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The Xi Wangfu Holiday Hotel is the premier establishment in the western district of Jiang City, where the cost of dining is quite high, and those who can afford to eat here are generally either wealthy or influential.
At six in the evening, Hu Ruoyun pulled Mao Na along, carrying some items as they hailed a taxi to head straight for the Xi Wangfu Holiday Hotel. After unloading their things at the front desk and informing them that it was for the guests in room 888 on the second floor, they turned to leave just as they spotted Lai Wen and her husband escorting a graceful woman of similar age from a Crown Sedan. From another car behind them emerged Zhou Kaishan, the director of the news promotion department of the provincial publicity office, accompanied by a woman of his age and a little boy of about four or five years old.
Lai Wen noticed Hu Ruoyun and Mao Na and waved them over. "Brother Xiao Hu, Sister Mao Na, you’re here early!"
With no other choice, they greeted her back. The young lady at the front desk recognized Lai Wen, pointing at Hu Ruoyun and Mao Na. "Ladies, this gentleman and this young lady have some items for you. Would you like them delivered to your room or would you prefer to pick them up when you leave?"
Zhou Kaishan leaned in. "Xiao Hu, what do you have there?"
After all, it was a gift delivery. While Sister Lai Wen was easy to talk to, Hu Ruoyun was uncertain about how the director would perceive this...
Mao Na chimed in, "Uncle, these are all local specialties from Annan County, just for Sister Lai Wen to try..."
Zhou Kaishan replied seriously, "Lai Wen has already told me that you’ve been providing valuable feedback; there’s no need for thanks!"
Seeing their slight embarrassment, he couldn’t help but chuckle. "Besides, it’s mainly me helping out; you keep calling her Sister Lai Wen without giving me any recognition. Isn’t that a bit ungrateful?"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zhou Kaishan waved his hand grandly at the waiter. "Take everything up to the room! I insist on trying some first..."
Once they arrived at the room, Zhou Kaishan pointed at Hu Ruoyun. "Have your girlfriend sit with them; you sit next to me and introduce what’s in this box."
Hu Ruoyun had no choice but to open the gift box and take out each item for the old man’s introduction. "This is Daokou Roast Chicken, this is Lao Miao Beef, and this is Yangrou Lu—all freshly vacuum-packed..."
Zhou Kaishan examined each item closely. "I’ve had Daokou Roast Chicken before; what’s special about Lao Miao Beef and Yangrou Lu?"
Hu Ruoyun explained, "In our area, there’s Xiao Zhai Village in Lao Miao Township where nearly every household raises cattle. The beef produced there is particularly famous. Both this lamb and roast chicken were tribute items during the Qing Dynasty... Yangrou Lu is even easier; just boil some water and add it with cilantro, sesame oil, and vinegar—ready to eat right away..."
Zhou Kaishan turned to Lai Wen who was ordering. "Tell the waiter to prepare a plate each of roast chicken and beef for us; we’ll use our Yangrou Lu as a base."
While waiting for their dishes to arrive over tea, Lai Wen introduced everyone to each other.
With Zhou Kaishan was his mother-in-law; that graceful beauty was her college classmate and childhood friend named Liu Ru Yan, who had just returned from America as the only one from their cohort to study abroad.
Such family gatherings rarely involved business discussions. The dishes arrived quickly, and everyone dug in casually with drinks flowing freely.
Zhou Kaishan picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks and savored it before commenting, "Not bad—chewy and flavorful!"
He then grabbed a chicken wing, first gnawing on the meat before sucking on it while praising, "This Yangrou Lu that Xiao Hu brought is even better than what I’ve had before!"
He gestured to his wife. "Eat up; don’t mind them; it’s not a business banquet anyway." He casually tore off a chicken leg and handed it to his grandson. "Eat more meat; grow tall."
Hu Ruoyun shared several drinks with Lai Wen's husband and Zhou Kaishan.
As they were finishing their meal, the chef approached, a mix of pride and embarrassment on his face. "We really haven't made this kind of noodles before..."
Zhou Kaishan pointed to Hu Ruoyun. "Let him explain it to you."
With no other option, Hu Ruoyun changed into a chef's uniform and went to the kitchen, directing the preparation of eight bowls of Lamb Noodles.
Throughout the evening, Liu Ru Yan had only sampled various dishes, but she seemed utterly captivated by the Lamb Noodles that arrived last. The slurping sounds as she ate shattered her refined image. Zhou Kaishan also praised while eating, "Not bad, not bad! This noodle looks simple, but it truly has soul!"
Even Lai Wen's child nearly finished an entire bowl.
After enjoying their meal, just as everyone was about to leave, the restaurant's Lobby Manager knocked and entered cautiously. "Which one of you is Ms. Lai Wen?"
Lai Wen gestured, "That's me."
The Lobby Manager looked a bit awkward. "Well, Ms. Lai, our server noticed that other guests saw you enjoying the noodles and asked us to make the same for them. Our chef knows how to prepare it, but we don't have your kind of meat..."
Lai Wen pointed to Hu Ruoyun. "Xiao Hu, how much did you bring? If there's extra, send them two bags... I know their head chef."
She then introduced Hu Ruoyun to the Lobby Manager. "The meat is from him; it's a specialty from his hometown."
The Lobby Manager looked delighted. "Thank you! Thank you!"
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