Chapter 86: Lu Huaxing's Triumph

It took them nearly half an hour before Lu Huaxing and the others finally arrived at Tongli Hotel.

Though Tongli Hotel was said to be only a three-star establishment, it had a good location, and the space in front of the building was wide and open, giving people the impression that it was a four-star hotel.

At the entrance stood two security guards and two greeters. When they saw Lu Huaxing and the others arrive, the guards directed them to park their cars properly.

After Lu Huaxing got out, one of the greeters stepped forward. “Good evening, sir. Have you reserved a room?”

“Yes. Room 323.” Lu Huaxing lifted his chin proudly. “That’s a medium banquet room. It can seat more than a dozen people, and the minimum spend is one thousand yuan.”

Hearing the pride in Lu Huaxing’s voice, the greeter immediately lost interest.

Private rooms at their hotel, unless they had an eight in the room number, were just ordinary dining spaces. There was no need to speak so loudly, or so proudly, about them.

One had to know that the private rooms with an eight in the number had a minimum spend of at least three thousand yuan, could seat up to thirty people, and even had an electric lazy Susan on the dining table.

“Miss, our distinguished guests have arrived. Show us inside,” Lu Huaxing said, still holding his head high as he walked forward.

The male and female teachers behind him followed as well.

The greeter could only trail after them helplessly. After all, that was the hotel’s policy: when guests arrived, they had to escort them upstairs.

Still, it was the first time she had seen such a stingy yet ostentatious guest.

The other greeter who had stayed behind laughed. “That’s really hilarious. There are actually guests like that.”

When Lu Huaxing entered Room 323 and saw Hao Xuan and Yi Xiaoyan seated in chairs, chatting softly, their closeness made jealousy surge in his heart.

“Hao Xuan, why did you get here so quickly?” Lu Huaxing shouted angrily.

He had driven a car, yet he still couldn’t beat someone on an electric scooter. If word of this got out, how was he supposed to show his face in the future?

Hao Xuan kept talking with Yi Xiaoyan and ignored this fool.

Seeing that, Lu Huaxing grew even angrier.

But he did not dare say anything more, and could only turn to the waiter and say, “Waiter, listen carefully. Tonight this meal is on me, the big boss. I’ll be the one ordering. Anything anyone else ordered doesn’t count. That poor bastard already ordered, didn’t he? I’m telling you, I won’t recognize it.”

The waiter was shocked. “What? Boss, the gentleman just now already placed the order.”

“He really ordered?” Lu Huaxing was also taken aback. “Hurry up and show me this table’s bill. What exactly did he order?”

Lu Huaxing had assumed Hao Xuan was some poor nobody and would definitely not dare to order anything. So he had planned to order a few vegetarian dishes; for more than a dozen people, a thousand yuan would be enough.

That way, he could save money and still win Yi Xiaoyan over.

But how could he have known that once Hao Xuan heard it was Yi Xiaoyan’s birthday, he would naturally order good dishes and never let his old classmate be wronged?

Yi Xiaoyan always listened to Hao Xuan. As long as it was what he ordered, she could accept it, no matter how expensive it was.

After all, she had brought her credit card with her. The bank had come to the school to issue these cards in a group application, and because they were employed, they had been granted a limit of thirty thousand yuan.

So today, as long as the bill stayed within thirty thousand, she could pay with her own card.

The waiter panicked. The dishes Hao Xuan had ordered were rather expensive. If this boss refused to pay, it would become very troublesome.

The waiter brought over the bill. When Lu Huaxing looked at it, his eyes widened. “My God, he actually ordered so many dishes. It’s more than five thousand yuan!”

The waiter said cautiously, “Boss, that’s only for the food. It doesn’t include wine, rice, tea service charges, and the like.”

Lu Huaxing felt like he was about to faint. He had only set a limit of one thousand yuan, and that courier-delivering pauper had actually ordered five or six thousand yuan worth of food, not even counting the drinks. It was infuriating.

“Waiter, hurry up and remove these dishes. I’m ordering again,” Lu Huaxing shouted, leaping to his feet.

He was furious. This was practically cutting a piece of flesh from his body. He could not spend so much money just to pursue Yi Xiaoyan.

Hao Xuan gave Lu Huaxing a sideways glance. “Don’t worry. I’ll pay for this meal.”

Yi Xiaoyan also hurriedly said, “Yes, Director Lu, don’t worry. We can pay for it ourselves.”

“Pay, pay, pay? You people, where would you have any money? Stop talking nonsense. Waiter, hurry up and take those dishes away,” Lu Huaxing cursed angrily.

The waiter said hastily, “Boss, I’m sorry, but it’s been so long since we entered the order that the kitchen may already have started preparing the dishes. We can’t change it now.”

“What? You can’t change it? Go check immediately.” Lu Huaxing grew anxious.

The waiter picked up the intercom and asked around, then looked up with difficulty. “Boss, I’m sorry. The kitchen has already started cooking.”

Hao Xuan waved a hand. “I already said not to stop. I’ll pay for these dishes.”

The teachers all took their seats. They did not care who paid, anyway. With dishes worth five or six thousand yuan on the table, they were only even happier.

In his heart, Lu Huaxing seethed. Hmph, Hao Xuan, so you want to show off? Then go ahead and show off. Just don’t make some excuse and run away later.

Grinding his teeth, Lu Huaxing thought: five or six thousand, then five or six thousand. If Hao Xuan had no money and ran off before paying, he would grit his teeth and cover the bill himself. Then, with Yi Xiaoyan moved by emotion, she would throw herself into his arms, and that would feel wonderful.

Not long after, the dishes were served.

As the birthday girl for the evening, Yi Xiaoyan repeatedly urged everyone to eat.

Anyway, Hao Xuan cared about saving face. Since he had ordered so many expensive dishes, she would not bear to scold him.

Expensive was fine. Plenty was fine. She would just make up for it later by giving more tutoring outside to earn money.

Yi Xiaoyan also understood that Hao Xuan had simply seen it was her birthday and wanted to save face for her.

And the fact that he was so poor, yet still wanted to spend money to uphold her dignity, made her feel very happy, warm and sweet inside.

In her current view, everything Hao Xuan did was right, so long as he was good to her.

Looking at the table laden with delicious dishes, Lu Huaxing was practically drooling. “Wow, this is good. Really good.”

At that moment, some of his colleagues heard him and looked up at him.

Only then did Lu Huaxing realize he had gotten carried away. He immediately put on an act and said, “Heh heh, what I mean is that this is not bad, but it’s still a little worse than the things I usually eat. Let me tell you, I’ve eaten meals that cost tens of thousands of yuan.”

Since boasting did not require paying taxes, Lu Huaxing boasted to his heart’s content.

“Wow, our Director Lu really is impressive,” the teachers all flatteringly chimed in.

“That’s right, that’s right. If I’m not impressive, then who is?” Lu Huaxing was waiting for exactly this praise.

Hmph, Hao Xuan, tonight I’m going to step all over you and let you know that I, a dignified school director, am not something a mere courier can compare to.

Lu Huaxing lifted his chin high with arrogance.