"What's a good hotel in Tieling?"
Xu Hui asked.
This time, treating Xiaomong to a meal required him to showcase his sincerity in terms of price.
With a hundredfold cashback, this opportunity couldn't be missed!
"What for? Just grab a boxed meal, no need for a hotel—it's too expensive."
Xiaomong firmly refused.
Expensive is good!
How else would he earn cashback?
Xiaomong was stubborn, and Xu Hui couldn't force her.
"We can't eat at a roadside stall, can we? That'd be so disrespectful to you."
Xu Hui glanced at a Northeastern specialty restaurant just 100 meters from the train station, displeased.
Hoping to earn cashback from the meal, Xiaomong wasn't cooperating at all.
"Even these small places are no good—they're near the station and rip off tourists!"
Xiaomong quickly added.
As Xu Hui's local guide, it was her duty to warn him about scams.
"You mean… these small places are expensive?"
Xu Hui's spirits lifted.
"Right, these shady places are one-time scams, targeting outsiders."
Xiaomong explained patiently.
"Let's go here! The sign says Northeastern specialties—it's gotta be good!!"
Xu Hui was overjoyed, striding inside.
"Brother Hui, really, don't go in!!"
Xiaomong chased after him.
She'd warned him these places were scams, but he still went in?
What a total sucker!
Impossible to stop!
"Brother Hui, listen to me."
Xiaomong was frantic.
"Stop persuading me. Think about it—the restaurant's near the station, so the rent's high. The food being pricey is normal, I get it."
Xu Hui hurried inside.
He was afraid Xiaomong would choose a cheaper place.
"Come in, sit anywhere!!"
In the middle of the day, the boss was napping on a lounger but jumped up at the sight of customers.
"I told you it'd be empty during mealtime."
Xiaomong muttered quietly, signaling with her eyes to leave.
Xu Hui ignored her entirely, saying:
"Xiaomong, order whatever you like—it's on me!"
"Yeah, order whatever."
The boss was overjoyed inside.
The two looked like a young couple, and the guy talked like a nouveau riche.
Usually, especially during the honeymoon phase, guys care most about face in front of their girlfriends, acting all tough.
Who else would you scam but these people?
"This, this, this—stir-fried or with garlic, okay, and this too…"
Xu Hui kept ordering at the display fridge.
"Brother Hui, can we finish all this?"
Xiaomong was speechless.
So much food would cost a fortune. Even if he was rich, this was wasteful.
"It won't cost much, don't worry."
The boss smiled, interjecting, "We have private rooms inside—quiet, no disturbances."
"The hall's fine."
Xiaomong said cautiously.
She'd only just met Xu Hui and was uneasy about being alone with him.
Xu Hui didn't care where they sat, as long as the cashback was good.
In no time,
a table full of dishes arrived.
"Eat up, I can't finish it all myself."
Xu Hui urged Xiaomong to start eating.
"Eh!"
Xiaomong felt uneasy.
As his guide, letting him eat at such a shady place felt like failing her duty.
Just wait—the bill would be sky-high.
I've led Brother Hui into a trap!
Xu Hui was genuinely hungry, eating voraciously.
Regardless of the price, the food tasted decent.
Soon,
the boss brought over a bouquet of roses.
"What's this?"
Xu Hui was confused.
"Couples dining here get a free bouquet of roses—this is for you!"
The boss said.
Maybe anticipating a sky-high bill, the boss felt guilty and sent flowers as consolation.
"We're not…"
"Thanks, boss. Wishing you great business—go ahead!"
Xiaomong tried to explain, but Xu Hui cut her off.
The cost of the flowers would definitely be added to the bill.
Xu Hui was delighted!
This way, the cashback would be even higher.
"Brother Hui, we can't accept the flowers—we're not a cou…"
As soon as the boss left, Xiaomong urged.
"Xiaomong, a free bouquet—why not take it? Here."
Xu Hui handed it to her.
Finally,
they finished eating and went to the front desk to pay.
"This is so expensive?"
Xiaomong gasped at the bill.
1,800 yuan?
Many restaurants don't have menus or clear pricing.
Customers are led to the fridge, fish tank, or veggie stand, ordering on the spot.
This leaves room for manipulation.
"You're a scam! Unethical money-making!!"
Xiaomong angrily accused.
