The class reunion

The next morning, the two were eating at the dining table.

Gu Nian'an suddenly said, "Sir, I'm going to a class reunion tomorrow."

"A class reunion?" The man's tone held a hint of puzzlement.

He remembered that Gu Nian'an had had no friends as a student, and his circumstances had not even been good. Why would he want to attend a class reunion?

"Yes. A high school classmate invited me yesterday." A flicker of hesitation crossed Gu Nian'an's eyes, and he continued somewhat hesitantly, "He's a classmate who helped me in high school."

Zhang Muyü had indeed been the only boy who had never bullied the original owner during his school days. He had even stepped forward to help him out once when a group had surrounded him and picked on him.

He had also been the only person willing to talk to the original owner when everyone else ostracized him.

Besides, for some reason he did not understand, a voice inside him kept urging him to go and take a look.

Hearing the young man's words, a thoughtful look flashed through the man's eyes. After a long moment, he waved a hand casually. "Go if you want to, but let me know the address and what time you'll be back."

Gu Nian'an's eyes flickered, and he quietly agreed.

The next day, the sky gradually darkened.

"I have something to take care of. Message me when you've finished eating, and I'll pick you up." After dropping Gu Nian'an off at the Upper Elegance Restaurant, Fu Xiuyuan drove away.

Looking at the bustling restaurant, with people coming and going, Gu Nian'an took a deep breath and slowly walked inside.

The interior was brightly lit and decorated in a European style. A large table of people had already arrived and were gathered together, chatting and laughing.

Hearing the movement, everyone turned to look. When they saw that the newcomer was Gu Nian'an, quite a few faces stiffened. Many of those present had already started families and established careers, and their thinking had gradually matured. They were no longer as childish as they had been back then.

Quite a few felt some guilt or unease about what had happened to Gu Nian'an back then, knowing they had gone too far.

In truth, Gu Nian'an had done nothing wrong back then. Everyone had simply banded together.

Once one person started, the situation spiraled out of control, creating a broken-window effect.

Later, when Gu Nian'an dropped out, some of them had also felt they had gone a little too far, ruining his entire life over something trivial.

Still, they truly had not expected him to attend the reunion. Unable to get past their pride or bring themselves to apologize, they could only smile awkwardly at him.

Seeing this, Zhang Muyü quickly stood and welcomed Gu Nian'an to his seat, smoothing things over. "We're all old classmates. It's rare for us to get together after so many years. Let's eat well, drink well, and forget all those unpleasant things today!"

With that, he raised his glass to everyone.

Their expressions eased, and they all raised their glasses. Zhang Muyü motioned for Gu Nian'an to join them.

"Sorry, I have a bad stomach, so I can't drink." Gu Nian'an hurriedly waved his hands and politely declined.

Zhang Muyü chuckled and did not press him.

At that moment, one man could no longer hold back. He said loudly, "Gu Nian'an, we were classmates. Since you're here, show us a little respect. Why are you using a bad stomach as an excuse?"

His tone carried a hint of displeasure and mockery. After speaking, he casually filled an empty glass beside him with baijiu and handed it to Gu Nian'an.

Gu Nian'an paused slightly at the glass held out to him. Looking up at the man, he recognized Wang Jiahui, the person who had led the others in locking the original owner in a classroom back then.

He gave a cold laugh and declined casually. "No, thanks. I only got out of the hospital recently. You can't expect me to go right back in."

Wang Jiahui's expression stiffened, and displeasure flashed in his eyes. He was about to say more when the woman beside him interrupted.

"Speaking of which, Nian'an, you're a celebrity now. I've watched your variety show. It was so entertaining." The woman's voice held a smile, making it difficult for a moment to tell whether she meant well or ill.

Gu Nian'an remembered now. This was Wang Jiahui's girlfriend, Zhang Xiaoyuan. Back then, it had been Zhang Xiaoyuan who used her family's connections to smooth over the matter involving the original owner.

She had also constantly goaded Wang Jiahui into bullying the original owner, simply because he had rejected her advances.

Another man nearby sneered and said, "Gu Nian'an, why did you have to drop out? Now you've gone off to become a mere entertainer. Isn't that..."

He left the sentence unfinished, but everyone understood what he meant. He was simply mocking Gu Nian'an for doing lowly work.

Seeing things taking a bad turn, Zhang Muyü hurried to smooth things over. "It's not easy for us all to get together. Why are you taking shots at each other? Let's eat, let's eat."

Zhang Muyü was one of the more successful people among them, so everyone was willing to show him some respect.

But Zhang Xiaoyuan would not let it go. "Nian'an, where do you live? How about Jiahui and I give you a ride afterward?"

Then, as though she had just remembered something, she feigned surprise. "Oh, sorry, listen to me. You must have come from out of town. Why don't we book you a room at an inn so you can get some rest?"

She turned to the others. "It'll be late by then. I'll arrange rooms for anyone else who needs one, too. We're all classmates, so don't be shy."

Property in Xinghai City cost a fortune. Many of them lived elsewhere and had only come because Zhang Muyü had offered to treat everyone, planning to take the opportunity to do some sightseeing.

Seeing that someone was willing to cover their accommodation, they naturally responded appreciatively, "You're so generous, Xiaoyuan."

Then Zhang Xiaoyuan looked at Gu Nian'an with a smile and asked softly, "What do you think, Nian'an?"

Gu Nian'an merely raised his head slightly, looking bewildered, as though he had not heard what she was saying.

The woman's expression stiffened. Just as she was about to speak, he said,

"Mm, no need. I live in Xinghai City. Someone's coming to pick me up later." With that, he lowered his head and continued eating.

A trace of disdain crossed Wang Jiahui's eyes. He gave a derisive chuckle, as though he had heard something utterly ridiculous. "Where's your place in Xinghai City? Xiaoyuan and I can give you a ride later."

Gu Nian'an waved a hand indifferently and said casually, "No need to trouble yourselves. I live around Jinglin District."

At that, everyone exchanged looks, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Jinglin District was a famous villa district in an excellent location, home to wealthy and powerful people. Money alone could not buy a house there; a certain standing was required as well.

Zhang Xiaoyuan first looked stunned, then scornful. She gave a coy laugh and said, "Nian'an, if you don't want us to give you a ride, don't make up an excuse like that. We're all old classmates. We know one another."

Her words insinuated that he was lying.

Zhang Muyü was also taken aback, but he did not think Gu Nian'an could afford a house there either, taking it merely as an excuse.

He laughed and smoothed things over. "Oh, all right, all right. If he doesn't need a ride, he doesn't need one. Stop dwelling on it."

But Zhang Xiaoyuan kept pressing. "Nian'an, being a celebrity isn't easy for you people. Those who aren't popular can only get pinned to the ground and trampled on. It's really pitiful. I haven't seen you taking on any work lately, either. You might as well change jobs.

You're still young, so you can find some other work. Don't wait until you really have no way out."

Every word sounded as though she was worrying about him, but anyone with eyes could see she was deliberately making things difficult for the young man.

But Zhang Xiaoyuan had just covered everyone's accommodation, and her family also wielded considerable power, so no one spoke up to stop her. They simply watched the spectacle.

A few people felt it was inappropriate, but they did not want to be the first to stick their necks out and offend anyone, so they let her carry on.