"Even we have to make an appointment? So in the end, you're saying you won't even do us classmates this favor?" Jiang Lekang began to sneer. "I said on WeChat that Shen Qiong didn't care about his classmates, and someone even came out to defend him." He looked at Zhu Zhengzhi with a cold smile.
Zhu Zhengzhi couldn't save face either. He nudged Shen Qiong and whispered, "What's going on? We're all so close, and we still have to make an appointment?"
Shen Qiong knew there was no way they'd enjoy this meal, so he secretly took out his phone and messaged Ren Tianxue for help.
"I can't break the rules! Too many people come to me for appointments. If everyone wants to take shortcuts, the rules will fall apart, and nobody will accept that." Shen Qiong said, forcing himself to stand his ground.
Dong Yanshan looked at him and shook her head in disappointment, her expression saying she'd misjudged him.
Jiang Lekang naturally noticed, and sneered. "No wonder such a great girl like Shanshan broke up with you back then."
Everyone present knew about the two of them. By now, Shen Qiong was sitting on pins and needles, his scalp prickling. This wedding banquet was unbearable!
Just then, Lu Caishuang came over to offer a toast, finally letting Shen Qiong breathe a sigh of relief!
"Come on! Let's all have a good time today."
Everyone raised their glasses, wishing the couple a lifetime of happiness and an early addition to the family.
Several hearty dishes were brought out in succession, and everyone began digging in.
Shen Qiong had no appetite. All he could think about was whether Ren Tianxue would hurry over and rescue him. Otherwise, when the meal was over, he'd have to endure another "interrogation."
While they ate, Zhu Zhengzhi quietly asked Shen Qiong, "You seem kind of off. Normally, it shouldn't matter if we don't make an appointment. Is there something you can't talk about?"
Shen Qiong gave a quiet, bitter laugh. "I'm able to make accurate predictions because I follow a lot of rules. If I break them, I might as well ruin my own livelihood."
Zhu Zhengzhi didn't know much about fortune-telling, but he figured masters like these really did have plenty of rules. Shen Qiong had no reason to lie to him, so all he could do was hope their classmates would let Shen Qiong off the hook after the meal.
After they'd been eating for another ten minutes or so, Jiang Lekang deliberately raised his voice. "Man, there's something missing from this meal."
Shen Qiong knew this guy was up to something again!
"Oh, right, Shanshan. I heard you're still single. Why don't I introduce you to someone? I have a friend who's single, and he's got a lot going for him! As for his character, let's just say he's definitely better than a certain someone!" Jiang Lekang said with a smile.
A certain someone? He obviously meant Shen Qiong. Shen Qiong said nothing, pretending he didn't understand as he sipped his soup.
Dong Yanshan felt conflicted. "No need, thank you!"
She still couldn't figure out what had happened to Shen Qiong. Given his old personality, he might not have gone out of his way to tell his classmates' fortunes, but he certainly wouldn't have been so heartless.
"Haha! No problem. If you need anything, just let me know. Same goes for the rest of you. I may not have any other talents, but I do have plenty of friends." Jiang Lekang said cheerfully.
"Come on, Young Master Jiang, don't keep it to yourself! Looks like you're the most successful one among us." One classmate flattered him.
"Exactly! You're already driving a car worth over two hundred thousand yuan, just two years after graduation. You've got a bright future!"
Jiang Lekang thoroughly enjoyed being buttered up. He even glanced at Shen Qiong, as if to say, See? This is the difference between us.
Just then, one of the classmates pointed to a white car outside the hotel and asked, "That's a nice car!"
"Obviously! Didn't you see the logo? It's a BMW! The cheapest one must cost at least four hundred thousand yuan," said a classmate who knew cars.
"Holy crap! And the owner's a woman?"
Everyone immediately looked over...
Even from a distance, they could see her clear, limpid eyes and long hair cascading over her shoulders. Her delicate, fair skin made people want to take another look. Her long, slender legs were enough to stir any man's desire, yet her angelic face gave her an air of nobility that made her seem unapproachable.
"What a beautiful girl..."
"Tsk, tsk, that aura! She's the very picture of a rich heiress!"
"A woman like that would probably need a man among the best of the best to win her over," Jiang Lekang remarked.
A classmate who loved joking immediately fixed his hair. "Don't stop me. I'm going over to ask for her number."
