They walked up to the second floor.

Under the waiter's guidance, Xu Ke and his family arrived at private room 208.

Xu Zhenmin admired the room's decor. "Wow, Qing He is really impressive. To think he can afford to treat us to a meal here with his own money."

"Of course! Just look at how outstanding my son is!" Xu Feng'an's face was lit up with pride.

Xu Ke pretended not to notice. "Dad, Mom, Second Uncle, let's sit down."

The expressions on Xu Zhenmin's and Xu Feng'an's faces immediately turned cold. This Xu Ke is so arrogant!

Just as everyone had taken their seats, the door was pushed open by a young man in a suit. Upon entering, he went straight to Xu Feng'an. "Mom, are you tired from the trip from Jiang City?"

Xu Zhentai, who was closest to the door, his face turned cold. Nie Qinghe actually ignored all his elders!

Yet Xu Feng'an, who had just been snubbed by Xu Ke, immediately got up, her eyes practically sparkling with glee. "Qing He, Mom's not tired. What about you?"

"Didn't you say you were having a team-building meal with your boss? It must have been hard for you to make time for such a group of bothersome relatives!"

Nie Qinghe glanced at Xu Ke and straightened his collar. "I'm not tired. A man who earns his keep with his own two hands doesn't get tired."

Xu Feng'an said sarcastically, "That's right. Self-reliance is always better than being a freeloader!"

"Qing He, have you eaten? Why don't you eat here?" Shen Fen saw Xu Ke's cold expression and hurriedly tried to smooth things over, afraid that Xu Ke wouldn't be able to hold back his anger.

Nie Qinghe smiled arrogantly. "Aunt, President Yuk from Hengxin Cultural Media Co., Ltd. is on his way. As the most outstanding intern at Hengxin Media this year, I can't be absent."

Xu Feng'an laughed. "Yes, Sister-in-law, Hengxin Media is a top media company in Tianhai."

"You think Qing He has as much free time as some people? Unlike someone who is free enough to pick people up from the high-speed rail station on a workday. So idle."

Upon hearing the words "Hengxin Media," Xu Ke raised an eyebrow. He knew of Hengxin Media; it was Yuk Dalong's company... But when did it become a top-tier company?

"Alright, dear uncles and aunts, I'm very sorry, but Qing He cannot join you for the meal. Once we finish on our end, I will come over to see you all."

Nie Qinghe shot another look at Xu Ke. "Cousin, please take good care of everyone for me. Thanks."

Xu Ke's expression was indifferent. "No trouble, but remember to take care of the bill later."

At that, Nie Qinghe's expression changed. "What did you say?"

Xu Ke smiled. "Weren't you the one who said you were treating us?"

Nie Qinghe had known about the team-building event all along, which was precisely why he invited them to dinner. This way, he could show off by offering to treat them and then use the event as an excuse to slip away, leaving Xu Ke with the bill—a perfect way to save face and money.

What a savvy guy, Xu Ke couldn't help but think.

"You're his older cousin, how can you be so shameless? You're actually going to make your younger cousin pay?" Xu Feng'an was not pleased.

Xu Ke looked innocent. "Qing He said he wanted to treat us. Given how close we are, of course, I had to let him."

"Of course, if my dear cousin doesn't want to treat, then I, as the older cousin, will naturally take care of it."

At that, Nie Qinghe's face instantly darkened. "You..."

The prices at the Felice Grand Hotel were exorbitant. How can I possibly afford this on an intern's salary? I'm going to get fleeced!

But Xu Ke changed his tone and smiled playfully. "It seems Qing He really doesn't want to treat, so I'll take care of it."

Nie Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief. Phew, I don't have to bleed my wallet dry!

From the side, Xu Zhenguo and Xu Zhentai exchanged glances and shook their heads privately. This Nie Qinghe really takes after his mother!

