Luo Chao nodded. He didn't care about the hotel; what mattered was whether he could fill his stomach. Besides, Li Haili didn't really bring him here for a meal, so the quality of the hotel didn't concern Luo Chao. He merely glanced around to observe the geographical surroundings.

It's a habit he maintained from his overseas missions—always observing the local geography, handy for making an escape.

Though today, this might not be necessary.

Li Haili was the first to walk into Jin Kaiyue. The lobby manager recognized him and rushed over to greet him, noticing Li Haili in his school uniform with several students following. "Young Master Li, skipping class today?" he asked with a smile.

Li Haili chuckled and said, "It's lunch time. I've brought some friends over for a meal. Is the Pomegranate private dining room available?"

The lobby manager was surprised to hear him mention the Pomegranate room and asked, "Don't you always book the Turmeric room when you come, Young Master Li?"

Li Haili glared at the manager and said, "There are just a few of us, booking something too big is wasteful. I've heard Junling mention the Pomegranate room before, so I'm here to check it out today."

The manager was a savvy person. After seeing Li Haili's glare, although his tone was kind, his face had already darkened. He mentioned Li Junling again and refrained from further questioning, instructing a young woman at the front desk to lead them to the Pomegranate room.

The Pomegranate room wasn't bad. It had one window, which many prestigious guests avoided due to poor visibility. The hotel soundproofed it very well, so other guests often chose it for non-dining events, repurposing it effectively.

But what those events entail, only heaven knows, the earth knows, and the innocent author certainly doesn't know.

Led by the front desk attendant, Li Haili and his group reached the furthest private room on the second floor and entered one by one. Li Dacheng immediately started complaining, "This room is too dim! And there's a smoke smell as soon as you come in. How can Jin Kaiyue have such a room?"

Between the lines, it was clear Li Haili didn't value them, taking them to such a shabby room. The attendant hadn't left yet and blushed at Li Dacheng's complaints, explaining softly, "Many customers enjoy booking this room for other events."

Li Dacheng understood immediately, glanced at Li Haili, and deliberately asked, "You're not planning to get us into some other activities, are you?"

Li Haili burst into laughter at his words, seriously saying, "Of course, there's another event planned. Just wait and see!"

After that, Li Haili clapped twice sharply, and the menu attendant came in with menus from outside. Li Haili led Luo Chao to the main seat, gave him the menu, and said, "It's on me today. Order whatever you like; don't worry about saving money."

Luo Chao took the menu, opened it, and smirked. Since Li Haili didn't want him to save any money, he didn't bother looking at the dishes—just the prices.

After pondering a while, Luo Chao pointed at the most expensive dishes and said, "Give me the Eight-Treasure Nine-Stripe Dragon, Exquisite Drunken Phoenix, and Golden Garden, and this Steamed Auspicious Qilin…"

He ordered eighteen dishes in one go and then turned to the drinks menu, just remembering to consult the others. As he looked up, he noticed Li Haili's face was ashen and asked deliberately, "Li Haili, what's wrong? Did I order too much?"

Li Haili's veins twitched on his forehead. He exerted great self-control to resist going berserk. You're actually aware you ordered too much? There are only four people, and eighteen dishes? Each costing thousands or tens of thousands! Were we going for a Manchu-Han Feast!?...

If it weren't for Brother Long saying there was an urgent matter and asking him to stall, would Li Haili have played the fool here?

But words, once spoken, are like water that's spilled; today's menu was a boast now turned challenge!

Li Haili took a deep breath and said, looking at Ding Yang, "No problem, no problem. I can handle whatever's ordered."

Luo Chao nodded with satisfaction and said to the menu attendant, "Then let's have a pot of Pre-Rain Dragon Well tea too."

Li Haili's heart trembled again. He eyed Luo Chao, thinking he was deliberate; among all the dishes, only this pot of tea was the priciest at 288,800!

Seeing Luo Chao finish ordering, even Li Dacheng was impressed and rushed to Luo Chao's side, asking, "I didn't catch any of the dish names you just ordered; what are they?"

Luo Chao shook his head and said seriously, "I have no idea."

"What the heck, then how did you order?" Li Dacheng asked in surprise.

"Ordered by the price. Li Haili said not to worry about the cost," Luo Chao replied with a smile.

"Ah? Haha, Li Haili's like a mute eating bitter herbs now, can't voice his grievances. Who told him to show off?"

After Li Dacheng spoke, both of them burst into laughter.

Jin Suo saw Li Dacheng joking with Luo Chao and came over next to Li Haili, asking, "Boss, what's going on? We really came for a meal today? The dishes Luo Chao ordered are all exorbitantly priced!"

Li Haili was already annoyed, and hearing Jin Suo's words, he cursed, "I know, damn it! Do you need to remind me, damn it? But Black Dragon said there's an urgent errand, so I had to stall and brought them over. This hotel's owned by Li Junling's family. Even if it's wrecked, I wouldn't care!"

But who would have thought I'd trip on Luo Chao's tricky move!

Jin Suo finally understood, and seeing Li Haili displeased, he went off to the side without saying more.

A few minutes later, the attendant opened the private room door, bringing in the Pre-Rain Dragon Well tea. Li Dacheng was the first to pour himself a cup, gulping it down. Besides a faint tea aroma, it left nothing.

After drinking, he smacked his lips and said, "I thought such expensive tea would have something special about it, same as regular tea!"

Luo Chao laughed and poured himself a cup as well. But Li Haili was trembling with anger. Even the finest tea wouldn't withstand such guzzling!

Once Luo Chao finished pouring tea, Li Haili also poured himself a cup. Luo Chao held the cup under his nose to smell it, took a sip, and sighed. It seemed the tea here wasn't that great—just priced high. It paled compared to the tea the old man gathered from various places.

Li Haili was surprised to see Luo Chao appreciating tea. After hearing his sigh, his mind was even more unsettled. Could this bumpkin have tasted better tea than this?

Li Haili hurried to savor it as well; this tea wasn't much different from his own family's, but he couldn't tell the difference. Yet Luo Chao seemed quite skilled at hiding his expertise!

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