Zhong Jianjun gave a bitter smile, quickly following Zhong Shi while carrying the heavy suitcase.
He, a man in his thirties, had to follow the arrangements of his son, who was not yet nine years old. If this were to be told to others, few would believe it. However, it was also good in a way, as it saved him a lot of trouble.
"Waiter, we need a double room, one with a hot shower and a TV. Also, we're a bit hungry. Do you have room service?"
A middle-aged woman who was knitting a sweater at the reception desk was taken aback at first, then looked up to see a man dressed in rural attire standing in front of her, with a smile full of apology on his face.
"Quite the luxury, aren't you!" The woman muttered under her breath, showing no response to the man's attempt to be friendly. She said expressionlessly, "We don't have room service, but this is the Confucius Temple area, where there are many local specialties. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
"How do you do business? Your service attitude is so bad!" A child's voice suddenly rang out.
"What did you say? If you don't want to stay, leave quickly and don't delay our business!" The receptionist, like a cat with its tail stepped on, became abnormally hostile. She put her hands on her hips and shouted at Zhong Jianjun, almost pointing her finger at his nose.
The words were naturally spoken by Zhong Shi, but due to his small stature, the receptionist didn't see him and assumed the sarcastic remark came from Zhong Jianjun.
It's no wonder her attitude was so bad. In recent years, the tourism industry had flourished, and as a state-owned enterprise employee, she had many guests coming to stay every day without worrying about occupancy rates or vacancy rates. Working in a state-owned enterprise was like having a secure job.
Although private hotels were sprouting up like mushrooms after rain, people still preferred state-owned hotels when traveling. They were willing to pay more for state-owned hotels rather than choose cheaper private hotels with better service.
In another ten years or so, most of these hotels would change ownership, becoming private properties. At that time, both the software and hardware would undergo significant improvements.
In his future life, whether on business trips or vacations, Zhong Shi would only stay in five-star hotels. This wasn't because he was extravagant, but because the nature of his company and industry required it. As the second-largest investment bank in the world after Goldman Sachs, there were clear regulations for travel accommodations, transportation, and dining, all representing the company's image.
The service attitude of five-star hotels was naturally incomparable to that of the aggressive woman in front of him. Zhong Shi sighed inwardly, giving up the chance to argue with the middle-aged woman and wisely closing his mouth. He maliciously speculated whether her husband had a mistress, which might explain her irritability.
"Deposit, ID!" The receptionist, seeing that Zhong Jianjun was sensible and didn't say anything more, threw out these words and picked up her knitting needles, pondering how to make the sweater fit better.
Zhong Jianjun, standing by the counter, looked at the innocent-faced Zhong Shi with a helpless expression.
...
Classmates living in the same dormitory suddenly noticed that Zhong Yi, who was usually very frugal, had become generous. In the first two months of the new semester, he had already treated the other three to several meals, almost as many as in the previous two semesters combined.
"Frugal" was their polite way of describing him. If they were ordinary people, they might have called him stingy or miserly.
However, they understood Zhong Yi's family background, knowing he came from a rural area in Jiangbei. Although college students at that time didn't have to worry about tuition and living expenses, their daily lives weren't particularly good.
"Hey, something seems off. Has Zhong Yi found a good part-time job? He didn't even tell us, how unbrotherly!" A young man in his early twenties with a face full of acne said. His name was Wang Haiyang, from Lihai, known for his shrewdness and small calculations. He somewhat looked down on people from other regions, but at Yenching University, these top students didn't give him much chance to discriminate.
"Maybe he got a windfall from the sky, right on his head, making him so generous! It could be the foreigner he hosted!" A young man reading a book on the upper bunk put down his "Introduction to Western Economics" and said sourly.
None of the students who could get into Yenching University were simple. Before Wang Haiyang even finished speaking, Li Wei, who was from Jiangzhong Province like Zhong Yi, understood his meaning. Li Wei's score was lower than Zhong Yi's, so he had always harbored some hostility towards him.
"What do you mean by generous?"
The two were talking when a young man wearing only large shorts came out of the bathroom. He was drying his wet hair and asked in confusion. His bronze-colored upper body revealed strong muscles, giving a sense of power in every movement.
