At this remark, various expressions appeared on everyone's faces.

Li Lai's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.

The Brothers Li Zhou hurriedly bowed their heads, pretending they hadn't heard. This was an old tale involving the Miao King; they didn't dare eavesdrop.

After a moment of stunned silence, Lun Tan suddenly laughed. "So he's an old classmate of yours, Shi Man. What a coincidence."

Wei Shiman covered her mouth and laughed. "Indeed. It was quite a surprise to me as well."

Her beautiful eyes sized up Lin Mu, then rested pointedly on Li Lai as she said, "Lin Mu, you don't seem to have changed much."

"You, on the other hand, have become even more beautiful."

Lin Mu smiled faintly, completely indifferent to Wei Shiman's mockery.

Back in high school, he and Wei Shiman had been acquaintances. Liu Zijian had a crush on her but was too timid to confess. He wrote a love letter and asked Lin Mu to deliver it for him. For his good friend's sake, Lin Mu could only swallow his pride and do it.

Unexpectedly, Wei Shiman didn't even glance at the letter. She tore it up, mocked Lin Mu for being a toad lusting after a swan's flesh, and called him a shameless, philandering scumbag. At the time, everyone in school knew Lin Mu was very close with Song Wenrou.

Hearing Lin Mu's words, Wei Shiman was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected him to compliment her looks.

But what girl doesn't like being told she's beautiful? With this thought, Wei Shiman decided not to hold a grudge against him.

"By the way, Lin Mu, Lun Tan is a friend I met during my postgraduate studies. He's back to handle some business, and we're about to have dinner. Would you like to join us?" Wei Shiman asked with a smile, her captivating eyes fixed on Lin Mu.

Of course, it wasn't that she had any particular interest in him; she was just genuinely curious to see what he had made of himself after all these years.

"Lun Tan, you don't mind if I bring one more person, do you?" Wei Shiman asked, beaming at him.

Lun Tan grinned. "Of course not. I reserved a large private room; it can comfortably fit a few more people."

"No..."

Just as Lin Mu was about to refuse, Wei Shiman grabbed his hand. "Come on, old classmates don't get to meet up often. Don't turn me down."

After saying this, she gave Lun Tan a meaningful look.

Lun Tan immediately understood, the smile on his lips widening.

"Lin Mu, stop being so coy. It's rare for Shi Man to invite a guy to dinner," Lun Tan said with a laugh. "You're not actually going to refuse her, are you?"

Feeling helpless, Lin Mu could only say in a low voice to Li Lai and her brothers, "You guys go on ahead. I'll be up in a minute."

"Mast—"

Before Li Lai could finish, she was swiftly pulled inside by Li Zhou.

Seeing Li Lai leave, Lun Tan looked a bit anxious, but with Wei Shiman right there, he felt it wasn't the right time to extend an invitation.

Wei Shiman asked, "Lin Mu, are those three your friends?"

"Yeah." Lin Mu's tone was indifferent.

"Tsk tsk, so many years and you're still the same," Wei Shiman said, pursing her lips in a smile. "So, tell me, old classmate, how have you been?"

"Getting by," Lin Mu replied with a faint smile, too lazy to explain.

He naturally knew what Wei Shiman was thinking; she just wanted to take the opportunity to humiliate him.

"Oh, so mysterious," Wei Shiman pouted. "After I graduated from university, I went to grad school, and then I started teaching at the Zun City Normal School."

"Oh? Congratulations, then," Lin Mu said, genuinely surprised.

He never would have guessed that Wei Shiman was a university lecturer.

"Hehe, I was just lucky. Not just anyone can get into Zun City Normal College," Wei Shiman said with a hint of pride, pointing to Lun Tan. "It's all thanks to Lun Tan's help. Otherwise, I would have had to choose a high school or go somewhere else."

Lun Tan gave a modest smile. "I didn't really help much. It was all Shi Man's own effort."

