High School Classmate

Jiang Manman's enthusiasm for wedding feasts truly made Li Yang's jaw drop. At six in the morning, Manman's phone alarm went off, and Li Yang muttered with his eyes closed.

"Baby, it's so damn loud. Turn it off already!"

Jiang Manman immediately perked up and sat bolt upright, completely naked.

Her coffee-brown hair had grown down to her waist, hanging messily over her smooth, fair skin.

"Get up now, or I'm going to use my methods," Manman said with a wicked grin, looking utterly carefree and unruly.

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm getting up, okay?"

Seeing that Li Yang still had not moved, Manman unleashed her ultimate move and instantly had him completely under control.

"Hurry up and wash up. You're doing my hair in a bit," Manman said. Even when she was going to a wedding feast, she still wanted to look pretty.

Li Yang had no way to deal with Manman and could only surrender to her commands.

After washing their faces and brushing their teeth, Manman insisted on washing her hair. Li Yang fetched her some warm water and helped wash her hair in the courtyard.

His mother had gotten up as well and was planning to make breakfast. The moment she entered the courtyard, she saw Manman drying her wet hair while fooling around with Li Yang.

"Where are you two going? Why are you up so early?"

His mother walked toward the kitchen as she spoke.

"Auntie, Li Yang is taking me to Yanquiu for a wedding feast today. We're going early to help pick up the bride."

Manman was not the least bit shy and openly chatted with his mother.

"Then put on some more clothes. It's a little chilly in the morning." The sky was already bright, and the sun in the east seemed eager to break through the thick clouds.

His mother looked at the little camisole Manman was wearing and was startled by the impressive sight before her.

But inwardly, she was delighted. If this girl married into the family someday, who knew how much money they would save on baby formula?

"I'll make you something to eat before you go. It's still early before the feast starts at noon. You can't go on an empty stomach!"

"All right, Auntie. Sorry to trouble you." Manman politely accepted her kindness, having thoroughly seen through the mindset of an elder.

Because of the time, his mother simply cooked two packs of instant noodles for them. She even added a fried egg to Manman's bowl, completely ignoring Li Yang.

Once Li Yang had quickly dried Manman's hair and styled it into an updo, his mother called them over to eat.

"Mom, why are you playing favorites again? I don't even have an egg!"

Li Yang looked at his bowl of noodles and pretended to be unhappy.

"Enough. You're a grown man, why are you fighting a little girl over an egg? If you get married someday, you'd better treat your wife well. Hurry up and eat!"

Manman smiled so happily that she could not close her mouth. She wanted to marry Li Yang even more now. Her future mother-in-law was simply too good to her!

"All right, I can't finish it anyway. Here, have some." Manman took a small bite, then thoughtfully fed the rest to Li Yang. His mother did not interfere much with their behavior. Seeing how sweet the young couple was, she happily went to his father's room to wake him up.

At that moment, Xu Rui came into the courtyard, unusually neat and tidy, with a cigarette hanging from his mouth.

"Manman, you're going too? It's going to be lively today."

Xu Rui teased Manman as if he had known her forever, without any sense of reserve. Li Yang was already used to his ways.

Manman gave him a disdainful look and casually said, "Hurry up too. Next time you go to a feast, bring a woman with you."

Then she went into the room to change her shoes, grabbed her handbag, and headed out.

Li Yang had given Manman an elegant, noble hairstyle that suited her perfectly. Her fitted mermaid dress and barefoot high heels made Xu Rui reluctant to look away. Manman completely ignored him, took Li Yang's hand, and left.

The three of them went to the bus stop by the roadside to wait for a bus. Manman suggested taking a taxi, but Xu Rui said it was fine to take the bus and save money. Manman looked down on him in every possible way, but he did not care.

Before long, the first Route 54 bus came wobbling along. There were not many people after they got on, and they soon arrived at Wang Long's home. The street was bustling. A professional banquet team had already begun setting up on-site, bringing their own pots, bowls, utensils, tables, chairs, and benches. The host family only needed to pay.

This kind of business model had become popular in recent years, and the business was booming.

Manman watched with delight. Thinking about the feast she would soon be eating, she smiled so widely that she could not close her mouth.

"Look at you, silly girl. Haven't you ever had one before? You're practically drooling."

Li Yang could not help teasing her when he saw how greedy she looked.

