Chapter 6: The Peace Hotel

“Liang, if you ever have any ideas in the future, feel free to reach out to me anytime.”

“Of course. After all, we’re so close now—if I don’t come to you, who else can I turn to?”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lu Liang left the business hall. Just as he returned to his apartment, his phone buzzed with a message alert.

“Account ending 8939, Industrial and Commercial Bank: Deposit received—1,510,000.00 yuan; balance 1,512,201.12 yuan.”

As soon as the funds arrived, Lu Liang cleared all his online credit card debts, repaying a total of 494,500 yuan, principal and interest included.

Then, he headed straight to the mall for a lavish shopping spree, taking the opportunity to replace his old Android phone with a gold Apple iPhone 5S. Even before the money had fully settled, Lu Liang had already planned how to spend it.

The money in his personal account was principal; if he could continue to hear the voice from the future, he would use it to generate more wealth.

If not, he’d treat it as a pension—buy a house in a third-tier city, start a small business, and ease into retirement early.

The more than one million yuan in his financing account was for living expenses. Lu Liang wanted to experience a different side of life in the metropolis.

Although he had worked in this city for ten years, it still felt very unfamiliar.

Previously, he had only glimpsed a mysterious corner of the city through work, which left him yearning.

There was a saying about the metropolis: arriving by bus and arriving by first-class flight were two entirely different experiences.

Ten years ago, Lu Liang had arrived by bus; now he wanted to see what the other world looked like.

The Peace Hotel was not only a landmark high-rise on the Bund’s scenic line but also a “business card” of the metropolis.

Upon arrival, Lu Liang stepped out of the car and immediately sensed an atmosphere completely different from the outskirts of Xinpu.

Whether guests checking in or tourists taking photos, the men were all especially gentlemanly, the women exceptionally elegant, as if the magnificent hotel concealed their true natures.

Approaching the front desk to check in, Lu Liang learned that even the cheapest standard room was 2,100 yuan per night, while the most expensive Nine Nations Suite averaged as high as 18,000 yuan per night.

A monthly salary of 18,000 yuan was a considerable income even in this super first-tier city, but here it could only cover one night’s stay.

“Sir, are you booking the Nine Nations Suite?” The pretty receptionist looked surprised, thinking she must have misheard. Lu Liang didn’t seem wealthy—he had even taken a taxi here.

“Do I need a reservation?” Lu Liang genuinely hadn’t looked into it before; he had only heard rumors and wanted to try staying a few nights.

“No, we currently have available rooms in the England, Germany, and Japan suites. How many people and nights, please?”

The receptionist maintained a professional demeanor and smiled gently, not judging him by his appearance.

“England, one person, two nights to start.”

Lu Liang produced his ID and swiped 36,000 yuan.

A sharply dressed middle-aged man with a neat mustache and a distinctly British air approached Lu Liang with a smile.

Placing his right hand on his left shoulder, he bowed with a gentlemanly gesture.

“Mr. Lu, I am your butler for the next two days. My name is Tan Tao. Please do not hesitate to ask if you need anything.”

Lu Liang joked with a smile, “If I stayed in the Japan suite, would you send a kimono-clad lady as my butler?”

Tan Tao smiled politely. “Mr. Lu, if you wish, we can arrange that for you right now.”

“Just you then,” Lu Liang shook his head. Noel asked again, “Mr. Lu, may I ask about your luggage?”

“No luggage.”

“Very well, please follow me.”

Lu Liang followed his butler, passing effortlessly through doors manned by attendants and elevators with hostesses.

Aside from having to feed himself, do his own laundry, and other personal chores, every other need was handled for him.

The Nine Nations Suites spanned the fifth, sixth, and seventh floors of the hotel, with three suites per floor, all facing the river.

Lu Liang stayed in room 2 on the seventh floor—the England suite.

Its aged wooden floors and rose-patterned ceiling carvings reflected the style of British aristocracy from the last century.

Each suite had a separate living room and dining area and even a mini bar where Lu Liang could have a drink mixed upon request.

