novelraw Chapter 320 - 180: Dating Guide
Chapter 320 - 180: Dating Guide
"So, where are you all planning to go?"
"We’re going to have morning tea first."
"Alright."
Lin Shen chuckled.
"You guys make the plans. I’ll cover all the expenses."
Huh?
Lin Shen’s generosity startled everyone. Only Zheng Yanfei’s eyes glittered with adoration and awe.
’He’s so cool!’
’He has such an effortlessly cool aura!’
"Dude, you’re the real deal!"
Cao Cheng couldn’t help but see Lin Shen in a new light.
’This guy isn’t just handsome and rich; he even knows how to play the game!’
’As a newcomer, you have to put in the effort if you want to fit into a new social circle.’
’And Lin Shen had clearly done just that.’
"In that case, we won’t be shy."
Cao Cheng laughed and clapped Lin Shen on the shoulder. But since Cao Cheng was about four inches shorter, he had to reach up, making it look comically like he was clinging to him.
The others couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight, and they all chimed in with their thanks.
"Thanks, Shen!"
"Don’t mention it. It’s our first time hanging out, after all. It’s a pleasure to meet you all,"
Lin Shen replied graciously.
In reality, he wasn’t trying to actively suck up to anyone; he had his own agenda.
’Once you have money, your old relationships slowly fade away, and they become much less useful.’
’So, expanding my network has become a necessity.’
’It’s a good way to lay the groundwork for my future business endeavors.’
’After all, your status determines who you know. That’s a fundamental rule of society.’
Lin Shen’s motives were complex, but Zheng Yanfei’s were quite simple.
She only saw her boyfriend’s generosity and flair, and her adoration for him deepened.
"Babe~ you’re so good to me!"
Zheng Yanfei hugged Lin Shen’s arm tightly, stood on her tiptoes to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, and pressed her slender body against his.
"Let’s go!"
"Alright."
Lin Shen smiled, wrapping his arm around Zheng Yanfei’s bare, slim waist. He held her intimately as he helped her into his Jaguar XFL.
As soon as they were in the car, she couldn’t wait to share her thoughts.
"Babe, you were so cool just now! Did you see the look on Zeng Cheng’s face? He was totally stunned. You completely stole his thunder. It was awesome!"
"You really hate him?"
"I do!"
Zheng Yanfei said indignantly.
"That guy used to hit on me, sending me all this gross stuff every day. I got fed up and blocked him, but then—I can’t believe it—he immediately turned around and started chasing my roommate!"
"What does his family do?"
Lin Shen probed casually and learned from Zheng Yanfei that Zeng Cheng’s family owned a cement factory.
He immediately lost interest.
’It has nothing to do with the pet industry. No value to me. Hard pass.’
However, Lin Shen’s interest was suddenly piqued when she mentioned Jiang Yan.
Because, according to Zheng Yanfei, his family was in politics.
And held a fairly high-ranking position, apparently.
’Maybe it’s worth getting to know this Jiang Yan...’
As Lin Shen mulled this over, he soon arrived at their destination.
The Bulgari Hotel.
"Good morning, gentlemen and ladies. Do you have a reservation?"
"I have a reservation at Il Ristorante."
At the front desk, Zeng Cheng put on an air of importance as he gave the receptionist his phone number, then immediately asked,
"Does your morning tea service include a live harpist?"
"We do, sir,"
the receptionist replied with a polite smile.
"However, that service is reserved exclusively for our Bulgari VIPs."
Ah...
Zeng Cheng was now in an awkward position.
He had been thinking that since Lin Shen was footing the bill, they might as well indulge in some of the more high-end services.
But it turned out the service was for VIPs only!
"In that case, never m—"
"The name is Lin. Last four digits of my phone number are 5973."
Just then, Lin Shen stepped forward with a slight smile. His right hand, with its well-defined knuckles, tapped a steady rhythm on the countertop.
"Could you check for me? I believe I’m a Bulgari VIP."
"Of course!"
The receptionist checked her computer and, sure enough, found Lin Shen’s information listed under the ’Valued Guests’ section. Her already polite demeanor instantly became much more deferential.
"Hello, Mr. Lin! You are indeed one of our VIPs! Please follow our butler upstairs, and we will have our harpist join you shortly. Would that be acceptable?"
"Perfect."
Lin Shen turned and smiled at Zeng Cheng and the others.
"I happen to be quite interested in hearing a harpist."
"Oh, so you’re a Bulgari VIP..."
Zeng Cheng scratched his cheek, laughing awkwardly.
"Thanks for this. Next time, I’ll treat you to tea on the terrace at the Ritz-Carlton! I stay there often, so I have their VIP card, just not Bulgari’s."
"No need."
Lin Shen said casually, waving a hand dismissively.
"I have one for the Ritz-Carlton, too."
"..."
Zeng Cheng’s smile froze on his face at Lin Shen’s words. The others just stared at each other, completely dumbfounded.
It was impressive enough for someone to have a VIP card for a single five-star hotel, since that required an annual spend of at least several hundred thousand to qualify.
But this guy had VIP status at two of them!?
Did that mean Lin Shen spent over a million a year on hotels alone?
That was insane!
’What on earth did his family do?’
As the group stood there, bewildered and amazed, a butler in a tuxedo approached from a short distance away, walking with an elegant gait.
"Gentlemen, ladies, good morning. This way, please."
Led by the butler, the group took an elevator up to the Bulgari Hotel’s terrace.
Pushing open the ornate bronze doors, they were met with a stunning view.
Water sculptures and verdant, climbing vines.
A gilded dome shimmered with a dazzling luster overhead.
An ornate arcade, built into the historic building, created a classic, vintage atmosphere, while the terrace itself offered a panoramic view of the bustling Pujiang River banks.
The collision of ancient and modern created a dreamlike, beautiful aesthetic.
"It’s gorgeous!"