Chapter 84: Zaocheng Grand Hotel

I booked the best single room at Zaocheng Grand Hotel and invited Niu Ju to a banquet.

At six in the evening, I had Shi Yong drive, bringing Ya Li and me to the hotel.

Zaocheng Grand Hotel is not far from Da Heng Group; it's just a ten-odd minute drive.

I am also familiar with Hou Laoban of Zaocheng Grand Hotel; he also lives in the Cloud Top Mountain Villa Area I developed.

We are neighbors; when we have nothing to do in the evenings, we have also taken walks together.

We have also chatted about domestic celebrity gossip news.

Hou Laoban only likes to talk about celebrities, seeming to have studied this a lot.

He knows better which female celebrity's godfather is who and what their relationship is.

He knows more than those paparazzi.

But we never talk about officialdom matters.

This is a relatively taboo topic between us.

Because everyone knows the score; we each have our own backgrounds behind us.

If we talk about it poorly, trouble could easily come from our mouths.

Shi Yong helped me into the hotel,

As soon as I entered the hotel, Hou Laoban was standing in the hotel lobby to greet me,

"Oh dear, my God of Wealth, how did you get injured? A few days ago, when I went to the Provincial Capital to see you, you were still in the ICU; I worried every day and recited sutras and prayed to Buddha for you every day."

"Chairman Zhao, your health has finally recovered. Thank the Bodhisattva for its blessing."

Hou Laoban believes in Buddha, holding prayer beads all day and liking to pray for people whenever he sees them.

Seeing Hou Laoban's chubby face squeezed full of smiles,

I reached out my hand,

"Hou Laoban, thank you for going to the Provincial Capital to visit me; I didn't come specially to thank you. Shi Yong, bring over the things you brought for Hou Laoban."

Shi Yong said: "Okay, bro. Hou Laoban, my older brother bought two cases of custom liquor for you; where should I put them?"

"Chairman Zhao, you came to my place and even brought gifts; I feel uneasy accepting this. You are a good person; tonight's meal is on me."

"If you don't let me treat you, Chairman Zhao, you're not giving me face." Hou Laoban warmly grasped my hand.

"Thank you for your kindness, Hou Laoban; let's have a drink together later." I invited.

"Okay, Chairman Zhao, I will surely accompany you to your heart's content. Who is this beautiful lady beside you? Please introduce her. Is she a big star from the Capital City?" Hou Laoban said, looking at Ya Li.

Ya Li's face turned slightly red upon hearing Hou Laoban say that.

I laughed and said: "Hou Laoban, this is Manager Kang of the Southern Group, our group's partner. He's certainly not a celebrity."

In your mouth, "celebrity" is a derogatory term.

Upon hearing me say that, Hou Laoban immediately laughed,

holding his prayer beads, he said: "Sin, sin, Chairman Zhao really knows how to joke; how did 'celebrity' become a derogatory term? They are actually the spokespersons for our tall-rich-handsome crowd. Manager Kang is not a celebrity, but he's even better than a celebrity."

Manager Kang's visit makes our Zaocheng Grand Hotel shine with splendor.

"Hou Laoban, don't stand on ceremony; my leg is bad, I can't keep standing like this. Which hall is our reservation in? Arrange someone to take us there." I said to Hou Laoban.

Hou Laoban looked at Ya Li and said with a smile: "Chairman Zhao, we have reserved the Blue Sandalwood Hall; our Zaocheng Grand Hotel will use the highest standard to welcome Manager Kang's arrival."

Looking at Hou Laoban's lecherous appearance, I thought to myself, how can such a person believe in Buddha? Does the Buddha really like such people?

I said: "Hou Laoban, I'm here; is it the Blue Sandalwood Hall? We only have four or five people; we don't need such a big hall. It's too wasteful."

"How is it wasteful? Chairman Zhao, if you feel there are too few people, I can invite more." Hou Laoban said.

This Hou Laoban really treats himself as the host.

I immediately said: "Hou Laoban, today I'm the host; there are important people attending; let's get together another day."

