Chapter Forty-Six: A Gesture of Goodwill

Wang Hui was somewhat absent-minded as he accompanied Wan Qianqian to the baggage claim area. Though he had just commented that Wu You's family used to be wealthy, that sort of wealth was merely measured by pocket money among students—it hardly counted as true affluence. But seeing Wu You's impressive entourage and his calm, assured manner before his own subordinates, Wang Hui understood that they now belonged to truly separate worlds.

Wang Hui was a man slightly insecure yet overly proud; had Wan Qianqian not pinched him, he would certainly have found an excuse to decline the dinner. When he spotted his luggage emerging from the conveyor belt, Wang Hui silently lifted his suitcase.

"Brother Hui, what does your friend's family do?" Wan Qianqian whispered to him, curious about Wu You.

"I heard they used to be ordinary livestock farmers, just peasants. But now, I suppose that's no longer true," Wang Hui sighed.

"Then could you ask him—ask him to lend us a hand?"

Wan Qianqian's voice grew a touch excited after she said this.

"Brother Hui, you saw it yourself. Even his employees wear designer brands. If we could land a position in his company, it'd surely be much better than what we have now."

Wang Hui looked a little displeased. Many could comfortably work for a stranger, but few willingly serve under a former classmate whose status once matched their own.

"Forget it. He wouldn't want us," Wang Hui muttered.

Seeing Wang Hui revert to this attitude, Wan Qianqian secretly stamped her foot in frustration.

When the two finished their call with Wu You and arrived at the airport parking lot, Wu You and Wang Dong were waiting for them in front of two Mercedes business vans.

Wang Hui, with Wan Qianqian in tow, offered a somewhat awkward apology, and at Wu You's gesture, they all entered the business van together.

Wu You could see Wang Hui's discomfort, so he took the initiative to find lighthearted topics, gradually warming the atmosphere.

The van carried them straight to a five-star hotel in the city center.

...

Sofia Grand Hotel, the finest five-star establishment in Kun City, was owned by Yang Dawei—a notable figure in town.

That day, after sleeping in, Yang Dawei arrived at the hotel entrance at noon in his chauffeur-driven Bentley.

At that moment, two Mercedes business vans were parked at the hotel entrance. Such upscale vehicles were common at a five-star hotel, so Yang Dawei paid them little mind.

From the first van, it was clear those emerging were subordinates or staff. But as he was about to step out, he saw the group alighting from the second van.

His pupils contracted in surprise.

It was Wu You, Wang Hui, and Wan Qianqian.

As a qualified and successful businessman, Yang Dawei possessed a keen eye and never forgot the faces of those who left a deep impression. He recognized Wu You, though he didn't know his name—not for lack of desire, but because he hadn't been privy to such information.

About a month earlier, there had been a grand, unprecedented auction that drew countless influential figures. Yang Dawei, though respected in Kun City, was a mere peripheral character in that setting. Yet he took pride in simply being admitted to the event—many sought entry and failed, so his presence alone was testament to his standing.

Wu You had been one of the central figures at the auction, conversing with the likes of Zhou Peng from Wanli Group and even princes from Saudi Arabia. Especially memorable were the intimidating bodyguard and the ethereal attendant at Wu You's side.

Yang Dawei mused that, though the matter wasn't urgent, he had made no progress; perhaps if he asked Wu You for help, things might turn around—or, at the very least, he could forge a favorable connection.

He was about to step out to introduce himself, but restrained his impulse. It would be inappropriate to approach so abruptly. Since they had come at noon, they must be here for lunch.

He slapped his thigh decisively. "That's what I'll do!"

"Huh? Boss, what do you mean?" the driver asked, puzzled.

...

In a private room of the Sofia Grand Hotel, Wu You, Xiang Biao, Wang Dong, Wang Hui, Wan Qianqian, and four company employees took their seats.

When it came time to order, Wu You directly asked the waitress about their specialty dishes. Nearly every dish she mentioned, Wu You had her add to the order—nearly thirty, including cold appetizers.

The waitress beamed with delight. In Sofia Grand Hotel, large orders meant generous commissions for the staff. Seeing Wu You order so many expensive dishes without batting an eye, Wang Hui felt a bit distressed on his behalf.

He had just sneaked a glance at the menu; each dish cost at least several hundred yuan, with some priced in the thousands.

...

Behind the scenes in the kitchen, Yang Dawei personally oversaw operations. Glancing at the receipt handed over by the waitress, he saw that all the dishes ordered belonged to the priciest tier.

But Yang Dawei had no intention of serving only what was on the menu.

Recently, he'd been lucky enough to acquire a thirty-kilogram golden threadfin bream—a yellow-lipped fish. Its flesh was considered the gold among fish, with every pound fetching tens of thousands, rare and highly coveted. Large specimens were true treasures.

Yang Dawei planned to serve the most prized part—the fish maw—prepared as steamed fish maw and a pot of fish soup.

"Chef Zhao, you're the head chef here. You'll personally prepare this yellow-lipped fish. The guests today are very important!" Yang Dawei stressed, patting the chef's shoulder.

...

In the private room, as a beauty in a cheongsam wheeled in the food cart, dish after exquisite dish was served.

Among them, Xiang Biao and Wang Dong had once been ordinary employees, even dabbling in the underworld. Though they'd tasted decent meals before, never had they seen such extravagant fare.

Wu You, though now wealthy, had been too busy since acquiring his system to truly indulge, let alone enjoy gourmet cuisine. At most, he'd settled for the mountain king chicken at home.

Wang Hui and Wan Qianqian had only ever seen such visually stunning and delicious luxury meals on television dramas.

The four company employees, all recent graduates, needed no further explanation.

Moreover, each dish today was crafted with extraordinary skill behind the scenes, so everyone ate with unrestrained delight, nearly swallowing their tongues.

In most private rooms, toasts and rounds of drinking were customary, but Wu You disliked such rituals. Those who enjoyed drinking did so; those who preferred to eat, simply dug in.

Aside from a symbolic toast at the start, the majority focused on the food.

After half an hour of feasting, everyone was stuffed and conversation began.

Thanks to this indulgent meal, Wang Hui finally relaxed and opened up, chatting freely with Wu You, reminiscing without psychological barriers.

Wu You and Wang Hui were discussing high school anecdotes when the door to the private room opened again.

A cart wheeled in two exquisitely ornate golden platters.

"Didn't all our dishes arrive already?" Wang Dong, seated nearest the door, asked the waitress.

The cheongsam-clad waitress smiled. "Indeed, sir. These two dishes are special gifts from our general manager—steamed yellow-lipped fish maw and yellow-lipped fish soup."

Wang Dong glanced at Wu You, and seeing no objection, said no more.

After the waitress placed the dishes and left, Xiang Biao stood and lifted the covers.

One platter revealed delicate slices of steamed fish, with the fish maw cut into small pieces in the center, garnished with foie gras and pineapple carved into tiny fish around the edges.

The other held a creamy white, rich fish soup, with ingredients and vegetables floating within.

The thick aroma filled the air, making even those already full eager to taste.