“When is it?” Ma Gui was stunned, then realized. Why would Hao Yunyang look for him if nothing was wrong? People become less close when they have money! Ma Gui thought to himself.
“Tonight,” Hao Yunyang glanced at his watch: “It’s nine forty-three now. Can you manage a banquet before six in the evening?”
“The timing shouldn’t be a problem,” Ma Gui thought for a moment. “How many tables are you planning?”
This was indeed a question.
Hao Yunyang actually wanted to host this banquet on a whim, his past bold words making his heart surge, with a slight desire to show off, whether it was showing off his wealth or his wife. After all, Hao Yunyang was just a young man in his early twenties.
After returning to Liushi, he could probably make some money through various resources. The soldier’s plan would require a significant amount of money, but nothing could stop Hao Yunyang’s desire to host a banquet. After a brief moment of thought, he said, “A hundred-table banquet for the entire Yangba Township.”
“What?” Ma Gui on the other end of the phone couldn’t react for a moment.
“I’m bringing my wife back, and I’ll host a hundred-table banquet in the township to treat all the villagers,” Hao Yunyang said, turning slightly to look at Zhao Chenxin, a soft, tender smile playing on his lips. “Use your hotel’s mid-range set menu standard. If one hotel can’t handle it, coordinate with other hotels. Just make sure it’s done before six in the afternoon. Any problems?”
By the end, Hao Yunyang unconsciously revealed an air of superiority, with no room for negotiation in his tone.
“N-no problem,” Ma Gui was startled by Hao Yunyang’s sudden tone and almost instinctively agreed: “I’ll start preparing right away.”
“Okay, thanks, Brother Gui,” Hao Yunyang smiled slightly and hung up the phone.
After Hao Yunyang hung up, Ma Gui stood stunned, muttering to himself, “Just now, why did I feel like my mouth wasn’t under my control?”
Even with a hundred-table banquet, having only six or seven hours to prepare would be challenging, let alone a hundred-table flowing banquet?
Even if they mobilized everyone in the hotel, it would definitely not be enough!
Inexplicably agreeing, he then started to panic. Standing at the bar for over ten seconds, Ma Gui turned to the bar staff: “Gather everyone, including private room staff, in the front hall.”
“Ah?” The staff member wiping the table was stunned, looking at the wall clock: “Manager, it’s almost ten, and the guests will soon…”
“Can’t worry about that now. I’m going to see the general manager. Quickly gather everyone. I have something urgent to announce,” Ma Gui hurriedly said, rushing towards the stairs to the third-floor general manager’s office.
Zhao Chenxin was not used to this smell. She unconsciously raised her hand to cover her nose, while Hao Yunyang seemed to have returned to the womb, slowly closing his eyes and enjoying this scent that could never be smelled outside. At this moment, the well-behaved Yunyang looked more like an eternal child.
Wang Shiyu and Wan Hongyuan followed Zhao Chenxin and Hao Yunyang obediently, stopping when they stopped. The two men exchanged glances, seemingly communicating something through their eyes.
The door of the chili sauce factory was wide open, and no one stopped Hao Yunyang and his group from entering. In the vast factory, apart from the rumbling sounds of mixers and crushing machines, there wasn’t even a gatekeeper at the entrance.
Noticing this, Hao Yunyang subtly raised an eyebrow and scanned around before spotting a man in a security uniform bending down and doing something nearby.
Walking closer, Hao Yunyang couldn’t help but laugh and say, “I mean, there’s no need to pick up these chili pieces, right?”
“Ah, Yangzi!” The security guard, who was bending down to pick up chilies, straightened up and turned around. Just as he was about to ask who was behind him, he saw Hao Yunyang smiling at him. His face immediately lit up with an excited smile: “How did you come back?”
“Look at you, looking quite sharp in your uniform,” Hao Yunyang cheerfully looked at the young man who was similar to himself in age, height, and build, and teased, “Though bending down to pick chilies with your butt facing the door looks a bit ugly.”
“It’s all because of your sister,” the young man immediately showed a bitter expression. “I just made a joke with her, and she threatened to fire me, making me pick up these rotten chili pieces. Oh my god, she even made me use a shovel and a broom! I can only pick them up by hand. Yangzi, you’ve got to control your sister!”
“Hehe, the little girl’s gone wild,” Hao Yunyang chuckled. “Alright, stop complaining. Go wash your hands and get back to guarding the door. It looks bad with no one around.”
“Hehe,” the young man, nicknamed “Mouse” and a childhood friend of Hao Yunyang, wasn’t as reserved as others might be. He said cheerfully, “If I could choose, I’d definitely rather stand at the door than pick up chilies. You’ve got to vouch for me. It’s not that I want to slack off. If your sister tries to fire me, I’ll go complain to your uncle!”
“Alright, stop talking nonsense and go stand there!” Hao Yunyang laughed and scolded, sending Mouse towards the factory entrance.
Watching Mouse move unprofessionally, Hao Yunyang curled his lips in a smile, feeling something indescribable.
Three-floor private room staff remained in the hotel, with each person assigned to watch three private rooms. Ma Gui came out of the general manager’s office and returned to the first-floor lobby, where hotel staff were already standing. Walking in front of everyone, Ma Gui announced the decision just made: “Those staying in the hotel will receive 100 yuan per person today. Two front desk order takers will stay, each receiving 150 yuan. One doorman will stay, each receiving 150 yuan. Excluding the bar staff, others will receive a 200 yuan subsidy. Everyone should pack up the dining utensils for the banquet and leave at 12 noon to go to Mangba Village.”
As soon as Ma Gui’s announcement was made, the staff were stunned. A few girls from Mangba Village who were familiar with Ma Gui immediately asked, “Brother Gui, what’s happening in the village?”
“Hao Yunyang is back and will be hosting a hundred-table flowing banquet in the village,” Ma Gui replied, glancing at her. “Everyone get ready quickly. I’m going to coordinate with other hotels. Tonight, our hotel will work with three other hotels to handle this hundred-table flowing banquet. Media reporters might also be present, so stay alert, got it?”
“Got it,” came the scattered responses. Ma Gui didn’t care much and quickly left the hotel door, rushing to other hotels.
The staff who had asked earlier was now surrounded by others, chattering and inquiring about Hao Yunyang.
Oh my, a hundred-table flowing banquet! Such a grand scene had never appeared in the entire town before!
“That Hao Yunyang is from our village,” the staff explained proudly, causing others to gasp in amazement.
Tonight, diners at the town’s hotels would hardly receive attentive service, as most service industry workers had been suddenly withdrawn.
If it were just a simple table, it would be manageable. But this was a flowing banquet with constant guest changes, meaning the usual situation of five to six people managing dozens of tables was now impossible.
A hundred-table flowing banquet would require at least 150 people, including chefs, to operate smoothly.
Ma Gui had roughly calculated earlier that, including Mangba Village’s expenses and catering, this flowing banquet would directly cost Hao Yunyang nearly a million yuan.
