The banquet was being held at Golden Kaidi Hotel and had two parts; a dinner and evening party. Hu Hou had wanted to have it in the government auditorium so as not to appear wasteful to the public but Shentu Tian-Yin had offered to cover all expenses. There was no refusing her offer, and so the banquet was held at Golden Kaidi Hotel. This hotel was also one of the subsidiaries of Vientiane Group - it was like Shentu Tian-Yin inviting the important people of Hai-Zhu for a free gathering. 

The calculated costs of the banquet was a million yuan. Xia Lei had to consider some factors before giving a bonus and get scolded by ‘housekeeper’ Liang Si-Yao but Shentu Tian-Yin had spent it just like that to treat people to a meal and have a chat. They were levels apart. 

Hu Hou told him of these on their way there. 

Inside the venue, Xia Lei said, “Mayor Hu, I am more than honoured that you’ve come to fetch me yourself. You must be very busy at this banquet so there’s no need to accompany me. Please, go about your business.”

“I do have a lot to do. I won’t...