"How about the Bayview Restaurant? It's very cost-effective and has a lot of food, perfect for a large group like us," someone suggested.
Bayview Restaurant was a medium-sized establishment. Most of the classmates came from ordinary working-class families, making it the most economical choice.
"I think that's a good idea."
"Seconded!"
...
Suddenly, many people chimed in with agreement.
"No way! I've been to Bayview Restaurant. The place is too small. With dozens of us, there wouldn't be enough seats!" The speaker was someone with a panda avatar.
Lin Xiao Tian glanced at the contact name. It was Zhou Wen Ping, the person he had met that morning.
"I agree with Wen Ping. I think we should go to a larger hotel. We haven't seen each other for so many years; we can't just settle for a mediocre place to eat, can we?"
Another person with a panda avatar chimed in. The contact name was Xu Zong, the rich second-generation heir, Xu You, who had mocked Lin Xiao Tian that morning.
"Oh, Mr. Xu has spoken! Let's welcome him!" a sycophantic classmate immediately followed suit.
Xu You's family owned a company, and he was given a managerial position as soon as he graduated. He was now the most successful among all the classmates.
"@Mr. Xu, I heard your company is going public next year. Is that true?" someone asked.
"It's still early. We're still in talks about fundraising. Sigh! I'm so busy I'm dizzy," Xu You replied.
As soon as he said this, the class group chat erupted.
"Wow... it's really going public? Mr. Xu, you're amazing!"
"I never thought that among my classmates, there would be a listed company owner."
"Mr. Xu, does your company still need employees? Throw me a bone when the time comes!"
"Mr. Xu, do you need someone to warm your bed?" a male classmate sent a lewd emoji.
"@Tian Qian Xing, that's enough!" It was Zhou Wen Ping speaking.
"Hahaha, the boss's wife is jealous."
The class group chat was lively, with everyone starting to flatter Xu You.
"@Mr. Xu, where do you think the venue should be?" Fang Xiao Wen asked.
"This is a reunion after five years, so we definitely need some prestige. At least a five-star hotel," Xu You said casually.
As soon as he said this, many voices in the class group chat quieted down.
A five-star hotel might not mean much to someone like Xu You, but for ordinary working-class people, one meal there could wipe out their entire month's savings.
"I also agree. After all, this is a reunion once every five years." The speaker was none other than Xu You's close friend, Lü Ke.
At this moment, only he, working at the National Medical Hall, had the confidence to show off like this.
After Lü Ke, many others expressed their agreement.
This was not just an ordinary vote; it was also a good opportunity to show off. After all, agreeing to such a decision was precisely a way of demonstrating one's wealth.
"What does everyone think?" Fang Xiao Wen didn't answer but `@`ed everyone.
A few scattered replies appeared in the chat.
Wei Long suddenly sent Lin Xiao Tian a private message.
"Xiao Tian, shall we go together!"
"Sure! Fatty, you're doing well now?" Lin Xiao Tian sent a surprised emoji.
"Doing well, my foot. My salary is three thousand, and I just quit last month. I'm still looking for a job."
"Then why are you still going to such an expensive place?"
"Tsk! You're thinking about it the wrong way. Think about it, people who can afford to go to such places, can they be ordinary people? This is a great opportunity to meet influential people! When do we usually get a chance to meet such people?" Wei Long spoke eloquently.
"I advise you to sell everything in your fields. If you're still short, your brother will lend you some. We have to go!"
"Don't worry, just follow me then. I'm familiar with this scene. I'll bring you along."
Looking at Wei Long's message, Lin Xiao Tian couldn't help but smile wryly.
Wei Long had become quite worldly after leaving campus, but seeing that Wei Long was seriously offering to lend him money, Lin Xiao Tian knew that his best friend was still the same, not having grown distant with time.
While they were chatting, another message came from the group chat.
"@Everyone, everyone come to Jinyuan Grand Hotel. My company has a partnership with them. You only need to pay for the private room, and the rest is up to me," Xu You's message popped up.
"Holy cow, is this the legendary Mr. Xu footing the bill?"
"Mr. Xu, you're amazing! I love it, I love it."
"Mr. Xu, I want to have your babies!"
"Get lost, Mr. Xu is mine!"
...
Seeing that Xu You was offering to pay, the group chat exploded.
Five-star hotels were something they only dared to dream about before, but now they were about to experience it!
For a moment, flattery poured in from all corners, and the group chat was flooded.
"Jinyuan Grand Hotel is excellent, the best hotel in Jiangcheng. I heard they recently launched their signature dishes, and you have to book days in advance to eat there. As expected, Mr. Xu has connections!" Lü Ke posted a like.
Outside the screen, Xu You looked smug as he watched everyone's praise.
"Are you really planning to treat us! I heard Jinyuan Grand Hotel is very expensive," Zhou Wen Ping said, naked and lying on Xu You.
"Don't worry, I won't order expensive dishes. These country bumpkins will be thrilled to visit a five-star hotel just once, they won't care what they eat. We'll arrange a separate table for ourselves, order some good wine and dishes, and let those people just order whatever they want," Xu You said proudly, grasping her ample bosom.
"You devil, you're so bad!"
"There's worse," Xu You said, and then he pounced on Zhou Wen Ping.
Less than half a minute later, Xu You got up, looking satisfied, and continued to enjoy the adulation from the group chat.
Zhou Wen Ping didn't say anything, but wisely moved closer to Xu You.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot about him," Xu You suddenly remembered something and started searching through the group members.
Soon, he locked onto his target.
"Why do you always bother with him?" Zhou Wen Ping glanced disdainfully at the blank avatar.
"Heh, I just want to let him know who he offended back then!" Xu You sneered.
The next moment, he sent another message in the group chat.
"@Lin Xiao Tian, Xiao Tian, it's inconvenient to come from the village. Remember to come early! If you don't have a place to stay, I can help the hotel find a solution," Xu You added a smiling emoji.
As soon as this message appeared, the group chat fell silent.
Some clever people immediately guessed that Xu You's words had a hidden meaning.
"Xiao Tian is coming? Didn't they say he was stupid?"
"Hey, hey! Watch your words! Xiao Tian is still in the group!"
"@Lin Xiao Tian, is that really you?"
"Xiao Tian, look how good Mr. Xu is to you. We're all so envious."
Xu You had a strong influence, and soon a group of people were cheering him on.
Looking at the flattering messages in the group, Lin Xiao Tian couldn't help but smile.
"No need, I know Jinyuan Grand Hotel very well. I'll definitely be there," Lin Xiao Tian replied.
"Oh? I didn't realize, our Xiao Tian frequents such high-class places?" Lü Ke immediately sent a message.
"Haha, maybe he's working there?" Tian Qian Xing, who had been flattering him all along, picked up Lü Ke's words.
Lin Xiao Tian ignored them, closed his phone, and prepared to rest.
"Heh heh!" Seeing Lin Xiao Tian's reply, Xu You burst out laughing. "A poor guy like you, you probably haven't even seen a five-star hotel, yet you claim to know it well? How ridiculous!"
"Alright! See you then!" Xu You typed directly in the WeChat group.
"You're so kind, not exposing him. If it were me, I wouldn't have such a good temper," Zhou Wen Ping said.
"This Lin Xiao Tian is just scared of being poor. Don't worry, just let him keep boasting. When the reunion day comes, he'll surely reveal his true colors," Xu You teased.