Chapter 269: Mr. Xiao
What? 100 points?!
How was that even possible!
Everyone in the room was astounded. This was an amazing score, and it was virtually impossible to obtain that with a karaoke system. One would imagine that even its inventor couldnt rig the system to get himself such a score. Perhaps for a singer with the skill of Qin Guiyue, a maximum score may have been possible, but only for a song or two that she was particularly good with. Her earlier score 98 points was already a superb tally, so for Xiao Luo to get a perfect 100 points was simply incredible.
Xiao Luos rendition of the old hag was unbelievable and dazzled each and everyone in the room.
Xiao Luo, its such a huge shame you didnt compete in The Voice of China with your talent in singing.
Thats right, youre usually so low-key, and nobody would have expected you to have so much talent in singing.
Your daughter is a fantastic singer too, and she is so cute!
Everyone was magnanimous with their compliments despite the song being sung as a dig at Qin Guiyue for her sarcasm. In fact, they all seemed to have totally forgotten about it altogether.
Xiao Luo, Im acquainted with an agent from a record company in Xiahai, and I could introduce you to him. With your evident talent, maybe you could achieve something great in this field. Guo Qinghe said with genuine appreciation.
Chairperson, thank you, but Im not very interested in a singing career. But thanks all the same. Xiao Luo turned him down politely.
Guo Qinghe sighed, Xiao Luo, youre really good at singing, why dont you think about it first before giving me an answer?
Xiao Luo shook his head and smiled, I really appreciate your kindness, but Ive got my own business to take care of. And I dont wish to become a public figure, so becoming a singer is really not suitable for me.
If that is so, then its a little unfortunate. Guo Qinghe replied, somewhat disappointed.
Xiao Luo, since the chairperson had connections to a record company, you should take full advantage of it. Look at your mediocre life now, why dont you try to push yourself harder for once? If you become popular, many of us will support you. A man tried to persuade him.
A girl chimed, Xiao Luo, Im not trying to be nosy, but youve always acted this way since our college days. You dont know how to take advantage of the network and the resources around you. And now youre still acting this way even after weve graduated. How do you expect to be successful? A great opportunity like this is doesnt come every day.
Xiao Luo still had a polite smile on his face, but he was terribly disappointed with this gathering. It had only been three years, and yet he could already see the drastic change in his former classmates. Gone was the sincerity in their friendship, replaced now with hypocrisy and ulterior motives behind their every word and action. He was truly disappointed as he did not think they would become such people, but perhaps it was he that had come with such high expectations, to begin with.
Im sorry, I have some urgent business to attend to, so Ill need to leave first.
He made a random excuse, grabbed Bei Beis hand, and walked out of the room. He could not bear to stay for another moment.
Old Xiao, wait for me.
When he saw that Xiao Luo was leaving, Zhang Dashan immediately stood up, not intending to hang around. He smiled and told everyone, I have something on too. You guys have fun, okay.
He then picked up his jacket and followed after Xiao Luo.
Everyone was surprised, but it didnt take them too long before they started discussing the sudden departure of the two.
Whats wrong with these two, how could they leave just like that?
What else could it be. Xiao Luos pissed off and Zhang Dashan being very close to him, of course, would do the same.
Wasnt it just a bit of sarcasm from Guiyue? Aiyah, if hes pissed off by a little thing like that, then its not very manly of him.
Hu Shuiping was a little peeved at all the talk and put his own thoughts across, saying, not too loudly, Are you all serious? You guys have been so condescending to Xiao Luo, giving him lectures without even knowing how he was actually doing in real life. And every single one of you was acting so high and mighty, how could anyone tolerate it?
No one caught what Hu Shuiping said except Guo Qinghe, sitting beside him, who heard it clearly.
Guo Qinghe shook his head and let out a long patronizing sigh, Shui, you cant say just that, everyone was thinking in Xiao Luos interest. Since were all classmates, nobody would want him to do badly in life. If anyone faces any difficulty in life, we are all here to take care of each other.
But none of us know anything about Xiao Luos life, do we? He has always been a low-key guy, so what if hes doing way better than us? Wouldnt it be a big, fat joke on us for trying to lecture him? Hu Shuiping said matter-of-factly.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence after hearing that.
Qin Guiyue spoke with a sneer, With his arrogant attitude, how well could he do in life? Dont forget he toyed around with Mengqi, and for that, hes no more than a jerk. Hes the equivalent of a rat on the street, so Im glad hes left!
A girl who was close to Qin Guiyue pitched in angrily, Thats totally right! And that no-good Zhang Dashan is shamefully uneducated and full of obscenities. Im ashamed to have anything to do with such a classmate! She did not dare to say it in Zhang Dashans face, but since he had already left, she was going on about it.
A man agreed, Right, right, hes damn uncouth. If were ever holding any more gatherings in the future, lets leave the two of them out. Itd just spoil our mood.
Zhao Mengqi felt a deep sense of disappointment with some of her classmates for belittling Xiao Luo and Zhang Dashan. Some of their comments were uncalled for, especially when they knew nothing about them. They had such high opinions of themselves, quickly jumping to their own conclusions, simply to rationalize their contempt of the two. But the reality was that they were blindly ignorant, only judging Xiao Luo and Zhang Dashan by what they remembered from college. Werent they aware of the Chinese adage: after a scholars absence of three days, one will see a man changed for the better?
Alright, alright, lets not talk about them. Lets continue. Guo Qinghe waved his hand in an attempt to shift away from the unsavory topic.
A gentle knock came from the door, as it was pushed open, several waiters came in with platters of fruit and snacks, along with various drinks and two bottles of wine. The spread was decent and was expected in a place like this, but the bottles had given everyone a big shock.
Romane-Conti!
A man familiar with wines named the two bottles of Burgundy on the table immediately, the retail price is around eighty thousand per bottle!
Huh!
Everyone gasped in disbelief, and they couldnt believe a bottle of red wine could cost eighty thousand! And now theyve actually seen it with their own eyes.
Hu Shuiping stood up immediately, a little concerned and asked, Pretty lady, we did not order anything, did you bring this here by mistake?
The senior wait staff, an attractive lady, smiled and said, Sir, theres no mistake, these are with the compliments of our boss, Mr. Chu. And oh, by the way, all of your expenses tonight will be on the house. Everything will be covered by the Maple Leaf Hotel.
What?!
What was going on?
Everyone was in a stupor. Why the sudden mention of a Boss Chu, who is he?
Guo Qinghe asked curiously, May I ask if the Boss Chu youre talking about is Mr. Chu Yunxiong?
Yes, the Maple Leaf Hotel is part of Chongshan Houses property group. The charming waitress smiled politely. Having been through extensive training in service excellence, her smile was genuine and warm.
Guo Qinghe was lost for words, and asked, But none of us has any relationship with Mr. Chu Yunxiong, so why would he gift us such expensive red wines?
Oh, allow me to explain. As you are classmates of Mr. Xiao, Boss Chu has instructed us not to bill for any of tonights expenses. The beautiful waitress answered honestly.
Mr. Xiao?
Xiao Luo?
Hearing the surname Xiao, everyone was suddenly shocked. As none of them had the surname Xiao, the lady must then be referring to Xiao Luo.
A prominent business leader in this city had actually paid their bills, and even presented them two rare bottles of vintage red wines, all because of Xiao Luo? What was going on?