Gorgeous Female Tenants

Chapter 100 The Highest Standard of Hosting

Xu Xiangbei grinned: "Of course I can cure it, but I won’t help you. You don’t like me, and I don’t like you either."

Secretary-General Li frowned, somewhat regretting his earlier outburst at Xu Xiangbei. Now he had offended him, but he consoled himself, wondering if this kid could really cure anything or if it was all just talk.

The door to the lounge opened, and Secretary Qin came in with a few city representatives, giving instructions as he walked.

When he saw Xu Xiangbei sitting on the sofa, he quickly extended his hands with a big smile: "Younger Brother Xu, you’re here! Hope you haven’t been waiting too long."

Xu Xiangbei shook hands with Secretary Qin: "Not at all, just chatting with Secretary Li here. We’re hitting it off."

Seeing Secretary Qin’s questioning look, Secretary-General Li’s face reddened slightly. He nodded as if in agreement and forced an awkward smile: "Yes, we were just chatting. Dr. Xu is quite the conversationalist."

Certainly talkative, considering it led to an argument.

Secretary Qin told his representatives, "I have some business to attend to. You all go ahead and implement the meeting’s spirit. If you have any questions, contact Secretary-General Li."

Those people left the room: "Goodbye, Secretary Qin, Secretary-General Li."

Secretary Qin twisted his waist and made a few stretching motions, introducing to Secretary-General Li: "This is the Divine Doctor Xu I’ve been telling you about. He cured my back, and now I can move freely. Haha, all thanks to little Miracle Doctor Xu."

If it were someone else praising Xu Xiangbei, Secretary-General Li wouldn’t believe it, but hearing it from Secretary Qin made him rethink.

He had been with Secretary Qin for years and knew he wouldn’t praise anyone lightly, let alone effusively praise a young guy like this.

He knew about Secretary Qin’s chronic back pain. Forget about twisting, even sitting for a long time was unbearable, and after every meeting, Secretary Qin would be in visible discomfort.

Those lower-level officials, seeing him with a stern face, assumed he was putting on airs, but in reality, it was his unspoken pain, not an act of authority. That was back pain!

Yet today, after nearly two hours of meeting, Secretary Qin was glowing and even bending with ease. That’s nothing short of a miracle.

Secretary Qin and Xu Xiangbei went to the bedroom to treat the back, leaving Secretary-General Li alone in the living room, pacing anxiously like an ant on a hot pan.

He was desperately trying to save his marriage, having lived with his wife for seven years, always wanting a child but never succeeding.

Maybe Divine Doctor Xu could indeed cure his condition and resolve the current family crisis. Hope began to fill his eyes.

About ten minutes later, Secretary Qin and Xu Xiangbei emerged from the bedroom.

Secretary Qin looked even more invigorated: "Secretary Li, treat Divine Doctor Xu to a meal at noon. Be sure to treat him well; if not, I’ll hold you accountable."

Xu Xiangbei also replied modestly: "No need for a treat, I have things to do at noon."

Secretary Qin shook Xu Xiangbei’s hand, smiling warmly: "Younger Brother Xu, I can’t accompany you. I have another meeting. Please forgive me. If you need anything, just tell Secretary Li."

Hearing Secretary Qin address Xu Xiangbei as a younger brother made Secretary-General Li even more anxious, regretting offending him in a moment of impulse.

After Secretary Qin left the lounge, Xu Xiangbei was ready to leave, but Secretary-General Li blocked him at the door.

Secretary-General Li’s face flushed: "Divine Doctor Xu, I’m really sorry for earlier. I spoke too harshly, and I hope you can forgive me."

Xu Xiangbei raised an eyebrow, speaking irritably: "No problem, just think of me as a fraud, so you won’t get lied to."

Secretary-General Li stood firmly at the door, more determined than a soldier ready to jump on a grenade: "No, it’s my fault. I’m a suspicious person by nature. Let me treat you to lunch."

Xu Xiangbei was about to push him aside, but seeing his pitiable look, he hesitated and withdrew his hand.

"How can you treat a swindler to a meal? Is your brain full of crap?"

Having been the city office’s secretary-general for years, no one ever dared to scold him, but today, not only was he scolded, he didn’t dare to show any anger.

Secretary-General Li nodded vigorously, his face bright red: "Divine Doctor Xu, you’re right to scold me. There’s crap in my brain for not believing you and calling you a fraud. I’m a big fool."

Xu Xiangbei laughed, shaking his head helplessly: "I always thought I had a thick skin, but who knew someone like you could have an even thicker skin?"

"Doctor Xu, Divine Doctor Xu, come sit in my office. I’ve got several packs of Chinese cigarettes as gifts from others. I can’t smoke them. Why not give them to you?"

Hearing about the Chinese cigarettes, Xu Xiangbei’s eyes lit up, and he grinned: "You’ve got several packs of Chinese cigarettes there? All for me?"

"Of course, all for you."

"Sigh, I’m just too soft-hearted. I really didn’t want to bother with you, but seeing your sincerity, fine, I’ll give you face and let you treat me to lunch."

Hearing Xu Xiangbei agree, Secretary-General Li breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. It was the first time in his life having to lower himself so much to ask someone for a favor.

He led Xu Xiangbei to his office, a room adjacent to Secretary Qin’s lounge. Days before the meeting, he had been staying at the Jinhua Hotel to prepare his speech.

He took four unopened packs of Chinese cigarettes from the drawer under his desk and stuffed them into a tote bag, handing it to Xu Xiangbei.

"These packs of Chinese cigarettes are my own stash. Consider them a peace offering. Come on, let’s go eat."

Happily taking the cigarettes, Xu Xiangbei jokingly said: "You’re not beyond saving. So, where are we eating?"

"The Jinhua Hotel restaurant is on the first floor. The dishes there are quite unique. We can eat there."

Xu Xiangbei made a face: "You lack sincerity."

Secretary-General Li’s face went pale, fearing the restaurant’s standard wasn’t high enough. He anxiously said: "The food here is really good, but if you think it’s not up to par, we can go to the Marriott Grand Hotel. I’ll arrange a nice private room."

Xu Xiangbei, in a lecturing tone: "What’s the point of eating at a restaurant? Do you know the most honorable place to host a meal?"

Secretary-General Li asked humbly: "Divine Doctor Xu, where?"

Xu Xiangbei looked exasperated: "I just praised you for being smart, but you’re truly dense. Of course, a family meal is most important. We’re going to your house to eat. Nowadays, we’re worried about the oil and ingredients at restaurants. We feel safer with home-cooked meals."

Secretary-General Li looked like he had an epiphany. Indeed, from a health and food safety perspective, the Divine Doctor was right.