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Chapter 141: Also in your foundation?
Cheng Bo was at a loss.
The pretty receptionist in front of him might as well have insisted that there were no other private rooms. What kind of gold-plated room would cost 100,000 yuan for a meal? And it was the cheapest—Cheng Bo almost blurted out a swear word but swallowed it back. In fact, he wasn’t even a member himself, he used a client’s card that time, and that client was generous, saying, “Bro, use it however you want” when he was drunk.
But of course, he still had to pay for it himself. Cheng Bo calculated it at the time, thirty thousand for one night, and he could still afford that kind of expenditure.
Now it had more than tripled all of a sudden. If he nodded, it would hurt his wallet too much, if he shook his head, he would lose his face. He was at a loss.
Behind him were old classmates, and Cheng Bo was sweating bullets. Those male classmates who used to praise him hadn’t said a word now.
It was the two female classmates who spoke up, suggesting it wasn’t necessary to spend that much money again. Since the private room was canceled, they might as well go to a hotpot restaurant outside and then find a place to karaoke. That would be good enough.
Someone took the lead, others followed suit, discussing enthusiastically, saying it was a good idea to eat outside where it was more relaxed.
Moreover, even someone like Chen Wengang, who was wealthy, didn’t necessarily want to be taken advantage of in such a flashy place. He also thought it was a bit too expensive, and after advising a few times, he had already stepped back, making his way into the aisle, intending to simply have a meal and then leave.
But coincidentally, someone called out to him at that moment: “Xiao Chen.”
Chen Wengang didn’t expect to run into Pan Zhengyang in that place again.
Pan Zhengyang was still dressed in a suit and Rolex on his wrist, walking over gracefully: “Gathering with friends?”
Chen Wengang replied succinctly: “Classmate gathering.”
They had about twenty classmates, crowded in the lobby, bustling. Pan Zhengyang seemed to understand and went to knock on the reception desk: “What kind of place are you running here, letting so many guests squeeze in the lobby? Does it look good? Is this a club or a night market?”
The receptionist quickly apologized.
After hearing the whole story, Pan Zhengyang said: “Call your Manager Guo.”
The lobby manager was very shrewd, immediately adopting a humble attitude and repeatedly apologizing for not coordinating the rooms properly. As compensation, he offered Cheng Bo a higher-grade private room for free, with the same price as the original one, plus an additional 20% discount.
There were no thin-skinned business people in this world, Cheng Bo eagerly stepped forward, exchanging business cards with Pan Zhengyang.
Chen Wengang glanced at Pan Zhengyang, who didn’t look at him, only focusing on talking to Cheng Bo, as if they were old friends.
But favors weren’t given for free. Chen Wengang walked over, beckoning to the receptionist to come over and whisper.
They exchanged a few words, he thought for a moment, then called Huo Niansheng: “Do you have a membership at this place?”
Huo Niansheng said: “Yes, use it, don’t settle the bill after eating, put it under my name.”
Chen Wengang agreed, then Huo Niansheng asked what was going on. Hearing about Pan Zhengyang’s intervention, Huo Niansheng chuckled softly, didn’t say much, and just said: “It’s a friend of Yu Shanding’s; report Yu Shanding’s name as well, don’t worry about the rest.”
It was worth a hundred thousand yuan for a private room. Upon entering, the room was decorated like a paradise with flowing water and small bridges.
The waiter brought dishes, each one exuding an ethereal aura, with plates as white as jade, containing a tiny portion of food, but delicately arranged like works of art.
Chen Wengang looked at the boiled cabbage in front of him, the name and appearance were simple, just a few cabbage hearts soaking in clear water, forming a faint yellow flower, with no trace of oil on the surface of the soup.
He took a sip, and the taste was extremely rich and profound—actually, a broth made from simmering three types of meat nine times. A chef who could prepare this dish was indeed not someone easily hired.
The manager personally accompanied the waiter, carrying a tray and serving each person a steamed crab meat lion’s head.
Everyone’s gaze unanimously turned to Chen Wengang. During the banquet, someone joked, saying they never expected to bask in his glory today, asking when he got to know so many big bosses. Someone replied, no need to ask, just think about what kind of connections those people usually have.
Immediately, someone else chimed in, marveling at his hidden depth, how he usually lived so simply, yet his wealth wasn’t apparent.
Cheng Bo, on the other hand, was somewhat overshadowed. Originally, those male classmates who praised him were bustling around Chen Wengang.
Human nature tends to elevate and belittle, Chen Wengang had already anticipated this kind of situation, but after eating for a while, he couldn’t bear this atmosphere anymore. Several bottles of white wine were opened on the table, all being drunk by the men. After the alcohol went down their throats and to their heads, they began to get rowdy, and someone came over to clink glasses and play drinking games with Chen Wengang, saying he looked down on these old classmates if he didn’t drink.
Chen Wengang excused himself, saying he was driving, and the female classmate who had just mediated spoke up again: “If you guys want to drink, drink by yourselves, why force others?”
That person was pushed back again, and Chen Wengang smiled at the two girls.
He took out his phone and glanced at it, there was a missed call on the screen.
The note was Pan Zhengyang’s name.
While no one was paying attention, he left the private room and walked outside. The carved door and corridor lights were marked with the traces of time.
The architecture of this garden also had a bit of Southeast Asian style, with red brick arches, and at the end of the arches, Pan Zhengyang was holding a phone.
Upon seeing each other, Pan Zhengyang smiled and asked directly, “Why did you delete me as a friend?”
Chen Wengang crossed his arms and looked at him from a distance: “Mr. Pan, what’s the matter?”
