Chapter 133: Bragging Zhang Shaowen
The Bentley moved swiftly, easily overtaking Zhang Shaowen and the others to be the first to arrive at the grand hotel's parking lot.
As he approached the hotel entrance, Zhao Dong's lip couldn't help but twitch at the sight of the opulent sign. How did this group end up booking a room at a hotel under my name?
SCREECH!
A series of shrill braking sounds echoed from behind as Zhang Shaowen and his friends got out of their cars, staring at Zhao Dong in astonishment. "Zhao Dong, when did you get here? How did that Wuling of yours get here so fast?"
Zhao Dong responded indifferently, "What's it to you?"
Zhang Shaowen's face darkened. "It's none of my business, but I wanted to remind you to slow down in that old rust bucket. Otherwise, you might crash."
The surrounding crowd burst into laughter at the mention of the Wuling Hongguang, finding it hilarious. Only Zhang Yao offered a faint smile, her eyes filled with mockery. Now I understand why Zhao Dong never bothers talking to these people. It's not because he's afraid of trouble. He genuinely doesn't see them as his equals, not even worthy of a conversation.
Zhang Shaowen shook his head and glanced at the hotel's facade, a sense of superiority involuntarily spreading across his face. "I wasn't originally planning to book rooms here, but the owner practically begged me to come—I had no choice. If the service isn't up to par, I hope you'll all forgive me!"
"Don't say that, Young Master Zhang! Getting to dine with you is an honor you're bestowing on us. How could we possibly refuse?"
"Exactly! If it weren't for Young Master Zhang, some people would never get to set foot in a place like this in their entire lives!"
Every comment simultaneously praised Zhang Shaowen and Lv Hao while subtly ridiculing Zhao Dong.
"Heh, Zhao Dong, stick to the back and keep your hands to yourself!" one of them sneered. "If you break anything in this hotel, you couldn't afford to pay for it even with your life!"
"You're all truly pathetic," Zhang Yao said quietly.
Lv Hao frowned. "Pathetic? How are we pathetic?"
Zhang Yao simply shook her head, unwilling to elaborate.
Soon, the group reached the elevators, with Zhao Dong and Zhang Yao trailing at the very back. The first car was too full, so they waited for the next one. As they were waiting, Han Dayou rushed over, looking utterly terrified.
"Boss, why… why are you here in person today?" Han Dayou stammered, wiping sweat from his forehead. He bowed slightly before Zhao Dong, terrified of having somehow offended him.
Zhao Dong replied calmly, "My class is having a reunion. They booked a private room here, so I came along for a meal."
Han Dayou asked obsequiously, "Boss Zhao, should I comp your meal?"
"No need. Charge them as you normally would."
"Yes... Boss!"
After Han Dayou left, Zhao Dong turned to see Zhang Yao staring at him, dumbfounded.
"You… you're the owner of this hotel?"
The Bentley had already been a shock, but hearing him called "Boss" completely shattered Zhang Yao's perception of reality. It had only been a few years. Unbeknownst to everyone, Zhao Dong seemed to have undergone a seismic transformation. Even though Zhang Yao wasn't a materialistic person, she was still momentarily stunned by this revelation.
Soon, they took the next elevator up to their floor. When Zhao Dong and Zhang Yao entered the private room, Zhang Shaowen and Lv Hao were in the middle of an animated conversation, bragging extravagantly.
Upon seeing Zhao Dong, Zhang Shaowen said intentionally, "This owner is really something. I told him not to come up, but he insisted on coming to celebrate with us. Ah, what can I do? The Zhang family is just too famous!"
As he spoke, he glanced at Ding Lan. Seeing no reaction on her face, he felt a little frustrated.
His classmates eagerly chimed in, "Young Master Zhang, don't trouble him! We can celebrate just fine on our own!"
"That's right, Young Master Zhang! Your family is influential, but we should be considerate of him trying to run a business!"
"Hahaha, alright then. In that case, I'll let him get back to his own affairs," Zhang Shaowen said cheerfully. "You're right. I'll tell him not to come up. As long as we all have a good time, that's what matters."
From the side, Zhao Dong smiled faintly. "You know the owner of this place?"
Zhang Shaowen frowned. "I do. What about it? Is it any of your business?"
Zhao Dong smirked. "It's none of my business, but I'd advise you to be careful with your words. You don't want to end up eating them later."
Zhang Shaowen's expression darkened. "What's that supposed to mean? If you're going to eat, then eat. If not, get out. Are you trying to push your luck?"
Ding Lan interjected with a frown, "Zhang Shaowen, that's enough!"
Zhang Shaowen paused, glanced at Ding Lan, then shot a look at Zhao Dong and scoffed, "I won't stoop to your level today, you country bumpkin. The fee for this private room alone is three thousand yuan. If I weren't treating everyone today, you'd never be able to afford a place this high-end in your entire life."
A girl nearby gasped. "Wow, that's our Young Master Zhang for you! In a three-thousand-yuan room, even the air feels sweeter!"
"Young Master Zhang is so generous, spending money so freely! This is our first time in such an expensive private room too!"
Seeing everyone fawning over Zhang Shaowen like puppies, Zhao Dong couldn't help but shake his head. "There is normally a fee for the private rooms, but the hotel came under new ownership three days ago. They're running a promotion, so there's no charge."
Exposed, a flash of panic crossed Zhang Shaowen's face. Zhao Dong was right. There was no charge for the room. But how could he possibly know that?
With a sour expression, Zhang Shaowen retorted, "Oh, is that so? You seem to know a lot. You may be poor, but you've certainly learned how to sound like you know things."
