They had agreed to go down to the restaurant for dinner at six. Some classmates had even deliberately come on empty stomachs for the meal, yet a few people still had not arrived after six. Wang Cheng and Huang Tong’an had not arrived especially early either, but at least they knew enough to make it before six.
Even though everyone knew the person they were waiting for was not someone they could afford to offend, a few people still muttered complaints under their breath, careful not to let anyone else hear. At around six twenty-five, the person who had proposed holding the reunion finally arrived.
Wang Cheng was not surprised to see Song Yuanyuan surrounded by a group of people. Back in their third year, Song Yuanyuan had been the richest person in Class One. The reason she had managed to ostracize Wang Cheng back then was nothing more than her family’s money. What surprised him was that although the Song family was wealthy, inviting dozens of classmates to hold a reunion at Jinding Hotel was still beyond what she could casually arrange. But when he saw the man walking in beside her today, he more or less understood. The one who had really made it happen was probably this man.
“That man is Song Yuanyuan’s boyfriend. His name is Zhang Wu. I heard he’s the son of General Manager Zhang from Jinding Hotel.” Tong Yangyang knew neither Wang Cheng nor Huang Tong’an recognized him, so he introduced the man.
“I knew it. With Song Yuanyuan’s ability, how could she possibly book a private room at Jinding Hotel? Turns out she hooked herself a rich sucker and got in through the back door. No wonder she’s so smug.” Huang Tong’an crossed one leg over the other, looking utterly unconcerned about Song Yuanyuan.
Everyone knew Huang Tong’an disliked Song Yuanyuan. Back in their third year, after she had incited others to ostracize Wang Cheng, Huang Tong’an had stormed into their classroom and humiliated her in front of a crowd. That was when the grudge between them began. Every time the two met afterward, neither had a kind expression for the other, though it was usually Song Yuanyuan who ended up infuriated by Huang Tong’an.
“Wang Cheng, seven years and you’ve changed quite a bit. Even your bald head has sprouted grass.” Song Yuanyuan walked over with her arm hooked through Zhang Wu’s. Seven years later, she was even prettier than she had been in high school and her features had matured, but her personality had become even more unpleasant. In that regard, she had made almost no progress at all.
Wang Cheng leaned back against the sofa with one leg crossed over the other just like Huang Tong’an, though his posture was far more relaxed and dashing. He was already handsome, and the pose only made him look cooler and more striking. Several female classmates across the room kept glancing over, their eyes reflecting either him or Huang Tong’an.
“I’m doing all right. Can’t compare to you, though. Your temper grew right along with your age. You’ve gotten more annoying every year.”
“Hahaha.” Huang Tong’an suddenly slung an arm around Wang Cheng’s neck. “Wang Cheng, why do you still love telling the truth so much? I like it.”
“You!” Song Yuanyuan flared up.
“All right, all right. The fact that everyone can gather here again is fate in itself. Let bygones be bygones. Weren’t we supposed to go eat? It’s almost seven.” A male classmate suddenly stood up among them. He was Ma Song, the former class monitor of Class One. He was also the person responsible for contacting everyone this time, just as he had been for previous reunions. Back when Wang Cheng and Song Yuanyuan were at odds, Ma Song had been one of Song Yuanyuan’s loyal supporters. As he grew older, however, he had become less rigid and ignorant than before and a great deal more socially adept.
“I’m not going to lower myself to argue with a brute like you.” Song Yuanyuan knew she could not outtalk Wang Cheng, so she took the exit Ma Song offered her. The instant she turned toward her boyfriend Zhang Wu, her expression changed. Her delicate, dependent manner was especially alluring. Once they had walked farther away, she immediately began complaining about Wang Cheng to her boyfriend.
“Darling, you saw it, right? That Wang Cheng is really obnoxious. I must have been blind to like him back then. I regret it so much now.”
Zhang Wu merely smiled without saying anything.
Song Yuanyuan knew better than to talk too much about another man in front of her boyfriend, so she stopped at the right moment and immediately changed the subject.
Because Song Yuanyuan had arrived late, dinner was delayed by more than half an hour. The restaurant at Jinding Hotel was extremely upscale. Without some family wealth, eating there was difficult enough, let alone footing the bill for dozens of people. But since Song Yuanyuan had dared to invite everyone, she naturally would not embarrass herself. She had originally intended to have everyone eat in the restaurant itself, but Zhang Wu said there were not enough seats available, so he had booked another private dining room on the second floor. Song Yuanyuan happily praised him for being thoughtful, and her two followers immediately joined in, praising her for finding such a good man.
Walking behind them, Wang Cheng could still hear their conversation. He suspected Zhang Wu was more likely worried that a group of people eating somewhere like this for the first time might embarrass themselves in public.
The private dining room could accommodate around a hundred people and contained fifteen large tables. Each round table seated eight. The moment Wang Cheng sat down, Huang Tong’an took the seat on his left while Tong Yangyang sat on his right, almost as if they had planned it. When Wang Cheng looked at them, Huang Tong’an explained.
“We finally got to see each other again. I still want to talk to you some more.”