Unfortunately, it wasn't the future, and people's fitness awareness wasn't as strong. A muscular person was seen as a brute, especially in a university full of thin, bespectacled students.
His name was Wu Tida, from Mengfeng, who had grown up riding horses and eating mutton and drinking milk. His score was lower than the other three when he entered, and he was initially looked down upon. However, with the temptation of mutton and milk wine, Zhong Yi and the others quickly became friends with him.
"Nothing! Old Wu, we're talking about Zhong Yi. Haven't you noticed he's been very generous this semester? Don't you find it strange?"
Wu Tida, due to years of exposure to the elements, looked older than his actual age, so the others called him "Old Wu." Although he had protested a few times, the others always ignored him, and he eventually got used to the nickname.
"Right, I hadn't noticed. But why should we care? It's not like he stole or robbed it. If he has the money, why complain?"
Wu Tida dried his hair, threw the wet towel on the bed, and sat on Zhong Yi's bed, speaking casually.
Seeing Wu Tida's casual actions, Li Wei and Wang Haiyang frowned slightly but then relaxed. They had mentioned his unhygienic habits before, but Wu Tida never took them seriously.
"Speaking of which, we haven't had a meal together this semester. How about we get him to treat us tonight? He has the money, let's go to the South Gate, we haven't had hotpot there in a long time!"
Wang Haiyang's eyes twinkled, and he suggested with a mischievous smile.
At the mention of hotpot, Li Wei swallowed hard and smiled awkwardly. Wu Tida was even more excited, jumping up and waving his right hand as if holding a whip.
"Since there's no objection, I'll go find Zhong Yi!"
Seeing their reactions, Wang Haiyang understood and volunteered.
"It's almost dinner time. Let's hurry, or Zhong Yi will have eaten and we won't get the chance!" Li Wei, who had been lying on the bed a second ago, immediately sat up and urged the others.
"Hey, where are my pants, where are my pants..."
The dormitory, which housed four people, was in chaos. Other students passing by smiled knowingly, as they were used to the commotion from these four.
"Zhong Yi, good buddy, how come your English is so good? I heard you helped Huaxin Company host a foreigner, why didn't you tell us?"
"Right, Zhong Yi, why do you seem distant from us this semester? Always hanging out in the library?"
...
Seeing the three with unfriendly expressions, Zhong Yi quickly understood their intentions. He put down his pen, gestured for them to be quiet to avoid disturbing the other students who were studying, and then smiled, saying, "West Gate, SD dishes?"
"South Gate, SC hotpot!"
In 1985, Yenching University had a considerable number of students, including master's and doctoral students. Although their consumption ability was low, they still supported many nearby restaurants.
"Deal!"
Zhong Yi put down a thick book, extended his little finger, and made a pinky promise with Wang Haiyang. This was a game they often played, though childish, they always enjoyed it.
"‘A Monetary History of the United States’? Zhong Yi, why are you reading this book?"
Li Wei, who was meticulous, noticed the thick book Zhong Yi had just put down and asked in surprise. The book had no Chinese translation in the 1980s, so it could only be read in English.
"Just browsing, nothing to do anyway!" Zhong Yi replied casually. He couldn't tell them that this book was recommended by his young cousin Zhong Shi, who had even listed a long reading list for him.
...
The four ate until around ten o'clock and drank over a dozen bottles of beer before staggering back to the dormitory, supporting each other.
"I can't make it, I need to find a place to relieve myself!"
As they staggered back, Li Wei suddenly shouted, bending over with a pained expression.
The others immediately understood. They knew the discomfort of holding it in and started to mock him. After laughing enough, Wang Haiyang pointed to a dark alley nearby and teased, "Brother, go there, you probably won't make it to the toilet in time!"
Li Wei, holding his legs, limped over, his strange posture causing the others to burst into laughter again. Seeing Li Wei's antics, the three felt they also needed to relieve themselves. They looked at each other and followed him.
"Help me!"
Just as the three slightly drunk men entered the alley, they saw Li Wei slowly backing out, a knife with a cold glint pointing at his forehead, forcing him out step by step. From the alley, a woman's voice could be heard, pleading for help.