I informed Hong Yunpeng and Wang Yang about inviting Wu Tingxiu to meet at Zuixian Tower.
After hearing this, Wang Yang remarked, "With Wu Tingxiu acting as a mediator, there shouldn't be any problems."
Hong Yunpeng seemed unconcerned, laughing, "It's just a meal. We get free food, might as well eat it."
"Alright then, let's get ready and head over," I said.
After tidying up the shop and closing the door, we took a car to Zuixian Tower.
For some unknown reason, everyone in the antique circle seemed to flock to Zuixian Tower.
I had no doubt that the owner of Zuixian Tower earned at least several hundred thousand yuan annually.
After parking the car and seeing that we were still early, we chatted in the car for a while.
Around a little past seven o'clock, we finally got out of the car and went inside.
We gave Wu Tingxiu's name, and a waiter led us to a large private room.
This room was clearly more luxurious than the ones I had visited twice before, and it had a Chinese classical decor, very retro.
Even the dining table was a rosewood Eight Immortals table.
When we entered the room, Wu Tingxiu was already there. Today, she was as radiant as ever, though she wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses and was reviewing a document.
Upon seeing us arrive, she took off her glasses, put the document into her briefcase, and stood up to greet us.
"Sit down. Liu Hun should be here any moment now," Wu Tingxiu said, glancing at her exquisite ladies' wristwatch.
The three of us sat on the surrounding Grand Tutor chairs, and soon a waiter came to pour us Pu'er tea.
"Ms. Wu, you're treating us," I said.
Wu Tingxiu smiled faintly, "If you consider me a friend, don't be polite with me."
Hearing this, I couldn't help but feel impressed. This woman truly knew how to speak, truly a capable and sophisticated businesswoman.
"Ms. Wu, the hotel we went to last time, was that yours?" Hong Yunpeng asked with a smile.
"I'm just one of the shareholders. My friends invited me to invest a bit," Wu Tingxiu replied with a slight smile.
"So, if we go there next time, can we get a discount?" Hong Yunpeng asked shamelessly.
"Discounts would be too formal. Just give my name next time you go, and all your expenses will be charged to me."
Hong Yunpeng's eyebrows shot up, "That's too kind of you."
"It's nothing," Wu Tingxiu said, glancing at me intentionally or unintentionally. I couldn't tell what she meant.
After chatting for a while, a hearty laugh echoed from outside the door.
From the sound of it, I knew it was Liu Hun.
As expected, when the private room door was pushed open, Liu Hun entered with two other people.
"Ms. Wu! Long time no see..."
He trailed off when he saw us, looking somewhat surprised.
"Mr. Liu, it has indeed been a while. I heard you took over Anyuantang? You didn't even notify me, so I could express my congratulations," Wu Tingxiu said with a smile.
Liu Hun shifted his gaze from us, putting on a smiling face, "My humble establishment wouldn't dare trouble Ms. Wu."
"Mr. Liu, you're too modest. If yours is a humble establishment, then mine is practically a dilapidated shack?"
Liu Hun laughed, "Haha... I'm just not good with words! I'll punish myself with three drinks later."
Wu Tingxiu waved to the man in the black suit standing at the door, "Tell the kitchen to serve the dishes."
With that, she gestured for us to sit at the Eight Immortals table.
Since the Eight Immortals table only had four sides, and there were five of us, an extra chair had to be added.
Hong Yunpeng and I sat together, with the other three on opposite sides.
Wu Tingxiu sat at the head of the table, directly opposite me, and Liu Hun sat to her right, in the guest seat.
The seating arrangement was made by Wu Tingxiu, and it was rather intriguing.
Normally, the seat opposite the head of the table is for the principal guest or the co-host, implying that one can cater to guests on either side.
The principal guest or co-host's seat is usually occupied by someone close.
Was this woman implying that I was one of her own?
Of course, it was possible I was overthinking it.
When the dishes arrived, Wu Tingxiu personally stood up to pour wine for everyone.
"Mr. Liu, this wine was specially brought by a friend of mine. Please try it," Wu Tingxiu said.
Liu Hun smacked his lips, "Five-star Maotai. This is a good wine that even wealthy people can't easily get. Today, I'm truly fortunate."
"If you like it, Mr. Liu, I'll have two cases sent to you tomorrow."
"That's too kind of you."
"What's there to be polite about? Wine is meant to be drunk. Wouldn't it be a waste if it wasn't consumed?"
"Then thank you, Ms. Wu," Liu Hun said with a smile.
After pouring the wine, Wu Tingxiu raised her glass, "Everyone here is a friend. I'll start by proposing a toast."
Just as I was about to raise my glass, Liu Hun said with a half-smile, "Ms. Wu, this is indeed good wine, but you say everyone here is a friend. I don't think that's entirely true."
I frowned. Wu Tingxiu said, "I know Mr. Liu and Mr. Xiang had some misunderstandings. I invited Mr. Liu to dinner today to act as a mediator."
Liu Hun glanced at me and said sarcastically, "To have Ms. Wu mediate, very few people in Guangling have that kind of influence..."
As he spoke, he fixed his gaze on me, "Kid, how did that matter I asked you to handle turn out?"
I hadn't expected him to bring this up in front of Wu Tingxiu.
Then it dawned on me. He was testing whether I had told Wu Tingxiu about it!
"Oh? Mr. Liu, what did you ask Mr. Xiang to do?" Wu Tingxiu, whose smile had faded earlier, put down her wine glass and looked at Liu Hun with a puzzled expression.
A moment of silence fell upon the room. Liu Hun looked at me, his peripheral vision flicking towards Wu Tingxiu.
Wu Tingxiu, meanwhile, clasped her hands on the table, her expression rather inscrutable.
Hong Yunpeng, sitting beside me, nudged me gently with his foot, I wasn't sure what it meant.
As for Wang Yang, he seemed completely unfazed, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, doing nothing.
After about half a minute, Liu Hun suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahaha..."
Still laughing, he turned to Wu Tingxiu, "It's nothing. I just asked my brother Xiang to help me acquire an antique."
Wu Tingxiu also chuckled, "So that's what it was? I thought it was something else..."
She then looked at me, "Did Mr. Xiang manage to acquire it for Mr. Liu?"
This guy was not to be underestimated. One was testing with veiled words, and the other was feigning ignorance.
"No, I didn't receive it..." I said with a smile, "I'm afraid I've disappointed Mr. Liu."
Liu Hun licked his teeth with his tongue, his eyes turning cold, "Since you didn't receive it, doesn't that mean we proceed according to our original agreement?"