Dad, Please Try a Little Harder - Chapter 81: You Offer Real Discounts, While

Ours is Truly Free!_1

After clinking glasses with Qian Quan, Xu Congfeng began to make small talk, asking questions indirectly.

“How do you find studying in Azure Bay? Are you comfortable with the weather, the food, and all?”

“It’s alright,” Qian Quan responded with a smile. “Though I still can t get used to the local cuisine. It’s a bit too sweet and mild for my taste. I can handle rice with sugar, but sweet noodles? 1 can’t stomach them unless my blood sugar’s

low.”

Qian Quan added, “Luckily, Azure Bay offers a variety of cuisines from everywhere. In terms of food, it’s quite inclusive.”

“Exactly,” Xu Congfeng nodded in agreement. “Azure Bay is such a city. It embraces diversity and is both inclusive and pragmatic.

Qian Quan played along, “How so?”

Xu Congfeng seemed to ponder his words for a moment before explaining. “There’S a saying, right? If you’re worth 100,000, then Azure Bay, like any other city, is just a place to work and make a living.

“If you’re worth a million, then Azure Bay reveals its charm-convenient living, developed transport, with taxis and takeout available even in the middle of the

night.”

“At 10 million, Azure Bay transforms into an international metropolis where

you can always catch the scent of coffee.”

“And at 30 million, it becomes a dazzling playground, much like what we’re experiencing right now…”

Xu Congfeng gestured for Qian Quan to take a look around the private room.

Qian Quan, amused, nodded in agreement. For some reason, he suddenly thought of Song Xi.

Xu Congfeng continued, “Once your net worth hits the billions, Azure Bay truly becomes the city that never sleeps.”

“That’s insightful,” Qian Quan remarked.

The two clinked their glasses again.

-Our country classifies cities into first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier,” Xu. Congfeng said. “Similarly, people can be categorized into different tiers. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying the wealthy are always top-tier. What I mean is, a person’s knowledge, character, morality, and education level naturally differentiate them into various grades.”

For example, some people reached high school and still didn’t know where the UK or the US was, while others saw Big Ben and the Statue of Liberty during

elementary school.

“Of course, I’m not implying that traveling abroad means you’re accomplished,” the speaker began, “but a person’s horizons are indeed broadened by reading extensively and traveling widely.”

Qian Quan chuckled, “I get it. It means a child who has traveled the world from a young age is more likely to succeed when they grow up…”

“Exactly, their perspectives would be much broader,” Xu Congfeng added. Qian Quan remarked, “It doesn’t really matter if their perspectives are broad.

The point is, kids like that come from wealthy families.”

Xu Congfeng was momentarily taken aback and then laughed, “That’s a funny observation.”

Xu Congfeng hadn’t even considered the connection between traveling the world and being rich. Surely everyone could afford to travel if they really wanted to, right?

“In essence, my point is,” Xu Congfeng began seriously, “In my eyes, Ding Linlang is top-notch. It has nothing to do with where she comes from, but rather her knowledge and character.”

Qian Quan naturally agreed with this.

“But do you know the biggest tragedy for a top-notch individual, Qian Quan?”

Xu Congfeng asked.

“Being constantly bothered and coveted by many?” guessed Qian Quan.

“That’s hardly a tragedy…” Xu Congfeng laughed.

Whether or not Xu Congfeng detected the sarcasm in Qian Quan’s voice, he continued explaining his long-prepared viewpoint:

“The biggest tragedy for a top-tier person is to fall in love with someone of a second or third tier in a mediocre environment.

“People are emotional creatures. We remember our past, and every little thing leaves a mark. These memories can mislead us into thinking that time spent together is precious when it might just be another chapter in our lives.

“It’s not worthless, but it’s not that important either.”

Qian Quan listened intently but remained silent, amused.

After a brief pause, Xu Congfeng clinked glasses with Qian Quan and said confidently,

“I genuinely care for Ding Linlang. It’s really a matter between the two of us and I shouldn’t have involved you.

