Amidst the astonishment of the crowd, the clear yet somewhat feeble sound of applause suddenly drowned out everyone's voices, clearly emanating from a corner. "Mr. Hao Jian is truly young and promising; not only is his bartending impressive, but even his medical skills are formidable." As everyone wondered, two figures emerged from the crowd, one in front of the other, with the person behind displaying a cold yet gentle smile. "The owner of the seven-floor bar, Mu Dan?!" Upon seeing this person, everyone instantly recognized him, and their faces suddenly changed. They realized that, although their net worth ranged from fifty million to a billion, and they might appear wealthy to others, the true owner behind this bar was someone far more powerful than all of them. A person worth over a billion would be considered insignificant in his eyes, only someone worth over a few billion would garner this man's attention. Why? Because he owns thirty percent of Hilton Hotel shares. Seeing Mu Dan's appearance, Hao Jian's face immediately showed a look of puzzlement. He hadn't yet responded to Zhang Gui's thanks, so how did this guy suddenly show up? Mu Dan was about to respond with a smile, but Zhang Bai, standing before him, spoke coldly, "How dare you enter this seven-floor bar without even knowing our boss?" "Listen carefully, this is our boss, Mr. Mu Dan, owner of the seven-floor bar and a shareholder of Hilton Hotel. Remember, he's a major shareholder!" Hao Jian touched his nose, shook his head, and chuckled. Mu Dan seemed rather approachable, but his subordinate was a bit clueless, boasting as if he were the major shareholder of Hilton Hotel himself. Yet, it made some sense; perhaps such a person was just lording over others in the shadow of his boss, and even though he's a close aide of that class, he must be quite shrewd. But what did this have to do with Hao Jian? "Hey kid, what do you mean by this?!" Seeing Hao Jian chuckle and shake his head, Zhang Bai thought it was a mocking laugh. His gaze immediately bore into Hao Jian with a fierce look. "Zhang Bai, no rudeness!" Luckily, Mu Dan intervened, or else Hao Jian wouldn't mind teaching Zhang Bai a lesson. Mu Dan frowned at Zhang Bai, sternly saying, "Step back. I need to speak with Mr. Hao Jian." After speaking, Mu Dan looked up at Hao Jian and smiled slightly, "Mr. Hao Jian, you wouldn't mind if I take up a bit of your time, would you?" Upon hearing this, Hao Jian shrugged indifferently; he didn't have much to do today, just plenty of time on his hands. Moreover, this guy seemed quite interesting, so he didn't mind chatting with Mu Dan for a while. Just turning to walk behind Mu Dan, Zhang Bai saw Hao Jian's irritating demeanor, snorted coldly but dared not speak since his boss had already spoken. Zhang Gui, who had been contemplating Mu Dan's words, saw Mu Dan's appearance and had no intention of causing trouble. This man was Mu Dan, and even with ten guts, he wouldn't dare provoke him. Ordinary people were one thing; at most, money could settle disputes. But if he offended Mu Dan, his Zhang Family might suffer consequences. Thus, he sensibly dragged Liu Yongyuan away, glancing at Mu Dan with newfound respect. The identity of this person was more powerful than that of his respected father, and his conduct had always been praised by most collaborators. Hosting the event here today was partly a way to gain Mu Dan's favor. After all, today alone cost them nearly thirty million in venue fees, and under normal conditions, he wouldn't dare spend such a sum, no matter how many rights he possessed! But as soon as his family heard he wanted to host the event at the seven-floor bar, they immediately agreed, showing how highly they regarded the bar's owner. Now, watching Hao Jian conversing with Mu Dan, he was deeply envious, wishing he could be the one standing there. Unfortunately, he was also somewhat self-aware; with the face he lost today, he wouldn't dare even if given a chance to stand before Mu Dan. After all, first impressions are crucial. But after this incident, Zhang Gui took a more laid-back view on these matters. Perhaps as people often say, one's words are kinder before death—Zhang Gui had lingered at the Ghost Gate for a while but eventually returned to reality. This event had some impact on him, and he no longer dared harbor thoughts about Lin Qingxue. With the Lin Family growing increasingly strong, his Zhang Family was dispensable to them. But if he foolishly meddled in Lin Qingxue's affairs, who knows how the Lin Family might react? Hao Jian's close relationship with Lin Qingxue proved he had earned the family's approval. Zhang Gui had only recently realized this; the Lin Family's prowess would easily uncover Lin Qingxue's situation, yet they hadn't acted against Hao Jian. Although Lin Qingxue was a factor, the bigger reason was Hao Jian