kingnovel Chapter 90 Peace Hotel
Chapter 90 Peace Hotel
In a word, reckless.
Just like singing.
I am who I am, a firework of a different color.
With the sky high and the sea wide, be the strongest bubble.
The Peace Hotel, and the humiliating history of the concessions in old Shanghai, are deeply etched in Qi Tongwei's mind. Remember history, never forget the humiliation.
Men should have the ambition to conquer the world.
Qi Tongwei checked in for a week first; when you have money, you have to make the most of it.
After dropping off my luggage, I went to the restaurant and chose a spot near the Huangpu River.
European-style architecture paired with Chinese food is somewhat of an odd combination.
Qi Tongwei ordered five dishes and a soup in one go, not the best, but only the most expensive.
"Sir, are you sure you want these?"
Judging from Qi Tongwei's attire, the waiter didn't think he was a rich second-generation.
"Okay, hurry up and serve the food. I'm a self-made man, not a second-generation rich kid."
The waiter was shocked. How did he guess what I was thinking? Is there such a big shot at such a young age? It seems he prefers to keep a low profile.
"Okay, sir, please wait a moment."
Ye Xuan laughed, "Qi Tongwei, just keep showing off. These days, everyone's afraid of others knowing they're rich, or they might become targets for thieves."
Qi Tongwei poured Ye Xuan a cup of tea, saying, "The thief who dares to try and steal from me hasn't been born yet."
Ye Xuan took a sip of tea. "You're amazing, the most amazing in the whole country."
"So-so, just so-so, third in the world."
Qi Tongwei accepted it without hesitation.
"Arrogance and confidence are only one word apart, you know?"
Qi Tongwei also took a sip of tea. "I like the word 'arrogance'."
"I think one word is enough to describe you right now: not presumptuous, but wildly arrogant."
Qi Tongwei readily accepted, saying, "Reporter Ye's word choice is still precise; I like it."
"I can't be bothered to talk to you. Are you planning to stay in Shanghai forever?"
"Isn't Reporter Ye here? I have to protect him."
"Come on, you've given up on pursuing that pretty junior of yours."
"You're all top-tier beauties, I won't lose out by being with any of you."
"Dream on, Qi Tongwei. I'm warning you, this kind of thinking is dangerous. A few years ago, you would have been charged with hooliganism."
"Reporter Ye, times have changed. Now it's all about making money. A cat is a good cat as long as it catches mice, regardless of its color."
"fallacies and heresies"
"Just wait and see. Right now, corruption is nothing compared to what's to come. Once China's economy becomes the world's second largest, the figures for corruption will be in the hundreds of millions."
Ye Xuan was astonished. "The world's second-largest economy? That's an exaggeration! We're still decades behind the Japanese!"
"The Japanese are only so big; the Plaza Accord alone crippled them. With the US as their 'daddy,' the Japanese have no chance of ever turning the tables."
"You have a really sharp tongue. How did the US become the Japanese's father?"
"With American troops stationed there, there is no sovereignty; a country without sovereignty is just a son."
"The US has troops stationed in so many places around the world, so those places have no sovereignty. Europe is full of developed countries."
"We need to take a long-term view. Our ancestors had the glory of the Han and Tang dynasties, didn't they? Size determines the height of a country. Let's be confident. When my children, born in the 00s, are born, they will be able to witness the rise of our motherland."
Ye Xuan spat out her drink. How did the baby suddenly appear in the middle of the conversation? Couldn't they just have a serious chat?
The waiter brought the food, and Ye Xuan quickly wiped her mouth with a tissue.
"Sir, Madam, please enjoy your meal."
"Thank you"
The dishes looked appealing, but the main draw was their high price.
Golden sauce spare ribs are made with king crab and the middle rib.
Qi Tongwei placed a piece of braised pork ribs on Ye Xuan's plate, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, Ms. Ye. You're welcome to come and rip me off every day."
