novelraw Chapter 26: I Was Just Warming Up and You Already Collapsed
Chapter 26: I Was Just Warming Up and You Already Collapsed
Chapter 26: I Just Warmed Up and You’re Already Down
Marriott Grand Hotel, Zhang Fuen led Xu Xiangbei into the hotel lobby, where a tall and slender waitress enthusiastically approached them: "Dean Zhang, you’re here. How many are in your party?"
"Four."
Zhang Fuen smiled kindly and pointed to Xu Xiangbei: "We have an honored guest today, please book the best private room for us."
"Alright."
The waitress glanced at Xu Xiangbei with some surprise.
Usually, it’s various kinds of bosses who invite Zhang Fuen to the hotel for meals, treating him as the most distinguished guest. Unexpectedly, today, Zhang Fuen is paying out of his own pocket to treat someone, and it’s just a young guy.
"I’m sorry, the top-tier room is already occupied. May I arrange for you to be in the opposite Jianzi private room?"
The waitress checked the availability and apologized with a look of regret.
Zhang Fuen looked at Xu Xiangbei for his opinion.
Xu Xiangbei nodded indifferently.
The group proceeded to the Jianzi private room.
Behind them, a few greeters whispered among themselves: "Wow, who’s that handsome guy? What a big deal."
"He must be a rich second-generation heir. It’d be great if I could be his girlfriend."
"Hmph, in your dreams!"
Led by the waitress, they arrived at the entrance of a luxuriously decorated private room.
Suddenly, a coquettish voice came from the opposite top-tier private room: "I want to eat Chinese giant salamander, swallow’s nest, abalone...Honey, when will dad pass away, has he made the will? I’m telling you, our sister-in-law is such a schemer, if we really divide the inheritance, our family must not suffer."
"Xiaohong, behave, don’t cause trouble."
A deep male voice came, seemingly a bit annoyed: "My dad hasn’t died yet, and you’re already thinking about dividing the property. If outsiders hear this, what will they think? Besides, our Xiangyi Group’s capital chain has already broken. If we can’t find venture capital, we’ll go bankrupt, and we won’t have a penny then."
"Xiangyi Group?"
Xu Xiangbei raised an eyebrow and looked towards the top-tier private room.
He saw a middle-aged man in his forties sitting closely with a girl in her early twenties, very intimate.
The middle-aged man had an unhealthy pale skin tone, dressed in a Versace suit, while the girl beside him was scantily clad with heavy makeup, looking like a night club girl.
Gu Chenggang and Shang Xiaohong?
Xu Xiangbei’s eyes lit up.
Yesterday, he saw this couple by South Mountain Lake and didn’t have a good impression. Seeing them again today, he felt even more repulsed.
Even though the old man is critically ill, they’re still in the hotel feasting, truly heartless.
"Brother Chenggang."
Zhang Xuesong also saw the Gu couple at this moment and greeted them with a smile.
"Dr. Zhang."
Upon seeing Zhang Xuesong, Gu Chenggang warmly walked out of the private room, shook hands with Zhang Xuesong, and then turned to Dean Zhang Fuen, showing a flattering smile: "Dean Zhang, you’re here too, such a coincidence. How about this, everyone come to my private room to eat, it’s my treat."
Zhang Fuen looked towards Xu Xiangbei, seeking his opinion.
Xu Xiangbei expressionlessly took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, not in a hurry to light it.
Gu Chenggang, having been in the business world for decades, was adept at reading people. He turned to Xu Xiangbei, seemingly also recognizing him, and warmly reached out his hand: "Haha, young man, you’re here too. Yesterday, you saved the old man. I didn’t have a chance to thank you; today, let me represent the Gu Family and treat you to a meal, won’t you join us?"
He reached out his hand to shake hands with Xu Xiangbei.
Xu Xiangbei frowned slightly, expressionlessly saying: "Just washed my hands, don’t want them dirty."
"Hmm?"
Gu Chenggang’s face stiffened.
What does this mean?
In front of everyone, implying his hand is dirty?
"Cough, cough, I have a lighter here; let me light your cigarette."
Gu Chenggang, with somewhat an embarrassed expression, quickly with a laugh, pulled out a lighter from his pocket to light Xu Xiangbei’s cigarette.
Xu Xiangbei took a contented puff, leisurely walked into the top-tier private room, and sat in the prime seat.
