Chapter 106: A Photograph

Chapter 106: A Photograph

That evening, Xu Xiangbai organized a game in Huaimi.

Actually, it wasn't really a gathering he organized. It was just a high school classmate named Song Zhi celebrating his birthday. He somehow got back in touch with Xu Xiangbai and extended a grand invitation.

In three years, that person served as Xu Xiangbai's lackey for at least two and a half years. The reason he didn't serve Fu Yanjing was because his temperament was too cold, and people dared not approach him.

He ran errands, copied homework, and provided cover-ups; when necessary, he even took the blame for Xu Xiangbai.

When Xu Xiangbai mentioned it to Fu Yanjing, the reason it evoked Fu Yanjing's impression was truly because that person was so overly loyal and obsequious.

Although she hasn't entered the workforce, she has mastered the ways of the workplace perfectly.

Xu Xiangbai merely let a little sand slip through his fingers, and he was already training him to be a suicide soldier.

Xu's father couldn't stand Xu Xiangbai's idle and irresponsible behavior every day, so he specifically instructed the school to curb Xu Xiangbai's arrogance. As a result, during the flag-raising ceremony on Monday, Xu Xiangbai was forced onto the podium to repent under the national flag in front of all the teachers and students.

What words of repentance could Xu Xiangbai, with his limited vocabulary, utter?

He acted like a complete idiot, shoving his hands into his pockets, and then... (a thousand words omitted here).

Song Zhi took the lead in responding to the call, and the applause was enthusiastic. "Great! It's inspiring and uplifting. I've learned a lot!"

Fu Yanjing, standing next to Song Zhi: ...

Later, Xu Xiangbai's card was suspended for a month, and Song Zhi went home to reflect for a week.

Thanks to Song Zhi, Xu Xiangbai, in order to maintain the young master's high-end consumption, chased after Fu Yanjing and called him godfather for a whole month, regardless of the occasion.

Fu Yanjing was utterly humiliated. "Xu Xiangbai, don't lean on me like a giant baby, or I'll buy you a truckload of diapers."

It's so satisfying to eat food given with contempt. Xu Xiangbai held out his hands reverently, "Please give me cash instead."

*

As a trusted advisor to Xu Xiangbai during his decadent youth, Xu Xiangbai immediately decided to grant him the honor and even upgraded the venue.

The main reason was that he felt the passionate academic discussion at noon had tainted him, and he desperately needed to stimulate his dopamine and adrenaline in this kind of glamorous setting.

He went, fine, but he insisted on dragging Fu Yanjing along.

"Come on, come on, Brother Jing. We've been away from Jiangbei and our alma mater for so many years. Don't you want to see your old classmates?"

He seemed indifferent; he genuinely had no interest.

However, Xu Xiangbai couldn't stand that he did nothing all afternoon but stayed in Fu Yanjing's office, nagging him all the while.

"We're all old classmates, and we haven't seen each other since graduation. Go, go! If you don't go this time, you might never see each other again in your life."

Do you remember that girl in our class who gave you a love letter? She has a child now.

Fu Yanjing could no longer bear it. "Xu Xiangbai, you are very suitable to become a monk. You really know how to chant scriptures."

"That won't do, I haven't seen through the illusions of the world yet."

*

As dusk falls, the city center's night view resembles a spark of starlight scattered in a misty blue hue, with cars and people bustling about amidst the neon lights, showcasing the city's prosperity.

Fu Yanjing's car was parked at the entrance of Huaimi.

The parking attendant respectfully took the car keys that were tossed out from the half-lowered car window. The car door opened, and Fu Yanjing, dressed in a sharp charcoal gray suit, exuded an undeniable air of nobility in every gesture.

Song Zhi waited at the door early in the morning, just to be the first to welcome Xu Xiangbai. When he saw that Fu Yanjing was also with Xu Xiangbai, his eyes widened in surprise.

What incredible luck he had! This little birthday party is enough for him to brag about to his classmates for years to come.

Even after many years, he still maintained the style of the chief steward of internal affairs, "Oh, President Fu, President Xu, it's been so long, I'm so excited I don't know what to say."

As he spoke, he bowed and scraped as he led the people into the private room. He bypassed the waiters, personally pushed open the heavy door, and shouted inside like a great lama: "Everyone, look who's here!"

It instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Most of them were his classmates back then, and some were also Song Zhi's high school classmates, but Fu Yanjing had no recollection of them at all.

When Fu Yanjing transferred to Jiangbei High School, no one knew his true identity, but his face caused quite a stir at the school.

However, judging from Xu Xiangbai's attitude towards Fu Yanjing, who is very famous in the school, everyone can guess that he comes from a wealthy family and they all guess that Fu Yanjing is a distant relative of Xu Xiangbai.

It wasn't until he returned to Hong Kong and gradually took over the family business that he was reported by various media outlets, and everyone was shocked and regretted not having cultivated a good relationship with Fu Yanjing back then.

The big shot was actually by my side back then?

However, Fu Yanjing was cold to everyone and had no enthusiasm for making friends with anyone.

That was true then, and it is true now.

So even though everyone was eager to come over and exchange pleasantries without saying anything, they were deterred by Fu Yanjing's natural aloofness.

The only one who wasn't expelled was Tang Zhenming, a year below Song Zhi.

The project he was in charge of a while ago happened to be with Fu Yanjing's company. The person who was in charge of them was an assistant manager from Hengji, who was arrogant and spoke very rudely.

If it weren't for his connection with Song Zhi, he wouldn't even have had the chance to speak to Fu Yanjing.

Tang Zhenming didn't want to give up this opportunity, so in order to get closer to them, he specially found the only photo of him with Fu Yanjing and Xu Xiangbai from his high school days in his cloud drive.

“Mr. Fu, do you remember me? I am Tang Zhenming. Recently, our company has had a small collaboration with Henderson Land, which may not be of much concern to you.”

Fu Yanjing had no interest in small talk and said coldly, "Sorry, I don't remember."

Tang Zhenming quickly handed over his phone. "Back in high school, Jiangbei No.1 High School held a grade-level ball game, and we played together. Although we lost to your team, you praised my skills."

As he spoke, fearing that he might kill the conversation by not being able to recall Fu Yanjing's impression, he quickly pulled up the photo. "There was a handshake between the two sides at the end of the game. Mr. Xu and Zhou Jichen were both there, and my girlfriend even took a picture of us."

Fu Yanjing glanced around casually.

In the photo, he is wearing a blue and white jersey. The sunset is in full swing, with the vast sky adorned with golden hues. The entire campus is bathed in a rich orange glow, and even the boy himself is imbued with a cool orange light.

Xu Xiangbai and Zhou Jichen stood on the left and right respectively. Fu Yanjing's vague memories came to mind. After the game, although they won a great victory, Xu Xiangbai, the gossip, kept nitpicking and complaining that Zhou Jichen didn't pass him the last ball, causing him to miss the opportunity to show off with a three-pointer.

Zhou Jichen's expression was utterly disgusted. "Have you forgotten that you hit the dean on the head with your three-point shot last time? Do you have to leave yourself with some embarrassing history?"

The camera captured this moment.

Quite interesting. Fu Yanjing's gaze fell more carefully, his eyes sweeping over the edge of the photo. Many girls in school uniforms with ponytails were standing at the edge of the basketball court, holding water bottles and eager to try.

Those youthful faces all seemed to be covered by a blurry filter, except for one face that was perfectly clear in my eyes.

Fu Yanjing's pupils suddenly contracted.

—————

A note from the author:

I really like the storyline for the next few days! I'll write it well!!

See you tomorrow, my wives!

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