Wei Shiman was quite flattered, thinking that Lun Tan seemed like a decent person.

One of Lun Tan's classmates also laughed. "So Teacher Wei and Lun Tan have known each other for a long time. We'll be counting on you to take care of us from now on, Teacher Wei."

"Hehe, Teacher Wei, I've always really liked you at school," another said. "Could I ask you to go shopping with me sometime?"

Wei Shiman, a savvy socializer, replied, "Of course. We're teacher and student at school, but we can be friends outside of it."

"Wow, Teacher Wei is so nice!"

As they chatted, they walked into the hotel and were immediately greeted by staff.

"Mr. Tan, I'm so sorry, but the Tian Character Private Room has already been taken. As an apology, our hotel has arranged for you to use the Di Character Private Room instead, and this meal will be on the house," the hotel manager said carefully.

"What?" Lun Tan's expression turned ugly. "I booked it yesterday," he said, displeased. "I don't have a problem with you changing my room, but you could have at least informed me."

The manager quickly explained, "Mr. Tan, I am truly sorry. Our boss said that if you're not satisfied, this meal is on him. Furthermore, any time you dine at our hotel in the future, you'll receive a fifty percent discount."

Clearly, Lun Tan had significant status, which was why the hotel manager didn't dare offend him. However, the guests using the Tian Character Private Room today were people even his own boss had to personally attend to. They were untouchable figures, and as a mere manager, he didn't dare refuse their request.

"No way!" Anyone would be in a bad mood after having their room switched, especially since Lun Tan had booked the Tian Character Private Room specifically to show off in front of Wei Shiman.

"Change the room back immediately, or don't blame me for being rude!" Lun Tan said, his face grim.

"Mr. Tan, I'm really sorry, but my hands are tied! The guests in the Tian Character Private Room are incredibly distinguished. I simply can't afford to offend them," the manager said, startled.

"You don't dare offend them, but you dare to offend me?" Lun Tan gave the manager a cold look. "I'm calling your boss right now to see what he has to say!"

He dialed a number. "Manager Liu, this is a bit underhanded of you. You switched my reservation at the last minute. What's the meaning of this?"

Watching Lun Tan actually call the owner of the Phoenix Grand Hotel, his junior classmates looked at him with admiration. Wei Shiman's beautiful eyes twinkled brightly. Next to the radiant Lun Tan, Lin Mu seemed to pale in comparison.

Soon, a chubby, middle-aged man hurried down from upstairs, apologizing profusely. "Mr. Tan, this is my fault, and I offer you my sincerest apologies. But the guests who arrived today have an incredibly prestigious identity. Never mind me, even if your grandfather were here, he would have to show them the utmost respect."

"What?" Lun Tan was shocked. He lowered his voice and asked, "Who are they? Who is it that even my grandfather wouldn't dare offend?"

The chubby man wiped sweat from his brow. "Mr. Tan, it's better not to ask. Be careful not to invite trouble. Today's meal is on me, and from now on, you'll always get a fifty percent discount here."

He turned to the manager. "Later, send two bottles of good wine to Mr. Tan's room as an apology."

"Yes, boss!"

The chubby man cupped his fists at Lun Tan. "Mr. Tan, my apologies for the poor hospitality. Please excuse me," he said, before leaving.

The manager then led everyone into the Di Character Private Room.

As soon as the manager left, Wei Shiman couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, Lun Tan, you're really something. Even the owner of the Phoenix Grand Hotel came to apologize to you personally."

Lun Tan smiled proudly. "That's nothing. In River City, even the president of the Qin Corporation has to personally offer me a toast. This little incident is trivial."

This statement shocked everyone. The Qin Corporation's reputation preceded it, even throughout the Southern Sky region. Its president, the mysterious figure known as the 'Empress of River City,' was an idol to countless women.

Just then, a cold voice spoke up from the side. It was Lin Mu.

"Luo Li offers you a toast? You wish."

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