Chapter 1 — 118,800 Yuan Meal: 10 People Ran, I Called the Police

At a gathering of friends, I said eating at a normal restaurant would be fine, but they insisted on choosing a fancy restaurant, costing 8,888 yuan each. He also told me to live up to my status, but when I heard that I just wanted to laugh. At first, it was clearly stated that AA, whoever eats will pay their share, but after eating, one by one, everyone made an excuse to leave. No one paid and even turned to look at me.

“You have money, how about a meal?”

Some people say that directly without any hesitation. I laughed, if I have money, I have to be the one to suffer, do you think I'm that easy to be bullied? Without arguing, I directly called the police. The bill was nearly 120,000 yuan. In the end, everyone cried and reached for their wallets to collect every penny. One meal, turns over a whole group of friends. The chat group of friends suddenly exploded, Truong Vy sent a voice clip, the voice was so loud that my phone vibrated.

"Sisters, it's been a while since we got together. We must go out for a meal this weekend!"

I was scrolling through my phone when Luu Thien answered immediately, so fast that I didn't need to think.

“Agreed, I've been so busy lately, I need to relieve some stress.”

Vuong Dao also quickly joined, his tone full of excitement as if he had been waiting for a long time.

"Where to put it? I know a new Japanese restaurant that just opened, I heard it's really good."

I thought, normally everyone is busy, we haven't seen each other for a long time, so it's reasonable to gather for a meal. So I sent a message to the group, my tone was quite gentle.

"Or go to Ba Ngoai's? Or Hai De Lao? Each person costs about 100 to 200 yuan, which is fine."

As soon as the message was sent, Truong Vy immediately replied, without hesitation.

“Thien Thien, now that you're the best at making money, are you taking us to those places?”

I was stunned for a second. Before I could understand, Luu Thien chimed in.

“That's right, gathering friends, you have to be worthy of your status.”

Vuong Dao also chimed in, his voice carrying a bit of a joke but very sincere.

“Thien Thien, your income is probably more than 1,000,000 yuan a year, so it's okay to invite us for a delicious meal.”

I looked at the phone screen, feeling a bit speechless. How much does my income have to do with this meal? But I didn't say it, I just thought I shouldn't upset everyone. Tran Vu Dong then appeared, his tone as if he had just found something valuable.

“I heard there is a very famous Japanese restaurant named XX, each person costs 8,888 yuan.”

Trieu Tieu Manh also jumped in, his voice full of excitement as if he had just scrolled through a good review.

“I've seen it too, the sea urchins there are extremely fresh, and the sake is even shipped straight from Japan.”

Truong Vy immediately closed the deal, not giving anyone a chance to think.

"Then choose this restaurant, Thien Thien, do you have any opinions?"

I hesitated a bit, still feeling that the price was a bit too much.

“8,888 yuan per person… isn't that a bit expensive?”

Truong Vy immediately sent an eye-rolling emoji, clearly not wanting to hear other opinions.

“Oh my god, you don't lack any money.”

Luu Thien also added, her voice sounding like she was teaching life.

“That's right, it's been a while since we gathered, don't be so stingy.”

I looked at the series of messages in the group and started to feel a bit uncomfortable. But thinking back to our many years of friendship, I still swallow it.

“Okay, then that's the shop.”

Truong Vy immediately sent several applause emojis, looking very satisfied.

"That's right! Saturday night at 7 o'clock, no one can be late!"

I noticed the group chat was silent for a while very short moment. Then Luu Thien sent a text message, her tone changed to the familiar style of asking for help.

“Thien Thien, you're driving, right? Come pick me up too, okay?”

Vuong Dao also quickly interjected, as planned.

“That's right, your car is wide and can carry a few people.”

I replied "yes", without thinking much. But when I pulled back the chat history, I suddenly realized something. From beginning to end, no one mentioned payment. I typed a question, trying to keep my voice as neutral as possible.

“Ah, what about this meal, AA, right?”

The group was silent again for a few seconds, this time a little longer. Truong Vy sent a voice clip, her voice was a bit impatient.

“Oh my god, when the time comes, no one will let you suffer.”

Luu Thien also chimed in, her voice sounding like she was being friendly.

“That's right, we're sisters, we don't have to calculate so much.”

I looked at the screen and suddenly felt an unclear feeling in my heart. It's like something... is going out of orbit. But I don't ask more. Saturday night, I drove to pick them up. Truong Vy was the first person to board the car. As soon as she got in, she glanced around the car's interior.

“Thien Thien, you just changed this car, you're really rich.”

I didn't reply. Luu Thien was the second person. As soon as she got up, she took a selfie with her phone.

"I definitely have to post a story today, this day is so embarrassing."

Vuong Dao and Tran Vu Dong came up together, the two of them chatted about cosmetics. Trieu Tieu Manh was the last to arrive. As soon as he sat down, he asked me a question.

“Thien Thien, have you brought enough money?”

I looked at her through the rearview mirror, my eyes a bit cold.

“What do you mean?”

Trieu Tieu Manh smiled and pretended that nothing happened.

“Nothing, just an idle question.”

Truong Vy turned her head to look at her, the two exchanged a quick glance. I pretended not to see. But my hands… were tightening on the steering wheel. The car stopped in front of the restaurant, I found a place to park and turned off the engine. The five of them got out of the car first and stood in front of the door to pose for photos. I locked the car and walked over when I heard Luu Thien whisper a sentence.

“Today, this meal is fine.”

I didn't speak up. Entering the restaurant, the staff led us to a private room. The room is very large, extremely luxuriously decorated. As soon as she sat down, Truong Vy began to order, not at all politely.

“First of all, a bottle of the highest quality Juyondai.”

I glanced at the menu, that bottle of wine cost 9,800 yuan. Luu Thien continued, her voice full of excitement.

“Two live king crabs, sea urchins take the largest portion, A5 cows each get one portion.”

Vuong Dao added the dish without any hesitation.

“Sashimi set also takes a portion, choose the most expensive one.”

Tran Vu Dong added with a smile.

“Dessert for later.”

Trieu Tieu Manh looked at me and smiled lightly.

“Thien Thien, you didn't order anything?”

I looked at her, my voice calm.

“Everyone call.”

Truong Vy raised her head to look at me, smiling as if everything had been decided.

“That's right, Thien Thien invited us, we are not being polite.”

I said nothing. I watched them order food, ordering very happily and comfortably. Like that money… isn't theirs. I took out my phone and sent a message to the group chat.

“Let's confirm again, this time AA.”

I stared at the screen. Ten seconds later, Truong Vy was the first to respond.

“Of course, definitely AA.”

Liu Qian sent an OK icon. Vuong Dao replied “no problem." Tran Vu Dong and Trieu Tieu Manh also took turns dropping +1. I looked at the screen... then smiled softly. Then, I turned on the recording mode and quietly put the phone in my pocket. They didn't know. They were still laughing and talking, discussing how to take photos later to post online.