"If I don't pay for this meal today, who would?"
Qiao Shan's expression darkened as he asked Lin Chen.
"Of course, I would. I booked the private room and ordered the dishes, so I'll pay."
"But Mr. Qiao is here, so I can save some money to buy a few pieces of jewelry for Sister Zhou Qing."
Lin Chen's innocent smile left Qiao Shan confused again.
Had he misunderstood?
So many dishes, so much wine, and the cost was only equivalent to a few pieces of jewelry?
Was the wine fake?
"Alright, Mr. Qiao, let me toast you. I haven't been here in Hangzhou for long and plan to develop in Zhejiang Province. I hope Mr. Qiao will take care of me on behalf of my sister."
As he spoke, Lin Chen raised his wine glass and clinked it with Qiao Shan's.
Then, he downed a large glass of red wine without hesitation.
Seeing this, Qiao Shan was completely reassured. If the wine was indeed three million yuan per bottle, how could Lin Chen drink it like that?
Moreover, Lin Chen was from Hangzhou? That explained everything!
Hangzhou was Zhejiang Province's largest port city and a place notorious for counterfeit alcohol.
It was entirely plausible that they had brought two bottles of fake wine.
"No problem, no problem."
Completely at ease, Qiao Shan resumed his robust demeanor, drinking and eating heartily, while also enjoying the waitresses' dance, which was quite a pleasure in life.
With Lin Chen keeping Qiao Shan occupied, Zhou Qing and Lin's mother could finally enjoy their meal. The family was reunited and truly happy.
After a lively dinner, they all headed to the cashier on the first floor.
"Mr. Qiao, the total is 9.72 million and 3,000 yuan. I'll round it down to 9.7 million for you. Will you be paying by card or cash?"
The lobby manager, with a plastered smile, delivered the news that stunned Qiao Shan.
"What? 9.72 million? Are you kidding me?"
Hearing the price quoted by the lobby manager, Qiao Shan was dumbfounded.
Good heavens, a meal costing nearly ten million? Were they eating gold?
No, even if they ate gold, it wouldn't cost this much!
"Mr. Qiao, here are the menus and the drink list for your perusal."
The lobby manager seemed to have anticipated Qiao Shan's reaction and had already prepared the price lists for all the dishes and drinks.
Looking at the items on the list, Qiao Shan was completely bewildered.
"Romanee-Conti, al...
After leaving the hotel, Lin's mother, Zhou Qing, and Zhou Huiying finally recovered from their shock.
"The food we just ate cost over ten million?"
Zhou Huiying's eyes widened in disbelief.
She had never seen so much money in her life!
If it were converted to cash, it could bury her!
"Lin Chen, what exactly are you doing for work? If Mr. Qiao hadn't shown up today, would we have been able to pay for this meal?"
Zhou Qing, keenly grasping the crux of the matter, asked Lin Chen.
If Qiao Shan and Yang Lijuan hadn't intervened today, Lin Chen would have been the one paying!
Hadn't he been released from prison not long ago? How could he be so wealthy in just a few months?
And he was willing to spend so extravagantly!
Could it be that Lin Chen had gone down the wrong path?
"Sister, to be honest, I am the largest shareholder of Ru Shuang Group."
Hearing Zhou Qing's question, Lin Chen spread his hands and confessed.
"What? You're the largest shareholder? Are you kidding me?"
"Although Ru Shuang Group is not a listed company, its current operations involve auction houses, hotels, and transportation, with a market value of billions. You're the largest shareholder?"
Zhou Qing found it even harder to believe.
In her opinion, Lin Chen must be involved in illegal activities. Everyone in Zhejiang Province knew that the helmsman of Ru Shuang Group was Miss Qiu Hanying of the Qiu family.
"It's true. You might think I'm lying, but my mother surely wouldn't, right? Ask her!"
"Ask my mother if she knows Qiu Hanying."
Lin Chen spread his hands, looking helpless.
"Is that so?"
"Auntie Wang, you know Qiu Hanying, President Qiu?"
Zhou Qing then looked at Wang Fang, her expression full of curiosity.
"Ah? Qiu Hanying? Yes, I know her. This girl stayed at our place for about half a month. I even thought about her becoming your brother's girlfriend before."
"But this girl is so rich. However, shouldn't she be in Hangzhou? Why is she opening hotels in Zhejiang?"
Lin's mother looked puzzled but clearly knew Qiu Hanying well.
"What? She stayed at your place for half a month?"
Hearing Lin's mother's words, Zhou Qing finally started to believe him.
She knew that Qiu Hanying's rise to fame was at an auction in Hangzhou three months ago.