Divine Lucky Star
Chapter 311 - Chapter 311 Chapter 311 The Smug Assistant Ma

Chapter 311: Chapter 311: The Smug Assistant Ma Chapter 311: Chapter 311: The Smug Assistant Ma Cao Yuncheng stood beside a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his forties; the man, dressed in a sharp suit, was laughing and chatting with Cao Yuncheng.

The man looked quite ordinary, but he exuded confidence, even towering slightly over Cao Yuncheng. As Wang Hao, Lin Xiaoyun, and Wei Ningze arrived, Cao Yuncheng immediately introduced them with a grin, “You’re here! Come, come, let me introduce a very important person–Jiangya Media’s President Lu’s assistant, Ma Wenyun, Assistant Ma!”

Wang Hao felt indifferent about the man’s identity, but Lin Xiaoyun and Wei Ningze were instantly stunned!

Jiangya Media!

That was one of the top four animation companies south of the Yangtze River!

Even Lin Xiaoyun was excited, “It’s Assistant Ma! Hello, hello! I am Lin Xiaoyun from Golden Cloud Animation. Wow, your Jiangya Media is one of the four giants in Jiangnan, incredible!”

Wang Hao: “…”

Is this Jiangya Media really that impressive?

“Hello,” Ma Wenyun, who clearly had never heard of Golden Cloud Animation, just laughed it off casually, “I am very honored to be here with President Lu for this summit.”

“Assistant Ma is being modest,” Cao Yuncheng said. “Brother, Miss Lin, Chief Editor Wei, you might not know this, but just Assistant Ma’s company alone had a net profit of over fifty million last year! Impressive, right?”

“Fifty million!” Wei Ningze’s eyes widened. “That’s simply miraculous! Our company’s net profit was only around three million last year, no comparison at all.”

“It was alright, around fifty-four million last year,” Ma Wenyun said, smiling modestly yet obviously proud, “It was better than the year before, which was around forty-eight million. We are progressing slowly. President Lu came this time specifically to explore ways for our company to grow.”

Lin Xiaoyun’s eyes sparkled: “To increase profits by so much in such an environment, that’s amazing!”

“No wonder they are the leading one of Jiangnan’s four giants,” Cao Yuncheng laughed heartily. “Let’s go, let’s talk while we walk. Our leaders specifically instructed us, even though the overall market is down, the animation industry is still thriving. So, they told me to make sure everything is perfect for our colleagues tonight. Everything is set for dinner tonight at the Lijing Hotel right behind here, let’s set off now.”

The group then headed out.

Cao Yuncheng had chosen a nicely located hotel, just a street away from the Shangri-La; they crossed the road, quickly reaching the entrance of Lijing Hotel.

Ma Wenyun looked at the hotel, which wasn’t very luxurious, and smacked his lips. “This place… it’s alright.”

From his expression, it was obvious he wasn’t particularly impressed with the standard of the restaurant.

Hearing this, Wang Hao shrugged his shoulders right next to him–this guy, just an assistant, is quite the stickler for luxury…

You’re all that and didn’t arrange anything yet criticize others’ kind gestures.

The group entered the restaurant, and Cao Yuncheng said with a smile, “Everyone, go ahead into the room; it’s all set. The Liu Xi private room. A few more colleagues will join soon.”

They then took their seats inside.

“Come, come, everyone take your seats, let’s order first,” Cao Yuncheng called a waiter over to bring the menu, placed it on the table, and said with a laugh, “Our leaders sanctioned a special treat, order whatever you like, don’t hold back.”

Ah, looks like we’re in for a good feast tonight, hehe.

“A special treat? Then I won’t hold back!” Ma Wenyun took the menu, browsed through it, and frowned. “The dishes are pretty normal. Do you have seafood?”

“We do, sir,” the waiter nodded, “but it’s all market priced.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Ma Wenyun immediately picked the most expensive dish. “Bring two two-pound lobsters first,” then he asked, “Hey waiter, how big are your abalones?”

“We have abalones of various sizes,” the waiter explained with a smile, “including four-head, five-head, and six-head abalones. Which type would you like?”

“Just the four-head!” Ma Wenyun decided without hesitation, “Bring two pounds, one pound might not be enough.”

“Alright, sir,” the waiter immediately placed the order.

