The gathering ends

Zhang Chi rushed out of the private room about ten minutes ago.

During this time, the atmosphere in the "Top Scholar's Success" private room became somewhat subtle. At first, there was a brief silence, with only the light clinking of bowls and plates and the sound of chewing, but soon, low murmurs spread like ripples on the water.

"What's wrong?"

"You looked so upset just answering the phone..."

"What happened? Is it work-related?"

"Who knows, judging from how smug he was just now..."

Some speculated, some were curious, and some even showed subtle hints of "I knew it" or schadenfreude. After all, not everyone could stand Zhang Chi's previous arrogant and condescending attitude.

Class monitor Liu Hao tried to smooth things over, standing up with his glass in hand and saying, "Everyone, continue, eat and drink well," but to little avail. Zhao Yali was clearly unhappy; she felt Zhang Chi's sudden departure had disrupted her "star-studded" atmosphere, and she muttered to the girl next to her, "What kind of person is he? He has no manners at all, just leaving like that."

Old Mr. Ma simply shook his head slightly, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and glanced at Lin Feng, who was still calmly eating across from him, his eyes filled with thoughtful contemplation.

Lin Feng seemed oblivious to the surrounding chatter. He slowly finished the last bite of his rice, drank half a bowl of soup, and then put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin. The Monkey next to him had long lost its appetite, glancing at the doorway and then at Lin Feng with a gossipy expression that seemed to say, "What's going on?"

Finally, the door to the private room was flung open.

Zhang Chi returned, but his deliberate composure and confidence were completely different from when he left. His face was ashen, his lips were tightly pressed together, and fine beads of sweat could be seen on his forehead. His gold-rimmed Glasses were now askew on his nose, and his eyes were unfocused, revealing an incredulous panic and haste.

He didn't even glance at anyone at the table, ignoring Liu Hao's questioning look. He walked straight to his seat, grabbed the cashmere coat draped over the back of the chair, haphazardly threw it on, then grabbed his phone and the stylish business handbag from the table, and turned to leave. His steps were so hurried that he even knocked over the chair without bothering to catch it.

"Hey! Zhang Chi! You..." Liu Hao stood up, trying to call out to him.

Zhang Chi acted as if he hadn't heard, opening the door without turning around and quickly disappearing into the corridor, leaving only the echoing "bang" of the door closing.

The private room was completely silent for a few seconds, then erupted in uproar.

"What... what happened?"

"Look at them, they look like they've lost their souls."

"Could something have happened at home?"

"It sounds like work-related. Didn't you hear the phone ringing like it was going to kill you just now?"

The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves, completely ruining the atmosphere of the dinner. Liu Hao looked embarrassed and tried his best to maintain the situation. Zhao Yali curled her lip, looking disdainful. "What a spoilsport!"

Old Mr. Ma sighed softly.

Lin Feng picked up the damp towel, wiped his hands again, and then neatly placed the towel back on the bone plate. He glanced at the wall clock; it was almost time.

About half an hour later, the dinner, which had become somewhat lengthy due to various unexpected events, finally came to an end. The waiters began to serve fruit platters.

Class monitor Liu Hao cleared his throat, stood up, and put on a smile again, "Old classmates, it's rare for us to get together today. Did you enjoy the food? I think it's still early, so how about... we move on? I know a new KTV that just opened nearby. The atmosphere is nice, and I've already booked a large private room. Shall we go there and continue our fun?"

Many people echoed and cheered, especially several male classmates who were already flushed from drinking. During the holidays, gatherings, meals, and then karaoke seemed to be the standard procedure.

Lin Feng then stood up.

"I won't be going." His voice wasn't loud, but it sounded clear and calm amidst the noise. "I have something to do, so I'll be going now."

The lively atmosphere froze for a moment, and many eyes turned to him.

The Monkey almost immediately stood up as well. "I'm not going either, Madman, I'll go with you."

Liu Hao's smile froze a little, but he didn't insist on keeping him. "Ah? This... you're leaving so early? Play a little longer!"

"No, thank you, class monitor." Lin Feng but distantly, picked up his down jacket draped over the back of the chair, and put it on.

The two had just stepped out of the private room and hadn't even reached the bottom of the stairs when they heard the rapid clicking of high heels behind them, accompanied by that familiar, sweet yet sharp voice:

"Oh, you're leaving already? Lin Feng, where do you live? It's hard to get a taxi on the street during the New Year. How about... my husband drives you home?"

Zhao Yali, arm in arm with Old Mr. Ma, chased after him, a smile on her face that was feigned concern but actually a boastful one. She slightly raised her chin, her gaze sweeping over Lin Feng's plain down jacket, the meaning of her words couldn't be clearer—showing off her own car and incidentally chiding her old classmate who might need a "ride".

