Chapter 93: The Unusual Show of Power

Zhou Ming and Tang Ran followed the Toyota guy into the East Gate Hotel. Tang Ran, feeling nervous, held Zhou Ming's hand tightly and asked in a whisper, "Brother Ming, is everything going to be okay?"

Zhou Ming patted Tang Ran's hand reassuringly and said, "Don't worry. It's not our first time here. As long as I'm not recognized, we can order whatever we want when we get into the private room. Let's order the most expensive dishes and eat him out of house and home, okay?"

Tang Ran nodded vigorously, "Brother Ming, I'll do whatever you say. This guy is really annoying, I don't like him either!"

"Good!" Zhou Ming praised Tang Ran.

At the hotel entrance, the receptionist greeted Zhou Ming with a bow, saying, "Hello, Mr. Zhou." This made Zhou Ming feel a bit helpless. It seemed that after his previous auction and conversation with Mayor Chen, the hotel staff had remembered him. Even after a month, the receptionist still recognized him!

However, before Zhou Ming could say anything, he saw the Toyota guy waving dismissively at the receptionist and saying, "Hello, you're all doing well."

Seeing the surprise in the receptionists' eyes, it was clear they didn't recognize the Toyota guy. Zhou Ming couldn't help but ask, "What's this? Do you also have the surname Zhou?"

The Toyota guy confidently replied, "Of course. Didn't you hear the receptionists greeting me?"

Zhou Ming was taken aback. It was quite a coincidence that the Toyota guy also had the surname Zhou. However, this was fine because if the hotel recognized Zhou Ming, it would have been problematic. Since the Toyota guy was so confident he was being greeted, the hotel staff would likely think he was an important guest of Zhou Ming and wouldn't expose the truth. Zhou Ming decided to play along with the Toyota guy's delusion and let him enjoy the feeling of being a big boss. The cost, however, would be quite high.

The Toyota guy was indeed brimming with confidence. He didn't expect his luck would be so good that the receptionist would greet him. It seemed that this grand hotel was different; even though he had only visited a few times, they remembered him.

Entering the hotel, the Toyota guy went to the front desk. He had originally just wanted a regular private room because high-end rooms were very expensive and usually reserved for important people. With his status, he wouldn't be able to book one. But to his surprise, the front desk clerk informed him that a VIP room was available.

"A VIP room? I can book it too?" The Toyota guy was surprised.

"Of course," the front desk clerk replied with a smile.

The Toyota guy was dumbfounded. At this moment, Zhou Ming, who was behind him, said, "What's the matter? Can't Mr. Zhou afford a VIP room?"

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, the Toyota guy's expression stiffened for a moment before he puffed out his chest and said, "How could that be? It's just a VIP room. I visit here often. You think VIP rooms at a luxury hotel like the East Gate Hotel are reserved for just anyone? Today, because of your luck, you get to experience it because I'm here."

The front desk clerk was somewhat surprised by the Toyota guy's words. Zhou Ming, however, nodded and said, "I believe it. Whether others believe it or not, I believe it."

The Toyota guy booked a VIP room at the front desk and then had the staff lead them to the room. After sitting down, the waiter brought the menu. Zhou Ming opened the menu and looked up at the waiter, asking, "What's the most expensive dish here?"

The Toyota guy, who had just opened the menu, nearly choked. He said to Zhou Ming, "Can't you be a bit more decent? This is the East Gate Hotel, a high-end place, not a roadside stall. You don't order like that here!"

Zhou Ming raised an eyebrow, "If not ordering like that, then how should we order? Or are you afraid of being embarrassed when the bill comes?"

The Toyota guy was stunned. He glanced at Tang Ran, who was staring at him with innocent, big eyes, and could only grit his teeth and wave his hand, "How could that be? You think I'm a poor student who can't afford anything? I'm a big boss driving a Toyota. Order whatever you want. I'll let you see what a real big boss's meal is like!"

Zhou Ming struggled to keep from laughing. He gave the Toyota guy a thumbs up and said, "Alright! As expected of a big boss, so generous!"

Then Zhou Ming closed his menu and handed it back to the waiter, saying, "No need to look. Just bring us the most expensive dishes. After all, a big boss is footing the bill."

The waiter, remembering the Toyota guy's claim, chuckled softly but quickly composed himself. He nodded at Zhou Ming and the Toyota guy, then asked softly, "Mr. Zhou, would you like something to drink?"

"I'll take a look first," the Toyota guy said.

