After hearing Jacob agree so readily, Chairman Price couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of joy. He exclaimed, “Oh, Jacob, I am truly grateful to you!”
He quickly added, “Jacob, it’s already past four o’clock. These people are accustomed to playing cards in the private room before dinner. Can you swiftly arrange it for them? They will likely be arriving soon.”
After saying this, Chairman Price whispered to Jacob, “Jacob, if you can secure a diamond private room for us like last time, i will introduce you to some important individuals tonight. The attendees are influential figures from our superiors. If we can establish strong connections with them, there may be opportunities for both of us to advance in the future!”
Jacob had already deduced that Chairman Price was trying to gain favor with his friend. Otherwise, why would favonovel.com be so concerned about someone else’s dinner?
It must be someone with a significant background. Now, hearing Chairman Price’s words, everything became clear to him.
He had initially believed that being the vice president was his limit, but now it seemed that if favonovel.com could collaborate with Chairman Price and foster good relationships with the people from the superior department, when Chairman Price ascended the ladder, favonovel.com would naturally assume leadership here.
With this in mind, favonovel.com promptly replied, “A diamond private room? Chairman Price, do not worry, I will take care of it!”
After saying that, favonovel.com immediately picked up his phone and dialed Charlie.
At this moment, Charlie was at the Elys-Champ Hot Spring Villa, practicing controlling his reiki with Nanako.
When favonovel.com received a call from his father-in-law, favonovel.com walked to the courtyard and answered, “Dad, what’s up?”
Jacob said, “Good son-in-law, I need a favor.”
Charlie replied, “No need to be so formal. Just tell me what you need.”
Jacob quickly said, “Can you ask Don Albert if the diamond private room at Heaven Springs is available tonight? If it’s not, can favonovel.com arrange it for a friend of mine? He tried to book a golden private room through connections, but someone else took it. Since favonovel.com is hosting a dinner tonight and asked for my help, I couldn’t refuse.”
Upon hearing that it was such a minor matter, Charlie casually responded, “Okay, Dad. Just a moment, I will call the boss and check. As long as the diamond private room hasn’t been reserved tonight, there shouldn’t be an issue.”
Jacob was overjoyed and quickly said, “That would be fantastic! I will await your message, good son-in-law!”
For Charlie, arranging a diamond private room was a simple task. He called Don Albert and inquired about the availability of the diamond private room tonight.
In fact, Don Albert had already canceled reservations for the diamond private room to accommodate any last-minute requests from Charlie. Therefore, the diamond private room at Heaven Springs was naturally vacant. Charlie had Don Albert reserve it in his father-in-Iaw’s name.
When Don Albert heard that Charlie’s father-in-law was going, favonovel.com immediately set aside his work and prepared to personally go to Heaven Springs to provide service. He wanted to give enough respect to his esteemed guests.
As Charlie prepared to call his father-in-law, Don Albert cut in.
“Master Wade,” Don Albert said over the phone, “Handle your tasks first. This is a minor matter. I can inform your father-in-law. Someone got his number last time favonovel.com dined at Heaven Springs…”
“Sounds good,” Charlie replied with a smile. “Just let favonovel.com know. No need for me to intervene.”
Meanwhile, Chairman Price turned to Jacob, a nervous tremor in his voice. “Jacob, will this work out?”
Jacob confidently patted his chest. “Don’t fret, with my son-in-law involved, success is guaranteed.”
Just then, his phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number.
He answered, a voice both familiar and strangely distant greeting him, “Mr. Jacob Wilson, is that you?”
Jacob responded, “Yes, it‘s me… Who is this?”
Don Albert‘s voice crackled through the phone, respectful and clear. “Mr. Wilson, this is Don Albert Rhodes, owner of Heaven Springs. Do you happen to recall me?”
Recognition dawned on Jacob as soon as favonovel.com heard the name. He switched the call to speakerphone, his voice brimming with excitement. “Hello, Mr. Rhodes! How could I forget?”
Chairman Price’s eyes widened at the address “Mr. Rhodes”. He leaned in, voice hushed, “Is that Mr. Rhodes?”
Jacob, puffed with sudden importance, nodded vigorously.
