Shi Cong was all smiles after successfully adding Lin Yang on WeChat.
He knew he couldn't neglect the others, otherwise his intentions would be too obvious.
So he began to frequently raise his glass, greeting other classmates, fully displaying the host's enthusiasm.
"Everyone, eat to your heart's content! Today's meal, we must enjoy it thoroughly!"
"Come, let's all raise a toast together to so many years of friendship!"
Although the other classmates had doubts in their hearts, they put them aside for now.
They all raised their glasses, clinked them together, and then drank them in one gulp.
Lin Yang picked up his glass, clinked it with the others, and poured the red wine into his mouth.
Since he was already here, he didn't mind playing along.
Just then, the private room door was gently pushed open, and two waiters walked in, pushing a dining cart.
On the dining cart, a huge Australian lobster was particularly eye-catching, its bright red shell shimmering with an alluring luster under the lights, adorned with exquisite side dishes, making one salivate at first sight.
At the same time, a bottle of red wine was carefully placed on the dining table by the waiter, the label on the bottle revealing a low-key luxury.
"This..."
A hint of confusion flashed across Shi Cong's face when he saw these two dishes.
He clearly remembered ordering a buffet, and the lobster and red wine were obviously not included in the buffet, so he couldn't help but mutter to himself:
"Did the waiter make a mistake?"
But looking at the envious glances from his classmates around him, he hesitated.
If he told the truth now, wouldn't he lose too much face?
Thinking of this, Shi Cong gritted his teeth and decided to tacitly accept that he had ordered these items.
"Haha, come on, everyone try this Australian lobster, it's so fresh! And this bottle of red wine, the taste is rich and mellow, a perfect match with the lobster!"
Shi Cong said, feigning ease, his face full of smiles.
The classmates' attention was instantly drawn, and they all exclaimed in admiration.
"Wow, this lobster is too big!"
"This red wine doesn't look ordinary, it must be very expensive."
Everyone's eyes moved back and forth between the lobster and the red wine, full of anticipation.
"I saw on the Big Fish Begonia official account that lobster is their signature dish, only available à la carte, and one costs 8888, and that red wine is their own brew, a bottle costs 18888."
"Wow, today we've really learned something new, long live the class monitor!"
"Class monitor, you've spent too much! Such expensive lobster and red wine, we're really benefiting from you today."
A classmate said with a smile, his face beaming with excitement.
"Exactly, exactly, the class monitor is too kind, he usually takes care of us, and this gathering is so lavish."
Another classmate echoed, his tone full of gratitude.
He calculated in his mind, the private room buffet for 10 people was nearly 10000, the big lobster 8888, the red wine 18888, totaling nearly 40000, which was equivalent to many people's income for almost half a year.
Shi Cong spent so much money on a meal without batting an eye, the gap between him and Shi Cong was too huge.
He secretly vowed in his heart that he would cling to this thigh no matter what.
Shi Cong listened to his classmates' praises, feeling both proud and a little uneasy.
He smiled and waved his hand, saying:
"We're all classmates, why say such things! Today is to make everyone eat happily and have fun."
Although he said so, his eyes occasionally glanced at Lin Yang, trying to catch something from Lin Yang's expression.
Amidst the classmates' anticipation, the waiter skillfully disassembled the lobster and distributed it onto everyone's plates.
The classmates eagerly picked up their cutlery and began to taste it.
"Hmm, this lobster meat is tender and has a bouncy texture, it's so delicious!"
"Yes, this is my first time eating such authentic Australian lobster, class monitor, thank you so much!"
"If it weren't for the class monitor, how would we have the chance to eat such delicious food!"
The classmates ate and praised continuously, their flattery towards Shi Cong growing louder and louder.
Many classmates also took out their phones to take pictures, post on Moments, and share short videos.
As soon as the Moments and short videos were posted, they received many likes and comments.
"Oh my, it's actually Big Fish Begonia's à la carte Australian lobster and self-brewed red wine!"
"Did he strike it rich? These two things are worth half my salary!"
"I really want to taste what it's like, and if it's worth such an expensive price."
...
While Shi Cong enjoyed his classmates' praises, he did not forget to extract more information from Lin Yang.
He didn't believe that someone who could know about government demolition news in advance had no connections or background.
He raised his glass, walked towards Lin Yang, and said with a smile:
"Lin Yang, come, let's have a drink.
It really gives me face that you could come today."
One does not strike a smiling person. Lin Yang smiled and stood up, clinked glasses with Shi Cong, took a small sip of red wine, and nodded in praise:
"This red wine is indeed good, better than any I've had before."
Shi Cong saw Lin Yang's reaction and secretly felt smug, thinking he had made the right move.
He put down his glass, patted Lin Yang's shoulder, and said with a smile:
"Lin Yang, it's been years since we last met, you've changed so much. That small factory firing you was them being blind, what are you busy with now?"
Lin Yang smiled modestly and said:
"Class monitor, stop teasing me.
I just got lucky, a blind cat found a dead mouse. That car outside was won in the 3YC 30th-anniversary lottery."
Shi Cong smiled, he didn't believe what Lin Yang said.
He also knew about the 3YC 30th-anniversary car lottery, where 30 cars were drawn from millions of people nationwide.
Moreover, the looking up u8 was the best car among those given away, making it even harder to win. How much luck would it take to win that?
The more he heard this, the more he felt that Lin Yang was intentionally hiding something.
However, it was clear that Lin Yang was unwilling to say more, so he couldn't press further and had to give up his probing.
He firmly believed that as long as there was a one-in-ten-thousand chance, currying favor would not be in vain.
As for the other classmates, they thought differently from Shi Cong; they didn't know about Lin Yang buying a house.
When they heard Lin Yang say the car was won in a lottery, they were more willing to believe it.
In their opinion, besides winning the lottery, they couldn't think of any reason why a poor boy could drive a million-dollar luxury car in a short period.
"Oh my, so it was won in a lottery! What car did you use to win the lottery? I bought a Leopard 5, which cost over 200,000, but I didn't win."
"Yes, yes, what car did you use to win?"
Lin Yang smiled and replied truthfully:
"A second-hand Seagull, bought for over 50,000."
"Oh my god, your luck is too good!"
"You actually used the chassis number of the cheapest car to participate in the lottery, and won the biggest prize!"
...
After learning that Lin Yang's car was won in a lottery, everyone just marveled at his good luck, and then continued to curry favor with Shi Cong.
Shi Cong always responded with a smile, and although he intended to curry favor with Lin Yang, he didn't neglect anyone present.
After eating and drinking to his fill, Shi Cong patted his stomach and contentedly called out:
"Waiter, check, please!"
His voice echoed in the private room, and the lively atmosphere instantly quieted down, everyone's gaze focused on Shi Cong.
Soon, the waiter walked into the private room with a smile, holding the bill.
She first politely bowed slightly to everyone, then said:
"Dear guests, today's meal, including service charge, totals 38888 yuan.
However, our boss instructed that Mr. Lin is our distinguished guest, and his meals are always complimentary."
"What?"
Shi Cong almost lost his balance when he heard this, and the wine glass in his hand nearly slipped.
He widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief.
"What did you say? Lin Yang's meal is complimentary?"