Chapter 8

Before long, a sunny, handsome man in a sporty hoodie and shorts ran over and swept Xin Chun into a hug. It was Ke Hang.

"Haha, Chun, long time no see. I missed you like crazy."

Ke Hang affectionately patted Xin Chun's back, then let go and looked him over carefully. Clicking his tongue, he said, "Why is your face still so babyish? All fair and skinny, with such delicate skin. If we walked out together, people would think I was your older brother."

Even though Xin Chun was a year older than him.

Xin Chun said, "Can't help it. I was born beautiful."

"Enough messing around. Let me introduce you. This is my current boss, Owen Williams."

"This is Ke Hang, my good friend. My buddy."

"Hello." Owen held out his hand.

Ke Hang was briefly taken aback by Owen's appearance, then hurriedly shook his hand.

After they got acquainted, Ke Hang found a chance to whisper to Xin Chun, "Your boss is way too handsome. Is he mixed-race?"

"Yeah, he's from Y Country."

"Wow, then his Hua language is really good."

Ke Hang's car was parked in the underground garage. He walked ahead to lead the two of them, and since he had not seen Xin Chun in a long time, he had plenty to talk about. Before long, he brought up their class reunion.

"You really picked the perfect time. I told them you had things to do and couldn't make it to the reunion, but then you turned around and came to B City on a business trip. The reunion is in two days."

"Chun, how many days will you and your boss be staying in B City?"

Xin Chun looked at Owen.

Owen said, "If everything goes smoothly, we'll go back in three or four days."

"Do you want to attend?"

Owen's last question was directed at Xin Chun, who shook his head. He was not going.

Ke Hang said, "Then it's best not to let anyone know you're in B City. I can't get out of it—my home is here. Going to one class reunion is enough to make anyone miserable."

University was a small arena of fame and profit. He and Xin Chun had been rather unlucky; back in college, their class had been notorious for being at odds with one another—the kind where everyone acted friendly on the surface but had their own ulterior motives underneath. Four people could have six group chats.

Of course, not everyone was like that. There were just too many troublemakers.

Xin Chun said, "I know..."

"Xin Chun? Ke Hang?"

Before he could finish, a voice abruptly interrupted him. Xin Chun immediately had a bad feeling. When he turned around, sure enough, they had run into a classmate in the underground garage.

"..."

Even Ke Hang could not help cursing under his breath. What rotten luck—speak of the devil. B City was so huge, yet they had run into someone at the airport of all places.

"Zhao Gang."

Zhao Gang walked over. He first glanced at Ke Hang, then said to Xin Chun, "I didn't dare recognize you at first. I only became sure after seeing Ke Hang. But didn't Ke Hang say you didn't have time to come to B City?"

Xin Chun said, "I didn't. My boss and I decided at the last minute to come to B City on a business trip."

"This is my boss."

"Hello." Owen nodded at Zhao Gang.

Owen's mixed-race features, tall and upright build, and naturally elegant, distinguished air were indeed rather intimidating. Besides, Xin Chun had not lied.

He had not expected to come to B City on a business trip, much less expected that, in a city as huge as B City, he would run into a classmate right after leaving the airport—a classmate attending the reunion.

His bad feeling had come true.

The class reunion was only dinner one evening. Surely your boss wouldn't make you work the whole time. And if that doesn't work, you can invite your boss to the reunion too. The more, the merrier.

Zhao Gang tried his best to persuade him, his attitude warm and enthusiastic.

Xin Chun could not keep refusing, so he said, "If I can make it in time."

Zhao Gang said, "Sure. How about we exchange phone numbers, Xin Chun?"

Only after they had saved each other's numbers did Zhao Gang leave.

Ke Hang said, "Just wait. He'll definitely call you that day."

Xin Chun frowned. "Forget it. We'll talk about it then."

Owen asked, "Do you really not want to attend the class reunion?"

"Well, there's someone else at this reunion too. If Xin Chun goes, people will inevitably start teasing him. He hates that most," Ke Hang explained for Xin Chun. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "By the way, Chun, do you have a girlfriend?"

Xin Chun said, "No."

"Don't tell me you haven't dated a girlfriend since graduating from college? No way. You've never dated anyone all this time—are you really planning to live like a monk?" Ke Hang looked worried over his best friend's lifelong prospects.

"So many people chased after you in college, and it was one thing not to accept them then, but you're still single now. Don't turn out like your precious son."

Xin Chun raised Xingxing like his son.

"Get lost." Xin Chun rolled his eyes at him.

Owen asked then, "Were there many people in college who liked Xin Chun?"

At that, Ke Hang gave a mischievous grin. "Of course. Xin Chun was pretty popular in college. Both men and women chased after him, and pfft, there were actually more men than women. Hahaha."

"Otherwise, why do you think he doesn't want to attend the class reunion? It's because there's... Ah!"

Ke Hang clutched his foot and sucked in a sharp breath. Aggrieved, he said, "Chun, why did you kick me?"

Xin Chun said, "You're the only one with a mouth. Shut it."

Ke Hang dropped them off at the hotel afterward and left first.

Xin Chun and Owen unpacked their luggage, rested for a while, then went to the factory that produced the machines without even eating.

When they returned that evening, Xin Chun contacted Ke Hang, and the three of them had a proper dinner together.

The next day, they went to the factory again and ordered a new model of machine. However, a small accident occurred while inspecting it. Owen's finger was cut by the edge of a cable tie. It was not deep, and a bandage was all it needed.

The staff apologized for the minor mistake, but Owen said it was fine.

The factory had bandages on hand. In the break room, Xin Chun cleaned Owen's wound and put one on. He could not help smiling. "After I got hurt, you got hurt too. Luckily, it isn't serious."

"Should I say it too, then? I hope you get well soon."

Owen's lips curved. "But isn't something still missing?"