"This place isn't impressive enough for me to bother showing off," Zhao Dong replied nonchalantly.
Zhang Shaowen's mouth twitched. The others at the table gave Zhao Dong strange looks, and one girl frowned. "Are you even on the same level as Young Master Zhang? You should just listen to what he says! What right do you have to interrupt?"
Ding Lan bit her lip and sighed internally before saying softly, "Zhao Dong, maybe you should talk a little less today. We're all classmates here. You should get to know everyone better, so they can help you out in the future."
Zhang Shaowen snorted. "Lan is right. Surnamed Zhao, you'd better watch your attitude. Apologize to me and Lv Hao for your earlier behavior and toast us a few times. If you do, I'll see about arranging a job for you here as the head of security. Earning seven to eight thousand a month won't be a problem!"
Someone nearby asked in amazement, "Young Master Zhang, you have connections at this hotel too?"
"Of course," Zhang Shaowen boasted, his pride swelling. "My dad invested in this hotel when it was being built!"
He basked in the astonished gazes of the crowd, but he particularly savored the look of surprise on Ding Lan's face. Caught up in the moment, he let his bragging run wild.
Just then, Zhao Dong let out a laugh, the sound ringing clearly in the quiet room.
Losing face, Zhang Shaowen slammed his hand on the table and roared, "Zhao Dong, what are you laughing at?"
Leaning back with his legs crossed, Zhao Dong smiled cryptically. "This hotel was originally built over a hundred years ago. It only ever underwent internal renovations and had its exterior repainted. It was never rebuilt from the ground up. Are you trying to tell me your father is over a hundred years old?"
Zhang Shaowen froze on the spot. His gaze darted to the nearby wall, where he found a plaque describing the hotel's history. Damn it!
In an instant, the atmosphere in the room turned awkward. Zhang Shaowen felt a burning sting on his cheeks, as if he'd just been slapped.
Lv Hao quickly tried to smooth things over. "Shaowen, your family has so many investments, you probably just got them mixed up! I remember your dad has dozens of projects in East Sea. Didn't I see him having dinner with the president of East Sea Bank just the other day?"
"The president of East Sea Bank? My goodness, Young Master Zhang, you have that kind of connection?" a classmate exclaimed.
Ding Lan was also stunned. She glanced at Zhang Shaowen, never having imagined his family could be connected to the president of East Sea Bank.
Zhang Shaowen himself was taken aback. My family's company is only worth a little under ten million. How could we possibly know the president of East Sea Bank? The president was a major figure in East Sea, someone who only dined with the city's most powerful people. His father was nowhere near that league.
But he understood Lv Hao was propping him up, so he played along with a hearty laugh. "That's right! My dad has so many investments, I must have gotten them mixed up! Oh, and that President Wu from East Sea Bank took a real liking to me. He even wanted to make me his godson! I wasn't interested, though, so I turned him down."
Ding Lan's expression changed. To be made the godson of the president of East Sea Bank? That would mean the Zhang family was destined for greatness! East Sea Bank was one of the most powerful institutions in the entire city.
Shocked by this thought, Ding Lan asked, "Zhang Shaowen, why have I never heard you mention this before?"
Zhang Shaowen waved his hand with a dismissive grin. "It was a small matter, not worth mentioning. Don't worry, Lan. With my connection to East Sea Bank, I'll guarantee you a meteoric rise!"
Ding Lan bit her lip, her expression shifting subtly.
The others at the table were even more astounded. "Young Master Zhang, you have to look out for us in the future too!"
"Yes, we'll all toast to you! Please guide us from now on, Young Master Zhang!"
"Absolutely! We'll toast to you and Ding Lan, the happy couple! From now on, we're all counting on Young Master Zhang and our sister-in-law, Ding Lan!"
As the crowd scrambled to curry favor, Ding Lan frowned slightly, but Zhang Shaowen was all smiles. "No problem, it's a small matter, all small matters!" he said cheerfully.
With that, he stood up to drink with the group, only to notice Zhao Dong still sitting. He frowned. "Zhao Dong, what's the meaning of this? Are you trying to disrespect me?"
Someone immediately berated him. "Zhao Dong, do you have any idea who you're dealing with? Young Master Zhang knows the president of East Sea Bank! It's an honor for you to drink with him, so why aren't you standing up?"
"Exactly, Zhao Dong! Stop trying to act tougher than you are. Just apologize to Young Master Zhang and show a little humility. He'll surely take you under his wing and look after you!"
Ding Lan also spoke softly, "Zhao Dong, Zhang Shaowen knows the president of East Sea Bank. If you ever need a loan for a business, he could put in a good word for you. Just stand up and have a drink with him."
Zhao Dong suddenly burst out laughing, his tone thick with ridicule. "The president of East Sea Bank? He doesn't know him from Adam!"
Everyone fell silent, their eyes snapping back to Zhang Shaowen.
His face turning black with rage, Zhang Shaowen cursed, "Surnamed Zhao, you're shameless! Damn it! I'm telling you right now, don't you ever dare come to me for help with anything!"
"This Zhao Dong is so clueless. He has no idea how the world works!"
"I know, right? He's acting like a child. It's pathetic. Does he really think he's all that?"
"Who cares about him? He's only embarrassing himself."
Hearing the mockery from all sides, Zhao Dong said nothing more. Instead, he pulled out his phone and made a call. When he'd first entered the private room, he had noticed that Wu Tingyu's father, Wu Tianhua, was having a meal in the room right next door. He immediately dialed Wu Tingyu's number.