Free Web NovelChapter 136: Chapter 136: Peace Restaurant
At Wen Yaozu’s words, Su Guilan’s expression visibly darkened, the wrinkles on her face deepening. She demanded through clenched teeth, "Where did Wen Ci go?"
"She went to the South."
The words had barely been spoken when Jiang Chen launched into a tirade. "She was supposed to come back to take care of Huo Jingyuan! What’s this about her running off to the South without so much as a word?"
Yu Qing, unable to stand it any longer, retorted, "Are you a woman? Always gossiping. How do you know Mr. Huo didn’t give Wen Ci permission to go to the South?"
·
「Meanwhile.」
It took Wen Ci and her companions just three hours to get from Beijing to Shen City.
When they landed, the sky was filled with the afterglow of the setting sun, the clouds on the horizon blazing like fire. Xiao Chuan tilted his head back, paused, and said, "The sky is so beautiful."
Wen Ci followed his gaze and smiled. "It really is."
Xu Jinghe glanced at Wen Ci and said, "Let’s head home first. We can go to the factory to check on the goods first thing tomorrow morning. My factory is in the suburbs, so it’ll be dark by the time we drive out there now."
Wen Ci nodded, accepting his explanation.
The Xu Family’s ancestral home was in Huangpu District, the most prosperous area in Shen City. It boasted several department stores and represented the cutting edge of the entire southern region.
"Ah, President Xu, you’re back."
Xu Jinghe nodded in acknowledgment. There weren’t that many business owners in Huangpu District, so almost everyone knew each other. Exchanging greetings was common courtesy.
"President Xu, and this is...?"
"My sister-in-law."
Xu Jinghe stated Wen Ci’s identity openly.
Suddenly, Wen Ci realized, ’If I stay at the Xu Family home, I’ll have to interact with his parents.’ She was socially anxious and really didn’t want the extra hassle.
She spoke up, "On second thought, maybe I should just get a hotel?"
Shen City was a major city; it had hotels.
The difference between a hotel and a government-run guest house was that a hotel didn’t require a letter of introduction from your work unit. They were just a bit pricier, costing around twenty yuan a night.
Wen Ci had brought her bank passbook with her on this trip.
She planned to withdraw money from the bank to pay Xu Jinghe for the goods. It didn’t feel right to owe him.
"What’s the matter?" Xu Jinghe asked.
Wen Ci answered honestly, "I’m not very good at interacting with elders. Once Jingyuan has recovered, I’ll come back with him to properly visit your parents."
Xu Jinghe considered this for a moment.
’If Wen Ci isn’t comfortable talking with elders, then I shouldn’t push it.’
"In that case, I’ll get you a room at the Peace Restaurant."
Wen Ci’s eyes widened, and she quickly stopped him. "No, no, no! Let’s forget about the Peace Restaurant. We’re here to make money, not throw it away."
In the 1980s, the Peace Restaurant was a legendary establishment. One night in a standard room cost around five hundred yuan; the top-tier rooms were even more expensive.
Wen Ci asked curiously, "If you don’t mind my asking, what’s your net worth?"
Xu Jinghe did a quick mental calculation. The clothing factory was a recent venture, and its million-yuan inventory was just the tip of the iceberg of his total net worth. Besides, he’d always focused on generating high returns from low costs.
"Tens of millions, I suppose."
Wen Ci was dumbfounded.
’Then a mere million is just a drop in the bucket to him?!’
Wen Ci’s mouth suddenly felt dry. She gave Xu Jinghe a thumbs-up and praised him sincerely, "You’re incredible! A net worth of tens of millions!"
"That’s nothing."
’Huo Jingyuan’s aunt is even wealthier. Compared to her, my net worth is a drop in the ocean.’
"Think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience?"
Wen Ci hesitated. Part of her wanted to experience the famous Peace Restaurant of the 1980s, but she couldn’t bear to spend the money. "A regular hotel is perfectly fine," she said.
Xu Jinghe didn’t push the issue. He just smiled and teased, "Alright, then. Once you’ve made a profit from this trip, you can come back with Huo Jingyuan and stay at the Peace Restaurant together. It’ll be just as good."
