Class reunion
On a weekend morning, sunlight, like melting honey, slowly streamed into the bedroom.
Xu Ying was awakened by a slight vibration. She groggily reached for her phone, and just as her fingertips touched the screen, an arm reached out from behind and wrapped around her waist.
"Sleep a little longer." Zong Heng's voice was low and hoarse from the early morning, and he nuzzled her head with his chin.
Xu Ying tried to break free, but couldn't, so she could only smile helplessly: "You're pressing on my hair."
Zong Heng clicked his tongue and reluctantly let go, but then pulled her closer to him. Xu Ying took the opportunity to pick up her phone, unlock the screen, and saw that the unread messages in the class group chat had already piled up to 99+.
She casually clicked on it, and the latest message was from the class monitor tagging all members: 【Next Saturday at 6 PM, Nangang Hotel, 10-year class reunion, everyone who can come, please come!】
Below was a long string of "Received," and Xu Ying's finger paused on the screen for a few seconds.
"What are you looking at?" Zong Heng had opened his eyes at some point and was staring at her phone screen.
"A class reunion." Xu Ying turned to the side and handed him her phone. "It was organized by the class monitor. It's been ten years."
Zong Heng glanced at them and chuckled, "These people are quite idle."
Xu Ying didn't reply, but simply swiped the screen, looking at those familiar yet unfamiliar names. Ten years had passed; some had married and had children, some had settled abroad, and some, like her and Zong Heng, had gone through twists and turns, but ultimately returned to each other's side.
Zong Heng propped himself up, leaning against the headboard, and casually pulled Xu Ying closer to him.
"Want to go?" he asked.
Xu Ying hesitated for a moment: "What about you?"
Zong Heng raised an eyebrow: "What, are you afraid I'm ashamed to be seen by others?"
Xu Ying chuckled and reached out to pinch his cheek: "I'm afraid that if you go, people will treat you like a monkey again."
After all, Zong Heng was a legendary figure at No. 1 High School back then. He was a school bully who skipped classes and got into fights, yet his grades consistently ranked in the top ten of the grade. Coupled with his attractive face, he was the center of attention wherever he went.
Zong Heng chuckled softly, leaning close to her ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe: "That's perfect, let them see that the Monkey King is now taken."
Xu Ying's ears burned, and she pushed him away: "Stop fooling around."
Zong Heng, however, wouldn't let her off the hook. He gently stroked her wedding ring with his fingers and said lazily, "Speaking of which, weren't there people in our class who bet that we'd break up after graduation?"
Xu Ying was taken aback, then remembered that at their high school graduation party, someone had indeed joked, "If Zong Heng and Xu Ying can survive a long-distance relationship, I'll eat my keyboard on live stream."
She couldn't help but laugh: "You still remember?"
Zong Heng snorted: "I haven't forgotten a single thing about you."
Xu Ying turned over to face him: "So, are we going or not?"
Zong Heng stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out and pinched her chin, gently shaking it: "Go, why won't you go?"
Xu Ying blinked: "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure." Zong Heng released his hand, his tone casual, but his eyes held a hint of certainty. "Let them see who won and who lost the bet from back then."
Xu Ying couldn't help but laugh: "How can you be so childish?"
Zong Heng remained noncommittal, but suddenly leaned closer and lightly pecked her lips: "Get up, didn't we agree to take the kids to the amusement park today?"
Xu Ying then remembered today's arrangements and quickly sat up: "I almost forgot, go and wake them up."
Zong Heng slowly lifted the covers, took a long stride off the bed, and glanced back at her as he reached the door: "Remember to tell the class monitor that we're both going to the class reunion."
Xu Ying nodded and replied to a message in the group chat.
When Zong Qing and Zong Ye stood at the bedroom door, rubbing their eyes, Xu Ying had already changed her clothes.
"Mommy, Daddy said we're going to the amusement park today," the little girl said in her childish voice, clutching her favorite rabbit doll.
Xu Ying squatted down, smoothed her daughter's hair, and kissed her son's cheek: "Yes, Qingqing, do you want to go?"
Qingqing nodded vigorously, then suddenly asked, "Mom, what were you laughing at just now?"
Xu Ying was taken aback: "Huh?"
"You were smiling the whole time you were talking to your dad." Qingqing tilted her head, looking innocent.
