded by a crowd.

“This bike is something else—missing a wheel but still standing upright.”

“I’ve never seen a unicycle so steady.”

“All right, enough talk. Pengzi, take the bike to the dumpster.”

After a short while…

“Pengzi, did you skip breakfast? You can’t even move half a bike?” an employee teased, watching Shi Peng strain, his face flushed from the effort.

“Maybe Pengzi wore himself out last night,” another laughed. “Your wife must be something, draining you dry like that!”

“Get lost! If you think it’s so easy, you try. This bike’s possessed—it won’t budge!” Shi Peng protested incredulously.

“Stop making excuses. Watch me,” said a burly man, his muscles rippling as he approached.

“Captain Wang’s here,” Shi Peng announced, making way for Wang Hao, the hotel’s security chief.

Wang Hao looked down at the wreck of a bike with disdain, grabbed the frame with one hand, and, confident in his strength, tried to lift it—only to nearly topple over himself as the bicycle stayed rooted to the spot.

“Well, this is interesting,” Wang Hao muttered, now taking things seriously. He gripped the frame with both hands, braced his feet, took a deep breath, and heaved with all his might. The bicycle didn’t move an inch.

Now it wasn’t just Wang Hao who was stunned—everyone was. They all knew Wang Hao was a retired special forces soldier, capable of lifting a heavy motorcycle without breaking a sweat. Yet this broken bicycle was completely immovable.

“What the hell is this thing? I don’t believe it!” Wang Hao, his pride wounded by this challenge, crawled under the bike and tried to lift it with his shoulder. No matter how hard he tried, the bike wouldn’t budge, not even a little.

“All security, over here! We’re doing this together. I refuse to be beaten by a broken bicycle!” Wang Hao roared, his competitive spirit aflame. He’d braved blood and sweat in the army, and now he was being defeated by a bike? Unthinkable!

“You three, lift the front wheel. You three, the rear frame. Four of us on the main body. On my count—one, two, three, lift!”

“Ah!”

“Hey!”

“Hoo!”

Hearing the commotion from the crowd around the bike, Chen Yun hurried over, his expression turning odd as he saw the scene.

“What… are they doing?”

“They’re trying to lift your bike,” an employee replied absently, then realized who he was speaking to and called out loudly, “Master Chen is here!”

Instantly, every eye turned to Chen Yun, even those straining to lift the bicycle.

“Uh, let me handle this. It’s my bike,” Chen Yun said, scratching his nose.

“Oh, of course, Master Chen, please.” Wang Hao quickly stepped aside.

“Nothing to see here. Back to work, everyone,” Chen Yun said as he strolled over and, with ease, pushed the bicycle away—a task that had left so many people exhausted and bewildered.

Everyone looked at each other in disbelief, especially the security team, who had just been sweating over the immovable bike. To see Master Chen push it away effortlessly left them completely dumbfounded.

Are we dreaming? A dozen men couldn’t move that bike, and yet he just walked off with it as if it were nothing?

Heavens, this world is getting stranger by the day.