Chapter 8 What do you think of him?
For Luo Qingyan, encountering Fang Tang or Huo Bowen was inconsequential; they were merely former classmates, and ordinary classmate relationships didn't require much interaction. However, the fact that these two appeared simultaneously with such a close relationship inevitably made her feel uneasy.
The old stories will probably be brought up again...
However, despite her frustration, she maintained a polite expression.
She definitely won't have much contact with those two; she'll eat and drink as usual. If anyone deliberately causes trouble, she'll deal with it accordingly.
She remained quietly at the back of the crowd, having received enough concern and care from those in front.
"Fang Tang, are you alright? We were all very worried when we heard you weren't feeling well."
"That's right, last time at Fanglin Garden, you almost fainted, we were all worried that you were sick."
"How have you been feeling lately? You should take care of your health. My colleague recommended a really good traditional Chinese medicine doctor to me. Do you want me to recommend him to you?"
"What's wrong with you today? Is it serious? Don't think that just because you feel unwell it's nothing. You still need to go to the hospital if you need to."
Hearing everyone's concern, Fang Tang smiled slightly, her tone filled with gratitude: "I'm fine now. It really is an old ailment. I went to the hospital, and the doctor said I need to rest for a long time. That's one of the reasons I came back to G City."
“Our G City is a blessed place, things will definitely get better and better after you come back!” Liu Yimiao raised his eyebrows, quite proud.
"Yes, with guardians of beauty in G City, the flowers will bloom again." A male classmate chimed in, nudging Huo Bowen with his elbow. "Hey, how does that classic old song go again? 'The vile evening breeze should not comfort her, I have resolved to protect the one in my heart for life!'"
Huo Bowen didn't say anything, but gestured with his eyes for the male classmates to stop teasing him.
"Alright, alright, it's good that everything's alright. Stop joking around and let's eat!" a female classmate quickly chimed in. "Everyone must be hungry, let's eat and chat!"
"Yes, let's eat! A get-together is all about getting together for a big meal!" Liu Yimiao then invited everyone to sit down.
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When they sat down, Fang Tang clearly stared at Luo Qingyan. The other classmates understood and made way for her, so she sat next to Luo Qingyan.
"Qingyan, it's been a long time." Fang Tang spoke first, her voice soft and weak.
"Long time no see." Luo Qingyan hoped to avoid any trouble, so he greeted her politely.
"I heard you're going to stay in G City for a while. How long?" Fang Tang blinked, her expression innocent and friendly. "I heard from everyone that you're doing very well at work in S City. Why did you suddenly come back?"
"I'm too tired, I want to rest." Luo Qingyan's expression remained normal. She used a brief answer to tell the other person that she didn't want to talk about this issue anymore; the other person was smart and would definitely understand.
"You're not feeling well either, are you..." Fang Tang's eyes flashed, she understood, but didn't want to end the conversation, "Or did something bad happen? It's okay, as long as you come back, your old classmates will be with you."
Luo Qingyan didn't reply, but picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.
“Working in a big city definitely requires more consideration. The more prosperous the city, the more complicated things become, and the more terrifying people can be,” Fang Tang continued. “Take marriage for example. My classmates who stayed in G City are either married or at least have partners. Everyone lives a peaceful and down-to-earth life, unlike those who went out to struggle…”
Luo Qingyan held the teacup in one hand, her fingers gently tracing the inside of the cup. Clearly, Fang Tang's public pronouncements of reconciliation were merely superficial; his true intentions were likely the opposite. Even if he wasn't planning anything truly heinous, he was certainly going to trample on her.
Other classmates must have seen through Fang Tang's true colors, but in adult interactions, it's best to keep quiet and not expose each other. It's not about developing a deep friendship; maintaining superficial harmony and knowing one's limits is enough. Frankly, everyone is striving for their own interests, and interactions between classmates aren't purely based on emotional needs. No one is inherently superior to another.
"There are still good people out there! Besides, at least you've seen through the scumbag, so your good fortune is yet to come!" Liu Yimiao was clearly one of those who didn't understand. She thought Fang Tang was just being sentimental and quickly comforted her.
"Sigh... Indeed, there are still more good people than bad in the world. A lot of the time it's all about luck. I hope my bad luck ends soon, and then good days will come." Fang Tang's gaze swept over Luo Qingyan, glanced at Liu Yimiao, and then turned back to Luo Qingyan. "Hey, Qingyan, do you have a boyfriend? You're so pretty, and there are so many talented people in S City, you must have a lot of suitors, right?"
Luo Qingyan had originally planned to watch Fang Tang perform a solo act, but since the other party had explicitly asked, she naturally had to reply. However, she wasn't one to back down easily: "Well, quite a few people are pursuing me, but none of them are suitable."
Upon hearing this, Fang Tang's expression visibly stiffened.
"Hahaha, as expected of the great beauty Luo Qingyan, so domineering!" Liu Yimiao laughed, revealing eight teeth.
Fang Tang forced a smile: "There aren't any suitable ones in S City. Are you being too picky?"
