The middle-aged man's face turned pale instantly. He leaned forward a couple of steps, his voice filled with urgency: "Bank Manager Xu, please, show some leniency! Our company has collaborated with CMB for five years. This time, our cash flow is just this one step away. Do you think you could... could..."
"I'd help if I could, but rules are rules." Xu Lei patted his arm, his tone seemingly gentle, but his feet were already moving toward Jiang Cheng's side. "Go back for now; just wait for news."
As soon as Jiang Cheng got out of the car, Xu Lei hurried forward to greet him, his back instinctively bowing.
A group of people followed behind him.
A male assistant in a suit clutched a document bag, while the Female secretary held a thermos cup.
Looking further back, Jiang Cheng's gaze was drawn to two women.
One of the women was wearing a vibrant red dress.
Her curly hair cascaded like a waterfall over her fair skin, making her complexion look as white as snow. She was radiant and striking, catching everyone's eye.
The other woman wore a light blue qipao.
Her long hair was as smooth as silk, draped over her shoulders. She had a gentle temperament, like an elegant ink wash painting, giving off a sense of tranquility and far-reaching peace.
Clearly, this had been specially arranged.
Jiang Cheng's gaze swept indifferently over those people without saying a word.
Xu Lei immediately broke into a wide smile, his voice rising slightly: "President Jiang, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting here for ten minutes, terrified you'd get stuck in traffic."
As soon as he finished speaking, the male assistant, the Female secretary, and the two women in dresses behind him immediately echoed in unison, their tones exceptionally warm: "Welcome, President Jiang!"
The contrast in Xu Lei's attitude before and after left the middle-aged man frozen in place.
Originally, he had thought Xu Lei was being perfunctory with him just to put on the airs of a Bank Manager.
But seeing Xu Lei's almost humble posture toward Jiang Cheng...
Even when speaking, he deliberately softened his tone.
His hands hung slightly at his sides, and his eyes were full of respect.
The middle-aged man's face turned from pale to a complex mix of surprise and a touch of shame and anger.
Xu Lei caught sight of him approaching again, and the smile on his face instantly faded. He waved his hand, his tone perfunctory and impatient. Without giving the middle-aged man another chance to speak, he turned sideways to block the man's path to Jiang Cheng, his tone chilling several degrees: "Mr. Wang, I said you should go back first. Don't delay me accompanying an important client."
After saying that, he didn't even look at the other man's reaction. He stepped aside and made a "please" gesture, respectfully leading Jiang Cheng into the hotel.
The middle-aged man wanted to press forward, but seeing Xu Lei's "don't make me get nasty" expression, his feet ultimately remained frozen in place.
As Jiang Cheng passed by the middle-aged man, he did cast a glance.
He saw that the man's suit was slightly wrinkled and his tie was half-crooked.
His eyes were full of anxiety and resentment, like a trapped beast whose hopes had been punctured.
However, after that single glance, Jiang Cheng did not linger.
He merely gave a slight nod as a greeting and took the lead into the hotel.
Upon entering, there was a sense of luxurious classical elegance.
Above their heads, a massive crystal chandelier hung like a brilliant galaxy. Every crystal was meticulously carved, reflecting countless fine and dazzling rays of light under the illumination.
Below the main chandelier was a slightly smaller but equally magnificent one. The two lights complemented each other, making the lobby appear even more glorious.
The structure of the lobby was quite layered. On the left and right sides, arched white marble columns rose majestically.
Between the columns were exquisite arched corridors with smooth and graceful lines, exuding a classical charm.
A second-floor gallery surrounded the space, with intricate and complex black wrought-iron railings.
Like a work of art, it ensured safety while adding a touch of romance and mystery.
Soon, the group followed the bellhop to a private room, where the crystal chandelier reflected soft, warm light.
The walls were hung with reproductions of Chen Yifei's oil paintings, and the round mahogany table was covered with imported Italian linen.
The tableware was a bone china set from Britain's Wedgwood.
The silver handles of the knives and forks were engraved with the hotel's exclusive patterns.
When Xu Lei led Jiang Cheng to the seat of honor, he deliberately wiped the surface of the chair with his palm to ensure there wasn't a speck of dust.
Only then did he present the gold-embossed menu.
Before Xu Lei even had a chance to speak, the door to the private room was gently pushed open.
Five Waitresses in black formal wear entered in a line.
They proceeded to place the dishes on the table.
It had to be said, he truly deserved to be a Bank Manager.
The details were handled so well.
All the entering Waitresses treated Jiang Cheng directly as the primary guest.
Leading them was the hotel's Sommelier, holding a silver wine basket in his left hand. Inside lay a bottle of 1982 Latour, the bottle wrapped in dark velvet cloth.
He walked to Jiang Cheng's side, kneeling until he was level with the table. His voice was steady and soft: "President Jiang, this bottle has been breathing in a temperature-controlled wine cellar for four hours. The tannins have softened, and it is now perfect for tasting the aromas of blackcurrant and oak. Shall I open it now?"
After receiving permission, the Sommelier's movements with the waiter's corkscrew were as smooth as flowing water.
Without making a sound, he first poured a small half-glass and handed it to Jiang Cheng: "Please taste it first. If you feel it hasn't breathed long enough, I will have the cellar make adjustments."
Seeing Jiang Cheng nod after taking a sip, Xu Lei began his introduction.
As the dishes were served one by one, Xu Lei stood almost pressed against the edge of the table, his eyes closely following the Waitress's movements, for fear of missing the slightest detail.
Seeing the Waitress place a dish in front of Jiang Cheng, he immediately leaned forward.
"President Jiang, today I specially arranged for several private chef specials to be reserved for you. We have Hokkaido deep-sea scampi, flown in from Sapporo just this morning. Only the most tender middle section of the shrimp is used. The dipping sauce is freshly ground from sturgeon caviar and wasabi. There is also South African dried abalone, slow-braised for three days in a broth made from old hen, dried scallops, and ham. Each one has been raised for a full eight years, so you can taste the fresh sweetness of the sea."
After speaking, Xu Lei personally picked up a piece of shrimp meat, dipped it in a bit of sauce, and placed it in Jiang Cheng's bowl.
"President Jiang, I only asked the head chef about the way to eat this shrimp this morning—you have to pull off the head and tail first. The shrimp meat is already peeled. Don't use too much dipping sauce, just a touch on the edge. He said this preserves the shrimp's natural sweetness. Please try it."
Seeing Jiang Cheng take a bite, he then served a portion of buddha jumps over the wall in a Jingdezhen lidded bowl.
"President Jiang, this Bahaba fish maw must be eaten while it's hot; it gets sticky once it cools down. Use the small spoon to scoop it up and chew slowly to taste the sweet aftertaste of the seafood. If you feel it's not fresh enough, I'll have the Waitress bring some Iranian saffron. Just a small pinch will enhance the freshness without overpowering the flavor. I specially brought this saffron back from my last business trip to Iran, and I've been saving it for you."
Jiang Cheng put down his spoon and looked up at him, a half-smile on his lips and a teasing tone in his voice.
"Bank Manager Xu, I didn't realize you were so well-versed in these culinary methods. You know more than a professional waiter."
Xu Lei laughed heartily upon hearing this.
He quickly waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of flattery: "Not at all, President Jiang. It's all so that you can eat comfortably when I accompany you for a meal. That's why I spent half the day asking the head chef in advance and memorized the way to eat every dish, for fear of missing something and spoiling your fun."