Treating Guests

"What is it, Brother Zhang? You want it?" Thinking of Zhang Guosheng's usual "pluck the feathers off a goose" personality, Chu Chen couldn't help but want to tease him.

"Of course! It's rare to find such good jade, and it fits the grade of my shop perfectly. I'll offer sixty-five thousand, and you can transfer it to me," Zhang Guosheng said, bowing and pleading.

When it came to the price, Chu Chen stopped teasing him. He thought for a moment and felt the price was reasonable. If it were a finished carved piece, the price should be around seventy-five to eighty thousand. Although a difference of fifteen thousand seemed like a lot, when you factored in labor, shop rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, the profit wasn't as much as imagined.

Although Zhang Guosheng was usually a bit stingy and liked to "pluck the feathers off a goose," he wasn't stingy when it came to purchasing prices. In his own words, "good steel should be used on the blade." He had also purchased the jade that Chu Chen had gambled and found from him before.

Zhang Guosheng stared at Chu Chen with blinking eyes. Seeing him nod, he immediately became overjoyed and pulled him to the front desk to sign the transfer contract. Then, he hurried to the bank to transfer the money. Fortunately, they arrived in time; the bank would have closed soon after.

After the transaction was completed, Chu Chen said to Li Guodong, "Brother Li, are you free tonight? Let's go out for a meal, my treat."

Li Guodong hesitated and said, "Well, let me make a phone call first."

With that, he took out his phone and stood in a corner, making a call. His exceptionally gentle demeanor gave Chu Chen goosebumps all over.

About fifteen minutes later, Li Guodong put away his phone and walked back to Chu Chen, looking very satisfied. He said, "Alright, let's go. I'll definitely eat you dry, you rich tycoon, tonight."

Chu Chen looked at him speechlessly and said, "Do you have to be like that just to make a phone call? Could you please consider other people's feelings? Also, after talking for so long, you didn't even invite her? Are we still friends?"

Hearing this, Li Guodong felt a little embarrassed. "Well, it's just that my significant other is a bit shy. I'll definitely invite her over some other time."

Chu Chen glared at him. "I think you have no sincerity at all. Besides, the way you were on the phone, you're definitely going to be henpecked in the future. Who knows when you'll be able to take charge and invite her out to gather with everyone."

Li Guodong naturally didn't accept Chu Chen's statement, so he argued with him. Afterward, the two of them, chatting and laughing, walked toward the private kitchen they had agreed upon.

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Led by a waitress, Chu Chen and Li Guodong arrived at the private room Chu Chen had booked in advance. Zhou Wenping and the others were already there, drinking tea and chatting.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting," Chu Chen apologized as soon as he entered.

Zhou Wenping smiled and said, "It's okay. Aren't the patrons always the last to arrive? But since you're late, you'll have to drink three penalty cups later."

"Yeah, penalty!" Old Wu chimed in.

Chu Chen waved his hand grandly and laughed, "No problem, we won't go home until we're drunk tonight."

"No! Mommy said Daddy gets rowdy when he's drunk!" a little girl shouted from the side.

Li Guodong burst into laughter. "Haha, Old Wu, it seems even your daughter knows your drinking habits inside out."

The little girl who had just spoken was Old Wu's daughter, named Xiao Yi. She was four years old.

Old Wu said awkwardly, "Little girl, you're just talking nonsense."

"I'm not!" Xiao Yi pouted angrily. She looked so adorable.

"Okay, okay, Xiao Yi, don't be mad at your dad. Look what I have here?" Chu Chen said with a smile, taking out three plush toys.

"Wow! Such cute little bears (little pigs)!" The three children present, being quite familiar with Chu Chen, ran over to him.

Besides Old Wu's daughter Xiao Yi, the other two children were Zhou Wenping's son and daughter. They were twins, five years old. The boy was named Wen Cong, and the girl was named Wen Hui.

"Here, Wen Cong, take the little pig. Xiao Yi and Wen Hui, take the little bears."

After taking the little pig, Zhou Wen Cong said somewhat aggrievedly, "Uncle Xiao Chen, why do I have to take the little pig?"

Chu Chen smiled and stroked Zhou Wen Cong's head. "Wen Cong, you're too thin. Look at your skinny arms and legs. A man should be strong, so Uncle is giving you a little pig so you can eat more like a little pig and become strong."

The truth was, it wasn't like what Chu Chen said. It was just that when he bought the toys, he thought it was too effeminate for a boy to have a little bear. A little pig was more suitable.

Children are easily fooled. Zhou Wen Cong looked at his arms and legs, appearing deep in thought. Then, as if he understood, he said excitedly, "So that's how it is! Then I'll definitely strive to be like a little pig from now on."

Hearing this, everyone present chuckled. Zhou Wenping pretended to be angry and said, "Alright, if my son really turns into a pig, I'll hold you accountable."

"Then you can just make him lose weight."