As soon as Ma Wenyun ordered two two-pound lobsters and another two pounds of four-head abalones, Cao Yuncheng’s face started to look a bit unnatural.

Regarding abalones, the most common terms we hear are “3-head,” “6-head,” “8-head,” “16-head,” etc. These terms don’t mean an abalone has multiple heads; rather, abalones are weighed by the pound. In a one-pound group of abalones of the same kind, the number of abalones is denoted by “heads,” and these measurements are usually taken using dry abalones.

Like the four-head abalones Ma Wenyun just ordered–that’s considered quite a large abalone, and generally, the bigger the abalone, the pricier it gets.

The price of those two pounds of four-head abalones… well, that just leaves one speechless…

“Come on, everyone order whatever you want,” Ma Wenyun handed the menu to Wang Hao, saying, “It’s on the company’s dime, not ours. Go ahead and choose the finest dishes!”

Wang Hao: “…”

You shouldn’t be doing this even with someone else’s money, you cheapskate!

“Brother,” just as Wang Hao was about to order, Cao Yuncheng’s expression turned even more unnatural, and he whispered, “Do you have any cash on you, or card is fine too. Our boss only approved 5000 yuan for this outing, and this table… I’m afraid it might not be enough…”

Hearing this, Wang Hao understood.

Cao Yuncheng had indeed requested funds from his superiors. 5000 yuan was originally enough for a large meal, but who could have anticipated Ma Wenyun splurging like this as soon as he heard it was public money? Just the lobsters and abalones alone might exceed 5000, let alone covering this whole meal without bankrupting Brother Cao!

“It’s alright,” Wang Hao gently patted Cao Yuncheng’s arm. “With your brother here, you can rest easy!”

This was from someone who could afford a Maserati with the license plate AS6666, after hearing Wang Hao’s reassurances, Cao Yuncheng’s worries eased. Otherwise, if they couldn’t leave the restaurant after eating today, it would be a major loss of face!

Looking at the menu, Wang Hao scoffed internally–Ma Wenyun, huh, a mere assistant strutting around like he’s all that. So, he thinks he’s big time? Even his boss behind him isn’t much to speak of, so what’s there to show off?

It’s just good food, anyone can order it!

“Bring in three sea cucumbers, served raw,” Wang Hao didn’t bother to hold back, picking only the best dishes: “And prepare some bird’s nest in advance, one bowl per person later!”

Lin Xiaoyun and Wei Ningze also ordered a few dishes. Just after they finished ordering, two more people entered from the door.

“President Peng, President Tan! Ah, right this way, please!” As soon as he saw the new arrivals, Cao Yuncheng quickly stood up, smiling, “I saw you both earlier at the hotel surrounded by beautiful ladies, and I didn’t dare to come over to greet you. I’ve been waiting until tonight to get a chance to see you both!” After the greeting, he immediately introduced them to Wang Hao: “Young brother, this is Peng Yuan Chun, Vice President of Jiangnan Animation, and Tan Yingsheng, President of Comics World. I mentioned them to you before.”

“Hello hello,” Wang Hao quickly stood up, all smiles, “I’m Wang Hao, just starting in the industry. I’ll be looking forward to your guidance.” Then he pointed to Wei Ningze and Lin Xiaoyun, “Chief Editor Wei from Comics World, and our company’s President, Lin Xiaoyun.”

“An honor to meet you,” Peng Yuan Chun on the left, wearing a gray suit, smiled, “Comics World has produced quite a few masterpieces in the past.”

On the other side, Tan Yingsheng nodded, “I’ve heard of it, quite the established company.”

After the two guests were seated, turning towards Ma Wenyun, although Cao Yuncheng had been displeased earlier, he didn’t show it on his face and formally said, “Let me officially introduce Mr. Ma Wenyun, the assistant to President Lu Wansong of Jiangya Media!”

“A name as thunderous as I’ve heard!” Peng Yuan Chun exclaimed, “One of the four big names in Jiangnan’s animation industry! Impressive, impressive!”

Ma Wenyun looked pleased, responding, “Oh, it’s alright.”

After the greetings, three more people arrived, all prominent figures in the animation industry and guests at the animation summit. With that, the dining party was complete!

Why else would they say Heavenly People’s Republic is known for its drinking culture? Once everyone had gathered, the drinking began.

And with drinking, the conversation flowed.

——————–

Brother Hao is about to show off again! Give a recommendation ticket, please!