From Wage Slave to Tycoon

Chapter 164: Chapter 130: Can We Have Another One?

Diaoyutai, State Guesthouse!

Su Chen gazed through the car window at the massive, solemn archway steeped in history, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

That’s right... excitement.

In Su Chen’s mind, the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse was a place exclusively for receiving high-profile foreign dignitaries.

He’d often heard on the news about some big shot or high-ranking official from this or that country being hosted at Diaoyutai.

Su Chen had once dreamed of having a meal at the State Guesthouse himself, and today, that childhood wish was coming true.

Just as Chen Fei was about to drive the Rolls-Royce through the entrance, a guard at the gate stopped them.

A crisp salute...

"Good day, sir. Please present your State Guesthouse vehicle pass!"

Just as Su Chen was feeling puzzled, he saw Chen Fei glance toward Jiangyang in the passenger seat.

"Brother Yang, your credentials!"

Jiangyang dawdled a bit, fumbling around in his clothes for a moment before pulling out a small red booklet and handing it to Chen Fei.

Chen Fei took it and immediately passed it out the window.

Watching their familiar exchange, Su Chen couldn’t help but wonder, ’Have these two been here often?’

After a moment’s thought, Su Chen figured it out. Chen Fei and Jiangyang already knew each other, and since Chen Fei was often with Xiao Chen, it was perfectly reasonable for them to have dined here before.

Just then, Jiangyang, in the passenger seat, turned to the back and asked, "Old Su, interested in getting a special pass for the State Guesthouse?"

"Huh? A special pass?"

"Can I even get one?"

Su Chen’s heart skipped a beat. This was the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse! ’Isn’t this way more exclusive than any of those five-star hotels outside?’

"Why not? The State Guesthouse has been open to the public for a while now. Of course... the average person still can’t get in!"

Su Chen understood the implication. Even if it was technically open to the public, it was still primarily a place for receiving foreign guests. Not just anyone could come here for a meal.

The pass alone would bar the vast majority of people.

"Alright then~ Get one for me when you have a chance!"

While they were talking, the guard finished checking the credentials, waved them on, and the gate in front of the car opened.

The Rolls-Royce and two Hongqi sedans drove in one after another. The other Hongqi sedans carrying the artifacts had already diverted to the National Museum earlier.

As soon as the car entered the State Guesthouse grounds, Chen Fei asked, "Brother Yang, which building are we going to?"

"Building 7!"

Hearing this, Su Chen grew curious. ’Are there different buildings inside the State Guesthouse?’

He voiced his question out loud.

"Besides Yangyuan Hall and the Imperial Garden, the entire State Guesthouse has sixteen buildings. Fourteen of them are numbered, and the other two, Bafang Garden and Fangfei Garden, substitute for numbers four and seventeen!"

"Also, the State Guesthouse doesn’t have a Building 1!"

"No Building 1? Why is that?" Before Su Chen could speak, Shuraya, sitting next to him, asked curiously.

On the way here, she had learned about the history of the State Guesthouse from Su Chen and the others. Knowing it was a place specifically for hosting heads of state from around the world, she was beyond surprised to find out she would be staying here.

As Su Chen and the others chatted, she had been listening intently, her ears perked.

Jiangyang glanced at Shuraya and explained with a smile, "Because the number one represents the most important. If there were a Building 1, wouldn’t that imply a distinction? If one country’s head of state stayed in Building 1 while another didn’t, it could easily cause a misunderstanding, making them think we don’t value them."

"So... to avoid such situations, Building 1 was omitted from the very beginning!

"As for Building 7, where we’re headed now, the interior is distinctly European in style. Considering Miss Shuraya is from Gaul, we arranged for her to stay in Building 7 to ensure her comfort!"

Shuraya hadn’t expected them to be so thoughtful. She said sincerely, "Mr. Jiang, thank you for taking such great care!"

"Hahahaha~ It’s our pleasure!"

’After all, the Arno family donated so many artifacts for free. If we don’t host them at a high-end venue, what would other countries think?’

’Only by showing these prominent families how well the Arnos are treated can we, in future publicity efforts, demonstrate to other potential donors how we treat our "friends."’

Soon, the car stopped in front of Building 7, and several uniformed attendants came forward to greet them.

One opened the car door, another handled the luggage—each had their specific task.

When they arrived at the presidential suite reserved for Shuraya, Su Chen realized that all the presidential suites he had stayed in before were child’s play in comparison.

After a quick tour, Su Chen checked the time—it was already five in the afternoon. He then said, "Shuraya, you should rest for a bit. We’ll call you when it’s time for dinner!"

"Okay, Mr. Su!" After a flight of over ten hours, Shuraya was indeed a little tired.

After leaving the room, Jiangyang led him upstairs.

Just as Su Chen was wondering what was going on, he saw Jiangyang pull a key card from his pocket and open a door—to a room identical to Shuraya’s presidential suite.

"Tsk, tsk, Old Jiang, you sure know how to live it up!"

"Live it up? This is for you!" Jiangyang said with a pout.

"For me?" Su Chen instantly understood. ’They’re just making it convenient for me to be their workhorse.’

"You guys really have it all figured out, don’t you? Thinking you can buy me off with a presidential suite at the State Guesthouse? As if!"

