Power and Wealth
Chapter 1640 – Throwing a dinner for colleagues
Evening.
Around seven o’clock.
Inside the quadrangle courtyard.
Dong Xuebing’s statement, “This is all my home,” left everyone, including Yin Cheng’an, dumbfounded for a moment and unable to react.
Dong Xuebing called out, “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
Han Fei was dumbfounded, “This is a standalone quadrangle courtyard?”
Dong Xuebing nodded, “For now, it’s all mine.”
“There are standalone quadrangle courtyards in Beijing?” Zhang Dongliang was speechless.
Dong Xuebing looked at him, “Yes, a few years ago, one was sold. What’s the matter?”
He Zhou and Sun Zhaobang exchanged glances, their expressions also somewhat moved. If the previous villa surprised them, this standalone quadrangle courtyard was even more exaggerated. This was Houhai, within the second ring road, the very center of Beijing. It was known that beyond the second ring road wasn’t considered part of Beijing. Here, every inch of land was precious. It could be understood if it was just a house, but a standalone quadrangle courtyard meant that the entire courtyard belonged to Dong Xuebing alone. This would cost tens of millions at the very least, but even with tens of millions, such standalone courtyards were not easy to come by. In Beijing, standalone quadrangle courtyards were rare, and those who owned them were unlikely to sell. So they didn’t expect Director Dong to have one.
Dong Xuebing had already entered the house and brought out some chairs to place around the central stone table in the courtyard. “Please, have a seat.”
Han Fei was at a loss for words.
Zhang Dongliang also emerged from the kitchen, smiling bitterly, “Director Dong’s kitchen is bigger than my house. It’s incomparable.”
Small but fully equipped, this place was the same size as the villa. However, the standalone quadrangle courtyard and the villa had evidently different values, and the location was also several streets apart, not in the same league.
Dong Xuebing smiled and didn’t bother them anymore. “Take a look around. I’ll go cook.”
Han Fei quickly offered, “Let me help, let me help.”
Zhang Dongliang also volunteered, “I’ll help too.”
“Nobody should compete with me today. When we get to my place, listen to me.” Dong Xuebing firmly ushered them away. “I’ll cook today. Everyone wait to eat.”
Taking the ingredients, Dong Xuebing plunged into the kitchen and began to work. His culinary skills had improved over time. Being in charge of cooking from a young age made him confident in his skills. After preparing the meat and vegetables, he started cooking.
Sizzling sounds filled the air, and Dong Xuebing, wearing an apron, skillfully cooked dish after dish. Finally, he called them, “Xiao Zhang, Xiao Sun, Xiao Han, bring the dishes.”
“Got it.”
“Coming.”
Han Fei and the others came in to take the dishes.
When the last dish was ready, Dong Xuebing also carried it out. Seeing that they had already set up around the stone table under the Chinese toon tree, he placed the dishes down. “Taste my cooking.”
Yin Cheng’an’s appetite was immediately whetted. “Haha, it looks delicious.”
He Zhou also praised sincerely, “It looks and smells appetizing.”
Han Fei couldn’t wait and picked up a chopstick to taste first. After chewing for a moment, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “It’s delicious! Even better than what my mom cooks. Director Dong, I didn’t expect you to have this skill!”
Dong Xuebing chuckled, “If it’s delicious, eat more.”
Zhang Dongliang pulled out a chair. “You should sit too. You’ve worked hard.”
“Alright.” Dong Xuebing sat down but said, “By the way, no feast is complete without alcohol. Let’s have some drinks, courtesy of Xiao Han and He Zhou who drove.”
Yin Cheng’an said, “It’s okay. The family compound isn’t far. We can leave the cars here and walk back later tonight.”
Dong Xuebing smiled, “If we drink too much, staying here is fine. Anyway, there’s plenty of room. Each person can have their room.”
Yin Cheng’an laughed, “Then let’s have some drinks. It’s been a long time.”
“What does everyone want to drink?” Dong Xuebing asked.
“Anything is fine, what do you have?” Yin Cheng’an replied.
Dong Xuebing said, “We have Moutai and Wuliangye, as well as imported liquor, red wine, and whiskey. Well, why don’t I bring them all out, and everyone can choose what they like?”
Han Fei immediately exclaimed, “I’ll have red wine!”
Dong Xuebing replied, “Then you’re in luck. I just bought Lafite, an ’80s vintage.”
Han Fei was delighted, “That’s great! I love Lafite the most. Last time, I only got to drink it at my dad’s friend’s dinner party. I couldn’t bear to buy it myself.”
Dong Xuebing went back inside to fetch the wine. Bottle by bottle, he brought them out. Naturally, Dong Xuebing’s home had no shortage of alcohol. Anything he kept was worth several thousand yuan at least.
Seeing this, everyone once again felt Dong Xuebing’s generosity. They now understood that when Dong Xuebing said that the tens of thousands he offered to compensate Yang Zhen for the car repair earlier was nothing, it wasn’t just boasting. With a standalone quadrangle courtyard worth tens of millions and bottles of wine worth several thousand or even tens of thousands each, how could a mere tens of thousands for a car repair bother him? They felt a little embarrassed about how they had offered to chip in earlier. They realized there was no need for them to worry. Dong Xuebing was treating them to this meal, and the wine alone was worth tens of thousands of RMB. There was no comparison. People were just different.
Once the glasses were filled, Han Fei raised her glass first. “Director Dong, I’ll toast you first. Thank you for what happened this afternoon.”
Dong Xuebing said, “No need, let’s toast Yin Director first.”
Yin Cheng’an laughed, “That won’t do. Xiao Han should indeed toast you first.”
He Zhou also raised her glass, “I’ll join in the fun and toast Director Dong as well.”
“I’ll join too!” Sun Zhaobang and Zhang Dongliang raised their glasses as well.
Dong Xuebing had to clink glasses with Han Fei and the others first. Then, after filling his glass, he stood up and said, “I’ll toast everyone. I’m new here, so I hope everyone can care for me.”
“Dong Director, you’re being too polite,” He Zhou said.
“Yeah, it should be you taking care of us,” Zhang Dongliang added.
Everyone clinked glasses and then drank up.
Han Fei couldn’t hold her liquor well. She felt dizzy after two glasses of red wine and started talking more. “Director Dong, you’re so wealthy. Why do you still drive a Xiali?”
Dong Xuebing smiled, “It doesn’t matter what car you drive; it’s just a means of transportation. But since the Xiali got wrecked, it won’t be drivable anymore. I’ll probably have to get a new car tomorrow.”