Chapter 3
Edward Quan ·
The employee had no choice but to say, “Of course, ma’am. We can arrange that.”
Zhang Guilan turned smugly to the relative beside her.
“Once I’ve called all the relatives, they can sit there as long as they like after they’ve eaten.”
“Does he really think he can ask us to pay?”
Every word was captured on camera.
Saturday arrived quickly.
I didn’t go.
My mother was so worried she could barely sit still all day.
“Maybe you should let it go, son. Don’t give outsiders a reason to laugh at us.”
I said, “Mom, there are over a hundred of them. If they want to eat, let them.”
“Whoever eats can pay.”
At eleven in the morning, the relatives began arriving at the seafood restaurant.
The dining hall was as lively as New Year’s Day.
My aunt wore a red outfit and held her eldest grandson, looking radiant.
“Everyone, eat and drink your fill at the one-month celebration!”
“Unlimited Australian lobster. Drink all the Moutai you want!”
Someone flattered her. “Guilan, you’re so generous!”
My aunt laughed until the wrinkles around her eyes deepened.
“We’re all family. It’s my nephew’s restaurant. Why would we need to worry about money?”
A waiter brought over the order slip for confirmation.
“One Australian lobster per table, two king crabs, grouper, and two bottles of Moutai.”
“Put it on Lin Yuan’s account.”
The waiter said, “Ma’am, let me call Manager Lin to confirm.”
My aunt snatched his phone away.
“No need to call.”
“I’ll talk to my nephew myself.”
Dish after dish was carried out.
More than a hundred relatives ate until they were full, their mouths slick with grease.
“Guilan, one of these crabs must cost several thousand yuan, right?”
“We’re family. Who cares if it’s a few thousand? Just eat.”
“Guilan, is this really Flying Fairy Moutai?”
“Of course. Two bottles per table.”
Halfway through the meal, my aunt called the waiter again.
“Bring out three more cases of liquor and a hundred gift boxes of abalone. One box for each table.”
A cousin-in-law tried to dissuade her quietly. “Sister, don’t order so much.”
My aunt glared at her. “Are you eating or not?”
The woman shrank back. “I… I am.”
“Then keep quiet.”
My aunt slapped the order slip down on the table again.
“Put it all on this bill.”
“Twenty banquet tables, liquor, and gift boxes to take home—charge everything to my nephew.”
The waiter hesitated as he looked at the signature.
“Ma’am, this signature doesn’t look much like Manager Lin’s.”
Zhang Guilan glared. “I’m signing for my nephew. Do you need me to teach you how?”
“Do you think I can’t get Manager Lin to fire you?”
The waiter said nothing more.
After that, the relatives started packing food to take home.
“Waiter, box up two Australian lobsters and two king crabs for me.”
“Put it on Lin Yuan’s account.”
“My brother is the owner here. What’s wrong with taking home two crabs?”
“Pack it all up! The kids can eat it at home.”
“I want some too!”
“Me too!”
Watching the relatives scramble for the food, my aunt looked smug.
“With all these relatives watching, he’ll have to pay even if he doesn’t want to.”
It wasn’t until two in the afternoon that nearly all the food had been eaten.
More than half the gift boxes had been taken.
Finally, a waiter approached with the bill.
“Everyone, could you settle the payment first?”
My aunt’s chopsticks froze.
“This is my nephew’s restaurant. What payment?”
The waiter replied politely, “Our owner doesn’t know you.”
“Whoever organized the banquet is responsible for the bill.”
My aunt’s face darkened. “Your owner’s name is Lin Yuan. I’m his aunt!”
“Our owner has already said he has no aunt like you.”
The entire hall went dead silent.
The relatives looked at one another in confusion.
“Guilan, what’s going on?”
“Didn’t you say this was your nephew’s restaurant?”
My aunt forced a smile. “It’s fine. The staff are new; they just don’t recognize me yet.”
“Why don’t we leave first?”
But the staff had already blocked the exit.
“No one can leave until the bill is paid.”
My aunt sprang to her feet. “Call your owner down here!”
“I’ll ask him whether he still recognizes his aunt!”