"I haven't had one in so many years. I had one back in my hometown when I was little, but I've long forgotten what it tasted like. Today, I'm making up for all of it. You're not allowed to laugh at me for eating too much, got it?" Manman muttered as she unhappily pinched Li Yang's flesh.

"Okay, okay. Eat as much as you want. If it's not enough, I'll pack some up for you when we leave, all right?"

Li Yang lovingly touched her cheek and smiled as he walked into the courtyard.

Wang Long was in the newlywed room listening to the wedding host explain the arrangements. Every detail had to be handled carefully, or it would be embarrassing if something went wrong.

"Manman! Is that really you?"

Just as Li Yang and Manman were about to enter the room, a girl called out from behind them. Manman turned around, immediately walked up excitedly, and hugged the girl who had called her sister.

"Juanjuan, I had a feeling I might run into you. What a coincidence!"

"You came to our village and didn't even call me?"

The girl looked at Manman with a hint of jealousy as she questioned her.

Li Yang also carefully looked at the girl, and their eyes happened to meet.

"Li Yang!"

"Liang Shanjuan!"

Both of them called out each other's names in surprise.

"So you two know each other!"

Manman was quite surprised as well.

"Of course! We were classmates, and we were desk mates too!"

Liang Shanjuan wore a bodycon dress and silver crystal high heels over her smooth, fair bare legs, making her look dazzling.

She had a handbag slung over her shoulder and wore her hair in a high ponytail, revealing her delicate, fair face. She had put on makeup as well, looking sexy, charming, and fashionable. She was long gone from being the bare-faced high school classmate she once was.

Liang Shanjuan and Li Yang had been high school classmates for three years. During their second year, they had briefly enjoyed being desk mates. Her family was well-off, and Li Yang had often benefited from the snacks she brought. Once during evening self-study, Liang Shanjuan got her period, and Li Yang noticed.

Her pants had been stained red, which was quite embarrassing. Li Yang gentlemanly tied his own shirt around her waist, then walked her home after school.

From then on, Liang Shanjuan treasured her feelings for Li Yang even more. The two often met privately and went out together, but boys and girls in that era were far too innocent and nowhere near as open as people were now.

On the night before graduation, Liang Shanjuan and Li Yang gave each other their first kiss in the Small Woods at school, treating it as a farewell gift. They did not understand what love was, and they drifted apart in a muddle. Back then, there were no convenient ways to keep in touch. Whether they met again in society was entirely up to fate.

After that, they each entered society on their own paths. Six years had passed, and girls changed tremendously as they grew up. Liang Shanjuan had transformed into a beautiful, mature, cheerful swan.

Manman, meanwhile, had been sales colleagues with Liang Shanjuan for three years. Liang Shanjuan's fashion sense had initially been far inferior to Manman's, who had entered society earlier. After the two became close friends, Liang Shanjuan learned a great deal from Manman about dressing and styling. By now, the two had developed nearly identical styles.

The three chatted excitedly for a long time. Liang Shanjuan took the initiative to ask Li Yang for his phone number, and Manman did not mind. They had known each other even before she had known him, so what was there to be jealous about?

As they were chatting, the others gradually arrived, and everyone began dividing up the work. Li Yang left Manman with Liang Shanjuan so she would not be bored alone. The two of them happened to have endless things to talk about.

"Don't worry, Li Yang. I'll make sure Manman is perfectly safe!"

Before Li Yang left, Liang Shanjuan smiled brightly and made him that promise.

But she felt a faint sense of loss inside. She had not expected that in six years, everything would have changed. Li Yang was no longer the ignorant, shy boy who blushed whenever he spoke.

He had been replaced by a mature, handsome, steady young man with a sunny air. His clothes and hairstyle were both fresh and fashionable.

Liang Shanjuan lived quite close to Wang Long's home. She had only driven back that morning. After working with Manman for several years, she had quit her job and, with her family's support, opened a trendy women's clothing store in the Small Commodities Market in Jianxi District. It was still the same line of work, except now she was her own boss. With her gift for conversation and beautiful appearance, she had gained many regular customers.

Her business kept getting better, but for a young woman without much ambition, this kind of life was the most comfortable.

In less than a year, Liang Shanjuan had bought herself a red Beijing Hyundai sedan through her own efforts.

Since the trip home was far, she had also rented a two-bedroom apartment with a kitchen and bathroom in a residential complex near Alliance Road, making it convenient for work. She only went home occasionally.