“Exactly. At the very least, we need to know whether you’ve been doing well,” Tong Yangyang agreed.
Wang Cheng said, “Do I look like I haven’t been doing well?”
The two looked him up and down. His complexion looked downright healthy. “Not really.”
“What exactly have you been doing these past seven years? You disappeared without a trace. Do you still consider us your brothers or not?” Huang Tong’an had never stopped dwelling on this.
“Me? I went home and became a monk.”
“Who are you trying to fool? Who runs off to become a monk these days?” Huang Tong’an looked completely unconvinced. Wang Cheng had finally told the truth for once, yet neither of them believed him. “Actually, you know what? Being a monk isn’t a bad career. At those famous temples, don’t university graduates compete to get in? I heard the pay can even be better than an office worker’s.”
“Tong’an, what Wang Cheng said doesn’t sound entirely wrong. I’ve seen reports like that on television too,” Tong Yangyang said.
Huang Tong’an rolled his eyes at him, still only half convinced. “Then why didn’t you stay a monk?”
“The old monk passed away. There wasn’t much point with only me left, so I returned to secular life. Well? Aren’t you dazzled by how handsome I am?” Wang Cheng grinned wickedly and rubbed his chin.
“Narcissist. So what did you do after leaving the temple? Don’t tell me you really went to wash dishes for somebody.”
“Nothing much. I leased two mountains and I’m planning to be my own little boss. Just a small operation, nothing compared with the big things other people are doing.”
“Being your own boss isn’t bad. Better than working for someone else and having to swallow your boss’s temper.” Tong Yangyang felt this deeply. Everything he had now had been earned one step at a time through hard work. No matter how smooth-tongued he was, he had still suffered plenty under superiors.
“You two have freedom. I’m still tied down by my family.” Huang Tong’an sounded envious. His family was wealthy, and as the only son, a heavy responsibility rested on his shoulders. He was only twenty-five, yet his family was already pressuring him to marry as soon as possible.
While the three chatted, the dishes were brought out. Every plate was exquisitely arranged, steaming hot and fragrant enough to make their stomachs rumble. Everyone had been hungry for ages and started eating without ceremony. The food at a five-star hotel really was excellent. Wang Cheng tried several bites. The skill of a high-end chef was indeed on another level.
“Wang Cheng, come on, drink with me. If you’re my brother, you’ll drink. Consider it our first toast after finally meeting again.” Huang Tong’an poured two glasses and handed one to Wang Cheng.
Now whenever Wang Cheng saw alcohol, he remembered the last time he had gotten drunk and gone crazy enough to kiss Chu Yifeng. More than once, he had been grateful his tolerance was fairly good. One glass was not enough to make him back down. “Fine, I’ll drink. Bottoms up.”
Seeing that, the others raised their glasses as well. Without ulterior motives stirring things up, the atmosphere remained lively. A little while later, Song Yuanyuan’s boyfriend Zhang Wu suddenly stood, carrying a glass of wine over to Wang Cheng with a smile that did not look false in the slightest.
“You’ve probably heard about me already. I’m Zhang Wu, Yuanyuan’s boyfriend. I often hear your name from her, so I’ve always been curious. Meeting you today, I can see you really are an interesting person. If you don’t mind, how about we become friends?”
His action drew everyone’s attention. They were all surprised he had taken the initiative to toast Wang Cheng. Even Song Yuanyuan had not expected it. By the time she tried to call him back, it was already too late. If she had her way, she would much rather see Wang Cheng embarrassed.
Wang Cheng could tell at a glance that Zhang Wu was not the usual spoiled, overbearing rich kid. Otherwise, when Wang Cheng had mocked Song Yuanyuan earlier, he would have stepped forward to defend his girlfriend. Besides, this gesture cost Song Yuanyuan some face. Everyone knew she disliked Wang Cheng, so Wang Cheng did not refuse the toast.
Tong Yangyang immediately filled Wang Cheng’s glass.
Wang Cheng stood and returned the toast. “It’s my honor to become friends with Young Master Zhang. I should be the one drinking to you.” With that, he drained his glass in one go.
“Good, straightforward enough for me. I’m claiming you as a friend. And don’t call me Young Master Zhang. Just call me Zhang Wu.” Zhang Wu laughed heartily and drained his own glass.
The atmosphere grew even livelier because of the two of them. Only Song Yuanyuan looked terrible. Her mind was full of demanding an explanation from Zhang Wu, and she barely paid attention to everyone flattering her. Halfway through the meal, when Zhang Wu headed to the restroom, she followed him out. But Zhang Wu did not explain himself. Instead, he advised her to stop targeting Wang Cheng.
“Your old high-school classmate is not a simple person. Even if he really is just a country boy now, that was probably only true in the past. It’s better to be broad-minded. Having one more friend is always better than having one more enemy. If you understand, then listen to me.” If she did not understand, then their relationship would probably end there.
Zhang Wu’s father had also come from an ordinary background. He had become Jinding Hotel’s general manager entirely through his own effort and the help of friends from his younger days. Because of that, from childhood he had taught Zhang Wu never to look down on anyone around him, because any one of them might someday become a step that helped him climb higher.