Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
This person was not from Jiang Bei Hotel, but the manager of Huahai Jiang Nan. Jiang Bei Hotel was a subsidiary of Huahai Jiang Nan, which was the most prominent 6-star hotel in Jiang City that belonged to the Baili family.
He was called Zhao Bing. As the manager of Huahai Jiang Nan, he was an important figure under Baili Xuanyuan. Baili Changcheng was planning a gathering at the Jiang Bei Hotel, and he happened to be here to handle some business matters. Originally, this was out of his jurisdiction. However, with the recent open rivalry and veiled strife between Baili Xuanyuan and Baili Changcheng, how could he let go of this golden opportunity? As such, he intervened.
This man’s tongue was sharp and vicious, full of sarcasm. The waiters could not say anything. Although this man did not have the authority to control the matters here, he was still someone from the upper management. Nobody would dare question his authority at this time.
Zhao Bing said in annoyance, “The dishes are about to be served. Hurry, take a seat, all you poor and lowly guests. Finish quickly and leave early, so that we can settle the bill faster as well. Who knows how much losses we are making by mingling with all of you? Baili Ying, get out of here.”
Normal people would be subtle with their insults, but he was blatantly ridiculing them, showing just how much he despised everybody from Brotherhood. Indeed, most of the members of the Brotherhood were commoners, and it was easy to tell just from their appearances. Zheng Ziliang and the others did consider that and decided to keep a low profile with their outfits, yet they were still looked down upon by Zhao Bing.
As for Baili Ying, she did not even dare to raise her head after being hollered at. After losing both her legs, her mother had left her as well, and she had nobody to rely on. Anyone in the family with some status would be able to push her around. Normally, it was still fine with Baili Changcheng around to protect her. However, the moment he was not around, she would be treated coldly. Sakura’s dark childhood had caused her to grow up as a shut-in.
If it were not for these friends she had made in the game, Sakura would have never come here to be shamed. Now, without Baili Changcheng around, nobody dared to stop Zhao Bing even if he was causing a scene because of his status.
“Poor and lowly guests? Well, you are not wrong.” Lin Jie nodded in agreement.
“Good that you know. If I were you, I would leave immediately to avoid disgracing myself.” Zhao Bing said condescendingly, “People should have self-awareness.”
Lin Jie smiled and cleared his throat before asking, “Brothers, any of you work in the line of a reporter?”
“I do.” Someone called “Troubled Nightrain” raised his hand. A pair of transparent glasses sat on his squarish face, and his thick eyebrows were slightly frowning as he glared unhappily at Zhao Bing. He introduced himself, “I’m Mei Pengjun, and I write for a column on Jiang City’s night news called Sharp Eyes Sees The Facts.”
“You are that Troubled Nightrain who specializes in criticizing facts? Oh my God…”
“Write it down, write it down. Let’s make him famous.”
Everyone was in an uproar. Troubled Nightrain was a columnist on Jiang City’s night news. When it came to criticisms, he was sharp and would always hit the nail on the head. As such, he had a large presence and was pretty influential in Jiang City.
“I work in a bookstore, and I can post it on the publicity board.”
“Just nice, I was looking for a new topic to write for a song…”
“It wouldn’t be bad if my restaurant is called Trample on Jiang Bei…”
Zhao Bing was stunned. These people were all commoners without a doubt, yet there were a few among them with hidden identities. For example, although Zheng Ziliang usually acted like a fool, if he were to truly reveal his power, even Baili Changcheng would be no match! There were also many detectives, reporters, third-rate singers, and bookstore employees. While these people did not seem as if they had a high status in society, they all held certain power. If they were to make a ruckus together, things would not end up well.
“Everyone, don’t be rash.” Zhao Bing realized that these people would not give in so easily, but he still had to complete the orders of Baili Xuanyuan. He gave a dry laugh and said, “Personally, I don’t have any other intentions. But as an employee, I am responsible for the interest of my company. Although this dinner was arranged by the young master Changcheng, he is still young and does not know any better, which is why he made these fair-weather friends…”
Lin Jie shook his hands and cut in. “Stop with the nonsense. To put it simply, you want us to pay with our own money, right?”
“Erm… Forget it. I’ll be putting all of you in a spot by making you pay for the meal. Since our young master is willing to shoulder these expenses for you all, that’s fine too,” said Zhao Bing arrogantly.
“But we are poor people who are not used to using credit cards. What should we do?” Lin Jie frowned.
“If you insist on paying, we can accept cash as well. Although modern people now have abandoned this method, we are good at counting money here in Jiang Bei Hotel,” said Zhao Bing confidently.
Lin Jie nodded in contentment. “Give me the bill, I won’t want to put my brother in a spot.”
The waiter handed over the bill quickly.
