Chapter Thirty-Four: The Grand Hotel

  Cao Dafu was in a hurry and didn't bring enough money. When he was in the countryside, he asked Ye Pingyu how much money he had withdrawn from the finance department, and heard that it was 5,000 yuan. He thought it would be almost enough, but unexpectedly, Zhu Zi Chuan told them to invite guests at the Tao Ran Hotel, where the food is very expensive. The remaining money may not be enough!

  Seeing Cao Dafu's anxious look, Ye Pingyu said: "Secretary Cao, I also told him that we want to invite him as a guest. He asked us to go to the Tao Ran Hotel and wait, and he also asked us to tell the hotel directly that it was arranged by the Regional Administration Office, so we don't need to worry about other things. When I mentioned inviting him as a guest, he didn't seem very happy, saying that our village is not very rich, but since that's the case, shouldn't we just let him arrange everything and not worry about not having enough money?"

  When Cao Dafu heard Ye Pingyu's words, he thought for a moment and sighed: "We came to invite him as our guest, but now it has become that he is inviting us as his guests. If this gets out, what will others say about us? Haven't we come in vain?"

  Cao Dafu's goal was mainly to get acquainted with Zhu Zi Chuan and Han Yuan Qing, of course, he had to be the host, otherwise it would be a reversal of roles and wouldn't have the desired effect. However, he didn't expect something like this to happen in between, Zhu Zi Chuan directly arranged for this matter.

  This actually made him feel strange. He was just a small town committee secretary, why would Zhu Zi Chuan arrange for a restaurant to entertain him directly?

  Cao Dafu thought about it and felt that it was unlikely, the reason for this situation must be on Ye Pingyu's body, unexpectedly, Zhu Zishen and Ye Pingyu's relationship would be so deep, coming here could actually let Zhu Zishen invite him as a guest, it was really hard to imagine.

  The gaze towards Ye Pingyu had another layer of meaning, Cao Dafu couldn't do anything about it, so he might as well follow Zhu Zishen's intention for now. If they had the money, they would rush to pay; if not, they could only wait until next time to come and ask again.

  After discussing it well, everyone came to the Tao Ran Hotel. As soon as they arrived, Ye Pingyu saw that inside was magnificent and luxurious, unlike any restaurant in their hometown. At the entrance, there were welcoming ladies who were all very pretty, much more beautiful than Wang Fangyun.

  Never been to such a hotel, Ye Pingyu was very careful, Cao Dafu had come once and walked in front with his chest out, Yang Leyi was also the first time, staring at those welcoming ladies, although he was not young anymore, but still quite playful.

  After entering the hotel, Ye Pingyu hurriedly walked to the front desk and said to the beautifully dressed and sweet-looking female manager: "Director Zhu of the Regional Office asked us to come over for dinner..."

  At this point, Ye Pingyu didn't know what to say and looked at the female manager. The female manager immediately smiled warmly and said: "You must be arranged by Director Zhu, please follow me to the VIP room!"

  Cao Dafu heard that it was the VIP room, his head got even bigger. If it were an ordinary room, he might have been able to afford it, but going to the VIP room for dinner, no matter what, the money he brought today would not be enough. Last time when he came with the county leaders, they only ate in a regular room, and the VIP room was specially used to entertain higher-level leaders.

  Cao Dafu, who was usually swaggering, was also nervously following the female manager upstairs. Then several people came to the VIP room and after entering, the female manager asked them to take a short rest.

  After finishing, the female manager had the service staff pour them tea and then left. Once she was gone, Yang Leyi took a look around inside and sighed: "Secretary Cao, this place is simply a palace! How much money must have been spent on this meal?"

  Cao Dafu also took a look, and the expression on his face was just like Liu Laolao entering the Grand View Garden. After half a day, he said: "I'm also here for the first time in this VIP room, anyway, we don't have enough money to invite guests!"

  Ye Pingyu observed the surroundings without saying a word, of course, it was his first time here too, but he didn't want to appear inexperienced and say something wrong, so he just stood there looking around, then was about to go pour water for Cao Dafu, however as soon as he made a move, the service staff immediately went over to do it instead, leaving him standing there awkwardly.

  An hour later, Han Yuanqing suddenly arrived and as soon as he saw Ye Pingyu, he stretched out his big hand and laughed: "Little Ye, why are you having dinner at this place? The food here is really expensive!"

  Ye Pingyu grasped his hand and said hastily: "Manager Han, this is Director Zhu's arrangement to come here. We are here for the first time!"

  Han Yuanqing laughed and said: "Director Zhu is really something, doesn't want to save you money. Our grain and oil company rarely comes here too, how much will this table cost?"

  When Cao Dafu heard Han Yuanqing say this, he felt sweat dripping from his forehead and hurried over to greet him. Seeing him walk over, Han Yuanqing casually stretched out his hand and lightly shook hands with him. He had never had a good impression of Cao Dafu, and seeing him come here to entertain guests was really too wasteful - what's the point of putting on such a big show in a small poor village?