Even when they were in school, Li Yang knew that her family was well-off. Her father had been taking on construction projects since he was young.

There were three sisters in her family: her eldest sister Liang Huijuan, her younger sister Liang Yujuan, and Liang Shanjuan herself in the middle.

Liang Shanjuan took Manman by the hand and found a cool, quiet place to chat. They sized up each other's lovely figures and exchanged compliments about each other's beauty.

Li Yang and the others had been assigned tasks too. He, Xu Rui, and Zhang Xiangbei were in charge of setting off firecrackers, while the others had different arrangements.

They only needed to wait until it was time to set off together for the bride's home.

Li Yang grabbed some candy and went out to find the two women beneath the shade of a tree.

"Here, have some."

Li Yang gave each of them a handful of candy, then pulled out some more from his pocket and stuffed it into Manman's handbag.

"For you, baby." Manman happily unwrapped a White Rabbit milk candy and, without a word, fed it into Li Yang's mouth.

"Oh my, Manman, you're making me watch you two be all lovey-dovey this early in the morning!"

Liang Shanjuan complained coquettishly.

"Hehe, why didn't you bring a boyfriend? You can't blame me, little sister!"

Manman stuck out her tongue and wrapped her arms around Li Yang's neck, acting spoiled without caring at all about Liang Shanjuan's resentful gaze.

"All right, you two have fun. I'm going back to work. Are you going with us to pick up the bride later?"

Li Yang wrapped one arm around Manman's slender waist and asked with a soft laugh.

"It's fine, Li Yang. I'll drive Manman there later, so you don't need to worry about her."

Years of experience in society had long taught Liang Shanjuan how to navigate and understand interpersonal relationships.

Her friendship with Manman ran deep, and neither of them would fuss over trivial matters.

Hearing that, Li Yang was reassured. He released Manman's soft body and went to join the main group.

Since the bride's home was not far away, they did not leave until nearly nine. The convoy moved slowly along the road. The wedding car was a luxurious Mercedes sedan, decorated with flowers that perfectly suited the occasion and made the procession even more festive.

Li Yang and the others rode in an SUV at the front of the convoy, clearing the way while setting off celebratory fireworks. Though it was the scorching heat of August, nothing could dampen the lively atmosphere of the bridal procession.

Liang Shanjuan drove with Manman following behind the convoy. Even in high heels, Liang Shanjuan had no trouble driving a manual car, chatting easily with Manman about the past.

"By the way, sis, we got our driver's licenses together. How's your driving these days?"

Wearing large sunglasses, Manman reclined leisurely in the passenger seat. Her long, slender legs were elegantly placed together as she listened to the music in the car.

"Me? I don't really like driving that much. Sometimes I take my dad's Geely out for a spin, but I usually take the bus to work. I'm just so-so."

"How did you meet my old classmate? You two really are fated."

Liang Shanjuan's gossiping nature could not be suppressed and showed itself again.

"You really want to hear it? Then I'll tell you!" Manman began smiling as she recalled her past with Li Yang.

"That day, as usual, I..."...

Manman would never forget the first time she met Li Yang. It still felt like yesterday, remaining vivid in her memory...

Once they arrived at the bride's home, everyone rushed noisily toward Liu Yingying's room in a swarm. The shrieks of three or four bridesmaids pierced the sky...

After a chaotic round of rowdy games, every bridesmaid's face was flushed, and they were all panting.

As the groom's entourage, the guys had finally gotten their chance to have some fun. Xu Rui only hated that he did not have enough hands, having taken quite a few liberties.

Under Manman's murderous gaze, sharp as a blade, Li Yang still gave up the idea of joining in and missed his chance to take advantage of the chaos.

The bridesmaids could take a joke too and had nothing to be angry about. It was a happy occasion, and everyone could have some fun. No one was losing a piece of flesh, so they quickly got over it.

On the way back, Manman insisted that Li Yang ride in the same car as her.

With no choice, Li Yang accompanied her in Liang Shanjuan's car, earning a round of disdain from the other guys.

On the road, Manman comfortably rested in Li Yang's arms. The two of them sat cuddled together in the back seat, making Liang Shanjuan feel especially alone.

She suddenly found herself wanting to fall in love too.

But when Liang Shanjuan thought of the scumbag who had taken her precious first time and broken her heart, she felt that she did not want to love so easily again. She was afraid of repeating the same mistake and encountering another heartless man. That would be the end of her.