The others exchanged slightly awkward glances and took their respective seats.
Soon, the top-tier private room was filled with a table full of delicacies and fine wine.
"Mr. Xu, I’m so delighted you’ll be joining our First People’s Hospital. Let me toast to you with tea instead of wine."
Dean Zhang Fuen raised a teacup, standing up to toast Xu Xiangbei first.
"Drinking tea is no fun."
Xu Xiangbei frowned, remaining seated.
"Haha, can’t drink during work hours, please understand us, young man."
Feeling rather awkward, Zhang Fuen continued to stand, appearing more like a junior in front of Xu Xiangbei.
Beside them, Gu Chenggang and Shang Xiaohong were watching with wide eyes.
Reluctantly, Xu Xiangbei raised his wine glass to clink with Zhang Fuen, taking a small sip of the white wine in his cup, genuine Moutai.
"Xuesong, join Mr. Xu in drinking a bit."
Seeing Xu Xiangbei somewhat displeased, Zhang Fuen gave Zhang Xuesong a signaling look.
With a face full of smiles, Zhang Xuesong raised his glass, saying: "Mr. Xu, such exceptional medical skills at a young age, I wonder who your master is?"
"My master is an old hermit living in the mountains, not famous at all."
Casually raising his glass to clink it, Xu Xiangbei fabricated a lie.
Actually, all his skills were taught by his father. While they seemed impressive to ordinary people, in his father’s own words, he hadn’t even mastered a tenth of his skills.
Moreover, his parents were reclusive experts who shunned fame and fortune; Xu Xiangbei couldn’t be bothered to use their names to elevate his own status.
Reclusive expert?
Zhang Fuen and Zhang Xuesong exchanged glances, both secretly admiring him.
No wonder Xu Xiangbei had such outstanding medical skills at a young age, yet always kept a low profile. Even Zhang Fuen, a leading figure in the field of Chinese medicine, had never heard of him before, turns out he’s a disciple of a reclusive expert.
"Mr. Xu, if possible, could you introduce me someday? I will prepare a generous gift and visit the expert personally."
Zhang Xuesong said eagerly.
Xu Xiangbei frowned slightly, ignoring him, picked up a bowl of bird’s nest soup to rinse his mouth, spat it into a trash can nearby with a chuckle: "Tsk tsk, this five-star hotel has such great mouthwash."
"Country bumpkin."
Shang Xiaohong, momentarily stunned, muttered discontentedly: "Definitely a poor guy from the mountains who can’t tell good from bad."
Zhang Fuen and Zhang Xuesong were both left dumbfounded while Ding Keke sat to the side, covering her mouth as she laughed quietly.
"Hahaha, Mr. Xu. You’re truly a miracle worker, we are counting on you for my father’s condition. I toast to you on behalf of the Gu Family."
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Gu Chenggang rushed to lift his wine glass for a toast.
"Don’t worry, for the sake of Gu Xiangyi, I will heal the old man."
As soon as Xu Xiangbei mentioned Gu Xiangyi, it was clear he was giving face to her, not Gu Chenggang, lifting his glass, clinking it, and downing it in one go.
Clap.
Xu Xiangbei slammed his glass down on the table with a teasing smile at Gu Chenggang: "I’ve finished, your turn."
"This..."
Gu Chenggang was startled, looking at Xu Xiangbei with a forced smile.
That glass of wine was at least three or four liang, and Xu Xiangbei downed it in one go?
This was 53-proof Moutai!
Such a drinking capacity, it’s quite astonishing.
However, having offered wine to Xu Xiangbei and seeing the other person had flipped theirs, for his father’s sake, he couldn’t keep up the pretense. With resignation, he had no choice but to grit his teeth, close his eyes, tilt his head back, and empty his glass.
Just moments after he finished, he was flushed red and slumped over the table, panting heavily, soon falling asleep.
"Hey, what’s wrong with you? I’m just warming up, and you’re already down."
Xu Xiangbei, slightly unhappy, pursed his lips and looked over at Ding Keke.
Ding Keke obediently picked up the bottle and refilled Xu Xiangbei’s glass.
Seeing this, Zhang Fuen watched with a heart pounding in fear and was thankful he hadn’t joined in drinking with Xu Xiangbei, otherwise, his old bones might have been left behind here.
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