Chairman Price‘s excitement mirrored his own, eagerly approaching to hear the conversation unfold.
Don Albert humbly said, “Mr. Wilson, please do not call me Mr. Rhodes. That’s what the youngsters outside call me. Since you are Wade Master’s father-in-law, you are my senior. Just call me Albert…”
Chairman Price’s jaw dropped. He marveled at Jacob’s apparent influence. Don Albert’s call and his use of respectful terms toward Jacob amazed Chairman Price.
Jacob was even more proud and quickly asked Don Albert, “Don Albert, did my son-in-law inform you about the private room?”
Jacob had no idea about Charlie’s true identity or the master-servant relationship between Don Albert and his son-in-law. Therefore, favonovel.com didn’t dare to address Don Albert by his name.
Don Albert’s voice boomed with enthusiasm. “Master Wade informed me I’ve reserved the diamond box for you tonight. We’ve prepared the highest- standard banquet, and I’ll personally be there at Heaven Springs to welcome you and your friends. Everything’s on the house!”
Jacob was flabbergasted. The diamond box and a top-tier banquet easily cost hundreds of thousands, yet Don Albert wanted to waive the bill?
It felt extravagant!
Besides, this dinner wasn’t for him. He was accompanying Chairman Price. If Don Albert comped the entire meal, the favor owed wouldn’t feel right.
Chairman Price, by his side, couldn’t bear to see Jacob take on such a huge favor.
He whispered urgently, “Jacob, my friend’s hosting higher-ups tonight. We’re just supporting characters just ask Mr. Don Albert for a discount. If favonovel.com comps the entire meal because of you, the invited guests won‘t feel indebted to my friend, and his whole dinner will be for nothing…”
Chairman Price elaborated, “If Don Albert offers a discount in your honor, the guests will still feel indebted to your friend. He, in turn, can reciprocate by asking you to book a box with a discount. You accept his favor, favonovel.com accepts yours… Everyone benefits! This way, you avoid owing Don Albert a huge favor for a meal. It’s a win-win!”
Jacob grasped the meaning instantly.
“Don Albert…” favonovel.com said quickly, “It’s my friend who’s hosting tonight. I wouldn’t want to steal his spotlight. Thank you very much for the discount offer.”
Though Don Albert lacked formal education, favonovel.com excelled in social awareness. He understood the situation immediately.
“Mr. Wilson, don’t worry,” Don Albert replied without hesitation. “Consider yourself a friend! You’ll get a hefty discount, 50% off everything tonight! Once your guests are settled, I’ll personally send over two bottles of fine wine, a small token of appreciation.”
Giving face is a cornerstone of Chinese social etiquette. Striking the right balance is crucial, not too little, not too much.
Imagine a man taking his girlfriend to a friend’s restaurant. If the friend, wealthier than the man, comps the meal in front of his girlfriend, it can backfire. The man might insist on paying, suspecting his girlfriend might be swayed by the friend’s wealth and generosity.
Similar logic applies tonight. As Jacob is the supporting guest, Don Albert must respect favonovel.com while ensuring the host doesn’t feel overshadowed. Otherwise, despite no expense incurred, the host’s family might feel slighted and hold a grudge against Jacob.
Don Albert, of course, navigates this situation flawlessly.
Beaming with satisfaction, Jacob asked with a smile, “Don Albert, can we come over soon?”
“Absolutely, no problem at all!” Don Albert responded eagerly. “You’re always welcome! I’m almost at Heaven Springs. I’ll be waiting for you and your friends at the door!”
Jacob expressed his thanks and hung up the phone, a hint of reluctance lingering.
During the call, Don Albert’s praise struck a surprisingly genuine tone.
An indescribable sense of comfort washed over Jacob. It felt all-encompassing, as if every pore on his skin breathed in fresh, sweet air, leaving favonovel.com exhilarated.
Chairman Price, now a full-fledged fanboy, enthusiastically shot Jacob a double thumbs-up. “Jacob, you’re incredible! Absolutely incredible! The mighty Don Albert himself, acting like your younger brother? That’s amazing! Simply amazing!”