himself. "This man is not simple..." This was Zhang Gui's evaluation of Hao Jian after today's events. "If there's anything, just say it." Seeing Mu Dan turn to glare at Zhang Bai, Hao Jian nonchalantly shrugged and spoke. "Haha, it seems I've embarrassed Mr. Hao Jian." Mu Dan's face showed some awkwardness, but he quickly recovered and instead looked at Hao Jian with a smile, pointing directly at the glass Hao Jian previously filled with the Ten Perfect Nine Beautiful cocktail. "I came to talk to you today because I hope you'll agree to my request." "I want you to be a permanent fixture at my bar and become our signature bartender." "I'm offering an annual salary of thirty million!" Saying this, Mu Dan also gave a slight smile, raising three fingers and confidently speaking to Hao Jian. A bartender who can mix a 3S-level cocktail is a treasure at any major bar. Now that he encountered a clearly solitary 3S bartender, he couldn't be happier. Moreover, what he valued even more was Hao Jian's skills — his bartending techniques — as he lightly laughed and pointed at the glass, saying, "I believe that if it weren't for my bar's limited selection, you could certainly mix a better 3S-level cocktail than the Ten Perfect Nine Beautiful!" Everyone focused on Mu Dan, and when he opened his mouth and mentioned hiring Hao Jian for an annual salary of thirty million, their eyes suddenly widened with disbelief. They looked at Hao Jian with envy, though most thought Mu Dan was crazy. After all, any normal person would find it hard to offer such a high salary to an employee! Even for these people, trying to earn an annual salary of thirty million is impossible unless it pertains to a wealthy force like the Zhang Family with a fortune of over one billion. "Boss! Is this person really worth that much money?!" Standing behind Mu Dan, Zhang Bai also looked at his boss in disbelief, swallowing his saliva to moisten his dry throat. This is thirty million! He had been by Mu Dan's side for six or seven years, earning only a couple of million annually, yet this bartender, by mixing a 3S-level cocktail, was about to become a thirty-million-a-year employee?! Even though his boss said this guy could mix even higher-level cocktails, he certainly couldn't be worth that price! This is thirty million! How many people have to work a lifetime to save that amount?! Upon hearing this, Mu Dan smiled and nodded slightly, saying, "I believe Mr. Hao Jian absolutely deserves this salary!" But when Hao Jian heard Mu Dan's words, he was slightly stunned, then bitterly smiled and shook his head. "I think I will have to decline Mr. Mu Dan's kind offer; I do not plan to work here." When everyone thought Hao Jian would agree, his answer surprised everyone, and many even called him a fool. This was a thirty-million-a-year salary! If it were them, they would agree without hesitation! "Hey, hey, Mr. Hao Jian, let's talk!" Upon hearing Hao Jian's refusal, Mu Dan's face froze momentarily, then he anxiously spoke up, "Mr. Hao Jian, is my offer too low for you?! If it is, I can raise it! As long as you're satisfied, I will definitely give it to you!" "Damn! Is Mr. Mu Dan crazy?!" "He's just a bartender who mixed a 3S-level cocktail! Why does Mr. Mu Dan want to keep him so badly?" "If only I knew how to mix cocktails..." When everyone heard Hao Jian's refusal, their expressions froze. Hearing Mu Dan continue to raise the offer made them utterly shocked. Has the world gone mad?! "I can't match him..." At this moment, Zhang Gui finally realized where his gap with Hao Jian lay, and he bitterly smiled and shook his head. Standing from the same standpoint, Hao Jian would refuse Mu Dan's annual salary, while he would absolutely not refuse it, after all, a thirty-million annual salary! Even in the future, when managing Zhang Family enterprises, obtaining a thirty million annual salary at will will not be easy. After all, besides salaries and bonuses, the company has to operate. Once the capital for turnover is gone, the enterprise will face survival difficulties and eventually go bankrupt. "Mr. Mu Dan, you don't need to say anymore. Even if you offer me a hundred million a year, I won't stay to work." Hao Jian touched his nose and gave Mu Dan a helpless smile. "After all, I don't like working for others." Previously, with no source of livelihood, it was okay. Now, with his prosperous status, Hao Jian is reluctant to work under others because he is now the dominant force of Hua City, feared by many factions both domestically and abroad. For such a person to work under others, wouldn't it be disgraceful? "Tch, just a poor loser trying to act like a big shot?" Upon hearing Hao Jian's refusal, Zhang Bai couldn't help but say these words, with anger and disdain in his heart, immediately expressing a sarcastic remark that made Hao Jian's expression darken slightly.