Chapter 1 Zhu Xu didn't have a deep impression of He Yanzhou. ...

The car was stuck on Huainan Road for nearly ten minutes. It was rush hour, and the car was moving at a snail's pace.

Zhu Xu glanced at the time; she was about to be late.

Just then, a WeChat message came in. Her friend Jiang Rao asked her how much longer it would take, saying that almost all the classmates had arrived and were just waiting for her.

Zhu Xu pressed the voice recorder button and replied, close to his mouth, "I'm stuck in traffic on Huainan Road. Just two more intersections and turn right."

Today is a high school reunion. It's been over ten years since graduation, and this is the first time she's joined in such a celebration. She hadn't originally planned to attend, but it was organized by Jiang Rao and her husband Liu Chuang; they were both very active members of their class back in school. Jiang Rao had given Zhu Xu a firm order to be there.

Jiang Rao also said in a voice message: "Then don't rush, drive slowly. As long as you come, everyone is waiting for you."

Zhu Xu didn't reply after listening. She waited another five minutes before the convoy in front gradually parted and slowly moved forward. Fifteen minutes later, she drove her car into the parking lot in front of the restaurant. It was too late, so the parking spot was a bit out of the way and somewhat dark.

Jiang Rao was already waiting for her at the door. She turned off the engine, grabbed her bag, and walked over.

Winters in Lincheng are dry and cold, with the relentless north wind whipping at your face, causing a sharp, cutting pain. Zhu Xu pulled his collar tighter, hiding most of his face inside.

Jiang Rao stepped down the stairs to greet her, saying, "Are you cold?"

"Look at the place you chose, it's so congested and hard to drive through."

Jiang Rao put her arm around her as they walked around the revolving door, and said happily, "Couldn't you have asked for an hour or two off and come out a little earlier?"

Zhu Xubai said to her, "The company isn't owned by my family, and you're pushing the rest of the work onto your colleagues."

The two bickered for a while, then were led by the hostess through the hotel lobby, then took the sightseeing elevator to the third floor, where they came out to find themselves facing a full-length mirror.

Zhu Xu went over and touched up her lipstick.

She came from the office, not dressed up specially for today's party, wearing a long white down jacket over a turtleneck sweater and a brown long skirt. It was a very gentle and elegant outfit.

Her hair, which was originally loose, inevitably became a bit frizzy after a day, so she casually tied it into a ponytail while stuck in traffic. She had almost finished her morning makeup, but after touching up her lipstick, and with the change from the extreme cold outside to the extremely warm hotel lobby, she looked quite radiant.

Her entire face was delicate and understated, yet her slightly upturned eyes exuded charm.

Jiang Rao had always been a fan of her looks. Back in school, she had secretly thought that if she were a boy, she would definitely get her. She admired her reflection in the mirror and clicked her tongue, "Isn't this just like when we were in school? How annoying, how can I still see that damn girlishness on your face?"

Zhu Xu threw the lipstick into her bag: "My youth isn't in this, so what does it matter if I'm young or not?"

"Perhaps you are someone else's youth?" Jiang Rao blinked.

Zhu Xu blinked back: "And whose youth are you?"

Jiang Rao nudged her shoulder lightly: "Go away, don't talk nonsense, my Liu Chuang is sitting inside."

The two walked and joked as they arrived at the entrance of Hele Pavilion, where the door panels could no longer block out the lively atmosphere inside.

Jiang Rao, arm in arm with Zhu Xu, pushed open the door, their shouts amplified several times over, but then fell silent upon noticing the commotion at the door. More than thirty pairs of eyes swept over, and after a moment, someone called out Zhu Xu's name, and the private room erupted in noise again, like hot oil poured on food before it was served.

Zhu Xu smiled broadly and apologized repeatedly for being late.

"Goodness, Zhu Xu has become more and more beautiful after all these years!" someone teased. "Being late is no problem, just punish yourself with three drinks first."

