DLRAS Chapter 141

Chapter 141: Also in your foundation?

Cheng Bo found himself in an incredibly awkward, no-win situation.

It would have been better if the beautiful receptionist in front of him had just adamantly insisted that there were no other private rooms left. Instead, she brought up some gold-plated room where a single meal cost $100,000, and that was just the minimum minimum—Cheng Bo almost let a curse word slip past his lips after hearing this. He couldn’t swallow it down or spit it out, completely suffocating on it. In reality, he wasn’t a member himself. He had borrowed a client’s card for this occasion. That client was a generous man who, under the influence of alcohol, had told him, “Brother, just use it however you want.”

But the money, of course, had to come out of his own pocket. At the time, Cheng Bo had done the math: $30,000 for the night. He could still afford to show off at that price.

Now, the cost had suddenly more than tripled. If he nodded, it would severely damage his wallet; if he shook his head, his dignity would fall to the ground, shattered beyond repair.

With all his old classmates standing right behind him, Cheng Bo’s neck was drenched in sweat. The male classmates who had been kissing up to him earlier remained silent now.

Instead, it was two female classmates who stepped up to smooth things over, saying there was no need to spend that kind of money. In any case, the teacher hadn’t shown up today. Since the private room was canceled, they might as well just book a table at a hotpot restaurant outside. After eating, they could find a place for karaoke, and that would pretty much wrap it up.

With someone leading the way, the others chimed in one after another, talking all at once, agreeing that eating outside would actually be more relaxed.

Moreover, when it came to a gold-sinking den like this, even someone with means like Chen Wengang didn’t necessarily enjoy being taken for a sucker. He also found the price absurdly exorbitant. Following their lead, he offered a few words of persuasion and took a half-step back, clearing the walkway. He intended to just have a simple meal elsewhere and make his exit.

As luck would have been it, someone raised their voice to call out to him at that moment: “Little Chen.”

Chen Wengang hadn’t expected to cross paths with Pan Zhengyang again in a place like this.

Pan Zhengyang was still immaculately dressed in a suit and leather shoes, though his wrist sported a different Rolex model this time. He walked over with a measured stride: “Gathering for a meal with friends?”

Chen Wengang kept it brief: “A classmate reunion.”

About twenty of their classmates had come, crowding into the lobby in a grand, bustling group. Pan Zhengyang seemed to catch on to the situation. He walked over and tapped on the reception desk: “How are you guys handling things? Letting so many guests crowd into the lobby, does this look good? Are you running a clubhouse or a night market?”

The receptionist quickly bowed and apologized.

After hearing the full story, Pan Zhengyang said, “Call your Manager Guo over.”

The lobby manager was an absolute expert at reading people. The moment he arrived, he adopted a humble stance, repeatedly stating that failing to coordinate the rooms was their responsibility. As compensation, he offered to upgrade Cheng Bo to a higher-end private room for free, keeping the price standard identical to the original room, and topped it off with a 20% discount on that basis.

There was no such thing as a thin-skinned businessman in the world. Cheng Bo had already eagerly stepped forward to exchange business cards with Pan Zhengyang.

Chen Wengang glanced at Pan Zhengyang, but Pan Zhengyang didn’t look at him, focusing entirely on chatting with Cheng Bo as if they were old friends meeting again.

However, favors were never accepted for free. Chen Wengang walked over and waved at the receptionist, gesturing for her to come closer so he could whisper to her.

They exchanged a few words. After a moment of thought, he called Huo Niansheng: “Do you have a membership at this place?”

Huo Niansheng replied, “I do. Go ahead and use it. You don’t need to settle the bill after eating; just put it under my name.”

Chen Wengang said alright, and only then did he hear the other man ask what was going on. Upon hearing about the interlude with Pan Zhengyang, Huo Niansheng gave a low chuckle. He didn’t say much else, only adding, “That place was opened by a friend of Yu Shanding. Just give them Yu Shanding’s name as well, and don’t worry about the rest.”

It truly lived up to its status as a $100,000 private room. Upon stepping inside, the interior decor featured miniature bridges and flowing water, resembling a fairyland on earth.

