Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Zhang Wei approached with a respectful expression. "Mr. Zhao, I am a member of the Zhang family. My name is Zhang Wei. I was present when you visited the Zhang family the other day, and I am the general manager here."

Zhao Dong looked at Zhang Wei in surprise. Realization dawned on him as he pointed to the private room. "You arranged this?"

Zhang Wei beamed with a fawning smile. "Yes, Mr. Zhao. I recognized you, so I arranged this private room and the meal. Are you satisfied?"

So that's what it was. No wonder the waitstaff were giving me such strange looks. Zhao Dong now understood completely.

Patting Zhang Wei on the shoulder, Zhao Dong said, "I appreciate the thought. You can go back to your duties; no need to trouble yourself further."

Zhang Wei smiled. "As long as you are satisfied, Mr. Zhao! Do you need any more dishes?"

"This is enough!"

Zhao Dong excused himself to the restroom, and after relieving himself, he returned leisurely to the private room.

Zhou Chongming had already had a few drinks. A moment ago, he had secretly asked the waiter how much their meal cost. The waiter had actually told him it was free, explaining that the boss had arranged it for them. Zhou Chongming, whose mind was already hazy from the alcohol, became even more confused upon hearing this.

This meal had to be worth at least three hundred thousand, a sum he couldn't possibly afford. He was in a tight spot financially, with only a little over one hundred thousand to his name.

But the boss arranged it? Could it really be out of respect for the Zhou family? For my dad? It has to be! There's no other explanation!

Zhou Chongming was instantly on cloud nine. My dad is incredible!

His speech grew more unrestrained as he began to brag drunkenly, "Uncle... Aunt, to tell you the truth, every... every time I come here, this is the treatment I get! The general manager and my dad are like brothers, so of course, he has to show me some respect! So next time... next time you want Room 888, just say the word, and I'll have it arranged for you!"

Wang Jianguo and Li Mujing beamed. Li Mujing looked radiant as she said, "Chongming, I always knew you were a capable young man! I can rest easy knowing Wang Han is with you, unlike some people who have no ability yet boast all day to seem important. I can't stand people like that!"

As she spoke, she shot a pointed glance at Zhao Dong.

Wang Han's vanity soared as she saw how capable her man seemed. Just then, she noticed a mocking smile on Zhao Dong's face. Her expression turned cold as she snapped, "Zhao Dong! What's so funny? Get up and propose a toast! Or do you think you're too good for that?"

Zhao Dong narrowed his eyes. "And what if I don't?"

"If you don't, then get out! Chongming arranged for this room and this meal. What right do you have to sit here if you won't even propose a toast?"

Zhao Dong laughed coldly. "He arranged it? You must be truly blind."

Wang Han was stunned for a moment before retorting angrily, "What nonsense are you spouting? If he didn't arrange it, are you saying you did?"

Zhao Dong sneered, "As a matter of fact, I did. Without me, none of you would be in this room today."

Wang Han scoffed, "Zhao Dong, are you an idiot? Chongming just found out that the general manager himself arranged this and comped our meal. Don't tell me you know the general manager?"

"So what if I do? Is he that prestigious?" Zhao Dong said flatly.

Wang Han retorted without a second thought, "Yes, he is! You could never know someone that important in your entire life! Even my family doesn't know him! Why don't you take a good look at yourself! Hmph! Just stop eating and get out now!"

Zhao Dong shrugged. "Wang Han, you're absolutely clueless. I've never met a woman as dense as you."

With that, Zhao Dong walked straight out of the room without another word. He hadn't wanted to be there in the first place, so this was the perfect chance to leave and tell Zhang Wei to make the others pay the bill themselves.

Zhao Kangyou and Zhang Cuimei followed him out. Wang Jianguo tried to stop them, but Li Mujing and Wang Han held him back.

"Let them go!" Li Mujing said with disdain. "A bunch of paupers. We bring them to a place like this, and they don't even have the decency to be grateful. They deserve to be poor their entire lives."

Wang Jianguo said helplessly, "Mujing, can you please stop?"

"I'll say what I want! They're a family of poor wretches. From now on, I forbid you from associating with them. Spend more time with Chongming's family." With that, Li Mujing sat beside Zhou Chongming and took his hand, smiling radiantly. "Isn't that right, Chongming?"

A strange itch stirred in Zhou Chongming's heart as an inappropriate feeling began to surface. He glanced at Li Mujing, concealing the fire in his gut, and smiled. "You're right, Auntie. We should cut ties with that poor family. Uncle, Wang Han, since this meal is on the house, let's order a few more bottles of good wine!"

Wang Jianguo was in no mood to drink; he felt helpless and miserable. But with his future son-in-law present, he reluctantly played along. Li Mujing whispered to Wang Han, "Honey, these are all expensive wines. Open a few more bottles. That way, we can say we couldn't finish them and take them home. If we don't open them, the restaurant might take them back. Open as many as you can! They're worth tens of thousands a bottle!"

