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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, attracting only the wealthy and influential.
At six o'clock 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 Lai Wen and her husband stepped out of a Crown Sedan, accompanied by a graceful woman of similar age. Behind them, another car pulled up, from which emerged Zhou Kaishan, the director of the Publicity Department of the Provincial Propaganda Bureau, along with a woman of his age and a little boy around four or five years old.
Lai Wen spotted Hu Ruoyun and Mao Na and waved, "Brother Xiao Hu, Sister Mao Na, you’re here early!"
With no choice but to greet them back, Hu Ruoyun and Mao Na exchanged pleasantries. The young lady at the front desk recognized Lai Wen, pointing at Hu Ruoyun and Mao Na as she asked, "Ladies, would you like us to take these items to your room or hold them until you leave?"
Zhou Kaishan leaned in, "Xiao Hu, what do you have there?"
After all, this was a gift delivery. While Sister Lai Wen was easygoing about it, Hu Ruoyun was unsure how Zhou would react…
Mao Na chimed in, "Uncle, these are all local specialties from Annan County. We just wanted Sister Lai Wen to try some..."
Zhou Kaishan replied earnestly, "Lai Wen has already told me that you’ve been sharing your genuine experiences; there’s no need for thanks!"
Seeing their slight embarrassment, he couldn’t help but chuckle again. "Besides, it’s mostly me helping out; you keep calling her Sister Lai Wen without giving me any thought. Isn’t that a bit inconsiderate?"
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 reached the room, Zhou pointed at Hu Ruoyun. "Have your girlfriend sit with them; you sit next to me and tell me what’s in this box." He looked like a playful old child.
Hu Ruoyun had no choice but to open the gift box and take out each item to introduce to Zhou. "This is Daokou Roast Chicken; this is Lao Miao Beef; this is Mutton Hot Pot—all freshly vacuum-packed..."
Zhou examined each item closely. "I’ve had Daokou Roast Chicken before. What’s special about this Lao Miao Beef and Mutton Hot Pot?"
Hu Ruoyun explained, "In our Lao Miao Township, there’s Xiao Zhai Village 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... The Mutton Hot Pot is even more convenient; just add boiling water directly, pair it with cilantro, drizzle some sesame oil and vinegar, and it’s ready to eat..."
Zhou 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 Mutton Hot Pot for cooking."
While waiting for the dishes to arrive over tea, Hu Ruoyun, Mao Na, and Lai Wen's husband got acquainted as Lai Wen introduced everyone.
Accompanying Zhou was his mother-in-law; that elegant beauty was his college classmate and childhood friend named Liu Ru Yan who had just returned from America—she was the only one from their class who studied abroad.
Such family gatherings typically avoided business talk. The dishes arrived quickly, and everyone dug in casually while enjoying drinks.
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, "What 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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