Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Sycophantic Bullying – Part 1
Translator: 549690339
Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, the remaining people in the office looked up at him in astonishment. The prevailing thought among all of them was that this new young man was simply too stubborn and somewhat lacking humility. The Tan Family hall at Capital Restaurant, just as Liu Yang and others had said, was bustling with people due to the constantly developing society and the rising economic level. It wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that the place was always crowded. Nowadays, one might find a temporary spot in the dining hall, but to get a private room, a reservation was absolutely necessary.
Furthermore, all believed that Nie Zhenbang was acting immaturely. If he bumps into Liu Yang at the Tan Family hall, wouldn’t that embarrass everyone?
Liu Yang is a proud and vengeful person. This action was equivalent to putting salt on his wound, almost like declaring a war.
Hearing that Nie Zhenbang still insisted on going to the Capital Restaurant, many silently shook their heads.
Only Old Zheng was watching Nie Zhenbang silently. The temperament displayed by Nie Zhenbang was too calm, not at all like trying to flaunt his unaffordability.
Old Zheng, a graduate from the renowned Huaqing University in Jingcheng, had once been ambitious when he first joined here. But reality had given him a stark lesson. Sometimes, mere enthusiasm wasn’t enough. Being just an official enjoying sub-department level treatment at the age of 26 or 27 was a failure for Zheng Gensheng.
However, canny observational skills were an unexpected result from those years of failure. His gaze met with Nie Zhenbang’s for an instant. Immediately after, Zheng Gensheng laughed and said, “Since you’re insisting, Zhenbang, we’ll comply with your wishes. I’ve heard that the imperial cuisine at the Tan Family Hall is exceptional. Today we’ll have the chance to experience it.”
After work, a group of people walked out of the office building in a grand manner, drawing curious looks from colleagues in other departments.
As they reached the foot of the building, Nie Zhenbang was surprised when Dong Wan suddenly appeared from the side. The present Dong Wan, compared to her time at the Yu Ying School, seemed less cold and more gentle.
Upon seeing Nie Zhenbang, Dong Wan chuckled and said, “Nie Zhenbang, seeing such a big group of you, you must be going out to eat.”
At this moment, Old Zheng glanced at Nie Zhenbang with amusement. He was well aware of Dong Wan’s deep connections. She currently worked at the Youth Group and was a well-known aloof beauty. Old Zheng hadn’t expected her to know Nie Zhenbang.
Appearing somewhat bitter, Nie Zhenbang recalled how Dong Wan’s attitude towards him had changed since their intense race. He then chuckled, “Well, since I’ve just reported for duty, I’m taking my senior colleagues out for a meal to show my gratitude. Want in?”
Nie Zhenbang’s memory of Dong Wan was still stuck in the past, and this invite was nothing more than a courteous gesture. However, much to his surprise, Dong Wan promptly accepted, saying, “Sure!”
Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s dumbfounded expression, Dong Wan wore a teasing smile and urged everyone, “Let’s go. If we stand here any longer, there won’t be any food left.”
Seven people in two taxis headed straight to Capital Restaurant. At this hour, luxury cars were already gathered at the entrance of the brightly lit Capital Restaurant. Ever since Audi and Mercedes had entered Huaxia, the domestic automobile industry had begun to prosper, and these brands had become more common on the streets.
With the deepening of domestic reform and opening up, a doorman was stationed at the entrance of the Capital Restaurant. Luxury cars would receive a warm welcome, but for two taxis, it was nice enough not to be rushed by the attendants and security guards.
The group got out of the taxis and boldly headed straight to the seventh floor. By now, the Tan Family hall was already buzzing with activity, even in the main dining hall.
As soon as they walked in, a waiter was already greeting them: “Good evening, may I ask, do you have a reservation?”
Nie Zhenbang had been to Tan’s Restaurant quite a few times in the past.
However, in recent years, after Nie Zhenbang disappeared from Jingcheng, he found that it had changed a lot when he returned. As the host today, everyone naturally looked at Nie Zhenbang.
At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also stepped forward, smiling and said, “Seven people, no reservation, do you have any seats left?”
Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, the waiter nodded, indicating a table in the corner of the hall with some regret, “The only seats left are at that table, but it’s a table for six. If you all want to sit, we will have to add another chair. Is that okay?”
“Brother Zheng, what do you think?” At this moment, Nie Zhenbang handled the situation very well. He was the host, but this time, he wanted to build relationships with his colleagues. If he took care of everything himself, not only would it be ineffective, but it would also give people a sense of arrogance.
At this moment, Nie Zhenbang deliberately handed the decision-making power to Zheng Gensheng. In this situation, this was a clear sign of respect towards Zheng Gensheng. This would win the approval of everyone else. Everyone felt that Nie Zhenbang knew when to hold back and when to push forward.
As expected, the way Zheng Gensheng looked at Nie Zhenbang at this moment also showed a difference. At first, Nie Zhenbang seemed to Zheng Gensheng like a young calf not afraid of a tiger. He didn’t understand what power was and was stubbornly confrontational. But now? Old Zheng thought, this Nie was not simple.
Then, Zheng Gensheng also laughed and said, “Zhenbang, today you are the host. It’s not right to listen to the guests, right? This would be like declaring a siege! Everything follows your arrangement, even if we have to stand to eat, we don’t mind.”
Seeing Zheng Gensheng say this, Nie Zhenbang also nodded and said, “Since
Brother Zheng said this, let’s arrange it over there. Please bear with us, seniors. Next time, after we reserve a box in advance, we can enjoy it again.”
If you say that Tan’s Restaurant didn’t reserve any boxes, that would be impossible. But you see, he had been away for several years now, and at this moment, if he went to Yang Anbang or Liu Kun, his identity would be exposed, and this was something Nie Zhenbang didn’t want.
After the group sat down, Nie Zhenbang took the initiative to hand over the task of ordering food to Dong Wan. This was also a kind of skill Nie Zhenbang had developed. At a place like the Capital Restaurant like Tan’s Restaurant, having a meal now cost at least a few hundred yuan. At this point, everyone else’s salary might just be a little over two hundred. A month’s salary wasn’t enough for even a meal, letting his colleagues order would be insulting. Nie Zhenbang naturally wouldn’t do such a thing.
Handing it over to Dong Wan, on the other hand, seemed very suitable, and the others wouldn’t have any objections.
When all the dishes were served, suddenly, a voice from the side rang out: “Dong Wan? Little Wan, is that really you? Why are you here? You said you didn’t want to come out to eat, didn’t you?”
After saying that, the voice rang out again, “I was wondering who it was? It’s you guys. How come there was only one table left? Even had to add a chair, if there’s no seat, you should’ve looked for me.”
At this moment, Liu Yang walked over. His gaze was focused on Dong Wan. Looking at Liu Yang, a trace of anger appeared on Dong Wan’s face. Dong Wan was angry with Liu Yang’s tone of voice, and her face was as cold as before. She said unkindly, “Liu Yang, I’ve told you a long time ago, you can call me Dong Wan, or Comrade Dong Wan. Please don’t be so familiar. We are just acquaintances. Besides, do I need your permission for who I dine with?”
As soon as Liu Yang heard this, his face darkened. Next to him, one of his followers jumped out, pointed at Dong Wan and said, “Dong Wan, you shouldn’t reject an act of kindness. Do you know who our Young Master Yang is? He is offering to feed you, it’s an honor for you. Don’t give a damn if you don’t appreciate it. You came with this kid, didn’t you? I’ve said that you were strangers to our department before, but today you are gathering together. This kid is just a student from Jingcheng University, right? Crushing him would be simpler than crushing an ant.”
At this moment, hearing these speech from the follower, Nie Zhenbang couldn’t help but stand up. He looked at Liu Yang and the follower next to him and said, “Young Master Yang, whom Dong Wan dines with should be her decision, shouldn’t it? Your lackey here is not very likable, and his mouth isn’t clean either. He is a bully. I think Young Master Yang needs to manage him. There are many people in Jingcheng that one cannot afford to offend. If he getts Young Master Yang into trouble, I’m afraid it won’t be good..”
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