“Mr. Lu, enjoy your stay,” Tan Tao said, showing him how to use the room’s landline; pressing the number one key connected directly to him, ready to serve 24 hours a day.

Lu Liang moved to the window, unconsciously watching the sun set in the west. The evening glow bathed the Bund’s tourists and the Golden Bull statue in a soft reddish hue.

Although the Peace Hotel was not tall, it offered the best vantage point overlooking the Bund, with clear views of the International Finance Center and the Pearl Tower across the river.

Lu Liang was captivated, watching until dusk deepened and the dazzling neon lights of the skyscrapers gradually illuminated the cityscape.

His stomach rumbled loudly; the saying that “beauty is food for the eyes” was a lie—no matter how stunning the view, it couldn’t stave off hunger.

“Are you off work yet? Send me your address; come over for dinner,” Lu Liang said as he dialed Liu Mingxuan’s number.

After fifteen years of schooling, Liu Mingxuan was the only classmate Lu Liang still kept in close contact with.

While he occasionally called other classmates, he rarely disturbed them.

By middle age, with families and obligations, suddenly reconnecting after a long time often made old friends wary—suspecting either a request for money or a favor.

Gradually, the ties frayed.

Half an hour later, Lu Liang waited downstairs and saw Liu Mingxuan, his hair cut short and dyed flaxen.

Though the same age and almost thirty, Liu Mingxuan, unmarried and without a girlfriend, dressed fashionably and looked no older than his early twenties.

“You got plastic surgery in Korea?” Lu Liang asked, looking him over carefully.

Liu Mingxuan studied him closely in return.

He was still the same person but a bit leaner, with an inexplicable youthful aura.

Before, whenever Liu Mingxuan saw Lu Liang, no matter his expression, there was always a deep exhaustion in his eyes.

Liu Mingxuan had seen that weariness in many of his married friends.

Whether from family or career, it was called responsibility in a polite way, but could be described as invisible chains in a harsher tone.

But seeing Lu Liang this time, he radiated an open, carefree spirit—as if reborn.

“Looks like losing twenty pounds really helped,” Lu Liang said, patting his flat stomach. His former paunch was gone, and if he tightened his abs, the six-pack was distinct.

Two months of working out had paid off; now with a little grooming, he no longer looked middle-aged.

“I told you, a marriage that can’t satisfy material needs is an unhappy one,” Liu Mingxuan said, admiring his own foresight.

“No money? Better stay single forever. Marrying without money is irresponsibility toward oneself, family, and the next generation.”

Divorced for two months, Lu Liang’s transformation was proof enough.

“Let’s go,” Lu Liang smiled and led Liu Mingxuan to suite 2 on the seventh floor, where a steaming meal of four dishes and a soup awaited on the dining table.

“Eat something first to fill up; we’ll go out for drinks later.”

“Got rich, huh?”

Liu Mingxuan circled the room, then stopped at the window, gazing at the bustling Bund.

The Peace Hotel’s reputation was well known; it was not only a five-star hotel but an indispensable landmark on the Bund’s skyline.

Both tourists and young newcomers to the city had once stood on the Bund admiring this building, including these two.

They remembered joking ten years ago when they first arrived, saying one day they would definitely stay here for a few nights.

But later, when they had some money, they thought that over 2,000 yuan for one night was better spent on drinking and singing.

“I’ve made a little money recently.”

Lu Liang pulled out his phone and transferred 50,000 yuan to Liu Mingxuan.

When buying a house, he had borrowed that amount from him two years ago.

Though Liu Mingxuan never asked for it back, it was always a burden on Lu Liang’s mind.

So now that he had money, repaying him was his first thought.

Partly to settle the debt, partly because he needed a like-minded companion for fun.

“Looks like you really have made it. I can bask in the glow too,” Liu Mingxuan said, checking his phone before pulling a chair beside Lu Liang.

He grinned mischievously. “Liang, where are you taking me for a night of fun?”

“Whatever you want, you can have.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”