Return of the Celestial King

Chapter 196: Chapter 196: Paying for the Drinks

Just a moment ago, she’d been in high spirits, thinking Fang Hao’s drinking with Xu Zhigang meant a limitless future. Because of that, she felt the cost of this entire meal was of no concern.

But now, they had all been berated by Xu Zhigang. Even Fang Zhengliang’s job wasn’t guaranteed anymore. Who would be in the mood to settle the bill?

Seeing that Qin Wenwen wasn’t saying anything, Qin Tuo immediately smiled and asked:

"What, are you really planning to skip the bill? That doesn’t seem like your family’s style!"

At these words, Qin Hongjian’s entire family looked ready to explode.

Then, as if on cue, they all began to berate Qin Tuo.

"Qin Tuo, it looks to me like you’re the one trying to skip the bill! It was clearly your family who treated us, are you really trying to go back on your word?"

"Exactly! We can all bear witness. Your family is treating, so you can’t just weasel your way out of paying!"

Qin Tuo sneered.

"You really are a family, aren’t you? All cut from the same, strange cloth."

His words made Qin Hongjian’s entire family fume with rage.

Suddenly, an idea struck Qin Hongjian. He quickly turned to Fang Hao and said:

"My dear son-in-law, don’t you have a good relationship with Master Long? Quick, give him a call! Tell him someone here is trying to skip out on their bill and ask him to come deal with it!"

At this, Qin Jun leaped to his feet excitedly.

"That’s right, Brother-in-law! You know Master Long, don’t you? You really think this guy will dare to act up once he’s here?"

Fang Hao, however, looked utterly mortified. In truth, he didn’t know Long Wu at all.

He’d never even exchanged a single word with Long Wu, let alone built any kind of rapport.

"Brother-in-law, what are you just standing there for? Hurry up and call Master Long!"

Qin Jun looked confused and was getting anxious.

He was desperate to see Qin Tuo get put in his place.

With everyone’s eyes on him, Fang Hao didn’t dare to deny the claim.

He sighed inwardly and forced a smile.

"Fine, I’ll go call Master Long and ask him to come over."

Then, bracing himself, he could only walk to the side and put on a show of making a phone call.

When Qin Jun saw Fang Hao actually go make the call, his face broke into a vicious grin.

"Haha, Qin Tuo, you’re dead meat! Just wait until Master Long gets here and see how he deals with you!"

Qin Tuo, however, couldn’t be bothered to pay him any mind. He simply poured himself a cup of tea and started drinking it.

"Hmph. Look at him, putting on a brave face. He’ll be crying and begging for mercy in a bit. When he does, we absolutely must not forgive him!"

Qin Jun sneered.

Qin Hongjian, Zhang Caixia, and the others were all Qin Tuo’s elders, yet at this moment, they all had their arms crossed, waiting to watch the show.

Meanwhile, out in the corridor, Xu Zhigang walked at the front of a large group of important figures.

These dignitaries of Ming City were all deeply puzzled.

’Who exactly is this person Xu Zhigang is going to see? What kind of status do they have? Why have I never heard of such a figure before?’

Their minds full of questions, they watched as Xu Zhigang stopped before the door of a private room.

This shocked them even more.

’Why would a person so important that even Xu Zhigang was moved to personally offer them a toast be dining in such an ordinary room?’

"Prefect Xu, allow me! We can’t have you dirtying your hands!"

Fang Zhengliang’s face was instantly wreathed in a fawning smile as he moved to open the door for Xu Zhigang, laying on the flattery.

Xu Zhigang, however, remained expressionless. It was clear he hadn’t yet gotten over what had just happened.

Fang Zhengliang slowly opened the door to the room, the smile never leaving his face.

The moment the door opened, Xu Zhigang saw Qin Hongjian’s family—the very people he had just encountered.

Xu Zhigang’s expression froze. He couldn’t help but cast a questioning glance.

The smile on Fang Zhengliang’s face froze solid. He was so startled he nearly jumped.

Fang Zhengliang swallowed hard and demanded in a harsh voice:

"What are you all doing? Why are you in here?"

He instantly broke out in a cold sweat, terrified that Xu Zhigang would fly into a rage.

Qin Hongjian’s family was dumbfounded as well. They had never expected Xu Zhigang to show up at their room with so many dignitaries in tow.

Qin Hongjian blurted out instinctively:

"What’s going on? We’ve been in here the whole time. What’s happening?"

Fang Zhengliang wanted nothing more than to strangle Qin Hongjian, but in front of Xu Zhigang, he could only patiently explain:

"Lord Prefect said he wanted to propose a toast to Mr. Qin, so he came here."

Hearing this, Qin Hongjian first froze, then his heart burst with joy!

’Mr. Qin?’

’Wasn’t he the only one here who could be addressed with such a title?’

Beside him, once Zhang Caixia and the others caught on, their faces also flushed red with excitement.

Qin Hongjian scrambled to his feet, trembling slightly, and said with a beaming smile:

"Lord Prefect, to think you would personally come to toast me... I am truly unworthy!"

Zhang Caixia quickly moved to Qin Hongjian’s side, ready to cozy up to the esteemed Lord Prefect.

But one look at Xu Zhigang’s dark expression made Fang Zhengliang’s heart jump.

He instantly understood and roared!

"Get the hell out of the way! Stop trying to take credit where it isn’t due!"

’He knew the Mr. Qin that Prefect Xu was referring to could not possibly be this useless in-law.’

Qin Hongjian was completely stupefied by the shout.

’His mind reeled, but he couldn’t wrap his head around it. There was no one else here named Qin!’

Obviously, he hadn’t even considered Qin Tuo.

’After all,’ he thought, ’Qin Tuo was just an ex-con. How could someone like him possibly warrant a personal visit and a toast from Xu Zhigang?’

"Get out of the way, now!"

Fang Zhengliang snapped again.

Only then did Qin Hongjian snap out of it. He rubbed his head in embarrassment and quickly stepped aside.

At this point, Fang Zhengliang himself felt very confused and couldn’t help but ask.

"Prefect Xu, might you have come to the wrong room? There’s no one else here with the surname Qin!"

However, just as his words fell, Long Wu impatiently shoved him aside.

A flash of anger crossed Fang Zhengliang’s face, but Long Wu simply ignored him and made an inviting gesture.

"Prefect Xu, this way, please!"

Xu Zhigang nodded and broke into a smile.

He immediately spotted Qin Tuo sitting in the corner, savoring his tea.

Then, in full view of everyone, Xu Zhigang swiftly approached Qin Tuo.

This sight made everyone’s eyes go wide.

Qin Hongjian’s family, in particular, looked as if they’d been turned to stone, rendered completely speechless.

’This can’t be... this can’t be real...’

Qin Hongjian couldn’t bring himself to believe his dawning suspicion. He was so tense he could hardly breathe.

Then, everyone watched as Xu Zhigang bowed slightly, a respectful smile on his face as he asked:

"Mr. Qin, I hope I’m not disturbing you?"

At that instant, everyone was completely dumbstruck, their faces filled with utter disbelief.