Chapter 4: The Master's Dream

“Thank you for your help today. I’m very satisfied. How about we take a break at a café?”

Zhuang Chen looked at the shopping bags of all sizes in his hands and, for the first time in his life, realized that shopping was indeed a physically demanding activity. They’d bought almost everything they needed. Taking the initiative, he invited Tang Hong, and the two of them found a seat at Starbucks to rest for a while.

After sitting down, Zhuang Chen took out his wallet and asked, “How much did everything cost today?”

Tang Hong quickly waved her hand and explained, “You don’t need to worry about the cost. Someone will take care of it. It’s my honor to serve a gentleman like you.”

Zhuang Chen was taken aback, but had no choice but to let it go. It must have been the Weide team settling the bill for him. Being wealthy was wonderful—just a face was enough!

Tang Hong lifted her coffee cup, stealing glances at the man across from her. What she’d said before was sincere. Those she’d dealt with in the past were all bloated, pretentious types who played the big shot only to shrink away when it was time to pay. But this man had genuine grace.

She put down her coffee and couldn’t help but test the waters. “Why don’t we add each other on WeChat?”

Seeing Zhuang Chen frown, she hurriedly explained, “Please don’t misunderstand. I already have a general sense of your preferences and style, so in the future I can send you some outfit suggestions. You can take a look at your convenience and save yourself the trouble.”

Zhuang Chen realized he’d been a bit too guarded. He took out his phone and smiled. “I’d be happy to chat with a beautiful lady. I hope you’ll continue to advise me in the future.”

Tang Hong was delighted, and they exchanged WeChat contacts. Judging by his earlier attitude, his caution for the day seemed to have ended. She stood up and took her leave.

Zhuang Chen nodded, watching Tang Hong walk away. He let out a long breath, leaned back on the sofa, and finally relaxed. Raising his left wrist, he gazed at his brand-new Piaget watch—something he’d never dared dream of before. It was like wearing an Audi on his wrist.

“Should I…?”

He glanced over at the nearby jewelry section as countless thoughts flashed through his mind. His trial and error told him that the so-called Weide Foundation was far more formidable than he’d imagined.

He ordered another coffee and calmed himself, pondering. As an orphan with nothing, he couldn’t think of any reason why anyone would go to such lengths to set him up. What could anyone possibly gain from someone so penniless?

So there were only two possibilities: Either the inheritance was real—a windfall had truly dropped from the sky and landed squarely on his head—or there was some secret plot afoot. Since he now held the initiative, should he go on a spree and buy some gold and jewels? Piaget seemed to have two limited editions selling for over eight hundred thousand just now…

If he then hid them away, it would at least give him a safety net.

Zhuang Chen was no fool. When faced with a massive inheritance, the first thing he did was repay favors—a sum involving more than twenty people—considering it his initial test.

Next, he transferred money to his own bank card. If the inheritance really belonged to him, five million, or even more, wouldn’t be a problem.

Finally, he called the personal service hotline, and to his amazement, a professional consultant arrived in just half an hour, and he didn’t have to pay a cent. This left Zhuang Chen deeply shaken.

Today, he truly experienced what it meant to be outrageously wealthy. With one phone call, everything was arranged to perfection—he didn’t have to worry about a thing. This was what it meant to live with the freedom that money brings.

By now, his instincts told him that the matter was almost certainly real.

He had transformed overnight into a billionaire, needing to do nothing, and could expect a net annual income of four billion just by lying back. It was…

Taking a deep breath, he went to the restroom to wash his face and looked at his renewed reflection in the mirror. A faint smile surfaced, and he whispered, “What’s there to fear for an orphan like you? Isn’t this precisely the life you once dreamed of?”

“When life is good, enjoy it to the fullest—who cares what’s real or fake…”

“If you’re a man, there’s only one word…”

“Do it!”

A great weight seemed to lift from his heart. He couldn’t help but laugh aloud, straightened his back, gathered his things, and left.

When he exited the mall, the city lights were already beginning to glow. He hailed a taxi and said directly, “To the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse!”

On the way, the driver stole glances at Zhuang Chen. Every cabbie in the capital knew what that meant. He couldn’t help but ask, “Boss, are you going there for dinner or to stay?”

With his head resting against the seat and eyes closed, Zhuang Chen suddenly heard the question and replied leisurely, “For dinner—fulfilling an old man’s wish.”

The driver, encouraged by his response, launched into a stream of chatter. “Ah, the life of the rich! That place isn’t for just anyone… I hear even the simplest cold dish costs several hundred at least, and if you don’t plan on spending seven or eight thousand per person, you shouldn’t even think about it… And if you’re staying there, it’s even more outrageous. It used to be only for foreign leaders, but now, apparently, anyone with enough money can stay. It’s at least several hundred dollars a night, and some rooms aren’t available no matter how much you pay…”

Zhuang Chen almost regretted speaking up. The reason he was going to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse was because it had been his mentor’s lifelong dream—even on his deathbed, the old man had gripped his hand and urged him countless times to visit if he ever had the chance.

In the old man’s heart, that place was the imperial kitchen, home to the most outstanding chefs in the world—the ultimate culinary sanctuary.

The city’s traffic was maddening, but he finally arrived. Zhuang Chen got out and went to the front desk of the guesthouse.

Walking into the resplendent lobby and recalling what the driver said about rooms now being available to the public, Zhuang Chen decided, since it was late, he might as well stay the night.

At the front desk, the receptionist greeted him with a warm smile and asked, “Good evening, sir. How may I assist you?”

Zhuang Chen set down his shopping bags, glanced up at the price list on the wall, and handed over his ID and bank card. “A presidential suite, please.”

“Certainly. One moment, please.” The staff member accepted his ID and quickly checked the computer. “We have availability in Building Six and Building Fifteen. How many days will you be staying?”

Zhuang Chen replied casually, “Building Six, ten days to start.”

“No problem. The presidential suite is $3,998 per day, for a total of $39,980 for ten days. If you’re paying with a domestic bank card, we’ll convert it at today’s exchange rate. Is that acceptable?”

Zhuang Chen was stunned for a moment, then took out his American Express Centurion card to swipe in dollars—this was the perfect chance to try it out.

The staff member swiftly completed the transaction, returned the black card with both hands, rang the service bell, and said respectfully, “Your check-in is complete. Welcome to the State Guesthouse, Mr. Zhuang. Your private butler will attend to you shortly.”

A middle-aged man soon approached and introduced himself, “Mr. Zhuang, I am Hu, your personal butler for the presidential suite in Building Six. It’s my honor to serve you.”

Two bellhops took Zhuang Chen’s shopping bags, and Butler Hu gestured for him to follow. They headed to the entrance, boarded a Mercedes van, and drove toward the VIP building.

As the car glided forward, Zhuang Chen gazed out the window. Unfortunately, it was too dark to see the scenery. Sensing his guest’s mood, Butler Hu spoke softly, “The weather should be pleasant tomorrow. I can show you around—the State Guesthouse covers 400,000 square meters. It’s a genuine royal garden.”

Seeing Zhuang Chen’s curiosity, he continued, “Willows drape down along the embankment, water surrounds all sides, and at the center of an islet stands a pavilion, with a boat moored in the water, sandbanks where birds idle, winding corridors leading into depth, a trellis of wisteria, and a patch of purple water lilies.”

“As for who gave Diaoyutai its name, there’s still debate today, but there’s no doubt this place is blessed with enchanting scenery. Willows brush the water, fragrant grasses flourish—it’s truly a paradise on earth.”