Chapter 104: Don't Make a Scene in Broad Daylight!

After finishing the meal, it's already past 2 PM.

When Li Dong goes downstairs to settle the bill, Qi Fangfang insists on coming along.

As they exit the corridor, Qi Fangfang suddenly takes out seven or eight hundred-yuan notes and stuffs them into Li Dong's hand.

Li Dong's expression changes, and he stops, frowning at her.

Qi Fangfang smiles, "Don't overthink it. We had already agreed on this. It's your first time in Beijing, and we feel bad about overcharging you. Next time, when you come again, we'll definitely give you a proper treat and go to Chuxiang Pavilion for a big meal."

She thinks Li Dong might feel embarrassed and quickly tries to save face for him.

Li Dong looks at her, feeling a bit helpless.

Qi Fangfang, confused, is worried that Li Dong might misunderstand and explains, "We don't mean anything else…"

Li Dong shakes his head and doesn't say anything, heading straight to the front desk.

Qi Fangfang, frustrated, stomps her foot. What does he mean by that grin?

By the time she realizes, Li Dong is already at the checkout counter.

Thinking it over, Qi Fangfang decides to follow him.

She glances at the bill and is shocked, immediately confronting the front desk, "How could it be so expensive! Are you trying to cheat us?"

They've eaten at Qingmu Garden before, and a meal usually costs only around a thousand to eighteen hundred yuan.

Although they don't come often, they've been there two or three times, and the most they ever spent for four people was over eight hundred yuan.

But now the bill is 6800 yuan!

Qi Fangfang panics and turns to Li Dong, "Don't pay yet. I need to speak to the manager!"

Li Dong quickly stops her and says to the front desk with a smile, "Just charge it to my card."

"No way!"

Qi Fangfang is about to argue further when the front desk clerk smiles and says, "Ma'am, I think you might have misunderstood. The two bottles of red wine in your private room cost 5600 yuan. The bill is accurate."

"Red wine?"

Qi Fangfang quickly grabs the bill and looks at it, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Even though they had eaten at Qingmu Garden, they usually only drink beverages, rarely wine.

When Li Dong ordered the red wine earlier, Qi Fangfang didn't pay attention.

Who knew that the food was minor compared to the two bottles of red wine, which were the real expense.

Realizing this, Qi Fangfang feels both regretful and embarrassed.

She regrets not noticing the expensive wine, thinking it was just a few yuan per bottle.

She's embarrassed because they had planned to pay for their own meal, but now with a 6800 yuan bill, they don't have enough money on them.

After Li Dong finishes paying with his card, Qi Fangfang, blushing, whispers, "We don't have enough money on us right now. We'll make up the amount and pay you back later."

Li Dong glances at her and hands her the several hundred yuan she tried to give him earlier, saying, "It's just a meal. I already said I'm treating. Are you trying to make me look bad?"

Qi Fangfang quickly shakes her head.

Just as she's about to say something, Qin Yuhan and the others come over.

Seeing Qi Fangfang still holding the money, Zhou Yue thinks Li Dong refuses to take it and says, "Li Dong, don't misunderstand…"

"Cough, cough!"

Qi Fangfang coughs to interrupt Zhou Yue, giving her a meaningful glance.

Zhou Yue quickly realizes there might be more to the story and swallows her words.

The group then stops discussing the meal expenses. Since Li Dong is new to Beijing and hasn't booked a room, Qin Yuhan takes him to find a hotel.

---

As soon as Li Dong leaves, Zhou Yue asks urgently, "Didn't he take it?"

Before Qi Fangfang can speak, Zhang Mengmeng pouts and says, "Fangfang, didn't I tell you to find a secluded place to give him the money? Men always care about face. If you offer it in front of him, he definitely won't accept it."

Qi Fangfang gives both of them a look and says irritably, "Accept it? I'm so embarrassed today!"

Without further explanation, she hands them the bill she's been holding.

Zhou Yue looks at it and gasps, "6800 yuan?"

Zhang Mengmeng quickly grabs the bill and checks it. Seeing the red wine section, she grimaces and says, "Oh no, how are we going to pay this back? I drank more than half a bottle, so that's almost two thousand already."

She even licks her lips, as if savoring the memory.

Qi Fangfang and Zhou Yue exchange glances and then each take a turn squeezing Zhang Mengmeng's cheeks.

Zhang Mengmeng, annoyed, pushes them away and rubs her face, glaring at them angrily.

Since there are other people in the lobby, they can't make too much of a scene. Qi Fangfang sighs and shakes her head, saying, "Forget it. Li Dong doesn't seem like someone short of money. Yuhan has good taste. Li Dong doesn't seem like someone who's arrogant."

Zhang Mengmeng and Zhou Yue nod in agreement.

Though money isn't the only measure of a person's worth, having more money does give an advantage under similar conditions.

It's not about being snobbish; it's just reality.

Not all Beijing University students treat money lightly. If they did, they wouldn't be studying at Beijing University and would instead go home to farm.

---

The hotel Qin Yuhan books for Li Dong isn't a star-rated hotel but a budget one.

Li Dong doesn't mind. He isn't in business or trying to impress anyone, so there's no need for extravagance. He's not picky about accommodations, as long as it's clean and convenient. Plus, this hotel is close to Beijing University and has good transport links.

Once they're in the room, Li Dong pushes Qin Yuhan onto the bed.

Qin Yuhan pushes him away and says, "It's broad daylight, don't make a scene!"

Li Dong grins cheekily, "So does that mean it's okay to make a scene at night?"

"Make a scene? You'll be going back to the dormitory tonight, or Fangfang and the others will definitely laugh at you."

Li Dong protests, "Are you leaving me alone in the hotel? How can you be so heartless?"

Qin Yuhan pinches him and laughs, "It's not like we'll be staying long. How about we just go back to Pingchuan tomorrow?"

Thinking of Pingchuan, Li Dong recalls the house.

He's about to speak when Qin Yuhan adds, "Or maybe we shouldn't go back tomorrow. Since this is your first time in Beijing, I'll show you around. How about visiting Beijing University in the morning and Yuanmingyuan in the afternoon?"

Li Dong considers this. It would be a waste to visit Beijing and leave after just one night.

Moreover, Beijing University is a prestigious institution, and as Qin Yuhan's school, it's worth seeing. He's also interested in the famous Weiming Lake and the Heart Island.

With the rare opportunity, Li Dong agrees, "Alright, I'll stay one more day."

If it weren't for the house in Pingchuan being renovated, and the chance to shop with Qin Yuhan during the holiday, he would have stayed in Beijing longer.

After chatting for a while, Qin Yuhan asks, "What about your luggage?"

Li Dong shrugs, "I didn't bring any."

"You're not going to change clothes?"

"It's just for a day, I…"

Before he can finish, Qin Yuhan looks at him with disdain and says, "No way! It's fine for a coat, but you need to change your underwear. It's so dirty!"

Li Dong is frustrated, wondering if she's just being critical.