Xu Ying couldn't help but laugh again, picked up her daughter and walked out: "Because Mom remembered things from the past."
"What's wrong?" Xiao Ye blinked her big eyes.
"It was... a long time ago, when Dad and Mom were still in school."
Qingqing nodded as if she understood, then her eyes suddenly lit up: "So, are you also deskmates like Xiaoyu and me?"
Xu Ying couldn't help but laugh: "Yes, we are deskmates."
Zong Heng poked his head out of the kitchen, holding a fried egg in his hand: "What are you talking about?"
Qingqing waved her little hands excitedly: "Daddy! Mommy said you two used to be deskmates!"
Xiao Ye sipped her milk, swinging her legs, and asked, "Is she my deskmate with whom I study?"
Zong Heng raised an eyebrow, looked at Xu Ying, and smiled: "Hmm, still the kind of... particularly disobedient deskmate."
Xu Ying glared at him, but Zong Heng laughed even more unrestrainedly, walked over and kissed Qingqing on the cheek: "Let's go, babies, Daddy will take you on the carousel today."
Qingqing cheered and slid off Xu Ying's arms, skipping and jumping as she ran to change her shoes.
Xu Ying stood there, watching the three of them making a ruckus. Suddenly, she felt that the boy who had grabbed her wrist in the classroom ten years ago and the man now wearing an apron and frying eggs had overlapped.
Time has changed so much, but some things have remained unchanged.
Xu Ying stood at the hotel entrance, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the thin chain bracelet on her wrist.
"Nervous?" Zong Heng chuckled softly in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe.
She turned her head and glared at him: "Who's nervous?"
He raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on her slightly reddened ear tips for two seconds, and smiled meaningfully: "Okay, don't be nervous."
People came and went at the hotel entrance, occasionally casting curious glances—the man was tall and imposing, his black shirt accentuating his sharp shoulders, the cuffs casually rolled up to reveal a discreet yet expensive watch on his wrist. Beside him, the woman wore a simple white dress, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her features gentle, yet somehow imbued with an unapproachable aura due to the presence of her companion.
"Zong Heng!"
A loud and clear shout came from the direction of the revolving door.
Before Xu Ying could react, a slightly overweight man rushed over and punched Zong Heng on the shoulder: "Holy crap! It really is you?!"
Zong Heng narrowed his eyes, sized the other person up for two seconds, and suddenly sneered: "Sports Committee? How many months pregnant are you?"
"Get lost!" the sports committee member laughed and scolded, then looked at Xu Ying, his eyes lighting up. "Xu Ying? It really is you! You haven't changed a bit!"
Xu Ying smiled and nodded, but before she could speak, her waist suddenly tightened—Zong Heng's arm had already wrapped around her, and he said lazily, "Call me sister-in-law."
The sports committee member was stunned for a moment, then exaggeratedly clutched his chest: "I'm heartbroken! So many boys in our class had a crush on Xu Ying back then!"
Zong Heng sneered: "Just say you want to die."
As soon as the door to the private room was pushed open, the noisy conversation and laughter instantly fell silent.
A dozen pairs of eyes turned to look at them simultaneously. The air froze for two seconds, then erupted in a chorus of gasps—
"Holy crap! Zong Heng?!"
"Xu Ying is here too?!"
"They actually came together?!"
The health committee member was the first to react, rushing over to pat Zong Heng on the back: "Wow! You're still so handsome after ten years!"
Zong Heng smiled and said, "You've gone bald."
Health Committee Member: "..."
Xu Ying suppressed a laugh and gently pinched Zong Heng's hand, earning him an innocent look in return.
After taking her seat, Xu Ying could clearly feel the gazes coming from all directions—curious, gossipy, and even somewhat incredulous.
The arts and literature committee member leaned over and whispered, "Xu Ying, you two... are still together?"
Before she could answer, Zong Heng casually popped a piece of fruit into her mouth, glancing at the literature and art committee member as he did so: "What, surprised?"
The arts committee member chuckled awkwardly: "No... it's just that I heard after you went abroad..."
"What did you hear?" Zong Heng's tone turned cold.
Xu Ying pressed his hand under the table and took over the conversation with a smile: "We met again in China later."
The class monitor sighed, "What a coincidence! When you transferred here, who would have thought you'd be the one to win over our school bully?"
