Ch 39: Class Reunion
I sued those gossipy women in the residential area. I’ve offended quite a few people, so naturally, I can’t live in the old house anymore.
Moreover, it always brought back sad memories. Fearing Jiang Lufang would become depressed and ill, Xiao Yao decided to rent out the house and had Jiang Lufang move into Tan Mansion for two months.
Jiang Lufang always said she was fine and didn’t want to disturb Xiao Yao’s life too much. Xiao Yao knew she couldn’t keep her, so she called Xiao Qiang, asking her to pack up and move out, so she could free up her apartment for her mother.
Since Xiao Jianshan’s passing, Xiao Qiang had been considerate of her emotions, rarely clashing with her, whether at the company or privately. This time, when Xiao Yao asked Xiao Qiang to move, she didn’t hesitate, packing up her things the next day and even hiring a cleaning lady to thoroughly clean the room before returning the key to Xiao Yao.
After the beginning of spring, everything revived, and the weather gradually warmed up.
Xiao Yao resigned from her teaching position at the school. Many reasons led to this decision. Frequent absences led to her being criticized by the principal time and again. Most importantly, it was because of Mu Yang.
He was a very undisciplined person who couldn’t manage his own relationships.
Even though she was already married, he still acted without regard for propriety, intentionally or unintentionally approaching her. Although he wasn’t being ostentatious, the occasional breakfast delivery, and the frequent “accidental” encounters created the impression that something was going on between them, leading many to misunderstand their relationship.
Xiao Yao was well aware of the harm of rumors. Her reputation at the school was already bad, and many people’s sarcasm had moved from private whispers to open displays. She knew that even if she didn’t resign, she would be dismissed sooner or later.
After resigning, Xiao Yao felt completely free.
She took over the bar and learned business management from Manager Zhang. This way, she was closer to her mother, upstairs and downstairs, and could check on her whenever she wanted, reducing her worries.
Time flew by, and May arrived.
There was a three-day holiday for Labor Day, and Xiao Yao received a call from Shang Yu a week beforehand. Shang Yu was Xiao Qiang’s blind date and Xiao Yao’s senior at Yinghui University.
Shang Yu said he wanted to organize a gathering during the holiday. Many classmates from Ying University were working in Beibin City, and he wanted everyone to get together and catch up.
Xiao Yao heard that Luo Li and Zhao Fangyuan would be there. These two were her roommates during her freshman year at Yinghui City, and they were very close at the time. After her accident and subsequent move and transfer, she lost contact with these classmates.
Xiao Yao missed those days and immediately accepted the invitation.
After the pain of losing her father, Xiao Yao was in a state of low spirits and loss of appetite for a long time. She didn’t eat well, didn’t sleep well, and naturally lost weight quickly due to worry and anxiety.
Now, at 170 cm tall, she weighed only 100 kg, having returned to her peak appearance. Coupled with regular yoga and running, her physical condition was excellent.
Zhuang Lingyun is a very warm, considerate, and caring man, and he dotes on her immensely.
No matter how busy he is, he always finds time to accompany her. She never has to worry about the clothes in her walk-in closet. New seasonal items and stylish outfits always appear unexpectedly one morning when she opens the closet door, to her pleasant surprise.
Xiao Yao knows Zhuang Lingyun is very wealthy, but he never spends extravagantly on himself, yet he unconditionally loves and indulges her.
Now, following Zhuang Lingyun’s taste, Xiao Yao’s clothing and temperament are even better than before.
That evening, Xiao Yao wore a one-shoulder, fitted, flowing red dress and black stiletto heels, showcasing her tall and slender figure perfectly.
After dressing up beautifully, Xiao Yao sent a selfie to Zhuang Lingyun, who was working overtime. Driving her Audi sedan, which she had gotten back from Shen Mingzhe, she arrived at the meeting place – Changhe Hotel.
When Xiao Yao arrived, Shang Yu, the organizer of the gathering, and another unfamiliar woman were already there, waiting at the hotel entrance.
Shang Yu smiled and introduced the woman beside him, “This is Shi Hui. You transferred schools in your freshman year, so you might not know all your classmates. Shi Hui was a top student in your year, a campus celebrity. Now she’s a financial director at a foreign company. Impressive, isn’t she!”
Xiao Yao politely nodded and greeted Shi Hui. Shi Hui shook hands with Xiao Yao, “I know you. Although we rarely spoke, you were quite popular at school back then – the campus belle! You were the real campus celebrity, I can’t compare. You look even prettier now than before… I heard you were in a car accident. Was it serious? You don’t look like you were.”
Xiao Yao smiled; her injuries were internal, and the surface fractures had healed long ago, so it wasn’t noticeable.
Shi Hui exclaimed again, “It’s a shame you’re not a star with your looks. Oh, right, I remember there were talent scouts looking for you at school, but you had already transferred by then.”
Xiao Yao felt a little embarrassed. She never considered herself a campus belle; there were many others who were more beautiful and elegant. This title was imposed upon her by others.
Besides, sometimes being pretty isn’t always a good thing. Men often surround you, and even if you do nothing, people assume you are promiscuous.
After some awkward small talk, two more men arrived, both unfamiliar faces.
The two men’s eyes lit up upon seeing Xiao Yao, and they immediately approached her for a long reminiscing session. Xiao Yao became even more embarrassed because she realized she had little in common with them.
It was understandable. After all, she had only attended for one year before transferring. This reunion was indeed awkward for her.
Xiao Yao pulled Shang Yu aside and quietly asked him for Luo Li and Zhao Fangyuan’s phone numbers, so she could contact them separately. It would be better than this forced and awkward situation.
Before Shang Yu could answer, a joyful shout came from a distance, “Xiao Yao!”
“It’s Xiao Yao!”
Xiao Yao followed the sound, and two beautiful figures, arm in arm, ran towards her from afar.
Xiao Yao smiled and immediately went to greet them. The petite girl with short hair on the left was Zhao Fangyuan; the girl with medium-length hair and big eyes, and a loud voice on the right was Luo Li.
Luo Li was about the same height and build as Xiao Yao, and both had medium-length hair. However, Luo Li wore casual clothes, which contrasted with Xiao Yao’s ladylike attire, reflecting her easygoing and friendly personality; she got along with everyone.
After five or six years, seeing each other again, Xiao Yao felt no strangeness at all; she even felt like crying.
Luo Li hugged Xiao Yao first, touching her waist and pinching her buttocks, causing several nearby boys to cheer and whistle.
Xiao Yao blushed, uncomfortably slapping Luo Li’s hands away, “There are so many people watching, stop touching me.”
Zhao Fangyuan rubbed her hands together, looking at Xiao Yao’s chest with suggestive eyes.
“You heartless girl, you’ve been gone for so many years without a word. Now that we finally meet, you won’t let us touch you to get some interest?”
After Zhao Fangyuan finished speaking resentfully, she exchanged glances with Luo Li, and the two surrounded Xiao Yao, touching her.
It was all playful, and nothing excessive. Although she was publicly “groped,” Xiao Yao didn’t get angry or fight back; instead, she turned Luo Li to their side and went to “tease” Zhao Fangyuan together.
Zhao Fangyuan, being short, was quickly bullied by Xiao Yao and Luo Li, crouching on the ground, clutching her chest, laughing and shouting.
This commotion attracted a lot of attention, with almost all the men around looking at the three of them. After realizing this, Luo Li grabbed Zhao Fangyuan’s tousled hair, then grabbed Xiao Yao’s hand, asked Shi Hui which floor the private room was on, and then went upstairs, arm in arm.
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