Chapter 37 Chapter 37 One more day and...
The class reunion was the next day. That night, Lin Wan thought about the topic she accidentally overheard several old classmates talking about in the department store that day, and fell into deep thought.
It was obvious that someone was gossiping outside, targeting him, and also cursing Fu Xiuhuai, a stranger to him.
Thinking of the proposal for this class reunion, Lin Wan prepared to ask Fu Xiuhuai after he finished his call and went upstairs.
"Do you have anything to do tomorrow?" Lin Wan rarely asked about Fu Xiuhuai's whereabouts. After all, he was busy with business, and he always reported his itinerary to the authorities, so Lin Wan didn't have time to worry about it.
Fu Xiuhuai was obviously a little surprised and quickly recalled his schedule for tomorrow: "Nothing in the morning, but I have a meeting and dinner in the afternoon, both about construction and decoration."
Lin Wan blinked: "Oh, then you are busy."
Fu Xiuhuai heard some hidden meaning: "Something? Tomorrow afternoon..."
"No." Lin Wan smiled. "I have a class reunion tomorrow afternoon. I was planning to leave Doudou with you, but now I have to trouble my parents."
Fu Xiuhuai stared at Lin Wan for a few seconds and said, "Yeah."
Jiangcheng was at the end of winter, the weather was gradually warming up, and the warm sunshine was pouring down. Lin Wan was wearing a thin blue cashmere coat with a white embroidered white shirt underneath. There was a circle of fine lace on the collar and cuffs, which highlighted her graceful and elegant temperament.
He took a bus to the bus stop a few hundred meters away from the Jinzhuang Hotel to meet He Qiumei, and the two walked towards the hotel hand in hand.
There were two large round tables in the largest private room of the Jinzhuang Hotel, one of which could seat fifteen people. There were a total of twenty-three people attending the class reunion, and six family members. Except for the classmates who were too far away to come, almost the entire class was present.
Lin Wan hasn't seen most of her classmates for almost a year. The last time they met, they were still young and naive students at the beginning of their senior year, but now they have changed a lot.
Those who work work, those who do business do business, those who fall in love, those who get married, those who have children... everyone's life is moving forward.
"Lin Wan, long time no see! How come you're even prettier than when you were in school?"
"I heard you gave birth to a baby? Why didn't you bring it out for me to see?"
Lin Wan smiled politely: "The child is too young. If he is brought out, this party will become a party to coax the child."
The old classmates all smiled and started greeting each other.
Lin Wan and He Qiumei arrived ten minutes before the agreed time. Some classmates had not arrived yet. Among the last few people to come in were the three people they met in the department store the day before.
He Qiumei still held a grudge in her heart. Seeing that Song Qiangbing and the others were not in a good mood, she just turned her eyes away indifferently. Instead, Lin Wan beside her...actually took the initiative to greet them.
"Duan Juan, Yang Zhenzhen, Song Qiangbing." Lin Wan's smile was beautiful and friendly, like the bright sunshine in winter, without any aggression. "Hello again."
Wang Kai, the squad leader beside him, felt something was wrong when he heard this and asked, "Why, did you guys get together privately not long ago?"
Lin Wan is polite to everyone in the class and never makes enemies, but everyone knows that the only person she has a really good relationship with is He Qiumei.
When the squad leader said this, Duan Juan and Yang Zhenzhen's faces froze. They never expected that Lin Wan would take the initiative to bring up this matter.
Song Qiangbing pursed his lips and turned a blind eye: "We met on the street, it wasn't a private gathering."
Wang Kai suddenly realized: "That's what I'm saying. You guys shouldn't have such a good relationship with Lin Wan."
There are always close and distant relationships in a class. After sitting down, Song Qiangbing chatted with other classmates, asking about their recent situation, and then turned around and talked to Duan Juan and Yang Zhenzhen.
He Qiumei was now looking at everyone with displeasure: "Maybe it's Song Qiangbing who's saying bad things about you."
He Qiumei lowered her voice and leaned close to Lin Wan to whisper.
Lin Wan watched the last few classmates who arrived take their seats and talk to Song Qiangbing, looking like good brothers. Until Qin Xuan, the shyest boy in the class, arrived, Song Qiangbing came forward and whispered to him. Lin Wan seemed to be thinking about something.
Each student paid 30 yuan as activity funds for tonight's dinner and karaoke room consumption, and the delicious dishes from Jinzhuang Hotel were brought up one by one, soon covering the table.
Pairs of chopsticks were busy, wine glasses and drink cups were clinking, and the atmosphere was very lively.