The sports committee member chimed in, "That's right! Zong Heng was so arrogant back then, skipping classes and getting into fights, but he became as well-behaved as a mule in front of Xu Ying!"
Zong Heng sneered: "Are you itching for a beating?"
The crowd burst into laughter, and the atmosphere became lively, but Xu Ying could still hear fragmented whispers—
"They actually got married?"
"Didn't Chuan Zongheng dump her when he went abroad back then?"
"Who knows? Maybe they got back together later..."
Zong Heng suddenly stood up.
The private room fell silent instantly.
He picked up the teapot, slowly poured Xu Ying a cup of hot tea, then lifted his eyelids and glanced at everyone: "If you have any questions, just ask me."
The air condensed.
Xu Ying kicked him under the table and laughed as she tried to smooth things over: "Everyone, just ignore him, he's going through menopause."
Zong Heng: "?"
Everyone burst into laughter again, and the class monitor quickly raised his glass: "Come on, let's toast to our reunion after ten years!"
After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation gradually turned to their high school days.
The arts and literature committee member, his cheeks flushed from drinking, suddenly pointed at Zong Heng and laughed, "Do you guys remember the second-year sports meet? Xu Ying ran the 3,000 meters, and Zong Heng was waiting for her at the finish line. As a result, he got caught by the principal and scolded for half an hour!"
The sports committee member slammed his fist on the table and burst into laughter: "I remember, I remember! The director asked him why he left the audience seats without permission, and guess what he said?"
The crowd jeered, "What did you say?"
The sports commissioner, mimicking Zong Heng's tone from back then, said in a high-pitched voice, "'My wife is exhausted, what's wrong with taking over for her?'"
The whole private room burst into laughter.
Xu Ying's ears burned, but Zong Heng remained unfazed, even lazily adding, "Has that old man retired yet? I'd like to thank him."
"What are you thanking him for?" the class monitor asked curiously.
Zong Heng smiled and said, "If he hadn't stopped me, I would have kissed him at the finish line back then."
Xu Ying choked abruptly, and Zong Heng patted her back, blinking innocently, "Tell the truth."
The crowd cheered even louder.
The sports committee member suddenly exclaimed, "That's wonderful... Ten years have passed, and you two are still together."
The private room fell silent for a moment.
Xu Ying looked up and met countless complex gazes—some envious, some sentimental, and some unable to hide their sighs.
She lowered her eyes and gently took Zong Heng's hand.
His palms were warm and dry, and he gripped her hand even tighter in return.
Halfway through the party, Xu Ying got up to go to the restroom.
The corridor was dimly lit. She had just turned the corner when someone suddenly called out to her—
"Xu Ying".
She turned around and saw her former class monitor, now dressed in a suit and tie, looking every bit the elite.
"Long time no see." The other person smiled and handed over a business card. "I heard you're an independent designer now? I work in investment banking. We can collaborate sometime."
She politely accepted the business card and was about to speak when a chilling voice suddenly came from behind her—
"What kind of cooperation?"
Zong Heng appeared behind her without her noticing, his arm naturally encircling her waist. His gaze fell on the class monitor, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Having a pleasant chat with my wife?"
The class monitor's expression froze, and he forced a laugh, saying, "It was just a reunion..."
Zong Heng raised an eyebrow: "Do we need to exchange business cards to catch up?"
Xu Ying secretly pinched him, then smiled at the class monitor: "Let's talk again sometime."
The other party felt as if they had been granted a pardon and quickly made their escape.
Zong Heng snorted coldly: "You run fast, don't you?"
Xu Ying asked helplessly, "What are you doing?"
He lowered his head and bit her ear: "He sent you love letters back in high school, do you think I've forgotten?"
She exclaimed in surprise, "You even remember this?"
He pinched her cheek: "I haven't forgotten a single thing about you."
The corridor lights were soft, and his features were as deep as those of the rebellious young man he once was, only his eyes held a touch more composure and gentleness.
Xu Ying suddenly felt a pang of tenderness and whispered, "Let's go home."
He raised an eyebrow: "Aren't you going to keep listening to their gossip about us?"
She laughed: "I've heard enough."
Zong Heng lowered his head and kissed the top of her head: "Okay, let's go home."
A cool night breeze blew, and Xu Ying pulled her coat tighter around herself as she stood at the hotel entrance waiting for her designated driver. Zong Heng stood behind her, his tall figure casting her entirely in shadow.
