"Indeed, these cold dishes were prepared with great care by the head chefs.
The combination of meat and vegetables, the pleasing colors, and the excellent taste make them perfect appetizers." Cheng Xiuping voiced her opinion.
"This soft-shelled turtle isn't wild, is it?" Li Minxi inquired.
"That's correct. Using wild soft-shelled turtles is not permitted now, so they are all farmed in ponds," Liu He explained.
"Is that so? I suggest we replace this soft-shelled turtle dish with something else. The texture isn't quite right.
Perhaps a sea fish or salmon would be better," Li Minxi suggested.
"I agree. Manager Liu, please make a note of this and let's consider adjusting this dish later," Guo Xuyang said to Liu He.
Everyone enjoyed the dishes while drinking, and the meal lasted over two hours.
"Overall, this table of dishes is quite good.
Apart from the soft-shelled turtle that Xiao Xi mentioned, the other dishes each have their own character, and the chefs put in a lot of effort.
Manager Liu, perhaps we could invite Master Li over for a drink?"
"I'll go get him," Liu He said, standing up.
A short while later, the two of them returned.
"Master Li, thank you for your hard work. We invited you over to have a drink and discuss the dishes," Guo Xuyang said, standing up.
"Mr. Guo, you are too kind. This is all part of my job.
Please feel free to voice any dissatisfaction, and I will make the necessary adjustments," Li Weiming replied.
"This table of dishes is excellent, with quality ingredients, perfect color, aroma, and taste, and a delicate texture that whets the appetite.
It's just that this soft-shelled turtle is not wild. Perhaps a replacement would be better?
Using sea fish or another distinctive fish might be an improvement," Guo Xuyang stated.
"No problem, Mr. Guo. How about substituting it with foie gras or caviar?"
"Caviar? That should be good too."
"Certainly, Mr. Guo. I've made a note of it. I'll replace the soft-shelled turtle with caviar. Please enjoy your meal, I'll be going back now."
"Why not have a drink before you go? Most customers should be leaving by now, shouldn't they?"
"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Guo. I really can't drink as I have to continue working tonight. My apologies." Li Weiming declined.
Guo Xuyang glanced at Liu He, who quickly chimed in, "Master Li is telling the truth. Our hotel is quite busy. He absolutely cannot drink at noon."
"Then perhaps next time. We'll come in the evening next time and have a drink together with Master Li," Guo Xuyang said.
"Thank you, Mr. Guo. Please enjoy your meal." Li Weiming said and retreated.
"Alright. We've had our drinks and tasted the food. Now we need everyone's help with the preparations.
Let's toast to this, and then we can head back," Cheng Xiuping said, raising her glass and finishing it in one go.
As it was noon, despite drinking quite a bit, everyone was relatively restrained.
A total of one case of baijiu, four bottles of red wine, and a case of beer were consumed between the two tables.
The sales staff, having eaten and drunk their fill, returned to their respective shops.
Guo Xuyang and the others then inspected the hotel, both upstairs and downstairs.
"Manager Liu, please make the decorations more festive. Put up the streamers.
We'll need to reserve these ten rooms on the second floor and the main hall.
We'll be holding the wedding banquet on the second floor. Ensure the sound systems in the hall are set up properly.
Brother Hui, let's display your and your fiancée's photos and videos; it will add to the festive atmosphere."
"I've already discussed this with Manager Liu beforehand. The short film and wedding photos have been copied over," Guo Xuhui responded.
"As expected of Brother Hui, always thinking ahead."
"You're talking about me, aren't you? If it were your wedding, you'd be even more invested," Li Minxi quipped.
"I'd love to get married, but who's willing to marry me?"
"Me," Ilena said, cradling her pregnant belly.
"Don't you all complain about me being a scoundrel?"
"The more of a scoundrel a man is, the more charming he is," Li Minxi stated.
"You guys say whatever you want. Anyway, I don't expect to get any advantage from you lot."
"You've already gained plenty of advantages, haven't you?" Li Minxi remarked.
Pi Xiaoqian let out a chuckle.
"Fatty, what are you laughing at? If you have something to say, say it, don't just secretly enjoy yourself," Li Minxi pressed.
"No, really. I just suddenly remembered a joke."
"What joke? Tell us so we can all have a laugh."
"Don't close your window tonight; I want to sneak into your dreams." Pi Xiaoqian said.
"You scoundrel fatty, you're taking advantage of me!" Li Minxi shouted.
"You told me to say it. Now that I've said it, you're accusing me of taking advantage," Pi Xiaoqian replied with a hint of grievance.
Upon hearing this, everyone else understood and burst into laughter.
"Alright, alright, let's let Manager Liu handle the modifications here."
Even with Guo Xuyang's thick skin, he couldn't help but blush.
"Let's hurry back and see how the other side is being decorated?"
"Everything is decorated. Xiao Xi led the team," Guo Xuhui interjected.
"Is that so? Director Cheng, let's go take a look together," Guo Xuyang said, leading the way out.
The group arrived at the artificial lake villas and first went to Guo Xuhui's residence.
To their surprise, it had all been decorated in just two days.
Li Minxi's team was undeniably impressive. They had revamped the entire place, inside and out.
Two large lanterns were hung on the main gate, and flower lanterns adorned the trees.
The living room door featured window paper cuttings, and the living room interior had been redecorated.
A photo stand with the couple's wedding photos was placed at the living room entrance, and three wedding photos were displayed behind the sofa.
The master bedroom wall showcased their chosen wedding photo, with pictures of cartoon dolls on either side.
In the backyard of the villa, a stage had been erected for the wedding ceremony.
Evergreen trees were placed around the stage.
The overall decoration was remarkably harmonious, festive yet understated.
"Excellent, Xiao Xi, you're amazing!" Guo Xuyang exclaimed after surveying the scene.
"Of course, who do you think led the work?" Li Minxi proudly tilted her head.
"How about our courtyard? Has it been tidied up?"
"It's all done. Shall we go take a look?"
"Let's go." Guo Xuyang said, leaving Guo Xuhui's house and heading to his own.
Upon entering the courtyard, he saw colorful lights, and window paper cuttings were also affixed to the living room door.
The cover of the swimming pool at the back of the courtyard was spread with a thick green carpet.
Several evergreen trees and potted plants were also placed around it. If one didn't look closely, it was hard to tell there was a swimming pool underneath.
"Is that all?" Guo Xuyang seemed perplexed.
"What more do you want? It's Brother Hui's wedding; you shouldn't steal the spotlight," Li Minxi said.
"What about the villa on the west side?"
"It's the same as this side, with window paper cuttings and no colorful lights either."
"I think we still need to add some more decorations here," Guo Xuyang suggested.
"We can't add any more. This is perfect.
The rooms upstairs have also been tidied up and are ready for the aunties to move in," Li Minxi replied.
"Alright then, you are the professionals. I'll go with your plan."
The group then visited the western villa, and the rooms upstairs and downstairs had also been completely rearranged.
Except for the monitoring room and the security guards' resting room, all other rooms had been tidied up.
They were equipped with bedding, blankets, towels, cups, and other necessities, and a water dispenser was also purchased.
One had to admit, these people were quite meticulous.
[Author's Aside]: This book will have three updates daily, morning, noon, and evening. Please continue to follow the updates. Let's all contribute our free "silver tickets" and have a great time together.