Zhou Ming was straightforward, "Bring us a bottle of 1982 Lafite and a bottle of Henry IV brandy. Do you have those?"

"Alright, I'll check. Please wait a moment," the waiter said.

The waiter went to the intercom to inquire and returned shortly, saying, "Sir, we have the 1982 Lafite, but we don't have Henry IV brandy. I'm sorry."

"That's fine. Then bring us other brandy or tequila, but they must be the most expensive!" Zhou Ming added, "And make sure it's the best!"

The list of unfamiliar names already made the Toyota guy's heart race. He barely managed to maintain his composure in front of the girl. Hearing Zhou Ming's last comment, he was almost about to explode.

The Toyota guy was about to signal the waiter, but Zhou Ming interjected, "Oh, by the way, get a drink called 'Heartache' for that gentleman over there."

The waiter and the Toyota guy were both stunned, asking in unison, "What's 'Heartache'?"

Zhou Ming gestured for the waiter to come over and whispered in her ear that it was a glass of 20,000 yuan plain water.

The waiter chuckled, but Zhou Ming told her to inform the manager to bring it as instructed. The waiter nodded and left to order the food.

After the waiter left, the Toyota guy looked at Zhou Ming with confusion, "What's 'Heartache'?"

"It's a special drink unique to this hotel. How come such a big boss like you doesn't know about it?" Zhou Ming feigned surprise.

The Toyota guy felt his pride wounded and said, "Of course I know. I was just afraid you wouldn't understand!"

He then turned his attention to Tang Ran and asked in a friendly tone, "Pretty girl, now that the dishes are ordered, I don't even know your name."

Tang Ran, using her natural charm, looked at the Toyota guy with her big, round eyes and asked, "Are you really rich? This meal must cost a lot, doesn't it?"

The Toyota guy waved his hand dismissively, "Are you looking down on me? Didn't I tell you? I'm a big boss, a very rich one. I usually dine like this and even more expensive. Today, I brought you here because I like you, and I wanted you to experience something new."

Tang Ran responded with an "Oh" and turned to Zhou Ming, saying, "Brother Ming, it seems we've really met a big spender today."

If Zhou Ming's earlier comments only made the Toyota guy want to vomit, Tang Ran's remark made him feel an impulse to explode.

What? I drive you to the best restaurant in Nanjing, let you order the most expensive dishes and drinks, and you evaluate me as a big spender? 

Zhou Ming also chided Tang Ran seriously, "Ran Ran, how can you say that? If it weren't for this gentleman, how could we eat the most expensive dishes and drink the best wine at the East Gate Hotel today? Didn't you always want to try Western food? This Lafite is the best wine in the world."

Tang Ran nodded as if she understood, then thanked the Toyota guy, "Thank you, uncle!"

The Toyota guy's gentlemanly demeanor finally cracked. He gritted his teeth and said, "I'm not even thirty yet!"

"Alright, big brother, don't be upset. I know you're not yet thirty and drive a Toyota that shows off your noble status. It's quite impressive," Zhou Ming advised, though his smile seemed to mock the Toyota guy rather than show respect.

The Toyota guy sat down, muttering in frustration, "Poor people are always so rude and unrefined!"

At this moment, the door to the private room suddenly opened. The hotel manager walked in, surveyed the room, and finally fixed his gaze on Zhou Ming, saying respectfully, "Sorry to intrude. I'm the hotel manager, Mr. Wang. Perhaps you don't remember me."

The manager moved to shake hands with Zhou Ming, but the Toyota guy hurriedly stood up to shake his hand, saying, "Manager Wang, you're too kind. I didn't expect you to come in person while we're dining. We're truly honored!"

Manager Wang looked at the unfamiliar Toyota guy with confusion. He couldn't recall who this person was but smiled and greeted him. Then, he turned to Zhou Ming, "Mr.

 Zhou, hello. Welcome to our restaurant. I hope you are satisfied with our service. If there's anything unsatisfactory, please let us know, and we will address it immediately."

Zhou Ming waved his hand, "Manager Wang, you're too polite. Everything is fine here."

The scene left the Toyota guy stunned. He asked Manager Wang, "Manager Wang, do you know him?"

"Of course. He is Mr. Zhou Ming," Manager Wang answered matter-of-factly.

Zhou Ming?

The Toyota guy furrowed his brows, deep in thought.

Suddenly, he seemed to recall something terrifying. He looked at Zhou Ming in disbelief and asked, "Zhou Ming? Are you that Zhou Ming?"

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