"No way, we've been out of school for over ten years now, and Zhu Xu hasn't come to a single class reunion. We should at least have one drink a year, but I'll give you a discount and call it ten drinks."

Someone else said, "Can't you be a little gentler with ladies? No wonder you're still single."

Everyone chatted amongst themselves, some offering drinks, others trying to lure Zhu Xu away for a reunion, but Jiang Rao deflected them all. She led Zhu Xu to find a seat, and as they passed several female classmates, some of whom, being acquaintances, extended their hands to shake Zhu Xu's.

After everyone was seated, Jiang Rao counted the number of people: "Is everyone here? Tell the outside staff to start serving the dishes."

Her husband, Liu Chuang, sat diagonally across from her: "Wait a minute, there are still some people who haven't arrived yet."

Who is it?

The Hele Pavilion can accommodate thirty people, but five more chairs were added this time. At first, everyone was busy getting to know each other and didn't notice. In high school, there were always thirty-four people in the class, and there was still an empty chair next to Liu Chuang.

Everyone looked at each other, racking their brains but unable to figure out who the absent person was.

Liu Chuang looked mysterious and took out his phone to ask the other person where they were.

Jiang Rao leaned closer and asked, "Who is it? Do you know?"

Zhu Xu shook his head. It was already good enough that he could recognize the thirty-odd people in front of him. He was also secretly curious, thinking that if they were more "important" than him, they would have to be punished with at least twenty cups.

Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a man walked in.

Everyone's eyes followed.

The man was dressed in a pure black suit, with a wool coat and scarf draped over his arm. At first glance, he appeared to be tall and upright.

The room fell silent again.

Looking at him again, he was good-looking, with thick eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and a high nose bridge. However, he seemed to have just come from another environment, and his facial expression hadn't changed in time, with a somewhat sharp look in his eyes.

Everyone couldn't recall when this person had ever appeared in the class, and at one point even suspected that he had gone to the wrong room.

Liu Chuang stood up and went to greet him: "You've finally arrived. I was just about to make a phone call."

"Sorry, something came up and I had to get away, and the road was a bit congested." The man leaned forward slightly and took Liu Chuang's outstretched hand.

"I understand, I understand." Liu Chuang introduced He Yanzhou to everyone: "Does anyone remember him?"

No one spoke.

Logically, this situation should have been quite awkward, but he remained remarkably composed, his gaze lingering on each person's face for half a second, like a polite and friendly eye contact during conversation, devoid of any ulterior motive. That half-second of gaze, naturally, did not bypass Zhu Xu.

After a moment, he smiled and said, "No wonder everyone feels unfamiliar with me. I was only here for the first semester of my first year of high school, and then I transferred schools."

Just then, a male classmate slapped his forehead: "I remember now, He Yanzhou! Wasn't that you who took the last shot in the soccer match against Class 3 before the winter break of the first year of high school?"

“Damn, now that you mention it, I remember too,” another male classmate said excitedly. “In that 0-0 game, the goal was scored in the last five minutes. The sports committee member of Class 3 was so angry that his face turned green. That kid has always been very arrogant.”

He Yanzhou joked, "Luckily, there's still some spotlight."

Several male classmates immediately stood up and exchanged pleasantries. However, although He Yanzhou had a smiling face and spoke and acted in a gentle and polite manner, he had a powerful aura that made it difficult for people to get close to him, and no one suggested that he be punished by drinking a penalty drink.

After exchanging business cards with a few classmates who were doing well, we finally sat down and called for the food to be served.

Yang Xiaotong sat to Zhu Xu's left. Back then, she was the only art student in the class. She was sweet-looking and had a flexible figure. Her solo dance at the arts festival made her the focus of the grade, and many boys handed her love letters.

After a round of drinks, Yang Xiaotong leaned forward against the table and softly called out, "He Yanzhou."

He Yanzhou turned his head upon hearing the sound.

Perhaps because she had just drunk some alcohol, her face was slightly flushed: "Do you remember? We used to be deskmates."