Ye Xuan found these words pleasant to hear, and suddenly felt a sense of joy, like she was taking advantage of a rich person.
"You're quite sensible. Why don't you quit your job at the procuratorate and go into business? The country is really encouraging that now."
Qi Tongwei ate a piece of braised pork ribs in golden sauce. It was mellow and delicious. Sure enough, everyone wants to climb to the top. The top not only has power and money, but also the life of an emperor.
"Reporter Ye, actually I prefer power."
Ye Xuan scoffed, "Someone like you thinks you can climb to a higher position of power? Keep dreaming."
"He who eats another's food is bound to him; he who takes another's money is bound to him. Reporter Ye, you've hurt me so deeply. My fragile heart can't take your abuse."
Ye Xuan made a vomiting gesture. "Qi Tongwei, don't give me that crap. I'm serious. I know some businessmen I can introduce you to."
Qi Tongwei sighed, "Thank you for your kind offer, Reporter Ye, but I still want to make a living in officialdom."
Ye Xuan meant well; she was worried that he had offended a powerful figure and would have a very hard time turning his life around.
"It's up to you. If you ever change your mind, you can tell me anytime."
Qi Tongwei laughed and said, "Reporter Ye, which businessman friend gave you this imported Mercedes-Benz?"
Ye Xuan pointed at Qi Tongwei, "Are you having an occupational hazard? Trying to investigate me?"
Qi Tongwei quickly denied it, "No, no, please don't misunderstand, it's purely out of curiosity."
Ye Xuan thought for a moment and then explained, "I have relatives overseas."
During wartime, some large families invested in both ends, and Qi Tongwei instantly understood.
"Mr. Ye, I apologize to you with tea instead of wine. I was being petty and judging you by my own standards."
Ye Xuan picked up her teacup and clinked it against his. "I'll forgive you this time."
Qi Tongwei gave a thumbs-up, praising the "heroic spirit" of reporter Ye.
"Oh my, so they've come all the way to the Peace Hotel to become sworn brothers!"
Suddenly a woman said in a sarcastic tone:
"Ye Xuan, this is your boyfriend. He doesn't look very good."
The woman's name is Liu Yanyan. She is currently a nighttime program host on Shanghai TV. The two were college classmates. After saying this, she covered her mouth shyly.
She was arm in arm with a man in a sharp suit, who looked to be around thirty years old, with hair so neatly combed that a fly could land on it.
Ye Xuan didn't hold back either, "Liu Yanyan, don't force me to hit you, get out of here."
Liu Yanyan patted the man affectedly, "Brother Hao, this is my college classmate. She has no manners at all, swearing the moment she opens her mouth."
Hearing the woman's voice, Qi Tongwei got goosebumps all over his body.
Qi Tongwei stood up with a smile, "Miss, what's your name?"
Liu Yanyan rolled her eyes at Qi Tongwei, judging from his clothes that he was obviously poor. "Who are you calling 'Miss'? Don't you have any manners?"
Qi Tongwei wasn't angry. "Madam, what's your name?"
Liu Yanyan replied haughtily, "Liu Yanyan."
Qi Tongwei nodded. "This name sounds tacky and doesn't suit Ms. Liu's temperament."
Ye Xuan couldn't help but laugh, wondering what mischief Qi Tongwei was up to this time.
Liu Yanyan's face turned green with anger. "Brother Hao, this guy is bullying me!"
Qi Tongwei shuddered again; this woman's voice truly deserved the title of "Miss."
Ma Hao gently put his arm around Liu Yanyan, and Qi Tongwei could tell at a glance that she was a master of romance.
"Sir, what's your name?"
"My name is Qi Tongwei. What's your name?"
"My name is Ma Hao. This is a very upscale place, and everyone here is well-mannered. I think you should apologize to my girlfriend for what you just said."
Showing off, absolutely showing off. Men understand men best, and Qi Tongwei guessed that this guy was probably pretending to be rich.