It was no surprise that Baili Changcheng had spent a large capital. This gathering was organized according to the VIP room in Jiangbei Restaurant. The last time Lin Jie had come with his family, it cost them around over 100$ each. This time, it was over 5,000$! Just a table of exotic food, seasonal seafood, and expensive wine cost over 30,000$. And there were a total of 20 tables laid out. Along with other consumer taxes, the bill was 702,736$.
“I’ll send people to get the money. There’s no problem, right?” asked Lin Jie.
Zhao Bing scoffed. “Let’s see how you’ll handle this” was written all over his face. “No problem, we’ll just wait for your money then? Hehe…”
Lin Jie nodded and made a phone call.
“Then Baili Ying…” Zhao Bing wanted to continue targeting Sakura. But after seeing everybody’s expression as if they were out for his blood, he swallowed his words.
On the other side, Lin Jie sat down without a care and finished drinking the free wine in the glass. He called out, “Waiter, refill.”
The waiter was astounded. He turned and looked at Zhao Bing.
“Refill for him!” Zhao Bing waved his hand in annoyance.
Upon seeing this, the silent Mixed Breathless, who was in a suit, finished drinking his wine as well. “Refill.”
“Refill.”
“Refill…”
Those who watched the argument and those who participated in it were all thirsty. The light wine instantly became the best selling drink. Hundreds of people continued to drink, and the words “refill” filled up the room.
The waiters did not know whether to be happy or sad. It was great that the awkward atmosphere was finally gone, and they had something to do now. But what sort of damn script was this that they had to give out free wine to everybody all over the place?
The light wine in Jiang Bei Hotel was a drink like beer and wine, and it tasted great. These people formed small groups and began chatting away as they drank it.
The players who played the same game quickly formed a bond and were all laughing out loud in no time. As for Zhao Bing, who was carrying out the noble mission of ruining the gathering, he was forgotten in the corner with his arms folded.
Each minute passed, and the hall became lively. Holding the free wine, everybody greeted the members of Savage Blade before they went on to discuss the interesting things that happened for them in the game.
“Give me two plates of peanuts!” Zheng Ziliang found just drinking to be boring and called out in a faded voice.
A waiter served the peanuts reluctantly. What was this? When the others saw this, they all began to ask for peanuts as well. Once again, the waiters scrambled around to serve them.
They had both alcohol and snacks. The most important thing about the gathering was assembled! The party actually started with just the light wine and peanuts. A few young men ran up towards Sakura, wishing her happy birthday and, at the same time, asking for her phone number, which made her laugh in joy. Bu Yi, who had been holding on to Sakura’s hands since the start, let out a smile as well.
“Refill.” Lin Jie finished the light wine and burped lightly, before passing the glass to the waiter.
The waiter was tearing up. This man here had drunk over 10 glasses already! In the beginning, he thought that Lin Jie had purposely shouted for everybody to drink in order to spite Zhao Bing. But now, this person must truly be thirsty.
“Manager, the food is ready. Should we serve?” asked the waiter softly.
“Serve my *ss! Collect the bill first before serving!” Zhao Bing raged.
Just then, the doors flew open. A middle-aged man in a construction helmet came in breathlessly and shouted, “The money is here.”
The money was here! Zhao Bing was shocked. Seeing the truck behind the man, he instantly had a bad feeling.
“Send some brothers here to help!” Following the call, sacks were carried in one after another. Each one of them weighed tens of kilograms, and they were piled up into a small mountain.
They were all coins, 700,000$ in coins!
In Savage Blade, I’m No. 1, I’m No. 3, and I’m No. 4 were all in the money business. They specialized in the acquisition of coin currencies, coins, and vintage coins. Many supermarkets and banks looked for them when they wanted to exchange their coins. Now, the 700,000$ in coins was the money Lin Jie asked them to bring for the bill.
“Manager, I actually really admire people like you who do things for the best interest of their companies. I believe that you will take care of this bill seriously, right? Count the money. Be careful, every coin you lose will be a great loss.” Lin Jie scoffed.
Count the money! You will die counting 700,000$ in coins!
“Why are you just standing there? Count!”
“Aren’t you all good at counting money?”
“Hurry, count!”
Everybody began hooting, and Zhao Bing’s expression was grim. This was bad, there was no way to back down now! How long must it take to finish counting 700,000 in coins? He gave a dry cough and said, “How can I not trust the friends of young master Baili Changcheng? Then, I’ll accept the money. It’s fine, even if there are a few missing zeros. Everybody should start eating first. What do you think?”
“Hmph, it’s fine even if there are a few missing zeros? Zhao Bing, what great authority you have. Don’t you know that you can’t be careless even if it’s a single coin? Seems like you’ve been in Huahai Jiang Nan for too long, and you’ve forgotten the basics!” With a scoff, Baili Changcheng entered with a cold expression.
