novelnext Chapter 547: Dining at the Auction Banquet
Chapter 547: Dining at the Auction Banquet
As soon as we sat down, the waiter handed us a list, which did not list the food, but rather all the items to be auctioned.
Zhang Lei didn't even glance at the list, and casually asked, "Is there anything to eat later? Bring me something to fill my stomach first."
Before the waiter could answer, a young man at the next table sarcastically remarked, "Where did this country bumpkin come from? This is a charity auction, not a place for you to freeload."
Zhang Lei turned to look at the other person, his expression indifferent: "What I do is none of your business. Mind your own business and mind your own business, lest you get yourself into trouble."
The young man instantly flew into a rage, shouting angrily, "Who do you think you are, daring to threaten me? Do you know who I am? I am Li Mingjie, the second young master of the Li family!"
Zhang Lei casually picked at his ear with his little finger, his tone indifferent: "Never heard of it."
This dismissive attitude thoroughly enraged Li Mingjie. He slammed his fist on the table and shouted angrily, "Someone, throw this guy out of here!"
The waiter standing nearby was so frightened that he didn't know what to do, nervously watching the conflict unfold before him.
Zhang Lei smiled calmly: "Ignore him. He's just a clown who flaunts his family background."
Hearing this, the surrounding guests turned to look and whispered among themselves. Li Mingjie felt utterly humiliated and glared angrily, shouting, "Dare you give me your name? Believe me, I'll make sure you don't leave this hotel tonight!"
"Okay," Zhang Lei said calmly. "My name is Zhang Lei, and I'm just an ordinary person."
He then looked at the waiter and casually instructed, "Ignore the barking dogs nearby and bring out some of your hotel's signature dishes as soon as possible."
The waiter looked troubled and whispered a reminder: "Sir, you'd better leave as soon as possible. The second young master of the Li family has a terrible temper. You'll suffer if you offend him."
"Thanks for the reminder," Zhang Lei smiled faintly, "Don't take this kind of person to heart, just focus on serving the food."
Seeing Zhang Lei's determined expression, the waiter had no choice but to nod and leave to prepare the meal.
At this moment, Li Mingjie's henchman stepped forward, walked up to Zhang Lei, and arrogantly barked, "Didn't you hear me? Our young master told you to get out of here right now!"
Zhang Lei glanced at him coldly, his tone laced with sarcasm: "Tonight is a charity gala hosted by the Zhou family. When did it become your place, a lackey, to shout at us like that?"
The henchman felt humiliated, his face hardening: "You little brat, you're asking for it!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he clenched his fist and punched Zhang Lei straight in the face.
The timid guests around immediately let out a scream.
Facing the incoming fist, Zhang Lei raised his hand and caught it steadily, then kicked the person to the ground.
He looked down at his henchman lying on the ground groaning, and sneered, "With such pathetic skills, you dare to make a move?"
The commotion quickly attracted the attention of everyone present. Zhou Zhengxian, chairman of the Zhou Group, rushed over and asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"
The bystanders quickly recounted the whole story.
Zhou Zhengxian turned to look at Li Mingjie, his expression serious: "Mingjie, this is the Zhou family's territory. Please respect my guest."
Li Mingjie, with an arrogant expression, showed no sign of restraint: "Uncle Zhou, I'm here at the banquet on my father's orders. You wouldn't want my father to know I've been mistreated here, would you?"
Zhou Zhengxian felt a headache coming on and reluctantly compromised: "I can pretend nothing happened, but you are not allowed to cause any more trouble. Otherwise, even if your father comes in person, I will not show any mercy."
Li Mingjie's female companion quickly spoke up to dissuade him: "Mingjie, let it go, don't bother with such a nobody."
Li Mingjie stared intently at Zhang Lei and said menacingly, "Uncle Zhou, I'm giving you face today. If this happened anywhere else, I would have broken his legs."
Zhang Lei almost burst out laughing when he saw the other party's arrogant and domineering appearance.
Zhou Zhengxian walked up to Zhang Lei, looking apologetic: "I'm so sorry, I haven't been a good host."
Zhang Lei waved his hand dismissively: "It's alright, I just wanted to ask when the dishes I ordered will be served."
Zhou Zhengxian was stunned on the spot, and then immediately ordered his subordinates: "Go to the kitchen and urge them to serve this gentleman's meal first."
Zhang Lei glanced around at the seated guests, then calmly returned to his own seat. It must be said that the front row seats offered an excellent view, perfect for watching the auction while having a meal.
Before long, a variety of exquisite dishes were served.
Zhang Lei, oblivious to everyone else, ate his food with gusto. The surrounding guests had various expressions; some looked on with disdain, while others couldn't help but swallow hard.
Just then, a familiar female voice came from behind.
Zhang Lei turned around and saw Zhou Weiran, whom he had just met, standing next to Zhou Zhengxian.
"Dad, Grandma isn't feeling well and can't come. I just wanted to let you know."
Zhou Zhengxian said gently, "It's alright. There will be items she likes at the auction later. You can bid for them on her behalf."
Zhou Weiran nodded gently: "I understand."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhou Weiran's eyes met Zhang Lei's. She quickly stepped forward, somewhat surprised: "So it was you, Zhang Lei."
Zhang Lei put down his chopsticks and nodded slightly: "It's me. I didn't expect this charity gala to be hosted by your Zhou family."
“That’s right,” Zhou Weiran replied with a slight smile. “My family holds a charity auction every few years. My father often said that wealthy families should do more good deeds and accumulate virtue so that they can bring blessings to their descendants.”
Zhang Lei nodded slightly: "What your father said makes a lot of sense."
A shrill voice suddenly rang out: "Weiran, what are you doing here?"
Zhou Weiran looked at Li Mingjie as he approached, her eyes filled with annoyance: "Li Mingjie, what are you up to now?"
Ignoring her resistance, Li Mingjie said to himself, "Weiran, come sit with me. We haven't seen each other in a long time."
"No need," Zhou Weiran refused directly, "I have friends here."
Li Mingjie followed her gaze to Zhang Lei, his face full of disdain: "What? This poor, down-on-his-luck person doesn't deserve to be your friend? Only we are true friends who are of equal social standing."
Zhou Weiran's expression turned slightly cold as she spoke, drawing a clear line: "Li Mingjie, our two families only have a business partnership. I'm not familiar with you at all, so please stop bothering me for no reason."
During the argument, Zhang Lei kept his head down and ate his rice the whole time, completely unaffected.
Li Mingjie watched him wolf down his food and sneered sarcastically, "Looking at him, starving like a reincarnated ghost, what is there to befriend?"
Hearing the noise, Zhang Lei looked up and said calmly, "You two can argue all you want, but don't drag me into it for no reason. Am I bothering you by eating?"
Li Mingjie immediately complained to Zhou Weiran, "Listen to this! Your mouth is full of foul language and you have no manners whatsoever."
Zhang Lei sneered: "You're so noble, so otherworldly, you don't need to eat or drink, you don't even need the cycle of the five grains, so you're just a mythical creature?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Weiran couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Li Mingjie's face flushed red with anger, and he was about to explode when the auctioneer appeared on the stage and the first item was officially unveiled, abruptly interrupting his anger.
Zhou Weiran advised at the right moment, "The auction has started, hurry back to your seat."
Li Mingjie glared at Zhang Lei hatefully and gave him the middle finger.
Zhang Lei calmly met Li Mingjie's gaze, held up two fingers, and silently mouthed an insult, which made Li Mingjie's chest heave violently with anger.