Return of the Celestial King

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: On the House

The moment Qin Tuo saw the look on his father’s face, he knew there was a misunderstanding.

But before Qin Tuo could explain, Qin Hongguo said with displeasure:

"Son, didn’t I tell you? You need to be more enthusiastic and generous at the company. How can you be so stingy?"

Qin Tuo shook his head helplessly.

"Dad, it’s not what you think. You’ve misunderstood me."

Beside them, Luo Xianglan sighed softly, looking somewhat disappointed in Qin Tuo.

Qin Hongguo lectured him earnestly:

"Son, you must remember to be grateful. Xiaowang got you into the company and has been taking such good care of you. It’s just a single meal, what’s the big deal?"

Wang Lei nodded quickly, putting on a modest act, but inside he was ecstatic.

’Hmph, you little punk! How does it feel to be chewed out by your own old man?’

Zhou Kexin also sneered. Seeing Qin Tuo squirming like this was incredibly satisfying.

Just then, Wu Qingmei chimed in from the side, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Well, well, I guess the habit of being ungrateful runs in the family, doesn’t it? We were the ones who helped your son find a job, yet we’re still the ones expected to treat him to a meal."

Hearing this, Qin Hongguo and Luo Xianglan’s faces instantly became incredibly awkward.

Zhou Dahai immediately waved his hand to stop her.

"Qingmei, what are you saying? My old platoon leader and I are like brothers. What difference does it make who pays!"

Wu Qingmei snorted twice and said no more.

But it was clear she found the sight of Qin Tuo’s family of three extremely irritating.

Qin Tuo shot a cold glare at Wang Lei and Zhou Kexin, his gaze turning icy.

’Stirring up trouble right in front of my parents... you two have some nerve!’

Seeing Qin Tuo’s unhappy expression, Zhou Kexin’s eyes suddenly lit up.

"Oh, you guys don’t know Wang Lei. He’s incredible! The only reason our family was able to collect that debt is all thanks to his help."

Zhou Dahai and his wife already knew that Wang Lei had helped with this matter, so they nodded repeatedly, their faces full of gratitude.

"That’s right! Our company was brought back from the brink, and it’s all thanks to Wang Lei."

Zhou Dahai said with a smile, looking at Wang Lei with eyes full of admiration.

Qin Hongguo’s family, however, was a bit confused.

"Oh, Dahai, what’s this all about?"

Qin Hongguo couldn’t help but ask.

Before Zhou Dahai could answer, Zhou Kexin boasted smugly:

"My boyfriend knows Master Long from the streets. You’ve probably never heard of Master Long, but you just need to know he’s a very powerful figure. He’s the one who helped our family get the money back."

Qin Hongguo and Luo Xianglan had been simple, honest folk their whole lives and had never dealt with characters like Long Wu. They were completely flabbergasted.

When they looked at Wang Lei again, their expressions were extremely complicated.

’Sigh, they’re both young men. Why is the gap between our son and him so huge?’

Qin Hongguo and his wife thought glumly.

"Oh? What’s going on here?"

Hearing Zhou Kexin’s words, Qin Tuo was utterly frustrated.

He was the one who had done it. How had Wang Lei managed to steal the credit?

And seeing Wang Lei sitting there with that phony, modest look on his face, it was obvious he was tacitly accepting the praise.

A wave of disgust washed over Qin Tuo.

He opened his mouth, about to reveal the truth.

’Forget it. If I let Mom and Dad know about my connection to Long Wu, they’ll just worry themselves sick.’

Thinking this, he decided not to expose Zhou Kexin’s lie on the spot.

During the meal, Zhou Dahai’s family of three continuously served food to Wang Lei’s plate with great enthusiasm.

Qin Tuo, on the other hand, was completely ignored.

Qin Hongguo and his wife were also clearly crestfallen. Looking at the "outstanding" Wang Lei, they felt a bitter taste in their mouths.

After the meal was finished, just as Qin Tuo was about to get up and leave, Wang Lei suddenly called out:

"Hey, Qin Tuo, you’re not planning on just leaving, are you?"

Qin Hongguo quickly said with a smile:

"Son, come back for a second. See if Xiaowang has some work to assign you!"

Qin Tuo stared at Wang Lei, his face expressionless, waiting to see what other tricks he had up his sleeve.

Wang Lei said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes:

"Qin Tuo, since you didn’t treat us to dinner today, I’ll give you a chance to make up for it. How about you take the sales department out for some karaoke later tonight?"

Qin Tuo’s first instinct was to refuse.

It wasn’t that he was unwilling to spend the money; he just couldn’t stand the sight of Wang Lei’s smug face.

However, Qin Hongguo quickly nodded and agreed on his behalf.

"Okay, Xiaowang, go ahead and call your colleagues. Qin Tuo will treat you all to karaoke."

Hearing this, Qin Tuo could only agree helplessly.

Wang Lei immediately let out two smug, cold laughs.

’You brat. Watch me take you to the cleaners this time!’

At this point, the dinner was over, and Zhou Dahai went to pay the bill.

Wang Lei, wanting to show off, quickly followed him.

Just as Zhou Dahai was about to pay, Wang Lei, with a superior look, took out his work ID and handed it to the receptionist.

"Hello, I’m the sales manager for the Mani Company. This is my work ID. I can get a 20% discount here, right?"

He said this with a face full of pride.

As expected, Zhou Dahai, Qin Hongguo, and the others beside them cast looks of immense admiration at Wang Lei.

’Look at him, so young and successful. He can even get a discount eating at a place like this!’

However, the receptionist just smiled and said:

"Everyone, you are esteemed guests of our Lige Hotel, so this meal is on the house."

What? On the house?

Zhou Dahai and the others were completely baffled, unable to process what they had just heard.

Wang Lei’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he quickly coughed twice.

"I get it. It must be because of my position that they’re comping our meal. After all, the bosses of both our companies are the same person!"

As he spoke, he even gave the pretty receptionist a warm smile, acting as if they were old acquaintances.

Eating out without even having to pay?

Zhou Dahai and Wu Qingmei looked at their future son-in-law and found him more and more pleasing to the eye.

Zhou Kexin couldn’t help but sneer triumphantly.

"See, Mom, Dad? My taste in men is flawless, isn’t it? Unlike some people who are in their twenties or thirties and still have to tag along with their parents to freeload a meal."

Qin Tuo had to hand it to this woman. He shook his head, not bothering to argue with her.

Qin Hongguo and his wife also gave Wang Lei a thumbs-up.

"Xiaowang, you’re really something. If only our Qin Tuo were half as capable as you."

Hearing this, Wang Lei was nearly walking on air.

Only Qin Tuo knew the real reason. The receptionist had seen him once before and recognized him, which is why she had offered to comp the meal.

Seeing Wang Lei constantly bragging and receiving everyone’s praise, the pretty receptionist frowned, wanting to explain.