"Are you cold?" he asked in a low voice, casually draping his suit jacket over her shoulders.
She shook her head. "It's alright."
He clicked his tongue and pulled her into his arms. "What are you trying to prove?"
Xu Ying didn't struggle. She leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and suddenly felt a little dazed.
Ten years have passed.
From high school to now, they've actually made it this far.
"What are you spacing out for?" Zong Heng pinched the back of her neck.
Xu Ying looked up at him. In the night, his features were still sharp, but the fierceness in his eyes had long since faded, replaced by the composure unique to a mature man.
"I'm thinking..." she whispered, "what would we be like now if you hadn't come back to find me back then?"
Zong Heng's eyes darkened, and his arms tightened. "There are no ifs."
She laughed, "It's just a hypothetical situation."
"What nonsense." He lowered his head and bit her ear. "Even if I die, I'll crawl back to find you."
Xu Ying felt a surge of warmth in her heart and was about to speak when the designated driver's car slowly pulled up in front of her.
A faint smell of alcohol filled the carriage. Zong Heng had drunk quite a bit and closed his eyes to rest after getting on the train, but he kept his hand tightly gripping Xu Ying's fingers, as if afraid she would run away.
Xu Ying turned her head to look at him and couldn't help but gently trace his brow bone with her fingertips.
He suddenly spoke up: "If you touch it again, something bad will happen."
She immediately withdrew her hand. "Pretending to be asleep?"
Zong Heng opened his eyes, his dark pupils slightly glazed with intoxication, yet exceptionally bright. He pulled her into his arms, buried his face in the crook of her neck, and said in a muffled voice, "My head hurts."
Helpless, Xu Ying raised her hand to rub his temples, saying, "I told you to drink less."
“They forced me to drink,” he said matter-of-factly.
"You won't refuse?"
"Happy," he mumbled.
Xu Ying was taken aback, then realized—he was genuinely happy.
In high school, Zong Heng was a loner, with almost no friends except for her. But today, his former classmates surrounded him, drinking and chatting, without any distance or fear, just like old friends reuniting.
Her heart softened, and she gently hugged him, "Zongheng."
"Um?"
“I’m very happy too.”
He chuckled softly, then looked up and kissed the top of her head.
As soon as Xu Ying entered the room and changed into her slippers, Zong Heng picked her up and carried her in his arms.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, "Put me down!"
"I won't let go." He strode towards the bedroom. "Ten years. I have to celebrate properly."
Xu Ying was both amused and exasperated. "You've had too much to drink!"
"I didn't drink too much." He threw her onto the bed, then pressed down on her, his hot breath brushing against her ear. "Xu Ying."
"Um?"
"They all said today that they never thought we would get this far."
She looked into his deep eyes and whispered, "And what about you?"
Zong Heng lowered his head and kissed her, his voice hoarse: "I've never doubted it."
From teenagers to their twenties, from school uniforms to wedding dresses.
He never let go of her hand.
Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, and Xu Ying groggily opened her eyes to find that Zong Heng was already awake, propping his head up and looking at her.
"What are you looking at?" she asked, her voice slightly hoarse.
"Look at you." He reached out and brushed the stray hairs from her cheek. "My wife is so beautiful."
Xu Ying's face flushed. "So cheesy."
Zong Heng chuckled softly and suddenly asked, "Are you going to the next class reunion?"
She thought for a moment, then nodded, "Okay."
"Why?"
“Because…” she leaned closer to him, a smile playing on her lips, “I want them to know, not just ten years, but twenty years from now, Xu Ying—”
"Still by Zong Heng's side."
His eyes darkened, and he rolled over and pinned her down. "Say it again."
Xu Ying laughed and dodged him, "I won't tell!"
"Will you tell me or not?"
"No—ah! Zong Heng, you bastard!"
In the morning light, their laughter mingled together.
The wedding ring on the bedside table gleamed in the sunlight.
Zong Heng lowered his head and kissed the top of her head. In the dim morning light, he remembered what his old homeroom teacher had said at the gathering:
How many decades does one have in a lifetime? To be able to hold the same person's hand and walk through youth is an immense blessing.
Xu Ying stirred in his arms, unconsciously nuzzling his chin. Zong Heng tightened his arms, suddenly feeling—
All those missed letters, those tears shed in the dead of night, and those longings across the ocean all found their answers in this moment.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