The waiters served the dishes, each one appearing ethereal. The porcelain plates were as white as jade, containing tiny portions, but the plating was as exquisite as a work of art. Chen Wengang looked at the “Steamed Chinese Cabbage in Supreme Soup” in front of him. The name and appearance were plain and unadorned—a few cabbage hearts soaking in clear water, blooming like a pale yellow flower. Not a single speck of oil could be seen in the broth. He ladled a spoonful; the flavor was incredibly rich and deep, having actually been refined through a meticulous process using three types of meat and nine rounds of simmering. A chef capable of executing this dish perfectly was indeed no obscure amateur easily hired by anyone.

The manager personally led the waiters into the room with trays, gifting everyone a portion of “Steamed Pork Ball with Crab Meat.”

Everyone’s gaze invariably turned toward Chen Wengang. During the dining conversation, someone joked that they had unexpectedly ended up riding on his coattails today, asking him when he had gotten to know so many big bosses. Someone else replied that there was no need to ask—just consider what kind of network the circle he mingled with possessed.

Another person immediately caught onto the conversation, sighing that he truly kept his talents hidden, living so modestly on ordinary days that no one could tell his family’s financial depth.

Cheng Bo, on the other hand, was faintly sidelined. The male classmates who had previously been showering him with flattery in the group chat were now circling Chen Wengang with endless questions.

Human nature naturally worships the high and tramples the low. Chen Wengang had anticipated this kind of situation, but after eating for a while, he found the atmosphere a bit suffocating. Several bottles of white liquor had been opened at the table, mostly consumed by the men. Once the alcohol hit their heads, they started shouting and carousing. Someone even came over to clink glasses and play drinking games with Chen Wengang, claiming that if he didn’t drink, it meant he looked down on his old classmates.

Chen Wengang excused himself by saying he had to drive. The same female classmate who had led the way in smoothing things over earlier came to his rescue again: “If you guys want to drink, drink among yourselves. Why are you forcing it on others?”

The man was driven back to his seat. Chen Wengang and the two women exchanged smiles.

He pulled out his phone and glanced at it; there was a missed call on the screen. The caller ID was saved under Pan Zhengyang’s name.

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, he stepped out of the private room and walked toward the exit. The carved doors and corridor eaves lamps were filled with the heavy imprints of time.

The architecture of this garden possessed a slight Nanyang style, featuring red-brick arched eaves. At the end of an archway, Pan Zhengyang was holding his phone.

Upon meeting, Pan Zhengyang asked with a straightforward smile, “Why did you delete me from your friends list?”

Chen Wengang crossed his arms, looking at him from a short distance away: “President Pan, is there something I can help you with?”

Pan Zhengyang scratched the back of his head, a gesture that made him appear somewhat naively lively, like a university student: “It’s nothing else, really. I’ve actually always wanted to raise a dog—the large breed type, but I’ve been held back by my lack of experience and don’t know how to start. That day, I happened to see you walking a German Shepherd, so you must know about raising dogs. Do you have any advice? Where can I buy a breed like the one at your house?”

When he smiled, fine wrinkles formed around the corners of his eyes.

Chen Wengang smiled back: “For a busy big boss like you, my advice is to exercise caution. If you don’t have the time, it’s better not to raise one at all. Otherwise, without proper training and sufficient companionship, putting aside how the person fares, the dog will definitely be unhappy. It’s better to drop the idea from the very beginning.”

Pan Zhengyang wasn’t convinced: “What, just because I’m a boss—I don’t get the chance? Is there a necessary connection between the two? I don’t think that logic holds up.”

Chen Wengang said, “If you truly want to raise one, you don’t actually need to obsess over the breed. The current concept promotes adoption over purchasing. Why don’t you visit a rescue center? If you find one that catches your eye, give it a home.”

Pan Zhengyang looked at him, the smile still lingering on his lips, while the lines at the corners of his eyes gradually smoothed out.

Chen Wengang turned around to leave, but Pan Zhengyang called out to him again: “Wengang.”

He caught up in a few strides and said, “I think we can be a bit more open and honest. I’ve always believed that sincerity is the foundation of communication. You and I didn’t get to know each other in the business world, so we don’t need to be so guarded every time we meet, right? So I’ll go first. You know I don’t mean any harm, I’m just genuinely quite curious. The person I saw that day was your boyfriend, correct? At your age, it’s actually quite rare to see someone who doesn’t care for playing around. Have you never thought about dating a few more times and seeing a few more partners to truly know what suits you?”