  Although he thought so in his heart, he definitely couldn't show it. A faint smile on his face was enough to greet Cao Dafu, and then he walked over and sat down.

  Ye Pingyu and Cao Dafu hastily walked over to accompany him, then Yang Leyi handed the banner over. After taking it, Cao Dafu smiled and said to him: "Manager Han, what do you think of this banner?"

  Seeing this banner, Han Yuanqing glanced at it and forced a smile: "What's the point of doing these things? Collecting rice is something we should do, you're making me feel embarrassed!"

  Cao Dafu hastily smiled and said: "This is a token of goodwill from the people of Jinhu Village, we will deliver it to your company tomorrow?"

  Han Yuanqing didn't want any banner, thought for a moment and said: "This is not necessary, you can just hand it over to me directly, I'll take it back!"

  As soon as Cao Dafu heard that Han Yuanqing directly accepted the banner, he was extremely happy and finally completed his task. As long as Han Yuanqing could accept it, it meant that their intention had been expressed, and they would have the opportunity to establish a relationship with him in the future.

  Han Yuanqing put the banner aside and turned to chat with Ye Pingyu, asking if he had seen Director Zhu and what he said. Ye Pingyu told him part of the situation, and when Zhu Zishen called him, he didn't say much either, just asking him to come here for dinner, saying that the people of Caolingzi Township wanted to thank him and have a meal together.

  At that time, he suspected how a small village below could afford to spend so much money to invite guests here. He wanted to ask Zhu Zi Chuan, but before he had a chance to ask, Zhu Zi Chuan hung up the phone.

  More than half an hour later, Zhu Zi Chuan also suddenly appeared in front of them. Seeing that Zhu Zi Chuan had finally arrived, Han Yuan Qing immediately stood up to greet him, with a smile all over his face.

  Zhu Zi Xiang smiled and shook hands with him, saying: "Old Han, sorry to keep you waiting!"

  Han Yuanqing immediately laughed and said: "I just arrived, I was talking to them, and they were saying that it's too early for them to invite us out for a meal?"

  Zhu Zi Chuan smiled and chuckled, but didn't say anything. He then went to shake hands with Cao Da Fu and others. It was Cao Da Fu's first time meeting Zhu Zi Chuan, and as soon as he saw him, he knew it was Zhu Zi Chuan. His heart was still a bit excited, and he stretched out both hands to shake hands with Zhu Zi Chuan.

  Holding his hand, Zou Shipiao smiled and said: "Manager Han actually disagreed with your invitation, but he couldn't bear your enthusiasm, so he let you come. I was originally here to join in the fun, but seeing how hard you worked to come from the countryside, there's no way we can let you treat us. Today, let's just consider it a meeting, and don't say too much about gratitude. Some things are what we should do, if everything needs to be thanked, it would not only be insincere but also too common. Manager Han and I both think this way, your colleagues' work is not easy, as long as you work hard, whatever help you need from us, we will try our best to assist!"

  Zhu Zi's words to Cao Da Fu expressed some of his intentions, allowing Cao Da Fu's uneasy heart to finally settle down and not have to worry about the problem of not having enough money to invite guests. However, he had to say: "Director Zhu, you see we came to thank you, it's your treat, but now you won't let us pay, so our intentions can't be expressed..."

  "That's enough, let's not say more. Alright, everyone please sit down, I have other things to attend to later and can't stay with you for long. Manager Han is here to keep you company, and Little Ye will go out with me later for something." Zhū Zǐchuán didn't let Cáo Dàfù continue speaking, and instead invited everyone to take their seats, then began the banquet.

  As soon as he saw the leader of the other region speaking and doing things, Cao Dafu couldn't help but feel a lot shorter. No need to say more. Han Yuanqing listened to Zhu Zichuan's words and walked over to whisper something in his ear. Zhu Zichuan then told him not to interfere anymore and let him handle everything. It turned out that when Han Yuanqing saw Zhu Zichuan coming to arrange the dinner, he thought of replacing Zhu Zichuan to make arrangements, but Zhu Zichuan had already made arrangements and didn't need him to do it again.

  Since that's the case, Han Yuanqing didn't need to say much more, and everyone sat down. Cao Dafu was extremely delighted to see Zhu Zishen and Han Yuanqing, and had originally planned to take out the good wine he bought earlier, drink some and then give it to them as a gift. However, when he saw the wine that the hotel service staff put on the table, he didn't dare bring his own out anymore, as it was not in the same league at all, and would be embarrassing to present.

  Zhu Zi Chuan and Han Yuan Qing didn't smoke either, so the cigarettes they bought were useless. After the wine and dishes arrived, Zhu Zi Chuan and Han Yuan Qing picked up their cups to toast Cao Da Fu. Cao Da Fu hurriedly said he didn't dare and wanted to stand up to return the toast, but they just smiled and drank first.

  Seeing the leader of this area was Hai Liang, and he was also easy-going, Cao Da Fu only had a drink and didn't say much. After a while, Zhu Zi Chuan stood up and said: "Old Han, you accompany them, I'm going out for something!"