The last time He Qiumei came back to Jinzhuang was to attend Lin Wan's wedding banquet. The food in Jinzhuang tastes good and has long been famous in Jiangcheng. This time, she couldn't help but sigh that classmates also choose the place for a reunion.
However, for one person to pay thirty is really a big deal. If one has a good salary, one would be reluctant to do so.
While eating, He Qiumei chatted with the classmates around her from time to time, but during the meal she heard Lin Wan, who was always low-key, take the initiative to talk about private matters.
"I've been here before. I held my wedding banquet here." Lin Wan took a bite of the braised pork and chewed slowly, her eyes lightly sweeping over the people opposite her.
"I heard that it's very difficult to get a queue for wedding banquets and birthday banquets at Jinzhuang Hotel. They have to select the guests, and ordinary people don't even get a chance!"
"Lin Wan, your marriage is incredible."
"My son, a section chief at my workplace, is getting married and wants to book a wedding banquet at Jinzhuang, but he can't get one at all."
"By the way, Lin Wan, who is your husband? Look, everyone here has their partners and families with them. Why are you here alone?"
There were curious students and students who had heard some rumors earlier, and now they all started talking about it.
"It's not that mysterious." Lin Wan's gaze fell on a certain place across from her, and she smiled. "Song Qiangbing, Duan Juan, and Yang Zhenzhen all know about it, right?"
Song Qiangbing and the other two were named and were stunned for a moment. They couldn't believe it. How could Lin Wan say such things in public!
In addition, there was another person whose expression was a little stiff.
Lin Wan didn't mention it any more. The class reunion dinner lasted nearly three hours. At 7:30 in the evening, everyone went to the karaoke room. They always had to have some entertainment to make the most of their youth.
When I was in college, there were many class gatherings, but not many of them could be held in karaoke halls. Occasionally, a few people would come, but there had never been a gathering of so many people.
Four booths were booked, and the students each sat on one side, ordering beer, whiskey, red wine, drinks, and various melon seeds, peanuts, and candies... Before long, the glass table in the center of the booth was full.
Nearly a year is neither long nor short, but it is enough to make a lot of changes for students who are transitioning from university to society.
He Qiumei sipped her drink and muttered to Lin Wan, "Look at Wang Jun, how skilled he is at smoking. Why didn't I see him smoking like this when I was in school?"
"And Wei Liang, he used to be a lively guy, but now he speaks in a slick way. He's really been tainted in the workplace."
Lin Wan picked up a piece of fruit with a toothpick and fed it to He Qiumei: "You really have a sharp eye. No one can escape."
"That's right." He Qiumei sighed. Time brings a lot of changes to people, and no one can stop it.
After drinking, people went to the bathroom from time to time. Back and forth, the crowd surged. Lin Wan caught a glimpse of a thin figure leaving his seat and whispered to He Qiumei, "I'm going to the bathroom."
At that time, He Qiumei was chatting with an old classmate. Upon hearing this, she subconsciously asked, "Can I accompany you?"
"No, you guys chat."
It's a habit left over from student days, where we like to go to the toilet together, which is a sign of a good relationship.
Lin Wan went to the bathroom to wash her hands, and when she came out, she ran into her classmate Qin Xuan.
Qin Xuan is shy by nature. He wrote a love letter to Lin Wan in his sophomore year. It was originally an ordinary confession and rejection, but unexpectedly, several boys in the class found the second love letter that Qin Xuan had not sent out and read it at length, which made Qin Xuan blush and Lin Wan a little embarrassed.
Although she felt awkward, Lin Wan didn't show it on her face. Her cold voice had the power to penetrate people's hearts: "If you've made enough of the fuss, return the things to their original owners."
Lin Wan, the person involved, looked at the noisy people calmly without blushing, which made them feel embarrassed. She scratched her head and returned the love letter to Qin Xuan.
Qin Xuan ran away with a red face, clutching the love letter, and did not return until the class bell rang.
After a few years, Lin Wan met Qin Xuan face to face again: "Qin Xuan, long time no see."
Qin Xuan half-closed his eyelids: "Long time no see."
"It's not been long since we last met. Have you run into me somewhere recently?"
Qin Xuan was surprised when he heard Lin Wan's words: "I...why do you say that?"
"Didn't you mention me to Song Qiangbing and the others? When they saw me driving a Santana, they said..." Lin Wan smiled, "Why didn't you call me then? We're old classmates after all."
"No." Qin Xuan's face turned pale and red, "I didn't say anything."
"Really?" Lin Wan smiled and brushed past Qin Xuan on her way back to the booth. "I thought you were the one who told everyone that I married a nouveau riche and that the nouveau riche was old and ugly. I was misunderstood by many classmates."