Pan Zhengyang scratched the back of his head, a gesture that made him seem somewhat immature and lively like a college student: “It’s not anything else; I’ve actually been thinking of getting a dog—wanted to raise a large breed, but I lack experience and don’t know how to start. The other day, I happened to see you had a German Shepherd. You should understand raising dogs, do you have any suggestions? Where can I buy the same breed as yours?”
He was smiling, but fine lines had already formed at the corners of his eyes.
Chen Wengang also smiled: “For busy big bosses like you, my suggestion is to be cautious. If you don’t have time, it’s better not to raise one. Otherwise, if the training isn’t done well and the companionship isn’t enough, leaving aside how the person is doing, the dog definitely won’t be happy, it’s better to dispel the idea from the beginning.”
Pan Zhengyang refused to accept it: “So, just because I’m a boss—does that mean there’s no opportunity? Is there a necessary connection between these two? I don’t think this reasoning makes sense.”
Chen Wengang said, “If you really want to raise one, you don’t necessarily have to insist on a specific breed. Nowadays, the idea of adoption instead of buying is being promoted. Otherwise, you can go to a rescue center and see if there’s one you feel a connection with, then give it a home.”
Pan Zhengyang looked at him, still smiling, with the lines around his eyes gradually spreading.
Chen Wengang turned around but was stopped by Pan Zhengyang again: “Wengang.”
He walked over in two or three steps and said, “I think we can be more open and honest. I’ve always believed that sincerity is the basis of communication. You and I are not acquaintances in the business world, there’s no need to be so guarded towards each other without even meeting, right? So let me start. You know I have no ill intentions, I’m just really curious. The person I saw with you that day was your boyfriend, right? It’s quite rare for someone your age to not enjoy playing around; haven’t you ever thought about dating a few more people, getting to know different partners, and figuring out what suits you?”
Chen Wengang raised an eyebrow: “Mr. Pan, how do you know I haven’t dated before?”
Pan Zhengyang didn’t say anything; his eyes were fixed on him.
Chen Wengang smiled slightly: “Now it’s my turn. Since you want to be open and honest, let’s be open and honest. Mr. Pan, do I look like someone in need of pursuit? I chose to spend my life with my current partner, surely because he has some outstanding qualities.”
Pan Zhengyang smiled.
Chen Wengang teased him again: “As for Mr. Pan, someone like you, a wealthy playboy, it was probably even rarer to not enjoy playing around. I guess you’ve never even thought about settling down. It’s worth discussing, we’re not on the same path anyway, and it’s impossible for us to walk together, but my partner and I share common ideals and a common past. Our feelings won’t change, so why bother trying to challenge them?”
Pan Zhengyang nodded and asked, “What does your boyfriend do? Is he also studying like you?”
Chen Wengang said, “He has a job.”
Pan Zhengyang asked, “Is it also at your foundation?”
Chen Wengang paused. There seemed to be a flicker in his eyes, his expression became somewhat complicated, but after thinking for a moment, he still said, “Yes.”
Regardless of Pan Zhengyang’s reaction, he turned and left, not returning to the private room, and went straight to the reception to settle the bill.
Chen Wengang returned to Jiangchao Street, parked his car, and walked towards his home, but didn’t hurry back. He bought a bag of rice cakes from the roadside, one of each flavor. When passing by Lu Chenlong’s house, he raised his hand and knocked on the door.
In less than half a minute, someone inside responded, “Coming! Who is it?”
Chen Wengang also smiled and raised his voice, “Guess who?”
Lu Chenlong’s skin was still dark, even stronger than two or three years ago; his hair was cut short, revealing his eyes, and he looked more capable and neat.
Since his younger brother, Xiao Bao, didn’t have classes on weekends, he didn’t go to the restaurant and stayed at home to help him with his homework. Xiao Bao was already the age of an elementary school student, growing taller. When Chen Wengang entered the living room, he stood up, bowed, and said, “Hello, gege.”
This is the way he learned to express politeness and greet people in special education school. When he meets uncles, aunties, older brothers, and sisters outside, he goes through this ritual. After completing the whole process, Xiao Bao exclaimed with joy and rushed up to grab the rice cakes from Chen Wengang’s hands.
Chen Wengang helped him open the small bowls from outside.
Xiao Bao’s face was covered in food.
Lu Chenlong took out a wet wipe and handed it to him: “Clean yourself.”
To the average person, children like Xiao Bao undoubtedly still behave strangely, rigidly, repetitively, and reservedly. But compared to a few years ago, there has been remarkable progress. Through long-term sensory training, he can focus for a period of time, control his temper and movements, and gradually begin to take care of himself, eating by himself, taking showers by himself. This year, he learned to wash his own socks and underwear.
The foundation has been focusing on education and training programs for intellectually disabled individuals since its inception, and Chen Wengang came to the Lu family to collect their feedback forms.
As for the class reunion, Lu Chenlong laughed heartily: “What an unlucky situation, so you ended up wasting money on a meal for nothing?”
It wasn’t too bad, after all, it was Huo Niansheng’s treat.
Chen Wengang smiled and said, “Leaving aside everything else, that boiled cabbage was really good. How about it? Should I invite you to try it next time?”
Lu Chenlong politely declined: “Spending a hundred thousand yuan on a meal, are you out of your mind? Are there no other places where chefs can make this dish?”
Xiao Bao finished eating with full concentration, licked his fingers, grabbed the wet wipes with both hands, and wiped his face clean.
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I’m so happy xiao bao is growing up well I’ve tears in my eyes 😭 what a precious bab 😭