"It's good to have high standards; better to have nothing than something bad." Luo Qingyan took another sip of tea. She knew the other person would understand what she meant and hoped they would stop bothering her.
“Exactly, better to have nothing than something bad.” Liu Yimiao interrupted, “Look at Fan Shuxin, she was single for 28 years before she started dating, and then she got married to her first love! Oh! I almost forgot, Luo Qingyan, Fan Shuxin asked me to tell you that she’s getting married next month and wants to invite you. She has something to do at noon today and can’t come, but she’ll bring you the invitation this afternoon.”
"She's getting married? I remember she was single at the last gathering, and someone was trying to introduce her to a boyfriend." Luo Qingyan was a little surprised because Fan Shuxin wasn't very interested in dating. Last time, a classmate said they had a particularly suitable candidate to introduce to her, but she refused. Life is truly unpredictable.
"It must be fate! Her husband is three years younger than her, quite handsome, and they look very well-matched!" Liu Yimiao said confidently. "I ran into her and her boyfriend at the movie theater once, they were so sweet and lovey-dovey, everyone was so envious. Hey! Everyone will be scrambling to catch her bouquet, she's sure to have good luck!"
While Liu Yimiao was speaking, the waiter started serving the dishes, and then everyone began to eat.
Luo Qingyan focused intently on her meal. Fang Tang, probably annoyed by her earlier harsh words, didn't continue the conversation. But the other woman was clearly unhappy, likely silently plotting to come back with sarcastic remarks later.
Who cares, it's not important. Let's eat first, we'll talk about the rest after we finish eating.
-
After lunch, everyone went to a karaoke bar to sing.
Luo Qingyan naturally rode in Liu Yimiao's car, but unexpectedly Fang Tang also came to ride in Liu Yimiao's car.
"Fang Tang, why don't you ride in Huo Bowen's car?" Another female classmate in the back of the car spoke first, her tone not deliberately gentle, because Liu Yimiao's car already had four people in it, and there were empty seats in the other cars, so there was really no need to squeeze in five people.
"The boys are all in one car, so of course I'll sit with the girls!" Fang Tang didn't seem to understand what her female classmate meant, but she still prepared to sit in the car.
"Why don't you take Fan Zhenzhen's car? There are only three people in her car, and it's a bit cramped for three people to sit in the back." Although the female classmate was slowly moving to make room for her, she still wanted to say it, but her tone was casual and showed no sign of dissatisfaction.
"Oh, I was just looking because Yi Miao's car was close to me, I didn't notice how many people were in the car." Fang Tang paused for a moment, her voice noticeably lower.
"I'll get in Fan Zhenzhen's car," Luo Qingyan said, reaching for the car door. She was willing to walk a few more steps to get away from trouble.
"Hey! Fan Zhenzhen's car has started!" Liu Yimiao, sitting in the driver's seat, first looked outside, then turned to look at the people in the back seat. "Tch! It's fine to squeeze in, it'll be more fun!"
Unfortunately, Luo Qingyan was unable to get off the bus, while Fang Tang got in.
However, the atmosphere in the car was fine afterwards, with everyone chatting and laughing. The KTV we had booked was not far from the hotel where we were going to eat, and we arrived at our destination in ten minutes.
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Upon entering the private room, some people chose songs to sing, some ate and drank, and others chatted before the atmosphere warmed up.
Luo Qingyan didn't want to sit too close to Fang Tang, but unfortunately Liu Yimiao's car kept hitting red lights, making him arrive a few minutes later than everyone else. As a result, there was only one seat left in the private room, and they couldn't get any further away. Fortunately, at least there was one person between them. If Liu Yimiao hadn't gone straight for the karaoke machine and had instead joined the noisiest crowd, they would have been even further apart.
Just then, a sentimental song started playing, and a male student walked towards the group of people who had arrived later.
"Fang Tang, what do you think of Huo Bowen?" The male classmate was coming for Fang Tang, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, but loud enough for those around him to hear. "He stayed in F City for five years and was only transferred back at the end of last year. You've been in A City for several years, right? And you just happened to come back at the beginning of this year. What a coincidence! As his buddy, I know he likes you. What do you think?"
Indeed, Fang Tang and Huo Bowen weren't at the last class reunion, which is why she was so happy to attend. Now, she suddenly realized Huo Bowen wasn't in the private room; he'd probably gone to the restroom or had a smoke.
"I don't want to be in a relationship right now," Fang Tang said, her voice loud enough for those around her to hear. "I've clearly told Huo Bowen this, but he... he contacted me first today. I didn't want to trouble him, but he insisted on coming. I... I really don't know what to do..."
Although she sensed the gossip, Luo Qingyan was afraid of being caught in the crossfire, so she was on guard in advance. Just then, someone entered the restroom in the private room, so she told her classmate next to her that she was going to the outside restroom, then got up and left the room without looking back.
Even when singing ballads, the noise level inside the private room is quite high. Stepping out of the room, it feels like the whole world suddenly goes quiet.
Luo Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief as she walked, and after a few steps, she ran into Huo Bowen, who was returning. She nodded slightly in greeting, and then brushed past him.
Unexpectedly, the other person stopped, turned around, and followed her.
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