"No, I didn't!" Qin Xuan's eyes almost popped out, and his usually shy face became a little ferocious, but his eyes were vague and unsteady.
Lin Wan nodded: "I also think Song Qiangbing is talking nonsense. You are a good person, how could you spread rumors about me behind my back? I believe you."
After saying that, Lin Wan left first.
Back in the karaoke room, old classmates gathered together to gossip, and naturally cared about whether they could help each other at work, and about lifelong events, such as who was dating and who was getting married.
When the topic returned to Lin Wan, Qin Xuan also returned to the booth.
"Lin Wan, your husband is the most mysterious. What is he really like? Bring him out to see me."
"Exactly. The squad leader has already informed everyone to bring their families. We're not working this Sunday, so why are you still busy?"
Some students who had heard the rumors said meaningfully, "I hope you're not hiding it and dare not bring it out to others."
As soon as these words came out, the other students felt something strange: "What are you talking about? How could Lin Wan not dare to bring him out to meet people?"
Lin Wan raised her head and took a sip of the drink, which was the orange juice she didn't like very much. She frowned slightly, then smiled brightly and said, "I'm just embarrassed to bring it out to see people."
Lin Wan's words seemed to confirm some rumors. Among the nearly thirty classmates, more than half of those who had heard the rumors were immediately shocked. Most of them did not believe it at first, but now they had to doubt it. Could it be true?
He Qiumei was also surprised and quickly reached out to pull Lin Wan, not knowing why she said that.
Lin Wan raised the glass filled with drink and shook it in the air, as if clinking glasses: "You guys heard what Song Qiangbing said. He said I married a nouveau riche who is old, ugly and bald."
Facing rumors head-on is the best way to deal with them.
As expected, the old classmates who had heard the rumors looked at each other in confusion when they heard Lin Wan say this in person, and felt that someone was talking nonsense.
"Lin Wan, don't pay attention to them. They talk nonsense all day long."
"I think it's jealousy!"
"The books have been read into the dog's stomach."
Song Qiangbing's face was stiff. Not only was he caught gossiping behind the person's back, but now he was pointed out in front of the whole class. He was so embarrassed that he couldn't put his face to shame.
"No, Lin Wan, you're not interesting now... I just heard it from others..."
Lin Wan curled her lips and said, "Song Qiangbing, I know it was a joke. Don't worry, I didn't take it to heart. But you're a real man, why wouldn't you admit it? Qin Xuan just told me that you were the one who spread it."
"Bah!" Song Qiangbing immediately looked at Qin Xuan, staring at him fiercely. Seeing that he didn't dare look at him, he immediately flew into a rage. "How did it become my rumor? It was Qin Xuan who told me that he ran into you twice last month, both times in a Santana, and went to Cuihu Villa. He said you married an old, ugly nouveau riche, that you were not chaste and looked down on educated people, and actually fell for money!"
"Song Qiangbing!" Qin Xuan had been in love with Lin Wan since school, but she later rejected him. His classmates also found out about their love letter and laughed at him. It had always been a thorn in his side. After graduation, he heard that Lin Wan was married and had children, and even picked him up in a Santana. While dining and drinking with Song Qiangbing, he spoke drunkenly, like a venomous snake spitting out its tongue. "I, I didn't say that. Stop spitting blood."
"Qin Xuan! I was covering for you before, and now you're trying to put the blame on me!" Song Qiangbing was a man of few words and couldn't stand being wronged. He immediately blurted out, "You're not really still thinking about Lin Wan. Are you slandering her just because she didn't like you? We were drinking together at Minghua Restaurant half a month ago. Should we ask the waiter there if you said those things?"
Qin Xuan was thin-skinned and his face turned red. Adding to the embarrassment of having his secrets exposed, he stopped drinking and attending the party and ran out immediately.
......
Class monitor Wang Kai was a little confused at the unexpected incident at a class reunion. After a few seconds, he immediately stepped in to smooth things over: "Look at what has happened. Qin Xuan used to be quite polite in the class, how could he do such a thing? Classmate Lin Wan, don't bother with these people. Song Qiangbing, why don't you apologize to him?"
Song Qiangbing stood there, not yet responding. Lin Wan said calmly, "Squad Leader, I don't take it to heart. It doesn't matter whether I apologize or not. After all, I wasn't the one being used as a pawn."
A slap was heard invisibly on Song Qiangbing's face, making him feel itchy.
Song Qiangbing cursed in a low voice: "Qin Xuan, that bastard!"
The classmates came out to complain a few times, and then he took over the conversation and livened up the atmosphere again.
Many people tried to comfort Lin Wan, but seeing that she was calm, they started to join in the fun.