Wang Han's eyes widened. "Okay! I'll open them now!" she said, hurriedly unsealing the remaining seven or eight bottles.

Meanwhile, Zhao Dong was heading down in the elevator with his parents. Just as they reached the lobby on the ground floor, Zhang Wei hurried over. "Mr. Zhao, did you enjoy your meal?"

Zhao Dong smiled faintly. "We did. By the way, the bill for the food and wine in the private room? Have the people still up there pay for it, understood?"

Thinking it was just polite modesty, Zhang Wei immediately replied, "How could I do that? When Mr. Zhao visits, it's always on the house."

Left with no choice, Zhao Dong whispered a few words in Zhang Wei's ear, making his eyes go wide. He quickly replied, "I understand!"

Zhao Dong patted his shoulder. "Good, as long as you understand. We're leaving now!"

He left with his parents and hailed a taxi. It was only after they were inside that Zhao Kangyou asked in utter surprise, "Xiao Dong, did that man just say… the private room was arranged for you?"

Zhao Dong smiled. "Yes, Dad. That man is the general manager. Today's private room, the wine, the dishes—it was all prepared for me."

Zhang Cuimei's face was a mask of astonishment. "Oh my heavens! Xiao Dong, your father and I thought you were just joking. We can't believe it's actually true!"

Zhao Kangyou was equally stunned. "That meal must have cost tens of thousands, right, Xiao Dong? And it was just free? How do you know the general manager?"

Zhao Dong smiled. "Without the wine, it would have been over a hundred thousand. With the wine, it's probably around five hundred thousand. The general manager is a friend. He was going to comp it, but now, I'm letting them pay for it themselves."

Zhao Kangyou and Zhang Cuimei turned pale. A five-hundred-thousand-yuan meal... That was simply unbelievable!

The two of them looked deeply at their son, their eyes filled with profound shock. Our own son... is he really this capable now? To receive such courtesy from the general manager of this grand hotel?

Back inside, Wang Han's party had also finished their meal. Li Mujing had packed up all the leftover food and drinks. Wang Han carried a box filled with the unsealed bottles of Maotai and premium red wine.

Zhou Chongming and Wang Jianguo were both quite drunk. Wang Han and Li Mujing supported the two men as they left the private room, took the elevator down, and arrived in the hotel lobby. With Zhao Dong gone, Zhang Wei had naturally stopped providing personal service and had gone to rest. Since a waiter had previously told them the meal was free, the group didn't hesitate and headed straight for the exit.

Just as they were about to reach the entrance, several staff members from the front desk stopped them.

"Excuse me, you haven't settled your bill yet."

Li Mujing stepped forward, her voice booming with pride, "Our meal today is on the house. My son-in-law is Zhou Chongming. He knows your boss. Just mention his name."

At this, a crowd of people in the lobby looked over with envious eyes. Li Mujing felt even prouder, her vanity practically about to explode.

The staff members exchanged perplexed glances. One of them said, "Please wait a moment while I confirm with the boss."

Soon, the call to Zhang Wei went through. "General Manager, there's a man named Zhou Chongming here. He says he's your friend and that you're covering his meal, so he wants it comped."

Having been briefed by Zhao Dong, Zhang Wei cursed without hesitation. "Who the hell is Zhou Chongming?! I don't know him! And I never said their meal was free. Tell them to pay! And repeat my exact words to them!"

"Yes, boss..."

After hanging up, the staff member turned to the group, his face beet red. "Ma'am, Sirs, the boss said he never offered to comp your meal, doesn't know anyone named Zhou Chongming, and... and he asked who the hell Zhou Chongming is..."

The smile on Li Mujing's face froze solid.

Unfortunately, everyone nearby was watching the scene unfold, and many had clearly heard the staff member's words. A wave of snickering and outright laughter rippled through the lobby.

Li Mujing was so embarrassed she wished a hole would open in the floor and swallow her whole. Beside her, Wang Han was fiercely biting her lip, her face a mask of confusion and frustration. What is going on? They clearly said the meal was on the house earlier!

Steeling herself, Wang Han addressed the staff member. "Are you sure you haven't made a mistake? Please ask again. My fiancé is Zhou Chongming! He said he knows your boss. Someone in the private room just told us the meal was free."

The staff member replied helplessly, "Miss, the boss himself gave the order. He does not know your fiancé. Please settle the bill as soon as possible."

Flushed with embarrassment, Li Mujing stammered, "Just a moment, we'll ask him again."

She turned and shook Zhou Chongming's arm, her voice a mixture of panic and exasperation. "Chongming, sober up! What's going on? The owner says he doesn't know you!"