Chapter 99 - You Have to Give Me the Right!
“No need for that.”
Su Ming offered a light smile. “I'll still opt for the most expensive dishes. But, you've got to guarantee the quality, boss.”
The boss chuckled heartily. “I've been running this restaurant for nearly thirty years. The quality of my dishes is always top-notch. If it weren't, I wouldn't have lasted this long.”
The top-tier package was priced at 4888 yuan per table.
In a major city, that price would be considered quite standard.
But this was a small town, and despite the residents' improved living standards, they still valued frugality.
Moreover, the spending power here was nowhere near that of the big cities, making this price quite steep for the locale.
The owner, with years of experience, seldom encountered customers who requested the priciest dishes.
Su Ming quickly estimated the headcount. Each table seated eight, so around twenty tables should suffice. To accommodate any unexpected guests, he reserved an additional ten tables.
After putting down a 20,000 yuan deposit and confirming the time for the next day's feast, Su Ming was about to head out when a middle-aged man entered.
“Mr. Soong, will you have the usual set meal today?”
The shopkeeper greeted the newcomer with an eager smile.
“Yes.”
Mr. Soong nodded, adding, “There's another reason for my visit today. You should be grateful; I've brought you a substantial order. Our school has chosen your hotel for tomorrow's gathering. I'd like to reserve ten tables at the highest standard.”
The shop owner found himself in a bind upon hearing this.
Su Ming had already secured the venue for a banquet the following noon.
The owner would naturally prefer to honor Su Ming's reservation, given the larger number of guests and the promise of greater profits.
The total for thirty tables would approach 150,000 yuan, netting him a handsome profit.
However, Mr. Soong was his grandson's homeroom teacher, and he couldn't afford to upset him.
If Mr. Soong harbored any resentment, it could spell trouble for his grandson at school.
Scratching his head in consternation, the owner glanced at Su Ming and said with a hint of difficulty, “Mr. Soong, your timing is unfortunate. This young man has just booked a banquet for tomorrow.”
Upon hearing the news, Mr. Soong's brow furrowed slightly. He sized up Su Ming, realizing he didn't recognize him. “Young man, are you from around here?” he inquired.
“Yes,” Su Ming replied with a subtle nod.
“That's good to hear,” Mr. Soong said, a newfound confidence in his voice.
Why was he so confident? Because right across from the hotel stood Central Primary School, where he taught. In the past, having children meant adding a laborer to the family to earn extra money. However, as times changed, parents increasingly valued their children's education. All the local residents' children attended Central Primary School.
Dare to cross me? Dare to cross Central Primary School? No problem, I could simply place your child in the school's worst class, ensuring they struggle academically. Ruining a child's education or childhood is far easier than nurturing them properly.
Though Su Ming was young, likely a recent college graduate, if he settled down and had children locally, they'd inevitably attend Central Primary School. And even if Su Ming had children in the city who attended a different school, he had other means at his disposal.
“Young man, you might have been here first, but some things are more urgent than others. Yesterday was Central Primary School's anniversary, and tomorrow our school's leaders and teachers will have an important dinner. How about you let us have your reservation for tomorrow?” Mr. Soong suggested, his smile barely concealing his intent.
“Don't be too quick to turn me down,” Mr. Soong continued smoothly. “Even if your future child doesn't attend Central Primary School, surely the children of your relatives and friends will, right?”
Su Ming couldn't help but chuckle at the veiled threat.
He wasn't pressed for time on this issue. If necessary, he could simply choose another restaurant. Had Mr. Soong approached him respectfully, he might have considered stepping aside, especially since Mr. Soong was a teacher from his old school. But the teacher's tone was off-putting, and the threat was clear.
Su Ming detested being threatened more than anything.
“I'm sorry,” Su Ming said, his smile calm and unwavering. “I don't see my plans as any less important. I made the reservation first, and I have no intention of giving it up.”
“You!”
Mr. Soong's face soured instantly upon hearing that.
He had encountered someone today who just didn't get it.
“Fine, you'll see!”
With those words, Mr. Soong stormed off in a huff.
The shopkeeper's heart skipped a beat at this. What if he got dragged into this mess? What would happen to his grandson?
“Listen, young man, could you please just back down a bit? My grandson attends Central Primary School, and I can't afford to cross Mr. Soong,” the shopkeeper pleaded with a heavy sigh.
“Trust me, boss, there won't be any trouble,” Su Ming assured him with a smile, casually taking a seat.
The shopkeeper wavered, torn with indecision, and let out another sigh. Mr. Soong had been deeply affronted today, and he hadn't stood up for him.
Surely Mr. Soong would pin the blame on him, making his grandson's life at school miserable. He'd better figure out a way to transfer his grandson to another school quickly.
While the shopkeeper was lost in thought, footsteps approached the door once more.
The door swung open, and someone entered.
It was Principal Ding, followed by a still-seething Mr. Soong.
In the midst of the sweltering summer, the bright sunlight was overwhelming. Principal Ding, being on in years, felt a bit dazzled as he stepped inside. He could make out two figures—one standing, one sitting.
On closer inspection, he recognized the shopkeeper's familiar silhouette. The seated figure had to be the young man.
Principal Ding's brow furrowed as he approached. “Young man, you…”
He had barely begun to speak when he paused, sensing something familiar about the person before him. He blinked away his confusion.
Then, as his vision cleared, a joyful smile spread across Principal Ding's face.
Wasn't this Mr. Su?
“Principal, this is the guy,” Mr. Soong interjected from behind, his displeasure evident. Yet, upon facing the principal, his demeanor shifted to one of warm cordiality. “Principal, in this heat, I'm sorry to have you come out here. Really, I could have handled it myself.”
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