He Yanzhou thought about it carefully: "I remember."

"Really?" Yang Xiaotong's eyes lit up with surprise. "Back then, you were really good at math. You often helped me write out the solution steps. Sometimes you were so frustrated by my stupidity that you had to explain it to me yourself."

He didn't recall that, only saying, "Maybe they're young and lack patience."

"It's already very good."

He Yanzhou smiled.

Taking the opportunity, Yang Xiaotong said, "Let's add each other on WeChat later, it'll be easier in the future..."

Zhu Xu was eating his food when he overheard the entire conversation. There were seven or eight classmates between them, including her. His attention was on them, and even if he wasn't looking at her, she couldn't help but feel that he was watching her.

Zhu Xu glanced at He Yanzhou subconsciously, but coincidentally, He Yanzhou's gaze returned to her.

They locked eyes for a couple of seconds, and Zhu Xu awkwardly gave him a slight twitch of her lips as a greeting. Before he could react, she looked away.

At this moment, Jiang Rao leaned close to her ear and whispered, "The guy next to you is really enthusiastic. He was like this back in school, and he hasn't changed at all."

"Right?" Zhu Xu loved listening to Jiang Rao's gossip.

"Definitely. She had only said a few words when she shamelessly asked for my WeChat. You forgot, she was in ambiguous relationships with several boys in our class back then."

Where is your Liu Chuang?

“She wouldn’t even look at that idiot.” Jiang Rao poked her arm and secretly told her to look: “This He Yanzhou who came today must be someone of this caliber.”

Zhu Xu glanced over again, but the man wasn't paying attention; he was talking to the person next to him. He had taken off his suit jacket and tie, unbuttoned his shirt, and held a cigarette between his fingers, unlit. He had switched to a relaxed and casual demeanor, unlike when he entered looking out of place. He seemed like someone who could handle any situation with ease.

The phone vibrated twice on the table, and Zhu Xu looked away.

Liang Haiyang asked her on WeChat where she was.

Her fingers trembled uncontrollably. She took a deep breath and told him only that she was having dinner with Jiang Rao.

Liang Haiyang sent another voice message, saying that he had just finished his work and would come pick her up.

Zhu Xu refused, telling him that he hadn't been drinking and could drive back.

After replying and putting down her phone, she instantly lost her appetite.

Jiang Rao was still talking non-stop beside her: "I'll have to ask Liu Chuang later how he got in touch with this guy. It's so strange, just looking at his clothes and demeanor, he seems different from the guys in our class... How should I put it, he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would attend a class reunion, especially since he's only been in our class for one semester, there's no need for him... Don't you think so?"

Zhu Xu didn't listen carefully: "What is it?"

Jiang Rao felt like she was talking to a brick wall, so she asked something else: "Do you remember this person?"

"I vaguely remember," Zhu Xu said.

After all, many years have passed, and time can cover up many things. Zhu Xu didn't have a deep impression of He Yanzhou.

During that time, the waiter came in and replaced some hot dishes, and we lost count of how many rounds of drinks we had.

As they sipped their drinks, everyone's faces were flushed with intoxication, revealing their true colors.

We've secretly compared our careers, chatted about life, and all that's left is so-called reminiscing. Facing someone I used to have a crush on, someone I was with and then broke up with, all the resentment, disappointment, confusion, and anticipation in my heart surge up all at once.

Men and women, in small groups, holding wine glasses, whispering secrets to each other.

Zhu Xu glanced at the time and decided to leave.

She looked up and saw someone approaching, a wine glass almost hitting her face: "Hey Zhu Xu, let's have a drink. I didn't have the guts back in school, and we haven't been in touch for years. Seeing you today, I...I..."

"What do you mean, 'you'? You'd better shut your big tongue." Jiang Rao joked, blocking the man before Zhu Xu could react.

"Jiang Rao, stop messing around, I'm not... I'm not drunk... I just wanted to talk to Zhu Xu..."

"Stand back a bit before you speak."

"Standing too far away... I can't hear you."

