Wangfu Hotel.
In a large private dining room in the back.
As the floor manager led them in and opened the door, Liu Fang and Chen Yanyan let out surprised gasps, unable to hide their astonishnt. Yu ixia and Yu Qianqian also looked a little uneasy. No wonder—they were only six people, yet the private room was massive, large enough for a banquet of twenty or thirty guests. No matter how you looked at it, it seed over-the-top and extravagant. There was far more space than they needed.
“So big,” Dong Xuebing said. It was his first ti in this room. Usually, he dined with just a few people, either in small rooms or out in the main hall.
“It’s not that big. I think it’s a bit small,” the floor manager said with a smile. “If the larger rooms hadn’t already been booked today, we definitely would have prepared one of those for you.”
Dong Xuebing sensed a change in the way the Wangfu Hotel staff treated him this ti. It felt like they were giving him more respect than before. People here had sharp eyes and quick wits, and Dong Xuebing guessed there were two reasons for this shift. First, the Xie family was planning to marry into the Fang family. That ant a major political obstacle in front of the Xie family might soon be removed—great news for their future in politics. Second, likely rumors were spreading that Dong Xuebing was being considered for the position of City Party secretary.
Dong Xuebing didn’t hesitate. Sitting down, he said, “Then we’d better order a lot of food today. Rooms like this don’t co cheap, so let’s not hold back.”
The floor manager quickly responded, “Mr. Dong, you’re teasing us. Others might have a minimum spending requirent, but you? Of course not.”
Dong Xuebing chuckled. He was joking. “Let’s order, then.”
The floor manager handed over the nu. “Please, we’ve added a few new dishes recently—perhaps you’d like to try them?”
“Sure, new dishes are good. Bring us one of each. Then let Sister Yu order first,” Dong Xuebing said, handing the nu to Yu ixia. “You’re the eldest here.”
Yu ixia opened the nu and was imdiately shocked by the prices.
Liu Fang and Chen Yanyan also glanced at the nu, only to be left dumbfounded. They knew Wangfu was one of the most expensive five-star hotels, but this was beyond their expectations. A single specialty dish costs 26,666 yuan! Of course, so dishes only cost a few hundred yuan, but those were rare. Most well-known dishes were priced over a thousand.
Dong Xuebing, however, didn’t care. When it was his turn to order, he picked three or four expensive dishes without even glancing at the prices. He never looked at prices when ordering food. “Alright, that’s it.”
The floor manager said, “Alright, I’ll have the kitchen get started right away. The food will be out shortly.”
Dong Xuebing suddenly called her back. “By the way, no familiar faces around today, are there?”
The floor manager blinked. “Uh, the sixth young master of the Chen family is having a al with so friends in the room next door. Not sure if you know him. There are so others too, but you probably haven’t heard of them.” Her aning was clear. Among everyone dining here, only the sixth son of the Chen family was on Dong Xuebing’s level. The others, though, officials didn’t matter as much.
Dong Xuebing understood.
The sixth young master of the Chen family—that was the guy who clashed with their county’s Xu Zhuang and Zhang Dongfang last ti.
The floor manager asked, “Would you like to ntion to him that you’re here?”
“No need. I don’t know him,” Dong Xuebing said casually.
The manager nodded. “Very well. Enjoy your al. Call if you need anything.”
As the door closed, only six of them remained.
Chen Yanyan couldn’t hold back. “Uncle Dong, your influence is incredible. Everyone here seems to know you and treat you with such respect. That lady even called you ‘Young Master Dong.’”
Dong Xuebing just waved his hand and said nothing.
Liu Fang quietly asked Yu Qianqian, “Is your uncle really that powerful?”
Yu Qianqian nodded firmly. “My uncle is super capable. Everyone’s afraid of him.”
“Afraid? Afraid of what? This is Beijing—if there’s anything we have here, it’s officials. Your uncle is just a departnt head, right? Why would people be scared of him?” Chen Yanyan said skeptically.
Yu Qianqian grew anxious. “It’s true! My uncle is powerful. If he gets angry, no one dares to ss with him. Everyone gives him face.”
“Even in Beijing?” Liu Fang asked, surprised.
Yu Qianqian nodded. “Everywhere. When they hear my uncle’s na, they all stay far away.”
Just then, the private room door was knocked on. Several young n entered—none of them were old, but they were probably in their teens.
Dong Xuebing looked over. “Can I help you?”
The boy in front, holding a wine glass, said, “You’re Brother Dong, right?”
Dong Xuebing paused. “That’s . And you are?”
“I’m the sixth son of the Chen family—just call Liuzi,” the boy said with a smile.
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Ah, Chen Guo’s son! Nice to et you.” He had t the boy’s father, Chen Guo, at a wedding but had never seen the son before. Dong Xuebing wasn’t surprised that he showed up—he figured Liuzi had probably asked if any acquaintances were around, just like he had, and that’s how he found out.
Chen Liuzi said, “The other day in Beijing, I had a bit of a conflict with your colleagues. Actually—”
Dong Xuebing cut him off. “I know about that. I already scolded them when they got back. They got you soaked—sorry about that.”
Chen Liuzi said, “You’re too polite! I should be the one apologizing. If I’d known they were your friends, I wouldn’t have said a word. I might not give face to others, but I respect you, Brother Dong.”
If others show an inch, I’ll return them a foot.
Dong Xuebing replied, “It was just a misunderstanding. Nothing serious. You’re eating here too? No need to say more—this al is on . My people were in the wrong.”
Chen Liuzi was flattered. “No way, I was planning to pay for your al!”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “No need to be so polite. We’re all friends. Co on, let’s have a drink.”
Chen Liuzi grinned. “Sure, I’ll toast to you!”
The other young n followed suit. “Brother Dong, we toast to you!”
“Forget all that, just drink.” Dong Xuebing stood up, clinked glasses with them, and downed his drink in one go. Then he added, “My little brother’s engagent is tomorrow. You’re all invited.”
Chen Liuzi said, “Sister Ling’s engagent? Of course we’ll be there!”
Dong Xuebing chuckled. “Alright then, we’ll drink more tomorrow.”
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