Chu Chen joked with Zhou Wenping, then took out a gift box and handed it to Zhou Wenping's wife.

"Sister-in-law Zhou, I bought you some wild ginseng. Take care of yourself."

After giving birth to her two children, Sister-in-law Zhou had fallen seriously ill. After recovering, she suffered from a weakened immune system. Due to her low immunity, she would constantly fall ill with various ailments. In the past, no matter the season, she had to wear a mask when she went out. Zhou Wenping had taken her to many hospitals, but none could cure her.

Later, they found a hospital in Beijing, and finally, there was a treatment plan. After several years of treatment, she had improved significantly. She rarely got sick now and didn't need to wear a mask when going out. However, the doctor advised her to take supplements to boost her immunity regularly.

Between medical expenses, the cost of daily supplements, and the family's living expenses, all of this fell on Zhou Wenping alone, showing the immense pressure he was under. Therefore, Chu Chen would occasionally send some supplements and buy toys for the children, doing what he could to help his friend.

Afterward, Chu Chen took out another small gift box and handed it to Old Wu's wife, joking, "Sister-in-law, you have one too, otherwise Old Wu will say I'm playing favorites later."

The two ladies politely declined at first, but when they couldn't refuse any longer, they accepted with some embarrassment and said, "How could we accept this!"

"Don't be embarrassed. He just won sixty-five thousand gambling on stones. He's a little rich man right now."

Li Guodong, while sipping his tea, enthusiastically recounted the gambling on stones incident to everyone. They were all amazed by Chu Chen's good luck.

"Alright, Xiao Chen, you're really blessed! You just made a profit of five hundred thousand yesterday by finding a bargain, and today you won sixty-five thousand gambling on stones. You're not just a little rich now, you're a tycoon!" Old Wu said with envy.

"Ah, Xiao Chen, you actually found a bargain for five hundred thousand before and didn't tell me? Were you afraid I'd eat you dry today?" Li Guodong exclaimed with an exaggerated expression, gesturing wildly.

"Luck, it's all luck!" Chu Chen waved his hand and then recounted the process of finding the bargain to everyone.

"Xiao Chen, your luck is one thing, but the most important thing is that you're good at thinking. If it were me, I probably wouldn't have noticed the details," Zhou Wenping said knowingly.

Everyone nodded in agreement after hearing Zhou Wenping's words.

"Hey everyone, we're here to eat, not to chat. Let's order soon," Chu Chen reminded them after noticing that no one had mentioned ordering food.

At this reminder, everyone snapped back to reality, grabbed the menus with smiles, and began to look them over.

When everyone opened the menu, they were all shocked by the prices, which easily ran into hundreds or even thousands of yuan. Even Li Guodong, who had been boasting about eating Chu Chen broke just moments ago, smacked his lips at the sight.

"Xiao Chen, isn't this a bit too extravagant? Perhaps we should go somewhere else?" Sister-in-law Zhou suggested.

Chu Chen smiled and said to everyone, "Don't worry, I can afford to treat you all to a meal. At worst, I'll just win back the money I just lost. Come on, everyone order a dish."

Seeing Chu Chen's words, they couldn't refuse his offer, so they all picked and chose their dishes. When the orders were tallied, as expected, they had all chosen the relatively cheaper options. Chu Chen then ordered a few more substantial dishes, some sweets for the children, along with several bottles of drinks and Maotai.

After the waiter left, Li Guodong chuckled and said, "Alright, Xiao Chen, you're practically handing us money to play landlord and fight the rich!"

Chu Chen joked back, "What can I do? I'm just restless because I have too much money."

Everyone listened and couldn't help but laugh happily.

The reason Chu Chen chose this private kitchen was twofold: it offered good value for money, and the food was served quickly. Within minutes of the waiter leaving, their ordered dishes began arriving at the table one after another.

Chu Chen poured drinks and beverages for everyone and raised his glass, saying, "It's rare for us all to get together like this. I wish everyone good health, prosperous careers, and all the best. Cheers!" With that, he led the toast and drank it all in one gulp.

"Good wine! It truly lives up to its reputation as the national liquor. It's so fragrant and mellow, smooth on the palate. Such excellent wine, we must not go home sober tonight!" Old Wu exclaimed, shaking his head.

Seeing this, Sister-in-law Wu went up and grabbed Old Wu's ear, saying, "I'll show you about not going home sober! What did you promise me earlier?"

"Ouch! Ouch! My dear wife, I'll be careful later. Can you let go? Look, everyone's watching." Old Wu said, his face contorted in pain.

Sister-in-law Wu released his ear and said sternly, "Alright, remember what you said. Otherwise, don't blame me for enforcing household discipline."

Old Wu nodded repeatedly with a dejected look. Everyone else secretly chuckled at the sight.

The dishes here were indeed exceptional, and everyone praised them as they ate, chatting and conversing amidst a very lively atmosphere.