Yanbei Grand Hotel is the finest hotel in Yanbei City, and having a meal there would easily cost thousands.
It was clear that Wang Chaoyang came from a wealthy family. Back when we were in school, he always wore designer brands—the typical rich second-generation kid.
Without hesitation, I nodded and agreed. "Alright, I'll definitely come."
"Great, it's settled then," Wang Chaoyang said happily. Then he added, "By the way, how did you do on the college entrance exam?"
"I didn't take the exam."
Wang knew I hadn't taken it; everyone in the class did, so this was a deliberate jab.
"Right, I almost forgot. With your grades, whether you take it or not, the result is the same. Not going to college doesn't mean there's no future. I heard people picking up scrap these days can make a decent monthly income. You're young; you'll find your way," Wang said, patting my shoulder with feigned sympathy.
I smiled but said nothing.
But Huzi, with his fiery temper, slammed his chopsticks on the table and snapped, "What the hell are you saying? Who told you anyone picks up trash?"
"Hey, I'm just talking to my classmate, mind your own business," Wang replied annoyed.
Huzi was already rolling up his sleeves, ready to teach Wang a lesson. Ever since they met, Wang's snide remarks had pushed Huzi's patience to the limit.
I stopped Huzi, signaling him to calm down. Having been with Huzi for years, I knew he had real skills, and if he started, Wang might get seriously hurt.
I didn't know much about Huzi's past, only that my master once saved his life, and since then Huzi had been my master's loyal servant—impossible to get rid of.
"Old classmate, don't forget—tomorrow at 5:30 PM, Yanbei Grand Hotel. Don't be late," Wang said as he grabbed Li Na's hand and headed for the exit.
At the door, Li Na glanced back at me with a sad look, as if she wanted to say something.
After they left, I sat back down. Huzi blew his beard in anger, glaring, "With classmates like that, you're really going to that banquet? When everyone else has gotten into college and you didn't even take the exam, he's just setting you up to be embarrassed."
"I know," I smiled.
"You know and you still go? And this meal's not free. If he's treating you, you should at least bring a gift. Even if you don't, some small token or something. With our situation, what could we even bring?"
Then Huzi's face darkened. "By the way, how are we paying for this dinner?"
I chuckled. "Huzi, you'll stay behind and wash dishes to pay it off. Master said I can only make a living from what I've learned—nothing else."
"You're always scheming against me, huh?" Huzi was frustrated.
I had already asked the waiter for takeout boxes and packed all the leftover food. It would stretch us a couple more days.
Wang really didn't hold back, ordering seven or eight dishes in one go.
While Huzi was stunned, I dashed out the door with the food, leaving him standing there bewildered.
Huzi didn't get home until midnight and told me he had washed over 800 plates before the restaurant let him go.
He said I'd learned all my master's tricks for making trouble too well.
I couldn't help it—since my master tricked me, the least I could do was trick Huzi.
Despite the frustration, Huzi was still worried about me going to the banquet. If everyone else brought gifts and I had nothing, it'd be embarrassing in front of classmates.
I told Huzi not to worry.
Besides, I told him that tomorrow we'd be out of food anyway—perfect excuse to eat well at the Yanbei Grand Hotel.
That perked Huzi up immediately—he was hopeless at everything else but eating was his forte.
The next day, we reheated the leftovers for two meals. In the afternoon, I took Huzi straight to the Yanbei Grand Hotel.
When we arrived, I realized Wang's family was truly wealthy. They had rented the entire third-floor banquet hall.
At the lobby, a huge banner read: "Congratulations to Wang Chaoyang of Yanbei No. 1 High School, Grade 3 Class 2, on his admission to a prestigious university."
Such a big display made it impossible to miss.
Huzi smirked and said, "He only got into a decent university—why all the fuss? If he went abroad, he'd probably have to treat the whole city to a feast."
"Don't be jealous, Huzi. If master hadn't made me train, I could've gotten into Tsinghua or Peking University too," I joked.
"Come off it. I heard you used to be dead last in class," Huzi teased.
"Don't bring that up; that was ages ago. I was second to last in middle school," I replied as we walked inside.
The banquet hall was extravagant. Wang had rented all three floors, and dozens of tables were laid out with dishes.
As Wang's classmate, I was seated near a corner.
My presence drew little attention; I'd always been low-key—nodding off in class and going straight home to train with my master, having few friends.
I came out of respect for old classmates. After this meal, we'd likely go our separate ways, never to meet again.
No one would care about a failing student who skipped the college exam.
Wang's father gave a few speeches, the atmosphere was cheerful, and the feast began.
I must say, the food at Yanbei Grand Hotel was excellent. Wang's family spared no expense—exotic meats, delicacies, everything covered the tables.
After eating simple meals for weeks, Huzi and I were hungry just looking at it.
Especially Huzi—he devoured his food like he hadn't eaten in half a year, astonishing everyone at the table with his appetite.