Chapter 64: Putting on airs
Under the night sky, the Kaibin Hotel's exterior gleamed in the glow of floodlights. It was currently Xiahai City's most magnificent nighttime landmark.
As the times advanced, fine cars had begun appearing outside. Last year, Su Can had hardly seen any Benzes or BMWs in Xiahai City, but this year, several Aopòs and Benzes were parked outside the Kaibin Hotel, lending its entrance considerable grandeur.
The ground-floor restaurant was lavishly furnished. Some people sat inside, gazing out. Whether because of the intervening glass or the depth of the night, their gazes always seemed somewhat distant.
When Su Can arrived, he happened to see several sedans glide up. The boys and girls who emerged wore either the fashionable sporty casual wear of the moment or more carefully chosen outfits. They waved to their parents inside the cars, then headed excitedly toward the hotel entrance. The pretty hostesses at the door, dressed in neat qipaos, ushered these guests for Chen Lingshan's birthday banquet inside.
Only as Su Can stood there did he hear someone calling to him. He turned to see a carefully dressed Li Lüemei getting out of a taxi. Several other cars were nearby, and the people getting out were classmates. There were a few he did not recognize, though presumably they belonged to the same circle. Mao Xiaoshi was among them, waving vigorously at Su Can. Since the stabbing incident, he had changed considerably, losing his former sharp edges and becoming much more reserved. His hand had mostly healed. Fortunately, medicine in the new era was not too backward, and he had suffered no lasting effects.
As for Su Can, Mao Xiaoshi had long since become profoundly grateful to him, even developing a special sense of closeness toward him. Without Su Can, Chen Chong