54: Chapter 54 Bai Shiwei: Is Dad afraid of being eaten at the table at home?

Jinhe Hotel.

This is the best hotel in Jinhe City. Gatherings of Advanced Martial Artists, receptions for foreign guests by city leaders, and even banquets held by Transcendent Martial Artists are basically all held here.

In a luxurious private room on the second floor.

"Grandpa Fang, Father Fang, please come in and sit."

Bai Qiming had a smile on his face as he enthusiastically greeted Fang Dawei and Fang Wu.

"Mother Fang, oh my, this must be your daughter Fang Jing, right? She's so cute. You must be tired from the trip, please come in."

Xu Xue grabbed Li Ru with one hand and held Fang Jing with the other, her face full of smiles.

After pulling everyone to their seats, she turned back to look at Bai Shiwei and said, "Shi Wei, you and Fang Zhuo sit on the outside. The food will be ready soon, make some room for the waiters in a bit."

"Mm."

Bai Shiwei pouted, but her eyes were darting toward Bai Qiming.

Back home, where had she ever seen a father so amiable, or even excessively enthusiastic?

It seems her father had already received the news that Fang Zhuo signed an s-rank genius contract with the Starry Sky Martial Artist Group.

The hotel was very efficient. Not long after everyone arrived, the dishes were served one after another. Both the Bai family and Fang Family were a bit reserved.

Fang Wu and Li Ru were being engaged in conversation by Bai Qiming and Xu Xue.

Or rather, awkward small talk.

The Fang couple felt a bit uncomfortable. After all, they were only Primary Martial Artists. It was fine with Xu Xue, an Intermediate Martial Artist, but they subconsciously felt inferior in front of the Advanced Martial Artist, Bai Qiming.

They knew clearly in their hearts that the Bai family was being this polite entirely because of their son, Fang Zhuo.

After three rounds of drinks.

Bai Qiming, face flushed, said with a robust voice, "Father Fang, I heard you were injured on the job and your body is failing. I specially prepared a small gift to help nourish your body. Please don't mind it, take it back and let Mother Fang stew some soup for you."

As he spoke, he lifted up a box.

Fang Zhuo had sharp eyes and recognized it immediately; it was a century-old ginseng, likely worth a few hundred thousand.

He knew in his heart that this dinner, plus this gift, was the Bai family making up for their previous poor attitude.

Fang Wu wasn't sure about the age, but just looking at the packaging, he knew it wouldn't be low, and quickly shook his head, "Father Bai, this won't do!"

"In my condition, ginseng isn't of much use, you don't need to go to such expense."

He had only just met the Bai family, how could he be embarrassed enough to accept such a valuable gift?

Bai Qiming persuaded him a few times, but finding he couldn't convince him, he immediately gave a wink to Bai Shiwei.

Bai Shiwei couldn't help but sneer. So now he knows to come to her? Where was he before?

He didn't support her martial arts training.

When she brought Fang Zhuo home, she wasn't understood, and even received cold looks!

Bai Shiwei wouldn't have minded if she didn't think about it, but once she did, her resentment flared up. She immediately said in a sarcastic tone, "Dad, since you specifically invited us to eat at a hotel today, are you afraid we'd have to eat the table at home?"

"..."

Bai Qiming had black lines on his forehead, feeling a bit ashamed and annoyed.

Who exposes someone's secrets like that?

Xu Xue quickly smoothed things over, "It's not that, since we are treating Grandpa Fang and Father Fang, your dad thinks my cooking isn't good enough."

After she finished speaking, she also gave Bai Shiwei a pleading look.

Bai Shiwei immediately softened. Her hand under the table reached out and gently pinched Fang Zhuo's leg, her beautiful eyes blinking.

That meant she wanted Fang Zhuo to speak up and convince Fang Wu to accept the gift.

Fang Zhuo looked at Bai Shiwei, not agreeing immediately, but instead tugged at his clothes, his face beaming with a smile.

Bai Shiwei understood immediately; she knew Fang Zhuo was talking about the new lingerie she bought. Her face flushed slightly, and she nodded.

