Chapter 21

The Shanming Hotel is also one of the top five-star hotels in Yundong, on par with the Xihai Grand Hotel where Lei Huanxi once worked.

The luxurious hall exudes a sense of opulence; as soon as you step in, the sound of "Welcome" greets you incessantly.

Following the server's guidance, they arrived at room 314. Upon pushing the door open, it was vast.

A circle of sofas surrounded the room, and soft music played on the TV. The large round table in the center was already filled with people.

"Brother Huanxi."

Tiantian and Tongtong stood up together.

As they approached Lei Huanxi, the two of them subtly nudged each other, seemingly unwilling to fall behind.

As soon as they got close to Lei Huanxi, they each took one of his arms, acting as if they had known him for a long time.

A young man sitting there saw this and his face turned green, clearly displeased, and he snorted through his nose.

Lei Huanxi himself was somewhat unaccustomed to this. From childhood, no girl had ever been so proactive and intimate with him. He handed the red wine in his hand to Tiantian: "Happy birthday."

"Thank you." Tiantian smiled brightly, and with Lei Huanxi's arm still in hers, she walked to the main seat and sat down. She and Tongtong were on either side, making them look like "guardian angels."

"This is Brother Huanxi." As the absolute star of the day, Tiantian introduced Lei Huanxi first. Then she introduced the other friends who had come today one by one.

The guy who had been sitting on Tiantian's other side, looking dissatisfied, was named Wu Zili. He was from the city swimming team and was said to have been spotted by the provincial team, about to be promoted.

Lei Huanxi was puzzled. Why did he keep encountering people from the swimming team recently? Last time it was Coach Shi, and this time it was a team member.

Could it be that after having Xiao Pang, he had a connection with water?

"Come, let's wish Tiantian a happy birthday." Wu Zili, acting as if he were the host, raised his glass first: "Wishing Tiantian to become more beautiful."

"Cheers."

Amidst the cheers, Tiantian thanked everyone repeatedly, but she specifically clinked glasses with Lei Huanxi: "Brother Huanxi, thank you for coming today, and for your gift."

It's just a bottle of red wine worth over 100, what's there to thank for?

But Tiantian's action further irritated Wu Zili. Seeing Lei Huanxi take just a small sip, he said, "Hey, you came the latest, why are you only drinking a little?"

"I'm not good at drinking."

Lei Huanxi was telling the truth. His drinking capacity had always been poor, but it was only after drinking with Dong Shanbei that he discovered his capacity had suddenly increased. He still thought it was a one-off.

"Brother Huanxi is busy, don't make him drink too much." Tiantian was about to speak, but Tongtong had already beaten her to it.

The two big beauties in Wu Zili's eyes actually helped this guy Lei Huanxi so much, making Wu Zili even more unhappy.

He had known Tiantian for a long time and had been pursuing her, but Tiantian had never agreed to his advances.

Now, out of nowhere, there was this guy Lei Huanxi. From the way Tiantian and Tongtong treated him, their relationship was definitely not simple.

"Tiantian, this is my birthday gift for you." Suppressing his inner displeasure, Wu Zili took out a beautifully packaged box from his pocket.

Tiantian opened the box and saw a gold necklace, and she smiled faintly: "Thank you."

But when she turned to look at Lei Huanxi, her smile was as sweet as could be: "Brother Huanxi, thank you for the red wine, it's so romantic. Why don't we open it and drink it now?"

Is giving a bottle of red wine really that romantic?

Tiantian called the server, who opened the red wine and poured some for everyone. She raised her glass first: "Thank you all for coming, and thank you, Brother Huanxi, for coming."

Wu Zili was burning with jealousy.

He had spent over 2000 on the gold necklace, but Tiantian barely glanced at it. On the other hand, Lei Huanxi had only given a bottle of red wine, yet Tiantian was overjoyed.

Looking at Lei Huanxi's attire, he didn't look like a rich person at all. How could Tiantian, with her character, possibly like such a person?

Wu Zili's face turned pale: "Huanxi... what do you do?"

"Me?" Lei Huanxi paused: "I farm."

"You farm?"

"Yep, I farm in the countryside."

Tiantian winked at Tongtong, meaning, "See, I told you, these rich people like to pretend they're poor. When you ask them what they do, they either say they lay bricks or farm."

But to Wu Zili, this sounded different. Upon hearing that Lei Huanxi was a farmer, a sense of superiority naturally arose: "Ah, farming is good, you have free time. Although you don't earn much, it's still better than our busy lives."