A hint of helplessness flashed across Old Mr. Ma's face. He gently tugged at Zhao Yali, then said to Lin Feng and Monkey in a gentle tone, "Student Lin, Student Hou, it's really hard to get a taxi right now. If it's on our way, we can give you a ride; it's very convenient." His words were sincere, carrying the politeness of an elder.

Lin Feng zipped up his down jacket, turned around, and looked calmly at the couple. He first nodded slightly to Old Mr. Ma before speaking, his voice even:

"No need, thank you Mr. Ma. We drove here."

Did you drive here?

Zhao Yali's smile froze for a moment, a hint of surprise and disbelief flashing in her eyes. She looked Lin Feng up and down, seemingly trying to find evidence of him "driving" (i. e., engaging in sexual activity), or to determine what kind of "driving" he was "driving".

Old Mr. Ma remained expressionless, though a knowing glint flashed in his eyes. He nodded and said, "Alright, be careful on the road."

Lin Feng stepped forward and extended his hand. Old Mr. Ma was slightly surprised, but quickly extended his hand as well and shook hands with him.

The handshake was brief, a fleeting touch followed by an immediate separation.

Lin Feng looked at Old Mr. Ma and spoke in a voice only the three of them could hear, his tone as calm as if he were simply saying that the weather was nice today, yet carrying an indescribable meaning:

"Brother, having such a wife... what a waste of your talent."

After saying that, he stopped looking at Zhao Yali, whose eyes widened and face turned red, nodded to Old Mr. Ma again, turned around, and walked straight down the stairs with Monkey.

"What... what does he mean?! Lin Feng! You stop right there! Explain yourself! What do you mean?!" Zhao Yali was trembling with anger, her voice trembling. She wanted to chase after him to argue, but Old Mr. Ma held her arm firmly.

"Yali! That's enough!" Old Mr. Ma's voice deepened, carrying an unusual sternness.

Zhao Yali, angered and aggrieved by her husband's rebuke, had tears welling in her eyes as she pointed at the disappearing Back View at the stairwell. "He... how dare he talk to me like that?! Who does he think he is! So what if he has a beat-up car? What's he pretending for!"

Old Mr. Ma ignored her tantrum, his gaze still fixed on the stairs. His brow furrowed slightly, he slowly shook his head and muttered to himself, "Your classmate... is no ordinary person."

"What's so special about it?!" Zhao Yali shrieked. "So what if he has a beat-up car? Maybe it's borrowed! Rented! Just trying to put on a show!"

Old Mr. Ma withdrew his gaze, glanced at his wife, his eyes filled with weariness and something deeper. He calmly stated the car model. "A beat-up car? If I'm not mistaken, that newly registered, dark gray Lexus GX parked on the street downstairs... its base price must be close to a million. And that's not a car rental company would have."

Zhao Yali's voice abruptly stopped, as if she had been choked. The anger on her face was instantly replaced by astonishment, and her pupils contracted slightly. A million? Lexus? Lin Feng, the seemingly ordinary man she had always secretly despised and targeted?

But the next second, her strong sense of pride and unwillingness to admit defeat gave her an immediate excuse. She straightened her back, her tone becoming sharp again, yet carrying a barely perceptible lack of confidence:

"Hmph! Who... who knows! Maybe he borrowed it from someone! Or... or maybe it belongs to Lawyer Zhou! Yeah! He works for Lawyer Zhou, and he drives Lawyer Zhou's car to show off! What's so great about that!"

Seeing her struggling to stay upright, Old Mr. Ma didn't say anything more, but simply sighed softly and patted the back of her hand, "Let's go home."

Downstairs, in the cold winter wind.

The Monkey followed Lin Feng to the rugged, matte dark gray GX. Watching Lin Feng unlock it with the Key, the headlights flashed twice and emitted a low "beep" sound, the monkey's mouth gaped open wide enough to fit an egg.

"I... Madman crap! You're insane! This... this is your car?!" The Monkey circled the car, touching the cold, heavy door, his face filled with shock.

"Yeah, I just bought it." Lin Feng opened the car door. "Get in, I'll take you home."

The Monkey, still dazed, climbed into the passenger seat, touching the luxurious interior, and exclaimed in amazement, "A million-dollar luxury car... My God... Why didn't you say so earlier? Look at Zhao Yali's face... Hahaha, so satisfying!"

Lin Feng started the car, the V8 engine emitting a deep and powerful roar that sounded particularly robust on the quiet street. He shifted into Drive, and the car smoothly glided out of the parking space.

"Nothing to say." He looked at the road ahead illuminated by car headlights, his tone indifferent.

As the car passed the entrance of "Gathering Worthies Pavilion", through the car window, you could see Old Mr. Ma helping the still sullen Zhao Yali towards a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan.

Two cars, heading in different directions, silently drove into the deepening twilight on the streets of the winter town.