"You're not deaf, step back right now." Jiang Rao pressed her hand against his chest, then turned to Liu Chuang and called out, "Control your people."

Liu Chuang, his face flushed from drinking, was gesturing with a cigarette between his fingers when he heard Jiang Rao pleading for help. He pointed at the person who had come over and said, "Yaozi, come here. Don't go over there and embarrass yourself. Zhu Xu is married. I won't care if her husband comes after you later."

Liu Chuang's voice was deep, and his words could be heard by half the room.

He Yanzhou flicked his cigarette ash, and although he had been looking down, he turned his head to look over as if watching a spectacle.

Yao Zi, that guy, really took advantage of the situation. "So what if we're getting married? It's just a drink. I didn't intend to do anything else... right, Zhu Xu?"

The man reeked of alcohol, which, combined with the undigested food he had eaten, was rapidly fermenting, and when he spoke, a nauseating, pungent odor emanated from him.

Zhu Xu rubbed his nose, feeling disgusted but having to say a few polite words. She moved her chair back, stood up, took the wine he offered, but didn't drink it. Instead, she put it on the table and drank her own tea.

"Oh no...this won't do..."

Zhu Xu laughed and said, "Then what should I do? I don't drink alcohol."

“You’re just fooling me, you’re just fooling me…” He suddenly shouted, “Fine, you drink tea, I’ll drink wine, let’s have a toast…”

The crowd started to jeer.

“Sure.” Zhu Xu readily agreed, but took a bottle of unopened Yanghe from the turntable and said jokingly, “Judging by your drinking capacity, have the whole bottle.”

Everyone started banging on the table and making a ruckus again, urging Yaozi to chug the whole bottle.

Even when drunk, a sliver of reason remains in the mind; if this bottle is poured down, emergency medical assistance will be needed. Yaozi tried to deflect the attack, spouting nonsense.

Zhu Xu exchanged a few more words with him, but in the end, they didn't drink the nuptial wine together, and the other party left looking dejected.

He Yanzhou listened detachedly for a while, then stubbed out his cigarette. He wasn't a heavy smoker; the cigarette was almost finished, and he hadn't taken more than a few puffs. After sitting for a while longer, when it was almost time, he picked up his clothes and prepared to leave.

Liu Chuang wanted to ask his classmates to see him off, but He Yanzhou stopped him. The two of them only talked for a while by the wall before he quietly left. Not long after, a waiter brought in two bottles of Wuliangye liquor, saying that the gentleman had paid the bill earlier, and everyone then realized that this person had left early.

Instead of flaunting his wealth by paying for the gathering, he presented two bottles of fine wine as an apology for leaving early. His actions were appropriate and low-key, and everyone started discussing it, asking Liu Chuang for details.

With others ahead of him having already left, Zhu Xu became even more restless.

She put her phone in her bag, tugged at Jiang Rao, and secretly slipped out of the private room.

Jiang Rao escorted her to the restaurant entrance, gave her a few careful instructions, and then returned.

The night grew deeper, and it seemed the temperature had dropped a few degrees as well.

The cold wind seeps in everywhere, not stopping at the collar and cuffs, but trying to penetrate the internal organs through the pores. The exhaled breath lingers for a moment at the mouth before being blown away by the wind.

Zhu Xu covered his face completely with a scarf and jogged down the steps.

The restaurant was brightly lit in front, but it became increasingly dim as you walked deeper into the parking lot. Zhu Xu was backlit and could see a red dot flickering in the distance. When she got to the car, she saw that a car had been parked next to her BMW sometime earlier.

It was too dark around her; she could only tell it was a Bentley from the four round headlights and the grille, but she didn't know the model. The car's body was a mysterious, glossy black, and in the distance, neon lights cast several colorful shadows on the waistline.

There seemed to be someone in the driver's seat, and the rear window was completely rolled down, with a slender hand resting on it, a wisp of smoke drifting from the fingertips, which was quickly dispersed by the wind.