"Yeah, right! If you can get her number, I'll call you big brother from now on," another classmate joked.
While they were joking around, Ren Tianxue entered the hotel and looked around. She remembered Shen Qiong telling her on WeChat that he was on the first floor.
When Shen Qiong saw his rescue arrive, he jumped up with delight and waved.
"Holy crap! What kind of new trick is this? Pretending to be an old friend so you can hit on her?" A classmate stared at Shen Qiong in disbelief.
"At least he got the beauty's attention. He's doing a lot better than you!" another classmate teased when he saw Ren Tianxue actually walking over.
Ren Tianxue came up with a smile. "There you are!"
Shen Qiong pretended to be surprised. "What are you doing here?"
She stepped forward, took his arm, and greeted the others with a smile. "Are these all your classmates?"
"Yeah!" Shen Qiong replied.
"Hi, everyone! I'm Shen Qiong's girlfriend." Ren Tianxue smiled at them.
Everyone was stunned!!!
What?
The goddess was Shen Qiong's girlfriend?
Could it be true?
"Uh, hello!" A few classmates managed stiff replies. They'd thought Shen Qiong was just trying to hit on a beautiful woman. Who would've guessed they were actually together?
Ren Tianxue pouted and looked at Shen Qiong with mock annoyance. "Why didn't you ask me to come see your classmates?"
Shen Qiong nearly exploded inside. Holy crap, this girl's acting is incredible!
"Didn't you say your best friend wasn't feeling well and you had to stay with her?" Shen Qiong replied gently.
She furrowed her brows and asked, "Did you take a taxi here?"
"Yeah. It's not far anyway."
"You're always like this. You leave the car for me every time, even though you know I hardly ever drive!" Ren Tianxue said with a playful, dissatisfied pout.
Shen Qiong swallowed. This girl had to have trained for this; otherwise, how could she make it seem so real?
Everyone was rocked to the core. They'd all thought Shen Qiong didn't have a car, and Jiang Lekang had even mocked him for it. Now their faces darkened!
Compared with Shen Qiong's car, Jiang Lekang's wasn't even in the same league. And Shen Qiong hadn't even mentioned that he owned a car. Wasn't he deliberately rubbing it in?
Jiang Lekang looked mortified. He'd just said that a woman like Ren Tianxue would need one of the best to win her over. And it turned out that Shen Qiong, the man he'd been putting down all along, was her boyfriend. This was awkward!
Extremely awkward!
Zhu Zhengzhi gave Shen Qiong a look of utter disdain, as if to say, You're way too good at pretending. You're doing so well, and your girlfriend's so beautiful she makes people jealous, yet you acted like you had nothing.
Well, at least now everyone who'd mocked Shen Qiong had been put in their place!
Ren Tianxue kept flashing Shen Qiong a charming smile and winking at him, as if to say, I did great, didn't I? Hurry up and praise me! Come on, praise me!!!
To everyone else, though, it just looked like they were showing off their love.
"Ow, ow, I can't take this! This single guy's taken ten thousand points of damage." The classmate who loved joking clutched his chest and put on a wounded expression.
She thought for a long time before coming up with a reason that could get Shen Qiong away from the table. Her face flushed as she said, "My dad said he wants to meet you. Today."
Shen Qiong froze. She'd acted so convincingly that it was almost real! He could tell she was genuinely blushing from embarrassment.
"Holy crap, you're meeting her parents already! That's it, I'm done for. Looks like I don't stand a chance."
Shen Qiong nodded. "All right." He turned to the classmates at the table. "Sorry, I can't stay and eat with you. Her dad's often away on business, and he's finally back, so I have to go see him."
Everyone gave him understanding looks.
Zhu Zhengzhi shot Shen Qiong a glance and raised his brows, as if to say, You've got some moves.
Shen Qiong got in the car and drove away, still a little dazed.
Ren Tianxue looked at him with a smile and teased, "Well, well! Looks like our Master Shen has fallen for me!"
Shen Qiong coughed twice and immediately protested. "I have not!"
"Then tell me, did I act well?" she asked in a coquettish voice.
Shen Qiong couldn't handle her teasing him like this. He instantly broke out in goosebumps. He couldn't take it!
She burst out laughing. "That was fun!"
Before you continue