Seeing her older and second brothers shaking their heads and Xu Ke's playful smile, Xu Feng'an felt a surge of humiliation. Intending only to gain face, she was now overcome with anger and blurted out a bold statement.

"Who says Qing He doesn't want to treat?! With his after-tax salary of fifteen thousand, treating you all to a meal is more than enough!"

At her words, Nie Qinghe's face, which had just relaxed, instantly turned green.

"Well then, since Qing He's salary is so frighteningly high, I can only accept," Xu Ke said with a spread of his hands.

Meanwhile, Xu Ke chuckled to himself. It seems Nie Qinghe hasn't held back on his bragging to Xu Feng'an, with all this talk about a top media company and an after-tax salary of 15,000...

Seeing Xu Ke's smug look, Nie Qinghe felt suffocated with frustration, as if he'd swallowed feces. Getting scammed by Xu Ke was one thing, but to be scammed by my own mother...

With that thought, Nie Qinghe glared at Xu Feng'an.

Only then did Xu Feng'an snap out of it. How did I end up making my own son pay?

At that moment, Xu Zhenguo spoke up. "Forget it. Qing He is from the younger generation; there's no reason to make a junior pay. I'll take care of the bill later."

He could clearly see that this mother-son duo just wanted to save face without spending a dime. But as the eldest brother, Xu Zhenguo felt it was his duty to maintain balance within the family, which was why he intervened.

Xu Ke, seeing this, said nothing.

Shen Fen, worried her son might feel wronged, patted Xu Ke's shoulder and shook her head with a sigh.

"Well, since Big Brother has spoken, as his younger sister, I can only accept..." Xu Feng'an, seeing a way out, hurriedly jumped at the opportunity.

Nie Qinghe tried to salvage the last bit of his dignity. "What a pity. I'll have to treat you all next time."

At this, Second Uncle Xu Zhentai banged on the table. "If you have a team-building event to get to, then go. Don't waste time. Be careful, or your boss won't be able to find you." If he weren't worried about losing face in the Felice Hotel, he would have already let loose and cursed out this mother-son pair!

At that, Nie Qinghe glanced at Xu Zhentai. "Yes, Second Uncle. I should be going then."

"Go on then, Qinghe. You take care of your business!" After a long silence, Xu Zhenmin finally found an opening to interject loudly.

But Nie Qinghe didn't bother acknowledging his Third Uncle and turned to leave, leaving Xu Zhenmin quite embarrassed.

After her son left, Xu Feng'an returned to her seat. "Our Qinghe, he's just so filial. It's just unfortunate timing that he had a team-building event. He always prioritizes the big picture, so..."

"Save it. We all know each other here," Xu Zhentai interrupted Xu Feng'an's endless babble.

Xu Feng'an shot him an irritated glare.

Xu Ke glanced at his phone, then stood up and placed the menu on the lazy Susan. "Everyone, take a look and see what you'd like to eat. I'm going to step out and get the room keys from the driver."

"Alright, go ahead," Xu Zhenguo said in a deep voice.

...

Xu Ke walked to the elevators. The driver was waiting there with four room keys. "Mister Xu, here are your room keys."

Xu Ke took them. "Thank you. You can get back to your duties now."

"Okay!" The driver smiled and left.

Xu Ke pocketed the room keys and was about to leave.

Just then, an excited voice called out from behind him. "Mister Xu!"

Xu Ke turned to look. Yuk Dalong, dressed in a sporty tracksuit, was approaching him excitedly.

"President Yuk," Xu Ke smiled.

"Oh no, no, Mister Xu, please call me Xiao Yu!" Yuk Dalong was as humble as could be.

"It's ten-thirty now, President Yuk. Where are you coming from?" Xu Ke asked with a smile.

Yuk Dalong proudly responded, "As you instructed, I went mountain climbing at five-thirty this morning to collect and drink dew. I've only just come down."

"To be honest, after that climb, I feel so much better! It's all thanks to you!"

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