Hou Laoban laughed again,

"Is it Niu Ju? He already told me. Chairman Zhao, in Zaocheng there's nothing I don't know."

The thing I dislike most about this Hou Laoban is that he talks too much and knows more than others.

I said: "It seems there are no secrets in Zaocheng anymore, Hou Laoban; Buddha says, those who know too many secrets meet a bad end."

After I finished speaking,

Hou Laoban was stunned,

then he thought for a long time,

"Chairman Zhao, which Buddhist scripture does this quote come from? I haven't read it."

I no longer paid attention to Hou Laoban; at this moment Shi Yong came over, supported me, and we walked toward the Blue Sandalwood Grand Hall.

The Blue Sandalwood Grand Hall is the most luxurious banquet hall in Zaocheng Grand Hotel's renovation,

and its interior space is very large; besides the dining restaurant for drinks, it also has KTV, tea rooms, card rooms, etc., where guests can freely eat, drink, and have fun.

After we entered the Blue Sandalwood Hall,

Ya Li looked at the luxurious interior decoration,

and exclaimed in amazement,

Ya Li said: "Chairman Zhao, this hotel's decoration is too luxurious; even in the south it's top-tier. I want to say that Zaocheng's economy is the worst in the province,"

"How could Zaocheng have such a luxurious hotel?"

I laughed,

"Ya Li, this luxurious hotel has nothing to do with the economy; ordinary people don't come here to eat."

Ya Li nodded,

The waiter soon came over and greeted us,

then asked what we wanted to drink—there was black tea, green tea, beverages, etc.

I ordered a cup of green tea, Shi Yong ordered a can of Red Bull, Ya Li ordered a cup of coffee.

The three of us slowly drank water waiting for Niu Ju's arrival.

Soon we heard the sound of footsteps thudding outside; no need to ask, Niu Ju had arrived.

The waiter opened the doors of the banquet hall,

Niu Ju strode in from outside, his face glowing red,

I quickly had Shi Yong help me stand up,

Niu Ju, from afar, stretched out his hand,

Smiling at me, he said: "Jianqiang, look at you, your body is inconvenient, yet you insist on doing these things. We've known each other for how many years,

just grabbing a bite at a roadside stall would be enough.

And still bothering Hou Laoban."

I was about to say something,

Hou Laoban answered from behind Niu Ju: "Oh dear, Niu Ju, no trouble, no trouble, you are our protective deity; our hotel relies entirely on you to guard it. Your arrival brings our hotel glory."

Listening to Hou Laoban's flattering words, I almost wanted to cover my mouth and laugh; this Hou Laoban isn't very cultured, yet he tries to appear cultured.

"Alright, Old Hou, stop putting on airs. If it weren't for Jianqiang insisting on coming here to treat me to a meal, I wouldn't set foot in your dump. The food has no flavor, the wine is undrinkable." Niu Ju said directly to Hou Laoban's face.

Hearing Niu Ju say that about himself, Hou Laoban forced a smile onto his face,

"Niu Ju, your criticism makes me feel like basking in a spring breeze, enlightened; I will certainly improve, keep improving, Niu Ju, I will wholeheartedly serve you well."

"Niu Ju, today I will use the finest dishes and finest wines to entertain all the guests."

"Damn, this Hou Laoban still has reservations; I say, usually the food is just average, but today I've gotten to enjoy Zaocheng's best food and wine thanks to Niu Ju." I said deliberately from the side.

Hou Laoban heard me say that,

"Chairman Zhao, we are neighbors; alas, distant relatives are no match for close ones, stop adding insult to injury. How can I face my honored guests?"

Niu Ju laughed heartily: "Just let your face fall to the ground, Old Hou, quit the chatter, hurry up and serve the wine and dishes."

Chairman Zhao and I haven't drunk together in ages. Can Jianqiang drink alcohol?

I said: "Niu Ju, you ask that— I dare not drink, but do I dare to come?"

"I like people like Jianqiang, willing to risk their lives to accompany a gentleman; Old Hou, do you see that? That's what a real man is." Niu Ju shouted at Hou Laoban.