Hu Lou sent the time and location to Xu Jiaojiao the next day, along with a simple long dress that perfectly suited Xu Jiaojiao's artistic temperament.
The things were brought up by the people in the next dormitory. Before leaving, they teased Xu Jiaojiao. By the time Xu Jiaojiao went downstairs, Hu Lou was already gone.
"Why are there still clothes?" Xu Jiaojiao sent him a message.
"I just think it suits you very well."
"I can't accept this. When are you free? I'll take it to you and return it."
“But I want you to wear this to meet my friend,” Hu Lou said in a voice message, her voice tinged with grievance.
Before Xu Jiaojiao could reply, Hu Lou sent another voice message.
"Besides you, I have no one else to give this dress to. I've already cut off the tag, so I can't return it."
Xu Jiaojiao sighed, looking at the clothes lying quietly in the box and the simple yet elegant invitation next to them, feeling as if she had accidentally stepped into a world she didn't belong in.
"Oh, you're in the dorm? I knew I shouldn't have spent so long fumbling for my keys." Meng Wan pushed open the door and was taken aback when she saw Xu Jiaojiao.
Are you done with your work?
"Mm," Meng Wan replied, placing her bag and keys on the table before turning to look at Xu Jiaojiao.
"What are these? Where are Qingqing and Lin Mi?"
“They both went to the club. I looked at the invitation; there are two copies, one of which is yours, with your name on it.” Xu Jiaojiao handed the invitation to Meng Wan.
Meng Wan opened it and glanced at it. It didn't mention the organizer, but only the purpose of the gathering, the venue, and the start time.
Meng Wan closed the box and pointed to the clothes inside.
"Was this a gift from them?"
Xu Jiaojiao nodded.
"You have good taste; it suits you well."
"Is this... going to be very expensive?" Xu Jiaojiao pushed the box over.
Meng Wan smiled, everything was self-evident.
"Clothes only have value when they are worn. Now that you have become its owner, hold your head high, make the most of them, and show your charm."
Xu Jiaojiao was somewhat envious of Meng Wan's carefree attitude.
When faced with an object, Meng Wan never cares about its value. She has always been self-centered, and she can make the most of anything and highlight its unique charm.
Unlike myself, even the best things will be covered in dust when I'm around.
Thinking about it this way, it's not me who's pitiful, but rather these items that should have had better owners.
"The value of something is determined by its owner, who has it in their own hands." Meng Wan tapped the table lightly with her finger, her words carrying a hidden meaning.
Soon, the day of the gathering arrived.
Because the place was a bit far from the school, Meng Wan specially arranged for a driver to pick them up and drop them off.
Although Lin Mi and Guo Qingqing were envious, they also joked that the two should remember to bring back some high-end desserts from the party, saying they wanted to see how the desserts that rich young men ate were different from theirs.
Meng Wan shook her head and chuckled. She made a phone call, and within half an hour, a high-end dessert was delivered to the two of them.
Lin Mi and Guo Qingqing were satisfied and waved goodbye to the two.
The car's heater was on just the right temperature, neither too hot nor too cold. Xu Jiaojiao sat silently in the back seat, nervously fidgeting with her hands.
In contrast, Meng Wan gives people a relaxed and leisurely feeling. She doesn't deliberately stand up straight, but simply leans back naturally in her chair, which also makes her seem very noble.
"Maybe... we should just forget about it?" Xu Jiaojiao's palms were damp.
"If you and your boss attend a more upscale party in the future, will you also ask your boss to cancel the party and take you home because you're nervous?"
Meng Wan looked at Xu Jiaojiao, her eyes showing no mockery or disdain, only calmness and a faint doubt.
“It’s different…” Xu Jiaojiao retorted softly.
"How is it different?" Meng Wan asked back.
"They are all young masters and ladies from wealthy and noble families."
"But Jiaojiao, have you ever thought that you will meet even more people who are rich and powerful in the future? In this city, there is no shortage of rich people. You are in a prestigious university, and you were able to get a prestigious internship offer in your freshman year based on your own strength. All signs indicate that you have begun to slowly come into contact with people in this circle."
Meng Wan's voice had a unique sense of calm in the car, and people were unconsciously led by her.
"You always say you're not good enough, that you and this circle are from two different worlds. So what's the point of your efforts to leave the countryside, to get into university, and to participate in various clubs and competitions? Is it to go back to the countryside and settle down as a Voldemort, or to be a regular 9-to-5 worker in this city who will never save any money?"
Xu Jiaojiao opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything.
"Your starting point wasn't good, but where do you want to end up?"
"I..." Xu Jiaojiao's pupils trembled slightly, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.
"If you're a little slow when ordering, and the waiter gives you a dirty look, you might feel it's your fault and make excuses for her. But as a service industry worker, she has to maintain her professionalism while she's on duty. She could help you analyze which set meal is better when you're undecided, thus helping you make a decision faster, instead of giving you a dirty look."
"Jiaojiao, don't keep belittling yourself. If you don't respect yourself, you won't earn the respect of others."
Meng Wan stared into Xu Jiaojiao's eyes. Xu Jiaojiao tried to look away, but it was as if she was trapped in Meng Wan's pupils, unable to escape.
"Jiaojiao, you've gotten this far through your own abilities and met all sorts of different people. These people can all become your network, including me! If you want to go higher and further, these people are the stepping stones for you to climb."
Xu Jiaojiao swallowed and nodded unconsciously under Meng Wan's gaze.
She hadn't expected Meng Wan to be so blunt, yet deep down she felt a secret joy.
A sense of pleasure from being affirmed and firmly believed in made her unconsciously raise her chin.
Even Xu Jiaojiao herself didn't realize that there was hope for the future in her eyes, as if she could already see herself succeeding.
"Wanwan, thank you."
As soon as Xu Jiaojiao finished speaking, the car came to a smooth stop in front of the extremely luxurious-looking hotel. The driver opened the door for them, and the two got out one after the other.
"Straighten your back, okay?" Meng Wan patted Xu Jiaojiao's shoulder.
"I understand." Xu Jiaojiao took a deep breath, straightened her back, and no longer kept her head down as before.
Yes, she believed that after tonight, she would still be Xu Jiaojiao, but she would never again be the timid and cowardly Xu Jiaojiao.
She wiped the sweat from her palms and followed Meng Wan, standing tall and proud towards a place that, in her past self, had never considered to belong to her.
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