Only then did Fang Zhuo say, "Dad, just accept it."

Fang Wu hesitated for a moment, but accepted it. By now, it was time for Fang Zhuo to be the head of the household.

Seeing this, Bai Qiming and Xu Xue exchanged a glance, both breathing a sigh of relief. Clearly, since Fang Zhuo had spoken up, he wouldn't mind the argument from last time anymore.

At the dinner table, the atmosphere became a bit more harmonious.

Fang Zhuo checked the time, feeling it was about right. He cleared his throat, about to tell both sets of parents about the genius contract with the Starry Sky Martial Artist Group.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

The door to the private room was knocked on.

Everyone stopped and looked at the door.

Bai Shiwei stood up and pulled the door open, "Manager Zhao?"

The person who came was Manager Zhao, with a strong smell of alcohol on him.

"I came uninvited, Coach Fang won't blame me, right?" Manager Zhao nodded to everyone in the room, then his gaze fell on Fang Zhuo.

His tone and posture were very humble.

As the manager of Shanhe Martial Arts Hall, Manager Zhao often appeared in local news, so both the Bai family and Fang Family recognized him.

Fang Wu and Li Ru exchanged a glance, both seeing the gratification in each other's eyes.

Their son was actually held in such high regard by Manager Zhao.

Bai Qiming and Xu Xue also exchanged a glance; in their hearts, they no longer had any doubts about Fang Zhuo signing the s-rank genius contract with the Starry Sky Martial Artist Group.

"Not at all. What a coincidence, Manager Zhao is eating here today too?"

Fang Zhuo stood up and pulled out a chair for Manager Zhao.

When investigating the matter of Fang Wu's sparring at the Bear Paw Martial Society, Manager Zhao was the first to step forward to help, and it could be said he did his utmost.

Although he didn't help much, Fang Zhuo remembered this favor.

"Yes. I'm with a few city leaders. I passed by the restroom and heard your voice. It's perfect, I can talk to you about the future work arrangements right here."

Manager Zhao pulled Fang Zhuo to sit down.

"After you go to the Starry Sky Martial Artist Group, don't worry about your coaching job here at the Shanhe Martial Arts Hall, I will handle it for you."

"That's so embarrassing."

Fang Zhuo laughed.

Manager Zhao's intention was to let him hold a nominal position, without having to work, while still collecting the money... Although he had signed an s-rank contract with the Starry Sky Martial Artist Group, the million-dollar annual salary from this coaching job didn't mean much anymore.

But no one minds having more money.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. With an s-rank contract from the Starry Sky Group, you are guaranteed to reach the Transcendent Martial Artist level in the future. By then, your endorsement fees just for lending your name will be more than ten million."

"In fact, it's me and the Shanhe Martial Arts Hall who are taking advantage!"

Manager Zhao said with a chuckle.

"Then I'll have to trouble Manager Zhao to take care of it." Fang Zhuo smiled, "When I come back home in the future, I'll find time to go over and hold a couple of open classes."

"It's a deal!"

Manager Zhao's eyes lit up, and he thought even higher of Fang Zhuo.

He had seen many geniuses, but he really hadn't seen many with such an unarrogant and unrash mindset, and the magnanimity to accommodate others.

After Manager Zhao left.

There was silence in the private room for a long time. Both families looked at Fang Zhuo, their thoughts varied, their expressions complex.

The Starry Sky Group gave Fang Zhuo an s-rank genius contract!

Fang Wu was the most excited, his eyes slightly red.

Bai Qiming and his wife were also overjoyed after confirming the news.

Finally, Fang Dawei broke the silence first, "Fang Zhuo."

"Grandpa always said you had great talent. Not bad, very not bad!" Fang Dawei said with pride, sighing:

"The Starry Sky Martial Artist Group, your grandmother once wanted to go, but didn't make it. You can consider this fulfilling a wish for Grandpa and your grandmother."

"Come, let us all join together. To Fang Zhuo entering the Starry Sky Martial Artist Group, cheers!"

Fang Dawei shouted, and both families raised their glasses together.