"Then why don't you just call your husband over and piss them off to death!"
"Qin Xuan must be reluctant to part with you, the most beautiful girl in the department. He heard that someone married you and he's so angry."
Lin Wan once naively thought about calling Fu Xiuhuai over, but then she thought again, it was just like children playing house.
"He's probably talking about business right now."
No matter who it was, after what just happened, their curiosity about the husband of the school beauty and academic master Lin Wan reached its peak, and now they felt disappointed.
He Qiumei couldn't help but prove her judgment to Lin Wan: "Wanwan's husband is handsome and stylish, even more like a Hong Kong movie star."
Duan Juan and Yang Zhenzhen wanted to roll their eyes when they heard this: "He Qiumei, we believed Qin Xuan's words and said some bad things, but you don't have to make it up like this, right?"
It's really outrageous to call this a movie star from Hong Kong.
Everyone present agreed with this. After all, everyone had seen what wealthy business owners looked like. Most of them were nouveau riche, vulgar, often fat, or scary-looking.
Although the old, ugly and bald character that Qin Xuan fabricated did not exist, it should not be much better.
Intellectuals who graduated from university and wore long gowns always had some contempt for the nouveau riche.
He Qiumei was furious. She was telling the truth: "Wanwan, what's your opinion? You still don't believe it?"
Seeing He Qiumei like this, Duan Juan almost believed it: "Oh, forget it, let's drink and stop talking about this. Anyway, Lin Wan's husband won't come out to see people."
Lin Wan refused again and again, and Duan Juan thought she was just being stubborn.
Although the place was bustling with activity, Lin Wan was concentrating on eating her fruit plate and listening to music. From time to time, she wondered if Doudou had made any noise today... She looked at the time at her watch and realized that she would have to go home early soon.
However, before Lin Wan left, Qin Xuan, who had just left the table in shame and anger, came back, taking reluctant steps.
"Qin Xuan, why are you back?" Everyone thought that he had run away and went home. After all, he had just been caught lying, and this man was not that shameless.
Qin Xuan's voice was low and a little depressed: "They won't let me leave."
"who?"
"Why are you not allowed to leave?"
This group of people have been coming to the karaoke hall to spend money more than once or twice. Although they know that there are all kinds of people here, the boss will still maintain basic order and it won't be too chaotic.
Qin Xuan's words were like a bomb dropping into a lake, stirring up waves. Could it be that he had encountered a gang?
Qin Xuan sat down obediently. A moment later, the clear and powerful sound of leather shoes hitting the ground was heard, and a tall figure came out of the darkness. The gorgeous neon ball on the top of the karaoke hall stretched his shadow very long, enough to see how tall he was.
The shadow dissipated around the booth, and everyone looked at the strange man whose true face gradually revealed, and was momentarily surprised.
The man looked tall and straight, with a heavy aura, and he seemed like someone who was not to be messed with.
The woman looked at his appearance, with sharp eyebrows, star-like eyes, and deep features.
The man who suddenly appeared did not look like a gang member. He was dressed in a suit and looked more like a big boss, or the kind who was not a nouveau riche.
The place suddenly became quiet. Squad leader Wang Kai took responsibility and was about to ask whose friend this was when he saw the man walk straight up to him.
Wang Kai was confused. Did he know him?
Man: "Can you please move? I want to be with my wife."
Wang Kai moved to the side in a daze. When he saw the man sitting down between him and Lin Wan, he suddenly realized!
"Lin Wan, is this your husband?!!!"
Lin Wan didn't expect Fu Xiuhuai to come here suddenly. Didn't he have a dinner party tonight? How did he know that she was having a party here?
The most important thing is that this person actually sat down, as if he was going to join a class reunion.
Fu Xiuhuai was tall and a bit crowded in the booth. He raised his hand to call the waiter. He ordered a few drinks lightly and glanced at the drinks in front of Lin Wan: "Bring a few more bottles of coconut juice."
"Mr. Fu, we don't have coconut juice for sale in our hall."
Fu Xiuhuai laughed: "Tell your boss that you can add it later."
"yes."
Facing the curious glances from everyone around her, Lin Wan politely smiled and introduced, "This is my... husband Fu Xiuhuai, and these are my college classmates."
"Lin Wan, your husband is too..." Many classmates were surprised and turned to look at Qin Xuan, whispering to each other.
"How could Qin Xuan say those words!"
"I really have to trust Lin Wan's judgment."
"He Qiumei's words are absolutely correct."
Qin Xuan hung his head, twisted his hands, and didn't dare to look up again. He never thought that his casual words would...
