lerbook Chapter 158 One problem solved, another arises
Chapter 158 One problem solved, another arises
Chapter 158 One problem solved, another arises
"How many of you are there?"
The woman wore a professional smile, and her red apron tightly hugged her full waist, with the words "Bayu Hotpot" prominently displayed on it.
Luo Ruiyang stepped forward first and asked tentatively, "Are there any private rooms left?"
The woman gently shook her head and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, we're out of stock at this time."
Seeing this, my uncle pulled aside the high-backed chair beside him and sat down leisurely at the four-person wooden table.
He spread his hands, a friendly smile on his face: "Then let's sit here. When eating hot pot, the atmosphere is the most important thing!"
“That works too.” Luo Ruiyang nodded his rounded chin.
The three bigwigs took their seats, and seeing this, Yu Huan could only sit down next to her uncle.
The high-hanging chandelier emitted a soft light, illuminating the grain of the wooden table in exquisite detail.
Luo Ruiyang picked up the laminated menu on the table, glanced at it briefly, and then said directly, "Let's have a hot pot with two broths, four portions of lamb, four portions of beef, and two portions of tripe and duck intestines—"
The main dishes at Bayu Hot Pot are these, and he ordered very quickly.
The woman held a notepad in one hand and a pen in the other, jotting down notes rapidly.
Luo Ruiyang paused, looked up, and glanced around at the three people present: "Is there anyone who doesn't eat pig brains?"
“I won’t eat it.” Old Dai immediately shook his head, his voice carrying a hint of disdain: “I’m not interested in this stuff.”
Luo Ruiyang nodded upon hearing this, not forcing him, and turned to the woman, saying, "Then let's have three servings of fresh pig brains! And two more servings of beef tripe."
My uncle slumped back in his chair, pulled out a pack of Furongwang cigarettes from his pocket, and offered them some: "Don't order too many, so we don't waste them later."
"Hey~" Luo Ruiyang took the cigarette, casually placed the menu on the table, and pushed it towards his uncle and Yu Huan opposite him: "Take a look and see if there's anything else you want to order."
These days, smoking bans aren't so strict, and the room is full of customers smoking, drinking, and bragging. Young people occasionally bang on the table and laugh, creating a lively atmosphere.
“You’ve ordered all meat dishes, so I’ll get some vegetables to go with it.” Uncle took the menu, carefully flipped through it, and then turned slightly to Yu Huan, asking, “What would you like to eat?”
Yu Huan smiled and said, "Uncle, I don't have any dietary restrictions. I'll eat whatever you order."
"It's good not to have any dietary restrictions; I can eat anything with gusto." Old Dai lit a cigarette, and amidst the swirling smoke, he said calmly, "Give me some bean curd sheets and glass noodles..."
The sounds of ordering nearby, the noise from a little further away, and the faint conversation between Zhao Yuan and Fang Yuting all entered Yu Huan's ears.
He had no choice but to listen, even if he didn't want to.
That adulterous couple is at the table diagonally opposite.
Fang Yuting turned her head slightly and could see Yu Huan.
At this moment, a smile played on her lips as she nodded her chin repeatedly amidst Zhao Yuan's endless boasting while sipping his beer.
“Yuting, let me tell you, although Jiangnan Morning Post is a public institution, the salary is just so-so. What can you do with two thousand yuan a month? I don’t even look at it.”
Fang Yuting took a sip of coconut juice through a straw: "So what kind of work do you do now?"
Zhao Yuan waved his hand and said, "The high salary is something I got by changing jobs. I'm now the deputy manager of the market development department at Jiangxin Group. There are only a few people above me in the entire department."
"Your salary must be quite high now, right?"
Fang Yuting opened her eyes wide, her lower eyelids bulged, her eyes curved into small crescents, and her lips revealed eight neat, porcelain-white upper teeth.
In the standard green tea expression.
Zhao Yuan, completely bewildered, downed half a glass of beer in one gulp: "Of course! My salary has more than doubled! Although I've only been out of school for a little over half a year, supporting a small family is no problem at all."
Fang Yuting seemed oblivious to the underlying meaning in Zhao Yuan's words and praised, "Impressive!"
"Yuting," Zhao Yuan suddenly took a small item out of his pocket, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards her: "This is a Dior lipstick. I bought it especially for you. Thank you for having hot pot with me today."
Fang Yuting picked up the small, plastic-sealed box, looked at it, and immediately exclaimed with delight, "Zhao Yuan, you're so kind!"
Zhao Yuan seemed to be enjoying it, shaking his head and swaying his body.
After ordering, the uncle noticed the complicated expression on Yu Huan's face.
Years later, this expression found a fitting description—
An elderly man on the subway is looking at his phone.
Following Yu Huan's gaze, his uncle nudged his arm with his elbow and teased, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy to see other couples showing affection?"
"I'm so happy!" Yu Huan looked away, her face beaming. "Uncle, do I look unhappy?"
He was pleased that Zhao Yuan was now Fang Yuting's second choice.
Upon hearing this, my uncle shook his head speechlessly.
The group finished ordering their food.
Luo Ruiyang had a cigarette dangling from his mouth, the smoke making him squint slightly.