There were those who flattered, and those who fawned. The guy with glasses next to him quickly said in a flattering tone: "Zili, you are the double champion of the 100m and 200m freestyle in the Yundong City Youth Swimming Championship. When the provincial team's head coach came to evaluate, he immediately spotted you. What was the coach's name again?"

"Shi, like the stone, Coach Shi."

"Right, right, Coach Shi. I heard he's about to be promoted to the national team. With your talent, you have a bright future. Win a few more national championships, and you'll be in the World Championships and the Olympics in no time."

Wu Zili's eyebrows rose in delight: "It's not that simple. If I can win a few national championships, I'll be content with making the top eight in the Olympics."

Lei Huanxi didn't say a word, listening attentively. His first thought was that this Wu Zili was indeed capable, having the ability to make the top eight in the Olympics.

The guy with glasses continued to flatter, essentially saying that Coach Shi had spotted Wu Zili immediately, praising his bright future.

At this point, Lei Huanxi suddenly thought of something.

Wu Zili was still in the city swimming team, and his age was not much different from his own. At this age, entering the provincial team, his future might not be as bright as it seemed.

Was he just boasting?

But as soon as this thought arose, he dismissed it. He didn't know much about swimming.

Wu Zili, flattered by the guy with glasses, became more talkative, boasting about how Coach Shi had recognized his talent and how well they got along. Coach Shi had even left his phone number, telling him to call if he had any problems.

The speaker was casual, but the listener was intent. Taking advantage of his pause to drink, Tongtong suddenly said: "Zili, since you and Coach Shi are so close, could you do me a favor?"

Wu Zili was taken aback: "Do you want to join the provincial team?"

"I don't have that kind of ability. I can barely float in the water." Tongtong explained: "It's like this, I have a relative in the provincial swimming team, a temporary worker in the cafeteria, a relative of my mother's. He broke his leg and is still in the hospital. You know, temporary workers can't get their medical expenses reimbursed, and his family is in trouble. Since you and Coach Shi are so close, could you ask him to help my relative?"

Wu Zili was immediately embarrassed.

He had indeed met Coach Shi, but only he knew the real situation.

His uncle was the coach of the Yundong City Swimming Team. When Coach Shi came to select new members and found none satisfactory, his uncle took the opportunity to strongly recommend his nephew.

Wu Zili was already in his twenties, with little potential for development. But to save face, Coach Shi agreed.

His intention was to let Wu Zili try out for the provincial team. If he made it, he could stay; if not, he could return.

According to Coach Shi, although Wu Zili had won several city championships, his physical condition, understanding of water, and age limited his future.

Wu Zili didn't take it seriously. His plan was to go to the provincial team to gain some prestige and then return to have his uncle help him get a comfortable office job in the city swimming team.

Who would have thought that Tongtong would actually have something to ask of him?

He did have Coach Shi's phone number, but even if he called, there was no guarantee that Coach Shi would help.

"Can you do it?" Tongtong was getting impatient.

"Coach Shi is busy with work, traveling around the country. Why don't we wait a couple of days until he returns?" Wu Zili tried to dodge.

Tongtong's face fell. This Wu Zili, all talk, even asked her to help him get closer to Tiantian, but now he couldn't even help with a small favor.

"Or, let me try?"

A voice rang out.

Lei Huanxi!

"You?" Several people called out simultaneously.

Even Tiantian and Tongtong were somewhat disbelieving: "You know someone in the swimming team?"

"I can only try, I have no guarantee." Lei Huanxi was being honest. A head coach might not even remember him.

Amidst the skeptical gazes, Lei Huanxi dialed Shi Shunzhong's number: "Coach Shi, hello, I'm..."

"Lei Huanxi! I recognize your voice." Shi Shunzhong immediately recognized him: "Huanxi, have you thought it through? I'll send a car to pick you up. No, I'll come to pick you up myself."

Lei Huanxi's old phone was always on speaker mode, and everyone at the table could hear Shi Shunzhong clearly.

"No, no, Coach Shi, I have a favor to ask."

"Go ahead, what is it? I'll do my best if it's within my power."

Lei Huanxi explained Tongtong's relative's situation.

Shi Shunzhong was silent for a moment: "This is not really within my jurisdiction..."

Lei Huanxi's heart sank, but then Shi Shunzhong continued: "But since you, Lei Huanxi, are asking, I'll put my old face on the line. I'll go to the head of the general affairs department tomorrow. Rest assured, I'll have it done within three days."

"Ah, thank you, Coach Shi."

"Don't thank me yet, what about the matter I asked you to consider?"

"Coach Shi, if I want to learn swimming, I'll definitely call you first."

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