“But since she mentioned it, I wanted to discuss it with you out of respect for

her.”

“It’s not just between the two of you. She doesn’t really have anything with you either,” Qian Quan retorted.

“What do you mean?” Xu Congfeng asked, still maintaining his composure.

“Your classification of top-tier, second-tier, third-tier might have some merit, but it’s heavily biased. You talk about broadening one’s horizon by seeing Big

Ben or the Statue of Liberty.”

“If this is the standard, then I can also say that those who can tell wheat from leeks are considered knowledgeable. Those who have herded ducks, sheep, fed pigs, and cows are considered knowledgeable. Those who climbed trees and raided bird nests in their childhood are considered knowledgeable. Those who dug for earthworms after a summer rain are considered knowledgeable. Those who have harvested wheat and shelled corn are considered knowledgeable…”

“Do you get my point?”

“I think I understand what you’re implying,” Xu Congfeng replied with a slight smile.

“So, the greatest tragedy in this world isn’t when someone from the top tier falls in love with someone from the second or third tier. It’s when people are divided into different classes-into ‘first-class,’ ‘second-class,’ and ‘third-class’-and then brainwashed from top to bottom using these dangerous standards and theories.

“Take you, for example. Your recent discussion may seem fair, realistic, and objective. Your words may appear refined, and you don’t use your background or wealth to pressure others. But every sentence you speak revolves around your background and family.

“You say that Lin Lang is a first-rate individual, so I dare to ask, why do you believe you’re worthy of being with her, this ‘first-class individual’?”

Remaining unperturbed, Xu Congfeng responded, “You’re right. I owe a lot to my background and upbringing.”

“But it’s not my fault I was born into this. I never rested on my laurels; I worked hard to get into Fudan University and will soon be a funded exchange student, which is a result of my efforts.”

Qian Quan countered, “You misunderstand. I’m not discrediting your background or achievements. I just want to say, you’re not good enough for

Linlang.”

“Why?”

“Because you can’t differentiate between wheat and garlic chives.

Xu Congfeng’s smile grew cold.

just then, Xu Congfeng’s friend, who had been observing the conversation, chimed in.

“How’s the conversation going?”

Xu Congfeng responded with a faint smile.

“By the look of things, didn’t go well?” The man asked, half-jokingly and half-seriously, “If it didn’t work out, we’ll have to go Dutch tonight.

“Wasn’t it supposed to be free?” Qian Quan inquired.

“How could it be? We have a membership card, but that only gives a 30% discount. If we split the bill, you won’t get that discount.”

“What happened?” Guo Hongyi approached, chiming in.

“We have to split the bill tonight,” Qian Quan explained.

“What? I thought they were treating us?” Guo Hongyi had specifically looked into Funing One’s pricing earlier. Considering Miss Linlin had been invited, the meal would cost no less than 8,000 if not 10,000.

“Just kidding, it’s on the house,” Qian Quan assured, not wanting to spook his roommate.

“We weren’t joking…” The man continued to intimidate, while Xu Congfeng remained silent.

“What’s the meaning of this? Are you guys hustlers?” Guo Hongyi bristled with anger.

“Let’s keep it civil. No fighting, okay?” the man countered, “You guys have a martial arts champion. We can’t match that. If it comes down to it, we’ll pay

up.”

Qian Quan held back Guo Hongyi, “Calm down, Guo. It’s on the house like I said.”

Xu Congfeng finally spoke, “My friend was just joking earlier. You guys don’t need to pay tonight; I’ll cover the bill.”

He had merely wanted to teach Qian Quan a lesson, making them feel the pressure of a few thousand dollars. But to him, it was just chump change.

Qian Quan responded, “You just need to cover your discounted part. Ours is really free.”

He then pulled out a red membership card, gave it a little flick, and explained, “This card supposedly offers three free uses.

Xu Congfeng and his friend, upon seeing the card in Qian Quan’s hand, were taken aback.

How did he get that card?

“Don’t worry,” Qian Quan patted Guo Hongyi, “Let’s continue with our karaoke..”