Normally, she sold tofu in the village, earning just a few dozen yuan a day.
Now, one meal cost 1,800 yuan—this was daylight robbery!
"And these flowers—I don't want them!"
Like they were burning her, Xiaomong quickly placed the roses on the table.
"Is there an issue with the bill?"
The silent Xu Hui finally spoke up.
"Absolutely not. Our ingredients have purchase prices. If you don't believe me, I'll show you the ledger. Even if the authorities come, we're in the right!"
"If you don't have enough money, I can call someone to bring it over."
"Sincerity moves mountains. We hope for repeat customers—we wouldn't mess around!"
The boss spoke eloquently.
"Brother Hui, I told you not to come here, but you wouldn't listen. Now look."
Xiaomong said dejectedly.
"Your prices are definitely wrong!!"
Xu Hui was annoyed.
"Honestly, this bill's already discounted—otherwise, it'd be higher."
The boss feigned kindness.
"What are your rent, utilities, and labor costs?"
"Why ask that?"
The boss frowned, wondering if Xu Hui was trying to calculate the restaurant's profit.
"I mean, everyone works hard for their money…"
"Right, money doesn't grow on trees—how can you just name a price?!"
Before Xu Hui finished, Xiaomong chimed in.
"Alright, I'll knock off 200—1,600 at least, no less."
The boss declared firmly.
Smack!
Suddenly,
Xu Hui slammed the table, making a loud crack.
The boss jumped in fright.
"What do you want??"
Seeing Xu Hui's muscular build, his T-shirt stretched tight, the boss knew he couldn't win a fight.
Looking scared, he pulled out his phone, ready to call for backup.
"I want to say, everyone works hard for their money, especially in the service industry."
"Rent, utilities, labor—which doesn't cost money?"
"Working day and night, worrying and toiling, just to earn a little bit!!"
"I just want to ask, why give me a discount?"
"Even worse, you gave two discounts—is your labor that cheap?"
Xu Hui questioned.
Boss: "Huh??"
Xiaomong: "Er??"
Both were baffled—this guy's logic was bizarre.
Not like a normal person!
"Brother Hui, you just returned from abroad, you don't know local prices…"
Xiaomong tried to pull Xu Hui aside, not wanting him to be a sucker.
"Xiaomong, pay what's fair—we can't take advantage!"
"But…"
"Xiaomong, their service was good, and they gave flowers—I rarely see that even abroad!"
Xu Hui remarked.
Standing nearby, the boss was initially confused but quickly caught on.
This guy was a returnee, and everyone knew labor costs were higher abroad.
Plus, spending habits differ between countries.
The boss understood.
"So, no discount?"
The boss suppressed his excitement, asking quietly.
"No discount, pay what's fair."
"Okay, then 1,800 yuan as originally priced."
The boss was secretly thrilled.
"Is 1,800 the original price? You just said it was discounted—don't try to fool me!!"
"Er… right, right."
The boss nodded frantically.
"No discount, 2,200 yuan."
The boss tested.
"Enough?"
Xu Hui wasn't satisfied.
A hundredfold cashback—2,200 times 100 was only 220,000.
"Almost."
The boss, a street-smart guy, didn't dare ask for too much, fearing a setup.
"Alright, running a business isn't easy. I'll pay 3,000 flat, anything extra's a tip!!"
Xu Hui didn't want to haggle.
He pulled out the cash and handed over 3,000 yuan.
"Thanks, Brother Hui—you're so generous!!"
The boss exclaimed.
A man in his forties calling someone 20 years younger "brother" was absurd.
Xiaomong stood aside, completely stunned.
What's wrong with the world?
Is Xu Hui genuinely stupid or pretending?
Giving away money like a child's IQ.
People like him squander money, while she, with normal intelligence, sells tofu in Ivory Mountain Village!
Xiaomong's worldview was shattered.
"Xiaomong, let's go."
Xu Hui nudged her arm.
Xiaomong followed numbly as they left the station restaurant.
After they left, the boss snapped out of his euphoria.
Rushing outside to see them off, he shouted:
"Brother Hui, take care!"
"Welcome back anytime, Brother Hui!"
"Hey, Brother Hui, your flowers!!"
The boss jogged after them.
It's been a while since I wrote, and I'm not satisfied with the start. Hoping the rest turns out exciting.