VIP Standards

Xiao Yao said, "The private room we booked is 816."

"Mr. Xiao, you still have guests to greet, so I won't keep you any longer."

After Ran Lixin left, Bai Yuzhen asked, "That man seems to work in a government office. Who is he? When did you meet him?"

"His name is Ran Lixin. He’s the secretary to Deputy Director Fan Jingyu." There was no need to hide this.

"He’s actually the secretary to the Deputy Director? Since when do you know people from government departments?" Bai Yuzhen was quite curious.

"I'm not particularly close with Ran Lixin—I've only met him a couple of times. But I do get along fairly well with Fan Jingyu."

This news surprised Bai Yuzhen. She wanted to ask more, but just then, other guests started arriving. She had to set aside her questions for the moment.

Xiao Zhenshan happened to come downstairs. After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, he made a point to say, "What a coincidence—our big boss and his family are also dining here today. I invited them out of courtesy, and to my surprise, they agreed to join us for a bit of fun. So tonight, we might not be able to have our usual banter—please bear with it."

"The big boss is actually willing to join us for a lively evening? That’s great news," said Zhang Yunsheng, the personnel manager, in astonishment. "The boss is new here and hasn’t settled in yet. This is the perfect chance to build some rapport. If the boss takes a liking to any of us tonight, maybe we won’t get promoted right away, but at the very least, work will get easier."

The others echoed his sentiments, their faces all brimming with excitement.

By 7:00, all the guests had arrived, and Xiao Zhenshan escorted the last one into the private room.

Although Xin Chengyou had suggested a family gathering, not everyone had brought their spouses and children. Of the seven invited guests, only four had brought their wives, and aside from Xin Chengyou, no one had brought their children.

Everyone was of a similar age—most of their children were either at school or already working, and even those at home were unlikely to be interested in such gatherings.

With Ji Guangrong’s family of three included, there were eighteen people at the table altogether. Fortunately, the table was large enough to accommodate everyone comfortably.

As the company’s big boss, Ji Guangrong naturally sat at the seat of honor. Xin Chengyou, the deputy general manager, sat right beside him on the left. The rest, being longtime friends and of similar rank within the company, didn’t fuss over where they sat and took their seats at random.

Xiao Zhenshan’s family, being the hosts, could only sit near the entrance.

This seating arrangement seemed quite normal to everyone else, but Xiao Yao was displeased. If Ji Guangrong hadn’t joined, the arrangement wouldn’t have mattered—everyone present was an old friend, and any seat would do. But now, with Ji Guangrong presiding in the center, exuding a leader’s haughty air, and even his wife and son wearing their superiority like a badge, it was simply distasteful.

Xiao Yao had little patience for today’s gathering to begin with. Now, with the discordant presence of Ji Guangrong’s family, what was meant to be a relaxed, friendly family dinner had instantly turned into a flattery session for the bosses. Whatever patience he had left was quickly wearing thin.

Once everyone had settled in and exchanged a few words, Xin Chengyou spoke up. "Zhenshan, what wine have you prepared for tonight? It’s not every day the big boss and his family grace us with their presence—we have to make sure the drinks are up to standard."

Before Xiao Zhenshan could reply, Ji Guangrong interjected, "We’re all colleagues and family here, not entertaining distinguished guests. There’s no need for anything fancy. I think the local wine is just fine."

"My husband doesn’t usually drink," Ji Guangrong’s wife chimed in with a smile. "Just look at his build—you can tell he must have high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. On the rare occasion he does drink, I suggest he only has the best, so as not to harm his health. For spirits, he generally drinks Moutai or Wuliangye. As for red wine, I’m not much of an expert, but I reckon even an ordinary bottle is better for you than spirits. People are more health-conscious these days—if you ask me, red wine is the way to go."

"Red wine is fine, but we must have spirits as well. With such a joyous occasion, how can we not have baijiu? Don’t you agree, Mr. Ji?" Xin Chengyou, being the deputy general manager and only half a rank below Ji Guangrong, listened politely to Ji’s wife but didn’t take her words too seriously.

"It’s a rare and happy gathering—let’s have baijiu. Otherwise, there’ll be no atmosphere," Ji Guangrong said, eager to foster camaraderie. He had chosen to attend precisely to draw closer to his subordinates.

He was particularly pleased that the attendees included not only Deputy General Manager Xin Chengyou, but also several other mid-level company leaders. If he could use this opportunity to win them over, his position would be all but secure.

"We didn't bring Wuliangye, but I brought two cases of Moutai from home. Mr. Ji, is Moutai acceptable for tonight?" Xiao Zhenshan asked.

"Drinking Moutai is more than fine. Zhen Shan, you’re too generous," Ji Guangrong replied.

"It’s nothing—just gifts from friends," Xiao Zhenshan said nonchalantly.

"Regular Moutai is good enough for us, but with Mr. Ji as our honored guest, regular Moutai seems a bit lacking. We should at least have the special reserve. Isn’t that right, Zhen Shan?" Zhang Yunsheng, the personnel manager, piped up noisily.

"I didn’t bring the special reserve today, but I did bring two cases of 50-year aged Moutai. Yunsheng, does that meet your standards?" Xiao Zhenshan replied.

"It’s a rare chance to 'liberate the rich,' so to speak. I could never afford such fine wine normally—today we’re really in for a treat. I think it’s more than satisfactory. What do you think, Mr. Ji?" Zhang Yunsheng, though eager to curry favor with the boss, wasn’t about to let himself or his peers be looked down upon, and worked in perfect tandem with Xiao Zhenshan.

Ji Guangrong was genuinely surprised. This dinner was clearly Xiao Zhenshan’s personal treat, and for a group this size to drink 50-year aged Moutai was no small gesture. If it were his own private dinner, he’d never be so extravagant.

A single bottle of 50-year aged Moutai cost eighteen thousand yuan. With so many people, if the mood was high, they’d easily go through eight or ten bottles. The drinks alone would run into six figures.

This was quite the upscale gathering!

All the guests were friends, and although Xiao Yao had suggested bringing two cases of the special reserve, Xiao Zhenshan found it hard to part with for so many people. In the end, he settled on two cases of 50-year aged Moutai. Although it was new stock, it was prestigious enough—absolutely presentable. Even when the company entertained important guests, this was the highest standard.

PS: Many thanks to "Don’t Look at the Present" for the reward!

It’s been a long time since I’ve asked for anything, but here’s a little grievance:

Although this book debuted on Chuangshi, and therefore doesn’t get recommendations from Qidian, the number of favorites on Qidian has always been much higher. But the book has been missing from Qidian for almost two weeks now. The editor says it’s due to a system adjustment, and there’s no telling when it’ll be available again.

I’m really frustrated—any comfort would be appreciated. Recommendations, favorites, rewards—anything at all. Sigh…