The Yanbei Grand Restaurant was the fanciest in town.
A single meal there cost a small fortune.
It was a favorite haunt of the wealthy, including my former classmate, Wang Chaoyang.
Wang Chaoyang was the epitome of a rich kid.
Back in our school days, he strutted around in designer clothes, a walking advertisement of his family's wealth.
So when he casually invited me to a celebratory dinner at the Yanbei Grand Restaurant, I knew it was more about showing off than genuine camaraderie.
Still, I found myself agreeing to go.
"So, how did you do on the college entrance exams?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
It was common knowledge that I hadn't taken the exam.
"I didn't," I replied flatly.
A smug look crossed his face.
"Right, I almost forgot. Your grades weren't exactly stellar. Not going to university doesn't mean you have no future though! I hear garbage collecting is quite lucrative these days. You're young, you'll find your way," he said, condescendingly patting my shoulder.
I simply smiled, refusing to rise to the bait.
But my guardian, Uncle Huzi, a man known for his short fuse, slammed his chopsticks on the table.
"Who are you calling a garbage collector?" he growled.
"Mind your own business, old man," Wang Chaoyang sneered.
Uncle Huzi rolled up his sleeves, ready to give the arrogant kid a piece of his mind, but I stopped him.
I'd been living with Uncle Huzi long enough to know he wouldn't stop at a few harsh words.
He was fiercely protective, always looking out for me, especially since my master, the man who saved Uncle Huzi's life and taught me everything I knew, was no longer around.
Wang Chaoyang, oblivious to the near brawl he'd incited, reminded me about the dinner, a triumphant smirk on his face.
He then sauntered out of the restaurant, his girlfriend, Li Na, in tow.
I caught a glimpse of her face before she disappeared – a flicker of something indecipherable in her eyes.
"Eating with that crowd? To celebrate him going to university while you didn't even take the exam? It's blatant humiliation!"
Uncle Huzi fumed as I resumed eating, unfazed.
"I know," I said calmly.
"And you're still going? What about a gift? Those things don't come cheap. You know we can't afford any of that."
He paused, his face suddenly falling.
"Wait, how are we even paying for this meal?"
I chuckled, "Don't worry, Uncle Huzi. You're paying for this meal."
I pointed at the kitchen.
"Master always said I should use my skills to get by. Looks like dishwashing duty falls to you."
Uncle Huzi groaned.
"You sneaky… You learned all the wrong things from your master!"
He could be intimidating when he wanted to be, but I knew I had him wrapped around my little finger.
I packed the leftover food – Wang Chaoyang's generous order would keep us fed for days – while Uncle Huzi looked on in resignation.
It seemed I inherited my master's talent for turning a situation to my advantage.
True to my word, Uncle Huzi spent the evening washing a mountain of dishes to pay for our lunch.
He grumbled about it endlessly, calling me a chip off the old block, a worthy successor to my master's scheming ways.
Underneath his annoyance, I could tell he was worried about me attending the dinner.
He knew the kind of crowd Wang Chaoyang ran with and dreaded the thought of me being looked down upon, especially if there was an expectation of expensive gifts.
I, however, was unconcerned.
In fact, I even promised to take him with me to taste the culinary delights of the Yanbei Grand Restaurant the next day.
Uncle Huzi, a man who lived for good food, immediately perked up.
The next evening, we stood before a massive banner at the Yanbei Grand Restaurant, congratulating Wang Chaoyang on getting into a top university.
It was ostentatious, over the top – typical Wang Chaoyang.
"All that fuss for getting into university?" Uncle Huzi scoffed. "It's not like he's off to conquer a foreign land. They'd need to throw a city-wide feast for that!"
"Don't be such a grump, Uncle Huzi," I teased. "If it wasn't for my training, I could have aced those exams myself."
"Right," he said, not bothering to hide his skepticism. "And I'm the Emperor of China."
As I expected, the banquet was an extravagant affair.
The entire third floor had been booked for the occasion.
I was seated at a nondescript table in a corner, which suited me just fine.
I was never one for the limelight.
School, for me, had been about fulfilling a requirement, not forging lasting bonds.
After tonight, I knew I'd likely never see any of these people again.
Wang Chaoyang's father made a grand speech, everyone cheered, and soon the feast began.
And a feast it was.
The tables were laden with delicacies, a testament to the Wang family's wealth.
Uncle Huzi, true to form, attacked the food with gusto, making up for our weeks of simple meals.
He drew stares from those around us, but as usual, he remained blissfully unaware, too engrossed in the culinary delights before him.