Chen Wengang raised an eyebrow slightly: “President Pan, how do you know I haven’t done that?”

Pan Zhengyang didn’t say anything, his eyes fixed on him.

A hint of a smile rose on the corners of Chen Wengang’s lips: “Then it’s my turn. Since you want to be open and honest, let’s be open and honest. President Pan, do I look like someone who lacks pursuers? I chose my current partner to spend the rest of my life with, so he must possess some extraordinary qualities.”

Pan Zhengyang smiled.

Chen Wengang looked at him with a teasing glint in his eyes: “As for you, President Pan, for an eligible bachelor like yourself, not caring for playing around is probably even rarer. I wager you’ve probably never thought about the concept of settling down. It is indeed good to communicate this clearly: we simply aren’t the same kind of people, and it’s impossible for us to work out. But my partner and I share a common ideal and a common past; our relationship is completely impenetrable. Why must you insist on trying to drive a wedge into it as a challenge?”

Pan Zhengyang nodded and asked, “What does your boyfriend do? Is he also studying, just like you?”

Chen Wengang said, “He has a job.”

Pan Zhengyang asked, “Is it also at that foundation of yours?”

Chen Wengang paused for a moment, a flicker seeming to pass through his eyes. With the words right at the tip of his tongue, his expression turned a bit complex. After a brief deliberation, he still said, “Yes.”

Regardless of how Pan Zhengyang reacted after that, he turned around and walked away. He didn’t return to the private room either, going straight to the front desk to instruct them to put the bill on the account.

When Chen Wengang returned to Jiangchao Street, he parked his car and walked toward the direction of his house. However, he was in no hurry to go back. He bought a bag of rice pudding cakes from a roadside stall, getting one of each flavor. As he passed by Lu Chenglong’s house, he raised his hand and knocked on the door.

In less than half a minute, someone answered from inside: “Coming! Who is it?”

Chen Wengang also raised his voice with a smile: “Take a guess.”

Lu Chenglong’s skin remained dark, and he looked a bit more lean and robust than he had two or three years ago. His hair was cut short, revealing his eyes, making him look capable and sharp.

On the weekend, his younger brother Xiao Bao didn’t have classes, so Lu Chenglong hadn’t gone to the restaurant either, staying home to teach him his schoolwork. Xiao Bao was already of primary school age and had shot up in height. When Chen Wengang entered the main room, Xiao Bao stood up, bowed from the waist, and muttered, “Hello, gege.”

This was the way of expressing politeness and greeting that he had learned at the special education school. Whenever he went out and met uncles, aunties, older brothers, or older sisters, it was always this exact routine. Only after finishing the whole process did Xiao Bao let out a cheer, rushing forward to grab the rice pudding cakes from Chen Wengang’s hand.

Chen Wengang helped him remove the small outer bowls. Xiao Bao ate until his face was completely covered.

Lu Chenglong pulled out a wet wipe and handed it to him: “Wipe it yourself.”

To an ordinary person, the behavior and mannerisms of a child like Xiao Bao undoubtedly still appeared strange, rigid, repetitive, and dull. However, compared to a few years ago, he had made leaps and bounds. After long-term sensory integration training, he could focus his attention for a period of time, control his temper and movements, and was slowly beginning to take care of his basic daily needs. He could eat on his own, bathe on his own, and this year had progressed to learning how to wash his own socks and underwear.

Ever since its inception, the foundation had focused on education and training programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Chen Wengang had come to the Lu family to collect their feedback forms.

As for the matter of the classmate reunion, Lu Chenglong laughed uproariously upon hearing it: “What an unfortunate situation. Didn’t you just lose out on a meal’s worth of money for nothing?”

That was actually fine; the loss counted as Huo Niansheng’s anyway.

Chen Wengang laughed and said, “Putting everything else aside, that Steamed Chinese Cabbage in Supreme Soup was truly excellent. How about it, should I treat you to it next time?”

Lu Chenglong begged to be excused from the offer: “Spending $100,000 just to eat that, has water gotten into your brain? Are there no chefs in other places who know how to make it?”

Xiao Bao finished eating with absolute focus, licked his fingers, and clutched the wet wipe with both hands, rubbing it half-hazardly all over his face.

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