Overwhelmed by Favor

Zuo Yikai couldn't understand how Lin Chen had said something that could calm down the furious Cheng Gang.

However, before he could ponder for too long.

The private room door was opened again.

Clang!

Along with the sound of the door opening, a hearty male voice came through.

"Hahaha, apologies for keeping our esteemed guests waiting."

Hearing the voice, everyone instinctively turned to look, only to find the hotel's lobby manager, Chen Liming, arriving.

He was holding two bottles of red wine, his face beaming with a smile as he hurried over.

"Today, as a special gift for our lucky student Cheng Gang, the Emperor Hotel is presenting these two bottles of 1968 Lafite Rothschild. Please don't be shy, Cheng Gang."

What!!

1968 Lafite Rothschild?!

And two bottles at that!!!

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes widened in disbelief.

If this were any other hotel, these people would never believe that two bottles of 1968 Lafite Rothschild were genuine.

But this was different. This was Zhonghai's most prestigious Emperor International Hotel, the very symbol of Zhonghai to the outside world.

Furthermore, the hotel had stated from day one that all food and beverages consumed within its premises would be of authentic quality. Any customer who discovered even a trace of counterfeit product would be compensated tenfold the value.

Of course, this alone wouldn't convince the students, as exaggerated claims of authenticity were common.

The reason they firmly believed the Emperor Hotel wouldn't fake anything stemmed from a past incident. A customer had ordered a bottle of wine worth over a hundred thousand yuan. Upon tasting it, they found it different from what they usually drank. A sommelier was called in and confirmed it was fake.

The incident caused a huge stir, with everyone eager to see how the Emperor Hotel would handle it. Most people didn't believe the hotel would actually pay the tenfold compensation. Based on the usual practices of other hotels, such matters would typically be swept under the rug, with a compensation of perhaps ten thousand yuan at most.

However, the Emperor Hotel's final resolution exceeded everyone's expectations. The hotel directly compensated the consumer with tenfold the value. A sum of over a hundred thousand yuan multiplied by ten thousand meant a staggering one billion yuan in compensation.

This was an astronomical sum.

The hotel's action at the time sent shockwaves throughout Zhonghai and even all of China, sparking widespread discussion among countless citizens. The Emperor International Hotel, through this single event, rapidly ascended to become the top hotel in Zhonghai and its official emblem.

Of course, this unexpected incident also turned the consumer into an instant billionaire.

But while some rejoiced, others grieved, especially the hotel's manager at the time. An investigation revealed that the manager, for personal gain, had secretly replaced the genuine wine with a fake, causing immense losses for the hotel. The hotel would not let such an employee off the hook.

As for what ultimately happened to this employee, it remains a mystery to this day. He has been unreachable since then, and even though the police suspected the Emperor Hotel's involvement, they could find no evidence. Over time, the matter was simply dropped.

"This... this isn't quite right, is it? Those two bottles of wine must be worth a fortune."

Looking at the two bottles of red wine placed on the table by lobby manager Chen Liming, even Cheng Gang, aware that it was his lucky day, felt a pang of apprehension. After all, these weren't just any ordinary bottles of wine; they were two bottles of 1968 vintage. Their price would undoubtedly be astonishing.

"Well... the wine is indeed a bit pricey."

"But how can a wine that isn't worth hundreds of millions be worthy of today's lucky recipient?"

"Wouldn't you agree, student Cheng Gang?"

"But rest assured, these two bottles, worth two hundred million yuan, are a complimentary gift from the hotel. You won't need to pay extra."

At these words, everyone collectively gasped, their eyes widening in utter disbelief. Two bottles of 1968 vintage red wine, valued at a staggering two hundred million yuan?! That meant each bottle was worth a hundred million! Such wine was rarely even heard of in daily life, and when it was, it was usually enjoyed only by China's top Super Tycoons. Now, it was being presented before ordinary people like them. How could they not be shocked?

It had to be said, the Emperor International Hotel was truly extravagant. With such a lavish gesture, it was no wonder it had become one of Zhonghai's promotional showcases.

"It seems I'm really borrowing Cheng Gang's luck today."

"Otherwise, at the price of this wine, let alone drinking it, they wouldn't even qualify to see it in their lifetime."

At this moment, all the classmates present looked at Cheng Gang with different eyes.

Some of them held admiration and praise.

Although these two bottles of wine were not bought but gifted by the hotel, it was still a symbol of status.

If not for Cheng Gang's incredible luck, how would they have the chance to taste such astronomically priced wine?

Thinking about Zuo Yikai's earlier mocking words towards Cheng Gang, these classmates also began to disdain him.

If it weren't for his family background and the powerful connections behind him, they would have already started mocking him.

"Two hundred million..."

At this moment, Zuo Yikai found it hard to believe after hearing what the hotel lobby manager said.

Of course, what made him feel the worst was the statement that slapped him in the face.

He had just finished mocking Cheng Gang not long ago, and now all those words were being thrown back at him.

Judging by Zuo Yikai's flushed face, it was clear how embarrassed he felt at the moment.

He wished he could immediately find a hole in the ground and burrow into it.

"Hahaha, thank you so much."

"It's truly my honor, Cheng Gang, to be the lucky recipient of the Emperor Hotel's generosity."

Cheng Gang spoke these words sincerely. After all, being treated so well by the Zhonghai Emperor International Hotel was a privilege usually reserved for people with significant backgrounds.

Now, as someone from a small family with a modest background, to receive such an honor, and even have the hotel gift such expensive wine.

Let alone being happy, feeling overwhelmed would not be an exaggeration.

"No, no, no, it is our hotel's honor."

"It is truly our Emperor Hotel that is fortunate to welcome distinguished guests like yourselves."

Chen Liming dared not presume. Upon hearing Cheng Gang's words, his smile became even more fawning, and he bowed even lower.

As he spoke, his eyes secretly glanced at Lin Chen not far away.

Seeing the latter nod slightly, he then turned back with a smile.

"Then... then I won't disturb your pleasant gathering."

"If you need anything, you can ask the waiter to find me at any time."

"I, Chen Liming, will definitely represent the Emperor Hotel and host all our esteemed guests properly."

With that, Chen Liming no longer dared to linger and turned to walk out the door.