Some of the graduating students who were mostly interested in architecture couldn't believe it and asked tentatively: "Mr. Fu..., are you Fu Xiuhuai from Kaihua?"
Kaihua Construction is a well-known company. Some people don't care about its boss, while others are well-known.
"I do work at Kaihua." Fu Xiuhuai was rarely humorous, which made Lin Wan look at him sideways.
The boss of Kaihua = works at Kaihua, which seems to be correct.
I was very excited to know that Kaihua’s boss Fu Xiuhuai was here. I didn’t expect that we could sit together and drink and chat today. Those who didn’t know about it couldn’t help but widen their eyes after listening to the person next to them explaining it.
Fu Xiuhuai raised his glass and gestured to everyone, "I do have some business to discuss today, so I didn't accompany Wanwan to the class reunion. I'm late now, so I'll punish myself with a drink. Everyone else, please feel free to have some wine and drinks later. I'll treat you."
How could everyone not be excited when Kaihua's boss gave them such face? Seeing Fu Xiuhuai being polite and easy-going, they immediately relaxed a little. Then, thinking that no matter how old this man was, he was still their classmate's husband, they started chatting and laughing with him.
Lin Wan had indeed never seen Fu Xiuhuai so talkative. He told almost everything he knew to his classmates who could be considered strangers. Even when someone came to inquire about the development trend of Jiangcheng in the past two years, Fu Xiuhuai would make a few comments.
Several female classmates on Lin Wan's right side whispered to her over He Qiumei, "Lin Wan, your husband is so handsome! You are so lucky!"
"If it were me, I'd get married right after graduation. It makes sense!"
Lin Wan: QAQ
"That Qin Xuan is really crazy, and he still says you are greedy for money. Your husband is so handsome, even if he is a pauper, it's worth it!"
Lin Wan: “…?”
Lin Wan glanced down at Qin Xuan and didn't know how Fu Xiuhuai knew what happened tonight. Could it be that he had someone else in this karaoke hall? No matter what, this person actually stopped Qin Xuan from leaving and insisted on sitting here and watching him greet people in a lively manner. It was really... outrageous.
"Classmate Qin Xuan, right?"
Just as Lin Wan was mourning for Qin Xuan, she heard the man next to her speak: "I heard that you are very curious about me? And also curious about my marriage with Wanwan?"
Qin Xuan's face flushed the color of liver. Shame, embarrassment, and awkwardness... all of it was visible under the dim light above the booth. He raised his glass and whispered, "No, no, I, I toast to you."
Unable to say more, Qin Xuan raised the wine glass in front of him and drank it in one gulp.
Fu Xiuhuai's deep eyes swept over him, just a glance, and then retracted his gaze: "Wanwan can't drink, and I'm not interested, so please do as you please."
Qin Xuan was slapped silently, and Fu Xiuhuai didn't even bother to return the wine. Everyone looked at Qin Xuan with a bit more sympathy.
Instant kill, complete instant kill.
Fu Xiuhuai was indifferent to Qin Xuan, Song Qiangbing and the others, and they knew better than to get close to him. However, the others only felt the easy-going nature of Fu Xiuhuai, the big boss.
As they gradually got to know each other better, everyone started gossiping: "Boss Fu, how did you and Lin Wan know each other?"
"You married our department's most beautiful girl right after graduation. You're quite capable."
"Who's chasing whom?"
No one doesn’t like gossip, especially the people around them!
Lin Wan couldn't help but feel worried when she heard a series of gossip questions. These classmates...but if she were not the person involved, she would probably be curious too.
People, that's human nature.
"Stop gossiping." Lin Wan, the person involved, didn't want to be the center of the conversation, so she immediately stepped out to address the issue. After all, even she didn't know the inside story. "If you really want to gossip, go gossip about the squad leader. He's getting married soon."
Class monitor Wang Kai said cheerfully, "My girlfriend and I met at work. I pursued her and we're getting married next month. It's so simple. What's the point of gossiping? Classmate Lin Wan, don't be partial to the family. Since you're here, you have to let your husband see the power of our Class 3!"
"That's right, don't try to escape when your family members arrive."
"Confess and receive leniency; resist and receive severity."
Lin Wan: QAQ
Lin Wan glanced sideways at Fu Xiuhuai, and for the first time she felt that this man was like a little white rabbit that had strayed into a pack of wolves and was about to be eaten up.
It’s just that this little white rabbit is a little big.
Fu Xiuhuai didn't seem to care much. He gave her a soothing look and turned to face everyone: "We have known each other for a long time. Of course, I was the one who pursued her."
Amid the constant gossip, Fu Xiuhuai looked at Lin Wan again: "Classmate Lin Wan, it's very difficult to pursue her."
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