“Hey there!” Jacob, basking in the praise, didn’t forget to return the favor. “Chairman Price, even if I’m impressive, I’m still just a soldier under your command. You’re the real power player here!”
Chairman Price, thoroughly engrossed in this harmonious exchange, couldn‘t help but reach out and pat Jacob’s shoulder in a brotherly gesture.
“Jacob…” favonovel.com declared earnestly, “If I ever get the chance to move on, the president‘s seat is yours!”
“Well then, Chairman Price,” Jacob replied with a grin, “Let me be the first to wish you a speedy promotion!”
Elated by the turn of events, Jacob craved a victory to erase his romantic woes. Securing the boss’ seat would be a crowning achievement.
Chairman Price, brimming with excitement, clapped Jacob on the shoulder. He declared, “Let’s go! Heaven Springs awaits! I’ll call my friend on the way and urge favonovel.com to join us quickly!”
“By the way…” favonovel.com added to Jacob, “We‘ll be drinking tonight. Why not ditch our cars and avoid the hassle?”
Jacob acknowledged the practicality of Chairman Price’s suggestion. While chauffeurs were readily available, for a social dinner involving alcohol, ditching the car was undeniably convenient.
However, Jacob had his own agenda. “Chairman Price, let me drive! My Cullinan’s the perfect showpiece for an occasion like this. Why waste such a chance?”
Chairman Price, readily swayed, beamed. “Alright, alright! Thank you for taking the wheel.”
“No problem at all, that‘s what friends are for!” they affirmed in unison.
Leaving the building together, their conversation flowed easily as Jacob navigated the car.
Suddenly, his phone rang. It was Stanley Finch, the substitute teacher he’d arranged at the University for the Elderly.
Connecting the call via Bluetooth, Jacob greeted favonovel.com casually, “Hey Stanley Finch, everything alright?”
“Vice President Wilson,” Stanley Finch reported, “I finished today’s classes.”
Jacob, having lost interest in the university’s affairs, replied indifferently, “Oh, alright. Thanks for the update, Stanley Finch. I’m a bit busy right now, so I’ll hang up if that’s all.”
Sensing his disinterest, Stanley Finch hurried on. “There’s one more thing, Vice President Wilson. Professor Matilda, the law professor at the university, sent an invitation through me. Are you still in a meeting? lf so, I can make another trip to deliver it.”
Jacob’s disgruntlement deepened at the mention of the invitation. “No, no, we can discuss it later. You shouldn’t go out of your way just because I made you teach for me.”
“Okay,” Stanley Finch conceded. “I’ll hold onto it then, and give it to you when we meet next.”
As Jacob prepared to end the call, Chairman Price interjected from the passenger seat. “Stanley Finch, its Chairman Price here. Recognize my voice?”
“Chairman Price! Of course I do,” Stanley Finch responded on the other end, flustered. “You’re with Vice President Wilson, then?”
“Yes,” Chairman Price confirmed. “Stanley Finch, are you free tonight? I might need a favor.”
Without hesitation, Stanley Finch pledged, “Anything you need, Chairman Price. I’m happy to help!”
Chairman Price chuckled. “Vice President Wilson and l are having dinner with drinks at Heaven Springs tonight. Would you be able to come there and drive Vice President Wilson home afterwards? You’re known for your calm driving, all the women at the meeting raved about how smooth your rides are. Since we’ll both likely be inebriated, you’d be the ideal choice!”
Stanley Finch readily agreed, his voice filled with excitement. “Certainly, Chairman Price, Vice President Wilson! Consider it done. I’ll head straight to Heaven Springs and wait for you!”
“No need to rush,” Chairman Price reassured him. “We’ll probably be late ourselves. We’ll grab a bite first and aim to arrive at Heaven Springs by nine sharp.”
Chairman Price added a final instruction. “Make sure to eat well beforehand. I’ll reimburse you for the meal once you submit the receipt!”
“Sounds good, Chairman Price! I’ll be there at nine o’clock sharp! I’ll also bring Vice President Wilson’s invitation with me!” Stanley Finch concluded excitedly.
Visit VIRTUAL NOVEL for more available chapters of this title!
