Thinking about this, Zhao Xianwu felt that he had overestimated Lu Tianxing before, seeing him now as nothing but a weakling with less than a five in combat strength, easily crushed.
The more he thought about it, the more Zhao Xianwu felt he should behave with composure. He immediately called for everyone to sit down, "Everyone, no need to stand, please sit. There’s no need for formalities today. We are just friends gathering, no need to be so serious. Eat if you want to eat, drink if you want to drink. I, Zhao Xianwu, will pick up the bill today."
Speaking, Zhao Xianwu smiled gently at Yue Tingting, "Tingting, since you’ve just arrived, you might not be familiar with this place. Let me introduce you a bit, after all, you’re the star today. If you don’t have fun, then this welcome party is a failure."
Yue Tingting was stunned and quickly waved her hands, "No need, Mr. Zhao. As long as everyone is having fun, that’s enough. I’m not much interested in singing or dancing. I’ll just sit next to Brother Lu."
Zhao Xianwu saw his little plan falling through and felt instantly annoyed, but he just assumed Yue Tingting was afraid of upsetting Lu Tianxing, and immediately said with a smile, "Then just sit for now, and if there’s anything you need, just tell me. Don’t be polite with me, I, Zhao Xianwu, am not short of money."
"Hehe, Tingting, how could you refuse Mr. Zhao’s invitation! By being polite with Mr. Zhao, aren’t you saying you look down on him? We are guests, and the guest must follow the host’s arrangements, of course."
Lu Tianxing spoke up, reproaching Yue Tingting and chuckled, "Mr. Zhao, can singing and dancing wait a bit? Tingting and I went shopping today, walked around for almost the whole afternoon. We’re really hungry now and the food on these tables might be good for dessert but not enough for a meal. I’m starving. When are we actually going to eat? We’ll have the energy to sing after eating, Mr. Zhao, wouldn’t you agree?"
"Backwoods bumpkin, unsophisticated trash who’s never seen the world."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xianwu inwardly scorned, cursing a few times, but his face remained all smiles, "Oh, I’m sorry, that was my oversight. Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Lu. What would you like to eat? Here’s the menu, feel free to order anything, and don’t be shy with me."
The other teachers at the table looked at Lu Tianxing expectantly. Unlike Zhao Xianwu with his million annual salary, they had families to feed and could barely afford to eat out at ordinary restaurants, let alone enjoy meals at such upscale star-rated hotels. They were finally getting a taste of star-hotel cuisine.
"Really? Thank you so much, Mr. Zhao. Speaking of which, I’ve never actually tasted food from a star-rated hotel before!"
A surprised smile appeared on Lu Tianxing’s face, and he immediately called over a waiter and started to flip through the menu.
Watching Lu Tianxing’s actions, Zhao Xianwu sneered again internally, "Bumpkin is as bumpkin does, so clueless."
"Mr. Zhao, can I really order anything?" Lu Tianxing suddenly looked up and asked.
"Order anything, it’s okay. Today is Tingting’s welcome party, and of course, you should eat happily," Zhao Xianwu said generously with a wave of his hand.
"Then I will be unreserved."
Lu Tianxing’s face was beaming with joy as he said to a nearby server, "First, bring me a duck, one of those that looks like jade, crystal clear and very appetizing. Not many, just eleven ducks for the eleven of us here, one for each person. Also, the drunken shrimp tastes pretty good, but it’s too small. No need for those, give me a few Australian lobsters instead."
"By the way, Tingting, haven’t you mentioned that you’ve never had abalone before? Today I’ll let you have a taste. Get me a few abalones. Don’t worry about the money. Our Mr. Zhao here makes a million a year, so he isn’t short of money. Also, add some shark fin and bird’s nest soup to the order. I also want to try what it’s like to rinse my mouth with shark fin..."
Lu Tianxing flipped through the menu enthusiastically, directing the server to take notes.
"Okay, sir, no problem. Is there anything else you need?"
Zhao Xianwu’s mouth twitched violently, and he felt an urge to vomit blood. He initially thought Lu Tianxing was a country bumpkin who would opt for cheaper dishes, but to his surprise, Lu Tianxing went straight for the jade duck, one of Blue Sky’s signature dishes, priced at 1666 per duck, nearly twenty thousand for eleven, and close to forty to fifty thousand with the rest of the order.
Although he did not mind spending this amount of money, it was clear that Lu Tianxing was taking him for a fool, intent on fleecing him, which naturally was quite upsetting.
"Mr. Zhao, look I ordered so much, is that okay? If there’s a problem, I can ask the server to cancel a few items?" After ordering a few more dishes, Lu Tianxing waited for the server to leave before he addressed Zhao Xianwu.
"Fuck your mother, the guy already left, now you’re asking me this?"
These words nearly made Zhao Xianwu jump up and curse at Lu Tianxing’s face, you bastard, go to hell, after placing the order now you think to ask me, what were you doing before?
But noticing the looks from those around him, Zhao Xianwu’s smile was a bit strained as he waved his hand and said, "It’s nothing, the most important thing is to have fun when going out. Money isn’t important."
"Great, Mr. Zhao is truly my idol, wealthy and bold," Lu Tianxing said, giving a thumbs up in admiration.
Yue Tingting, somewhat amused, watched the scene of Lu Tianxing mocking Mr. Zhao unfold. Although she was a bit naive, it didn’t mean she was foolish, or else she wouldn’t be a high school English teacher. Zhao Xianwu had spoken several times, subtly mocking Lu Tianxing, and she could easily tell, but Lu Tianxing kept holding her hand, preventing her from speaking.
"Mr. Lu is right, Mr. Zhao is indeed very generous. From now on, I will look up to Mr. Zhao as my leader. But thanks to Mr. Zhao for this time, to be honest I’ve been craving this jade duck here for a long time. I heard it tastes really good, and today I finally get to taste it," she said.
A few sharper ones caught on to Lu Tianxing’s intentions and, while internally ridiculing Zhao Xianwu for being a sucker, they cooperated by speaking favorably.
Zhao Xianwu forced a smile, his mood initially buoyant but now as if it had been shattered by a tornado, watching Lu Tianxing chatting and laughing with Yue Tingting, he considered whether to find a chance to kick this guy out, so he wouldn’t interfere with his flirting.
But the other teachers in the private room didn’t care so much; for them, they had struck it rich this evening, not only had they played for free, but they also enjoyed a great meal. Naturally, their mood couldn’t be better. They quickly gathered near the karaoke machine at the side, singing and dancing, and the atmosphere of the entire room instantly heated up.