Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 172: Speechless

Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Speechless

"No need!" Song Xiaodong chuckled and said, "Do you really think it’s still easy to buy ’82 Lafite now?"

"Why not? This hotel has it." Chu Jianyang said proudly, "Perhaps ordinary people can’t buy it, nor afford it, but for us, it’s a trivial matter."

Song Xiaodong’s smile remained as he said, "The quality of the grapes from Lafite Winery in that year was indeed the best in history. So let me ask President Chu, how much ’82 Lafite can you drink in a year?"

Chu Jianyang said boastfully, "I drink a few bottles every month, at the very least I drink about twenty bottles a year."

"President Chu indeed has vast wealth. Being able to drink twenty bottles a year, I would like to ask you, in our city, how many people are there like President Chu who enjoy ’82 Lafite?"

Chu Jianyang replied irritably, "Who knows? Does anyone even research this? Besides, can just anyone afford it?"

"You make a very good point. Let me estimate, in our city, if ten people enjoy drinking Lafite and they consume two hundred bottles a year, that shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

"Of course, that’s no problem."

"Good, so our city can consume two hundred bottles, our province can consume at least two thousand bottles a year, and our country can consume sixty thousand bottles a year. I haven’t calculated that wrong, have I?"

"That... is correct." Chu Jianyang felt like he was being led by the nose by Song Xiaodong, but he couldn’t find a point to retort.

"Our country has a large population and high consumption rates, plus there are many people who like to show off. If other countries together consume as much as our country, that adds up to sixty thousand bottles, making the annual consumption about one hundred twenty thousand bottles, right?"

"This... should actually be more." Chu Jianyang felt that Song Xiaodong’s estimate was a bit low.

Song Xiaodong nodded and said, "Suppose the annual consumption is one hundred fifty thousand bottles, then do you know the annual production of Lafite Winery, especially the ’82 production?"

"That... how much?" Chu Jianyang suddenly realized what Song Xiaodong was getting at, but he really wasn’t sure of the details.

Song Xiaodong smirked and said, "In ’82, Lafite Winery produced around two hundred thousand bottles in total. Thirty years later, to still have such a continuous supply is indeed incredible."

"You... you’re saying I’m lying?" Chu Jianyang’s face darkened.

"I’m not saying you’re lying, President Chu, but it seems you’ve spent a lot of money. For someone of your status, the Lafite you drink should not be fake, but claiming it to be from ’82 is highly unlikely. Nowadays, every ’82 Lafite is one less bottle available, as they have all turned into collectibles. Each bottle at an auction costs at least one hundred thousand, and even if the hotels have the genuine article, they’re likely treated as the treasures of the establishment. At this point, this wine is a symbol of power and taste, not something meant for drinking anymore."

Chu Jianyang’s face turned beet red, wanting to retort, but he found himself unable to counter Song Xiaodong’s words.

Miao Qingqing was initially worried that Song Xiaodong’s insight might not suffice, but at this moment, she was utterly convinced by his debate. This guy, who seemed flippant on ordinary days, displayed an astonishing ability quite contrary to his usual demeanor when it mattered.

Xiao Zhiming and his companions had already gathered around and, seeing Chu Jianyang being rendered speechless by Song Xiaodong, coldly chuckled and said, "Mr. Song, do you mean to say that all the wines on the market now are fake?"

Miao Qingqing’s heart sank, and she immediately understood what Xiao Zhiming was implying. It was a significant oversight. Originally wanting to speak up for Song Xiaodong, she swallowed her words instead, preferring to see how Song Xiaodong would tackle this issue.

Song Xiaodong looked at Xiao Zhiming indifferently and said, "There was never an absolute, perhaps the ’82 Lafite in this hotel is genuine?"

Xiao Zhiming snorted coldly and said, "But you just mentioned that the Lafite from ’82 is now a collector’s item, yet this hotel is still selling it. Doesn’t that mean their wine is fake?"

Song Xiaodong smiled faintly and said, "Who knows."

Just then, a man in his forties strode over and said in a deep voice, "Who is it that says our hotel sells fake wine? I hope he can explain himself."

This man was Ning Tongda, the owner of the hotel. Running a hotel is quite different from other businesses; it heavily relies on connections. Ning Tongda was well-connected, influential in both lawful and unlawful circles, which was essential for operating such a large hotel.

Xiao Zhiming had someone inform him that there were accusations of selling fake wine here. Ning Tongda immediately became upset, as this could tarnish the hotel’s reputation significantly, so he personally came to address it.

Xiao Zhiming promptly pointed at Song Xiaodong and said, "It’s him. He said your hotel’s ’82 Lafite is fake."

Ning Tongda’s expression darkened as he looked at Song Xiaodong and said, "Sir, you need to be responsible for your words."

Song Xiaodong smiled faintly and said, "The real can’t be fake, and the fake won’t become real. Whether it’s real or fake, everyone knows deep down."

The calmness in Song Xiaodong unnerved Ning Tongda, who knew whether his wine was real or fake — the Lafite was indeed Lafite, but stating it was from ’82 was certainly untrue. Over the years, no one who ordered this wine could actually discern its authenticity; those who drank it were more concerned about status and ambiance, always opting for the expensive over the accurate.

However, at this moment, he couldn’t afford to show weakness, or he would be admitting to selling fake wine.

With a stern face, Ning Tongda asked, "If the wine here is genuine, how would you explain that?"

Song Xiaodong, meeting Ning Tongda’s gaze, said, "If it is real, it naturally shows your hotel’s quality, but if it’s fake... that seems a much bigger loss for you."

Song Xiaodong’s steadiness made Ning Tongda’s heart itch with anxiety. But Xiao Zhiming had already secretly informed him that the speaker was just an ex-soldier, not a significant figure, which gave him confidence. He snorted coldly and said, "Fine, let us test the wine. If it is fake, my hotel will take responsibility. But if it is real, no matter who you are, you must answer to me."

Xiao Zhiming, seeing Ning Tongda’s fierce demeanor, chuckled secretly. He might have had no way with Song Xiaodong, but Ning Tongda was not someone to be trifled with. Problems were brewing for Song Xiaodong, who seemed doomed this time.

Miao Qingqing was also getting anxious. Even as the daughter of Miao Qingyuan, even if Miao Qingyuan were here, he would have to respect Ning Tongda. The situation seemed to have escalated beyond control, and she regretted not stopping Song Xiaodong from speaking recklessly earlier.