Kaleidoscope

001.11 | Gratitude For Saving Me

Wen Yuan notified them about Jun Zihao's invitation. Everyone enthusiastically accepted the offer. They were so excited they couldn't wait for the day to end.

"Xiao Hao did not forget about us! He is such a wonderful person!" One of the ladies commented, openly sending Jun Zihao a "gentleman" card.

"That child is incredibly kind. He would never hesitate to help someone out. You remembered the other day when I was asked to carry two boxes of documents? It just so happened that Xiao Hao and I met on the way. He assisted me carry the boxes up to the seventh floor!"

"Why did you allow him help you? You should have just declined. We're all aware of what the higher-ups were up to. He is already tired working around," someone pointed out.

They are all aware of Jun Zihao's status. They were not too naive to not see what San Zhao was doing. Only the blind and people like Jun Zihao would be fooled by such a lawless act. They could only sigh since they couldn't do anything about it.

Such a talented young man, yet the old men in their company were just exploiting him

"Aiya, don't say that! Let's all be happy that Xiao Hao has become like this. He deserved a promotion for working hard!"

Wen Yuan listened as the team chatted about all the pleasing things about youth. As the department head, he also agreed to their evaluation of Jun Zihao. If only the kid wasn't brought up for promotion, he would send a recommendation to consider the youth's position.

Either way, Jun Zihao will nevertheless receive good standing in the company.

"Okay, okay, let's end this talk and head out. Jun Zihao had already sent his location. He is waiting for us," Wen Yuan said.

The group happily departed the company and headed out to the location Qi Sying had forwarded them to. Even though it was Jun Zihao who invited them out, the rest of the team still had their own integrity and would not let their junior spend a lot.

They have already discussed the fact that he was still new to his position and has not yet received his salary, so they have already decided that they will pay for the food they ordered. Well, that was the plan until they reached their destination.

If Jun Zihao hadn't greeted them at the door, they would have assumed the GPS had taken them to the wrong address.

In a vast area designated for receiving guests, the fifteen or so individuals couldn't help but gasp as they looked around at the façade of the place. They felt like they had stepped back in time when they saw the castle-like architecture of the building. It wasn't completely composed of bricks and stone, but the environment gave the impression that they had been to Europe during the Middle Ages.

The front entrance landscape was adorned with a variety of plants in various shapes and colors. The fountain, lit with an assortment of colors, reflected the faces of the surprised people, as well as the floor that was tiled with the most exquisite stones. The front door was made of clear glass with some French-like words printed in gold on the surface -- probably the name of the place.

None of them could read it, but all of them were familiar with this five-star restaurant!

"I thought you guys would not arrive. Come in, I already reserved a room for us," Qi Sying greeted the group and beckoned them to enter.

Their gazes were fixed on a sole person, and their brains were filled with a myriad of questions. No one but members were allowed to dine in this restaurant. Does the fact that Jun Zihao has reserved a room imply that he was a member of this establishment?

The membership of the said place is so expensive that combining all of their salaries altogether for six months is not enough to compensate for it. More or else, to reserve a private room? They started to feel suspicious of Jun Zihao's real identity. To be able to bring them to such a place means that he must be wealthy or something.

Needless to say, some people could reason out that since he is the personal secretary of the CEO, his salary must be high, right?

If just brewing coffee or throwing trash can bear you such wealth, he must be living a good and comfortable life, ah! But then again, Jun Zihao was still in his first week. Salaries were distributed on a timely basis, and Jun Zihao's was still a month away.

It merely means that the money he used to spend was his own.

"Respected guests, your room is in this way."

A butler-like figure opened the door and ushered them inside. The group huddled close together as they marveled at what they saw. This restaurant did not put its reputation to shame, ah!

If the outside screamed elegance, the interior clearly radiated eliteness! One only needed to be present to feel the medievalistic vibe exuded by the place. Their images made them look out of place.

The butler guided them to a spacious dining room. The first thing people will notice upon entrance is the large glass chandelier on the dome-like ceiling that has been sparkling like stars on a night. Nobody knows if those lights were emitted by candles or light bulbs.

Then, after looking up, one would look directly ahead to see a long table decorated with fine dining. Just seeing the couple of cutleries beside the overturned plate could make a commoner who only knows how to use a spoon and fork gulp. The triangular, folded napkins and empty wine glasses added to the allure and classiness of the place.

It almost urged everyone want to ditch the scene.

They questioned if they had been eating dinner wrong.

The butler gestured the guests to sit on the chairs while the men and women in classy black uniforms pulled the seats out. He checked his watch and bowed slightly towards Qi Sying's direction. The respect he was displaying was relatively similar to that of an attendant serving a king.

"I apologize for the delay. Dinner will arrive shortly. I will first serve the appetizers," the butler said before leaving.

Qi Sying nodded and turned around to face his stunned co-workers. He smiled widely and said," Well, how about we take some seats?"

Incredulous, they just blinked their eyes in disbelief at what was happening. They looked at the dining table, which was laden with wealth, and at the young man who was flashing them a meaningful grin. They couldn't make sense of anything, and nothing appeared to fit properly.

Most likely not...were probably just hungry.

"Xi-Xiao Hao, are we seriously eating in this place?"

One of them who were able to react shook Qi Sying. Their hands were trembling, anxious that one move might break something from the table. Who knows how much those elegant looking wine glass costs?

"I... I can't afford it!"

They checked their wallets once again to see if they could give something but the fly fleeing out from their empty pockets meant they were broke. The plan of paying their own has been discarded. They don't have the money to spend a drink from this place.

"You don't really have to bring us here. This place is expensive. You can even just treat us with street food," another sounded out his worry.

They don't really care wherever they eat. As long as there was good food that could fill their stomach was already enough. Bringing them in this kind of place makes both of their soul and wallets cry...

"You don't have to worry. I already paid everything, so all you needed to do is to enjoy the dinner," Qi Sying said. "There will be three courses this dinner, so I hope you didn't eat too much earlier and leave some leftovers, okay?"

The youth's smile did not the least lessen their worries!