Though his words feigned reluctance, Su Chen headed straight for the master bedroom, saw the huge bed, and plopped right down on it. "Ah, this bed at the State Guesthouse really is comfortable!"

"The chefs at the State Guesthouse are all top-tier, master chefs from across the country, covering all eight major cuisines. Aren’t you tempted to try some of their food?" Jiangyang said, leaning against the doorframe with a half-smile.

Master chefs of eight different cuisines... Su Chen had to admit, he was tempted by the food.

Visions of state banquet dishes like Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Wensi Tofu, and Chicken Tofu Pudding danced in his head.

’If I want to eat any state banquet dishes, I can openly order my favorites.’

’If anyone asks, I’ll just say Shuraya wanted to try them. It’s definitely not because I want them.’

"Snap out of it! You’ll start drooling if you keep daydreaming!" Jiangyang’s words pulled Su Chen back from his fantasy.

"Who’s drooling!" Su Chen shot him a look. "By the way, Old Jiang, do you know what’s for dinner? Ask the kitchen if they can make Buddha Jumps Over the Wall!"

"If not, Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth is fine too. Even Sautéed Eel Strips would work!"

Hearing the names of these dishes, Jiangyang didn’t even glance at Su Chen. He just turned and walked away.

"Tch~" Su Chen knew these dishes wouldn’t be available tonight anyway.

It wasn’t that the State Guesthouse chefs couldn’t make them, but that these dishes had to be ordered in advance for the chefs to begin preparation, ensuring every dish was served at peak freshness.

After all, dishes like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth require hours to cook. It was impossible to get them on short notice.

Su Chen had just asked on the off-chance. ’What if they have some, right?’

-----------------

In Building 7, Su Chen and Shuraya were sitting leisurely in a private room on the second floor. As for Jiangyang, he had received a call right before dinner and said he had to take care of something.

He even took Chen Fei with him, saying he needed his help.

"Mr. Su, is this the famous Imperial Capital Peking Duck?"

Shuraya watched with great curiosity as the chef, with exquisite skill, sliced the duck meat piece by piece from the whole roasted duck.

She couldn’t stop taking pictures with her phone.

"That’s right, this is Imperial Capital Peking Duck!"

Su Chen hadn’t expected Peking duck for dinner. Of course, it wasn’t just duck; there were several other side dishes as well.

It wasn’t much different from the Quanjude he had ordered for delivery at home before. At first, Su Chen thought this was a Quanjude outpost within the State Guesthouse.

"Hm? Master, aren’t you going to separate the skin and the meat?" Su Chen suddenly noticed that this chef’s technique for carving the duck was different from what he’d seen at Quanjude.

Quanjude’s Peking duck always has the crispy outer skin sliced off and served separately.

But at the State Guesthouse, the skin and meat were kept together.

"No need to separate them. This is the traditional way of eating it, which emphasizes crispy skin, tender meat, and abundant juices!"

"One thin pancake, five slices of duck, add some shredded scallions, cucumber sticks, and sweet bean sauce—the taste is out of this world!"

Since the master chef said so, it had to be delicious. If it weren’t, they would have replaced the chef long ago. This was the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, after all, where any culinary mistake could have significant repercussions.

Naturally, they had to ensure the food was the absolute best.

Su Chen put on a pair of gloves, picked up a thin pancake, and made a wrap for himself, following the chef’s instructions.

In two bites, the crispiness, aroma, tenderness, and juiciness of the duck, along with the refreshing cucumber and the flavor of the sweet bean sauce, all blended together perfectly. Su Chen couldn’t resist making himself another one.

Watching him, Shuraya grew anxious.

"Mr. Su, I want to eat too!"

Hearing Shuraya’s voice, Su Chen finally remembered she was there.

Su Chen wasn’t embarrassed at all. He smiled and said, "Here, follow my lead. It’s very simple."

This time, he slowed down his movements and explained the process to Shuraya as he went.

Shuraya was a quick learner. After watching Su Chen make just two wraps, she was able to copy him competently.

"Mmm~ So delicious!" Shuraya said, her eyes shining.

She had never tasted anything like it before. After eating one, she was already craving a second...

Shuraya’s movements became more and more proficient. Soon, the two of them had finished an entire duck, and Su Chen was so full he had to lean back in his chair.

"Mr... Mr. Su!" Shuraya called out softly.

"Hm? What is it, Shuraya?" Su Chen tilted his head and looked at her, a bit puzzled.

Shuraya lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze. Her pretty face flushed red as she bit her lip, whispering shyly, "Can we... have another duck?"

"Ah~" Su Chen was a little surprised. He never thought this slender young woman could eat so much!

Hearing Su Chen’s gasp of surprise, Shuraya grew even more embarrassed.

"No problem! I’ll arrange it right away!"

With that, he shot a look at the carving chef, who understood immediately and contacted the kitchen to rush another duck over.

What followed truly showed Su Chen the meaning of "a big appetite in a small person"!

Shuraya ate nearly three-quarters of the second duck all by herself. Based on the principle of not wasting food, Su Chen forced himself to finish the remaining quarter.

When they returned to their rooms, both of them were sporting big, round bellies.

Finally, Shuraya said something that completely baffled Su Chen.

"Mr. Su, let’s go have douzhi tomorrow!"