I rolled my eyes at them without any politeness: "The banquet is organized by college. Xu Qianning, can't you read?"

"When Senior Gu ran into me, he asked where I was. I was just doing a good deed, so why did you yell at me?" Xu Qianning turned her head sarcastically.

Gu Yanqing stared at me and said in a low voice, "I came to see you and also to say hello to my old classmates. After all, we were so close back then."

Gu Yanqing's words were pointed.

Back then, everyone knew about my love for him. Later, when he fell ill, I stayed by his side and never abandoned him, which became a popular story on campus.

The students in our department are all on the front row, watching the drama unfold; we really know each other well.

Before I could even finish speaking, Xu Qianning interrupted, "Aren't you two a couple? Why are you acting so distant? Jiang Wan, back then you loved Senior Gu so passionately, you were willing to risk your life for him."

I gave Xu Qianning a cold look and said sarcastically, "I think you've lost all sense of shame now. That's right—your face now is not the same as your face back then."

"Jiang Wan, what do you mean!" Xu Qianning's face instantly darkened, her voice low but her aura strong.

Chen Wanzhen retorted directly: "It's exactly what I said! What do you care if they're a couple or not? What's it to you? Back then, you couldn't compare to Jiang Wan, and you were so jealous that you were unrecognizable. You still can't let it go now, and you're always finding fault with her. You're making a fool of yourself!"

"Chen Wanzhen, what right do you have to interfere in my affairs with Jiang Wan?"

"I saw injustice on the road."

Seeing that an argument was about to break out, Gu Yanqing quickly raised his hand: "Everyone, please say less. I came here to see my old classmates and catch up. After all, you have all witnessed my relationship with Jiang Wan, and I am very grateful. Please don't let my appearance spoil everyone's fun, or I would be in a terrible mood."

“Senior Gu, you and Jiang Wan…you two—” An old classmate’s expression was subtle, his eyes shifting between me and him.

Gu Yanqing was about to speak when I spoke first: "I'm already divorced from him. Please stop spreading rumors, everyone."

"What?" Xu Qianning's expression froze. "You two got divorced? Really divorced? You were so in love back then, you were campus lovers..."

I rolled my eyes at Xu Qianning. "You're so concerned, do you like him?"

"Tch! A sickly fellow, I'm not blind."

Xu Qianning blurted out, causing Gu Yanqing's face to stiffen and his face to be completely humiliated.

The atmosphere at the dinner table immediately became awkward.

Xu Qianning realized that her bluntness had offended someone, so she put on a smiling face and said, "Senior Gu, I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, I just—"

Before she could finish speaking, Gu Yanqing stood up, looked at me, and said, "Xiao Wan, I'll take you home after this is over." He was clearly angry and didn't want to stay any longer.

My face scrunched up in disbelief; I hadn't expected him to persist.

"No need, I can manage on my own..."

Before I could finish speaking, another voice came from behind me: "Jiang Wan."

The familiar, gentle tone of his voice made my ears twitch. I turned around and saw Su Shenglin standing behind me.

My mind went blank. I didn't understand why he came over. We weren't from the same college, and we were even "different in seniority".

Upon seeing him, Xu Qianning's face instantly lit up with infatuation. She immediately stood up and exclaimed in delight, "Mr. Su?! Mr. Su, I am Xu Qianning, the eldest daughter of the Xu family. My grandmother and you—"

Before she could finish speaking, Su Shenglin raised his hand and politely interrupted, "Excuse me, I'm looking for Jiang Wan."

After saying that, he nodded slightly to the people at our table as a greeting, then looked at me and beckoned: "Jiang Wan, come here, the school leaders want to see you."

Looking at his face and listening to his voice, I felt like a puppet being manipulated, unconditionally obeying and submitting—I stood up and followed him.

I vaguely heard gasps and murmurs of surprise behind me.

"Isn't that the distinguished alumnus who just spoke? The one who donated 1.5 billion!"

"My God! He knows Jiang Wan, what's their relationship?"

"Ahhh—that senior is even more handsome up close! Tall and handsome! He's the most handsome man I've ever seen in real life!"

I couldn't hear what they said after that as I walked further away.

Then, his thoughts were drawn to Su Shenglin.

He led me toward the front, near the stage, and explained, “I was sitting with the school leaders, and they were just saying that your fashion design department will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year. The department is planning to hold the first ‘Science, Art and Fashion’ Festival and will be doing a series of academic and cultural exchanges. I just thought of you, so the school leaders asked me to call you here to chat and come up with some ideas.”

Upon hearing this, my mind instantly cleared, and I turned and ran: "No, no, no, I can't do it—"

But Su Shenglin grabbed me and said with a laugh, "What are you afraid of? The school leaders aren't going to eat you."

"No, my mind is blank, I have no ideas."

I know the school leaders aren't ruthless, but how should I put it? I can be at odds with the Jiang family, I can clash with Gu Yanqing, and I can fight Xu Qianning to the death—but I'm born with a deep respect for teachers, and even more so for the school leaders.

Asking me to sit down for a meal with so many school leaders and express my opinions and views is no less difficult than taking the college entrance exam again.

But no matter how much I refused, Su Shenglin just wouldn't let go.

He even put his arm around my shoulder and practically carried me over.

"Don't worry, I'll cover for you. Feel free to say whatever comes to mind." Su Shenglin still pulled me to the table with the school leaders.

There was no other way but to bite the bullet and go for it.

After bowing respectfully to the group of school leaders, a hostess brought over an extra chair, and I sat down next to Su Shenglin.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!