Chapter 2234 - 2435: Pay More or Leave!

At this moment, only Zhang Danlin was anxiously pacing, while Li Weiwei acted like a bystander watching the commotion from the side, and Hao Jian just stood aside without saying anything. Everything was laid upon her shoulders. She looked around to see her classmates still standing outside, not yet having entered, looking increasingly worried.

If this issue didn't get resolved perfectly, she would feel terrible inside. After all, she had arranged everything. If it got to the point where everyone had no place to sleep that night, she didn't know how guilty she would feel. But looking at the Innkeeper and his wife, she felt a growing anger that she couldn't quite express.

Everything was clearly agreed upon, and the money was paid, yet suddenly they said more money was needed—where does that make sense? Of course she didn't want to pay this extra money; it was completely unnecessary. But if she didn't pay, the Innkeeper and his wife clearly intended to profit with this unscrupulous demand. Not paying might mean not only having no place to stay, but also not getting a refund for the money already paid during the day.

Still, she was unwilling to give the money to this crooked inn for nothing. She plainly stated, "Then we won't stay at your place, just refund our money!"

Unexpectedly, when the Innkeeper and his wife heard her say this, they immediately looked fiercer. The innkeeper's wife, glaring at Zhang Danlin as if afraid she'd snatch their money, said, "Refund? There's no such logic; a refund is impossible. You've already stayed, so the money won't be returned."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Danlin became even angrier. Initially, she thought at worst she'd get a refund and find another place to stay. But this innkeeper wasn't even willing to refund, clearly determined to swindle money. With some anger, she said, "If you insist on doing this, believe it or not, I'll report you to the commerce bureau, making it impossible for your inn to continue business, you crooked establishment."

Yet the Innkeeper looked at Zhang Danlin and said, "Young lady, you shouldn't speak like that. We're doing legitimate business here, nothing crooked. Don't wrongly accuse us, or we might report you."

Perhaps the Innkeeper wasn't aware of Zhang Danlin's family connections—her parents were business people with some footing in Yun City. If they knew their daughter was being cheated by such unscrupulous businesses, they could probably make a call to the commerce bureau and have it investigated immediately. Then this inn wouldn't be able to keep operating.

Zhang Danlin, hearing this, was also very angry and said, "I'm defaming you? Have some dignity, alright? You greedy business is clearly trying to extort our money. Believe it or not, if you don't refund us, your business will soon close."

The Innkeeper obviously didn't believe a young girl had such capability. As the conversation escalated, he dropped the feigned politeness, pointed at Zhang Danlin, and said, "Young lady, let me tell you, when you're speaking outside, be polite, or if you provoke someone you can't handle, it'll be too late. When I was your age, I was courteous in my dealings with others."

Pausing, he straightforwardly said, "I'll lay it out for you today: either pay more to spend the night peacefully, or pack up and find somewhere else to stay. A refund is impossible; we have no such policy here. Think it over."

"And here's a word of advice: you'll have a hard time finding somewhere else to stay now, so I suggest you pay up and get a good night's sleep, then enjoy another day tomorrow," the Innkeeper said with a smile at the end.

The Innkeeper and his wife exchanged a confident glance. This tactic had never failed them and always worked marvelously. After saying this, they were quite confident that Zhang Danlin would give in and pay up, albeit unwillingly.

At this point, Hao Jian stepped forward to ask Zhang Danlin how much they were demanding. When Zhang Danlin replied with a few numbers, Hao Jian was immediately shocked. It turned out these unscrupulous innkeepers were truly extortionate.

According to the inn's pricing, a single room was 150 per night, and a double room was 200. This price was already expensive for a standard lodging, but considering it was in a tourist area, it was somewhat understandable.

However, just when you thought that was it, they brazenly demanded Zhang Danlin pay an extra 100 per room as an 'additional charge.' A hundred! Their room rate was only 150, and now they were exploiting the situation to demand a 100 surcharge.

If it were a small fee, it might be acceptable, but this was no small amount; it amounted to the cost of two nights. It was downright unscrupulous, even more so than typical shady businesses. That's why Zhang Danlin was so angry; she'd rather take the refund and have no place to stay than pay this extortionate fee to this crooked business.

But presently, it seemed there was no alternative to paying up.

At this time, a faint smile crept onto Hao Jian's face. Some issues need a gentle approach to be resolved, but sometimes dealing with certain matters requires a confrontation to truly settle things.

The traditional solution of might overcomes might often was the best, leaving both parties without complaints.

Zhang Danlin was livid, her face ashen from anger, wanting to rebut but knowing the other party was shameless and unscrupulous and unsure what to say. Meanwhile, Li Weiwei sat on the side, appearing to observe the situation, seemingly ready to act only if all else failed. The others, weary from a long day, although irked by the Innkeeper's words, were aware there was no better option currently. Some suggested paying, while others were against it, arguing it would be enabling wrongdoers, resulting in a chaotic scene.

"You..." Zhang Danlin was cornered into speechlessness.

Just then, Hao Jian quietly patted Zhang Danlin on the shoulder, signaling her to step back, then he walked forward. When he stepped up, a hint of cheer appeared on Zhang Danlin's face.

As Hao Jian approached, his brazen demeanor momentarily startled the Innkeeper, who perhaps thought dealing with a laid-back looking male was a bit challenging, yet he maintained a fearless appearance, looking at Hao Jian, purposefully raising his chin, and asked, "What? What do you want? Let me tell you, this business operates as such; if you're unwilling to pay, you can pack up. A refund is impossible."

Hao Jian smiled upon hearing this, laughing mischievously as he stepped before the Innkeeper, who involuntarily stepped back several paces, yet continued feigning bravado, saying to Hao Jian, "What do you want? Surely not intending to strike? I'll tell you, resorting to violence is illegal!"

As he spoke, the Innkeeper intentionally glanced at the nearby male students. If indeed things turned violent, he'd be somewhat afraid, given the number of people on Hao Jian's side.

Seeing this, a slanted smile crept up Hao Jian's lips: so you do know fear, you know it's illegal. But despite knowing, you brazenly proceed with this—what a foolhardy move.

He chuckled and asked, "Do you truly want to earn this black-hearted money so badly?"

"What black-hearted money? This is legitimate earnings. I'm conducting my business, earning my money; how is it black-hearted?" the Innkeeper raised his voice several notches, and the innkeeper's wife moved next to him, linking arms, embodying a "villainous duo" demeanor.

Hao Jian looked on with thinly veiled disdain. Indeed, birds of a feather flock together. These types of people naturally found each other; look at this pair, they're a riot.

If he wanted to resort to violence, he could do so now, easily dealing with these two. But resolving it this way seemed overly violent, somewhat inappropriate. Presently, however, he had another method in mind.

Thinking, a sly smile unfurled on his face, a smile so cunning it unnerved those watching. It was an idea that struck him suddenly, realizing it was possible to resolve this by turning their unscrupulousness against them.

Contemplating, he duly confirmed, "Alright, you said it yourselves."

The Innkeeper and his wife were silent, but their eyes and expressions conveyed everything.

"Alright, fine," Hao Jian said.

Since they chose this path themselves, they couldn't blame him.

He immediately grinned, then gestured to call Hu Lai and Fatty over, whispering to them. Their faces immediately lit up with joy, and they quickly left, vanishing from sight.

Hao Jian intentionally spoke softly, so the Innkeeper and his wife couldn't hear; it wouldn't be as fun if they overheard. The real excitement lay in the final reveal.

The others watched with puzzled expressions.