Chapter 15: Expert Welfare

Faced with the enthusiastic invitation from the two, Zeng Yi could not refuse and could only smile and say, "Then I'll follow the two of you!"

"That's the right attitude!" Tang Haoran was very pleased, patted Zeng Yi on the shoulder, and got into Du Ruo's car with him.

Going to a hotel for dinner, it wouldn't be appropriate to use a police car. Du Ruo's police car had already been replaced with a very ordinary Toyota sedan, with a very ordinary license plate. No one would think that the person inside was the Public Security Bureau chief.

The Venus Hotel is a top-tier members-only club, combining dining, sauna, fitness, bars, private lounges, and performances. The members here are all wealthy and influential, prominent figures in Rongcheng, including tycoons, scholars, artists, and successful people from various industries. To become a member here is not cheap; the basic membership fee is 3.8 million yuan, yet the social elites of Rongcheng still flock to it.

Du Ruo chose this place after much consideration. Going to an ordinary place would not show his sincerity, and there were not many higher-level venues in Rongcheng.

The car hadn't even reached the hotel when the doorman ran over, opening the car door and notifying the inside via walkie-talkie. Two rows of receptionists stood at the entrance, each with good looks and tall figures. They bowed in unison as the three entered.

Accompanied by the receptionists, Zeng Yi followed Tang Haoran and Du Ruo into the grand hall of the Venus Hotel. The hall was spacious and luxurious, elegant and grand. The marble floor was so bright it could reflect people's shadows, and the enormous crystal chandelier refracted dazzling light, giving the entire hall a luxurious atmosphere.

Du Ruo secretly observed Zeng Yi and found that his face always wore a faint smile, his demeanor natural and graceful, as if he had been to such places many times before. Du Ruo was secretly delighted; today's dinner was well worth it. This was definitely the demeanor of a noble family, something an ordinary person could not fake. It seemed that Tang Haoran had not fully disclosed the details to him, and this Zeng Yi was definitely more than just a health care doctor.

The private room Du Ruo booked was called the Gathering Hall. The name was quite meaningful. When Tang Haoran saw it, he laughed and then led the way inside.

When the dishes and drinks were served, Tang Haoran raised his glass, ready to start. However, the door of the private room was knocked on twice, and a fat, ruddy-faced man walked in, his laughter preceding him. "Sorry, sorry, I didn't know Chief Du was here, I failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me."

This speech was probably prepared in advance. Before he finished speaking, he saw Tang Haoran sitting at the head of the table and was startled. He stepped forward and said, "Oh, today I, Wei Fatso, have committed a grave offense. Director Tang came to inspect the work, and I didn't know at all. I really deserve punishment. I'll drink three cups to apologize, and then I'll toast to the leaders." He quickly instructed the waiters to open the wine.

52-degree Wuliangye, poured into two-ounce glasses, filled three cups. This Wei Fatso drank them all in one breath without a pause, then poured another cup and said, "I really deserve a beating. I was too rude today. Leaders, please don't be angry."

This Wei Fatso, named Wei Zigang, is the manager of the Venus Hotel and a well-informed figure in Rongcheng. When he received the report that Chief Du had arrived, he rushed over to greet him, but he didn't expect Tang Haoran to be there. His first words offended the people present. After all, which leader likes to be treated as if they don't exist?

"You, Wei Fatso, want to drink so much and still find so many excuses. You'll end up with a drooping stomach!" Tang Haoran clearly knew this Wei Fatso and joked with him.

Hearing Tang Haoran's words, Wei Fatso breathed a sigh of relief and, with a grin, raised his glass and approached. At this moment, he noticed Zeng Yi, "This is...?"

"This is Zeng Yi. You can call him Young Master Zeng," Tang Haoran said.

"First-time visit by Young Master Zeng, any shortcomings in the service, please forgive me." Wei Fatso raised his glass and drank it in one go, feeling secretly surprised. To have the Provincial Party Secretary's secretary and the City Public Security Bureau chief as company, this person must be no ordinary individual. He had never seen such a powerful figure before.

"Thank you, thank you!" Zeng Yi nodded and smiled.

In no time, eight ounces of white wine had entered Wei Fatso's stomach. Despite his large capacity, he was starting to feel the effects. He regretted not asking who else was inside before coming. One surprise after another, his stomach was really suffering.

Wei Fatso, with a stiff upper lip, poured another full glass, "Today, the three leaders have honored us with their presence, I am truly delighted. I wish you all a pleasant time with this glass of wine." After the fifth glass, Wei Fatso's stomach began to churn. He bowed to the three, "Leaders, please enjoy your meal. I won't disturb you. If you need anything, just let me know."

Just as he was about to leave, Wei Fatso remembered something. He took out a golden card from his pocket and presented it to Zeng Yi, "Young Master Zeng, this is our hotel's VIP card. Please accept it and visit us often!"

After placing the card, Wei Fatso bowed again and quickly left.

Zeng Yi looked at the intricately crafted card, knowing it must be quite valuable, and hesitated, unsure whether to accept it.

Beside him, Tang Haoran said, "This thing has no cost. If they give it to you, just take it." He raised his glass, "Young Brother Zeng, this is our first drink together. We must drink until we are thoroughly drunk."

"Right, drink until we are thoroughly drunk. We must make sure Young Brother Zeng enjoys his drink!" Du Ruo echoed, a faint smile on his face.

Zeng Yi picked up his glass, "Big Brother Tang, I still need to go to the Chinese Medicine Association tomorrow to complete the procedures. If I go late, it might not be good."

Tang Haoran waved his hand dismissively, "That's a small matter, it can be done anytime. Drinking is more important! Don't worry, when you go tomorrow, no one will dare to treat you as a fake. The president of the Chinese Medicine Association is also the deputy director of the Health Department. He is at the venue today. When you go tomorrow, he will have everything arranged. Even if you go late, he will have someone waiting for you."

"Come, come, let's drink!" Du Ruo couldn't wait to raise his glass.

The next morning, Zeng Yi woke up with a headache. Afraid of any misunderstandings when he went to the Chinese Medicine Association, he specially changed into a traditional Chinese-style shirt and wore a pair of old Beijing cloth shoes. This made him look much older, and if you didn't look at his face, he would look just like an old man practicing boxing in the park.

By tradition, the selected TCM experts usually serve as councilors in the provincial Chinese Medicine Association, essentially just a title without specific responsibilities. However, this is also a benefit of the expert group, as having this title changes one's status in the TCM community. In the future, at various meetings held by the health system, a chair will be reserved for you on the stage.