He looked at his uncle and said heartily, "Old Wei, you're an honored guest. Tell me, would you like some baijiu, red wine, or medicinal wine?" He paused, then pulled out his phone from his pocket and slammed it on the table with an air of grandeur: "Just name it, and I'll have someone arrange it right away! Send it over as fast as possible." His uncle smiled, waved his hand, and said, "I'll just have a bottle of Xiaolangjiu. No need for all that trouble."
"Old Wei, you're looking down on me!" Old Dai turned his head and glanced at the counter where the liquor was displayed, jokingly saying, "With Old Luo's wealth, he should at least get a bottle of Dream Blue, right?"
"Oh well, forget it," Luo Ruiyang waved his hand dismissively, clearly not wanting to get entangled with them any further.
He turned to Yu Huan and asked warmly, "Little Yu, what would you like to drink? Just pick the best you can. As your uncle, I'll make sure you get everything you need today!"
His inability to break his muscle reaction almost made him blurt out 'Ace of Spades'.
Yu Huan raised her voice slightly and decisively followed suit: "Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Luo—"
The words "I have to drive" were still stuck in his throat.
Fang Yuting heard the familiar voice, turned her head slightly, and immediately noticed Yu Huan at the table diagonally opposite her, and she was stunned.
Uncle interrupted Yu Huan, saying to Luo Ruiyang, "Old Luo, don't let his tall and strong appearance fool you. He's useless at drinking parties. He'll end up in the hospital after just a couple of sips."
Old Dai stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray: "Alcohol allergy?"
Seeing his uncle nod, Luo Ruiyang smiled and said, "If you're allergic to alcohol, then you really can't drink it. I just said that I'm your uncle, so I can't force you to drink it."
Upon hearing this, Yu Huan cupped his hands in greeting to the two big shots opposite him: "Please forgive me, I cannot keep you two uncles entertained."
"As long as I keep them entertained, that's fine." Uncle raised his hand and patted Yu Huan's shoulder, grinning with his big gold teeth: "If I pass out, remember to drag me to your father-in-law's house."
Luo Ruiyang smiled and said, "A little wine is good for the soul, but too much is bad for your health. Old Wei, my life is more important. I'll only have a drink or two at most, lest I have a stroke and die here."
The hot pot restaurant was bustling with noise, with various conversations rising and falling, and occasionally bursts of loud laughter and cheers.
Fang Yuting's gaze kept drifting towards Yu Huan.
Zhao Yuan, that beast, kept talking nonstop, completely oblivious to her distraction.
As soon as Luo Ruiyang finished speaking, he picked up the Vertu phone on the table, ready to make a call to have some wine brought over.
Suddenly someone appeared at the shop entrance, causing his smiling face to freeze.
He immediately put down his phone.
Yu Huan keenly noticed the subtle change in Luo Ruiyang's face, so she immediately turned around to look.
A middle-aged man in a sharp suit, short and stocky, was already bowing and scraping from ten paces away, looking extremely respectful.
He carried a gift bag of Moutai liquor, walked to the table, and said to Luo Ruiyang with a big smile, "Mr. Luo, I'm so sorry to have delayed your entertaining of our distinguished guests. This is just a small token of my appreciation, please forgive me."
talking.
He respectfully placed the gift bag on the table, then repeatedly bowed to the other three people present, apologizing, "I'm so sorry to have disturbed everyone's enjoyment."
Luo Ruiyang took a drag of his cigarette and exhaled a long trail of smoke.
Then, he slowly stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and said calmly, "Little Zheng, did I not spend enough at your store?"
"No, no, not at all." Xiao Zheng hurriedly waved his hand in denial: "No matter how much you spend, Mr. Luo, you will always be our honored guest."
Upon hearing these words, Luo Ruiyang's expression softened considerably.
He pressed on, "Xiao Zheng, if you're going to take such a risk to entertain me, then the person occupying my private room must be someone important, right?"
Xiao Zheng nodded vigorously: "I guess so."
His lips moved, just about to express his predicament—
"How does that compare to me?" Luo Ruiyang actually already knew the answer from the phone call, after all, the Taishan Fengguang private room had been cleared out in the time it takes to smoke a cigarette.
Without hesitation, Xiao Zheng replied, "Not nearly as good as you, Mr. Luo."
A smile appeared on Luo Ruiyang's face: "That's why I'm not going to hold it against you."
"Yes." Xiao Zheng nodded repeatedly: "President Luo, you are very generous. I will definitely pay attention next time."
"Alright, you can go now. Don't disturb our hot pot meal." Luo Ruiyang waved his hand. "If you make me lose face again, I'll make sure you keep making trouble. You'll have to bear the consequences."
As soon as he said that, Xiao Zheng broke out in a cold sweat.
"Mr. Luo, I guarantee there won't be a next time." Xiao Zheng's forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat. He quickly wiped the sweat away and apologized repeatedly, "Everyone, please enjoy your meal. I'll have to take my leave now."
After bowing repeatedly to the four people at the table to express his apologies, he turned around in a hurry and strode toward the entrance of the hot pot restaurant.
at the same time.
A young man carried a steaming hot pot from the kitchen. He glanced at Luo Ruiyang, who exuded an aura of dominance, and then his gaze fell on the Moutai gift bag on the table.
So he became even more careful and placed the hot pot in his hand steadily on the induction cooker in the center of the table.
Seeing this, Old Dai suddenly spoke up in his Beijing accent: "Hey, young man, bring the clear soup over to me."
(End of this chapter)