130 I Will Not Let Her Suffer Any Grievances

With Lu Qiang’s words, the group’s perception of him improved instantly. The barriers between them—whether born from the awkwardness of strangers or the disparity in their economic status—seemed to vanish.

Li Wenxuan, genuinely impressed, spoke up loudly, "Well said! That’s the spirit, Lu. You hit the nail on the head. From now on, we’re all family. It’s perfect that Xiao Yao sponsored a few bottles of fine liquor for today; let’s all drink to our heart’s content and enjoy ourselves."

As the cold dishes were served, Li Wenxuan pulled a bottle from a bag and began pouring drinks for everyone.

"Such high-quality liquor!" Lu Qiang said, looking slightly taken aback. "I came here empty-handed, without bringing a thing. I suddenly feel quite rude. What can I do?"

In front of his girlfriend’s classmates, Lu Qiang spoke plainly and without pretense, appearing remarkably sincere.

"We all came empty-handed, too. We didn't think much of it at first, but seeing the bottles Xiao Yao brought, I’m starting to feel a bit ashamed myself," Gao Yuanfeng added, sharing the sentiment.

Local customs in Hanzhou were a bit different from other places; if close friends were gathering, it was considered polite for guests to bring a couple of good bottles of wine.

Pan Xiaoliang chimed in, "I actually did bring two bottles, but they’re just Jinfeng wine. Now I feel like I shouldn't have brought them at all. I’ll state this in advance: even though I brought my own, those are for everyone else to drink. I’m certainly not touching them; today, I absolutely must taste what a 50-year-old Moutai is like."

Pan Xiaoliang was well-suited for a career in civil service; though he didn't speak often, he was steady and composed. Even with such simple words, he expressed exactly what he meant with perfect clarity.

Jinfeng wine was a local specialty, costing nearly a hundred yuan a bottle. For a gathering of young people like them, two such bottles were typically more than respectable. But today was an exception; Xiao Yao was so incredibly wealthy that he had brought four bottles of 50-year-old Moutai for everyone to share. Even large corporations usually only broke out that level of quality for honored guests. Aside from the few wealthy heirs and Xiao Yao, none of those present had ever tasted such a vintage.

Pan Xiaoliang was one of only two people who had brought wine, a detail that revealed him to be a thoughtful and considerate person. Moreover, the Jinfeng wine he brought was perfectly appropriate for a typical class reunion—neither too flashy nor beneath the occasion.

"It’s a good thing you brought those two bottles, Xiaoliang. I hadn't expected everyone to be in such high spirits today. It looks like these four bottles won't be enough, but with the two you brought, we should be all set," Xiao Yao replied. Aside from Li Wenxuan and Shi Feng, Pan Xiaoliang and Wang Zhilie were among Xiao Yao's closer friends, and he naturally made sure not to let them lose face.

"You’ve really struck it rich, haven't you, Xiao Yao?" Tan Songjun studied him intently. "It’s only been half a year, but you’ve changed so much. If we had met somewhere else, I’m not sure I would have even recognized you." She added with curiosity, "What are you doing these days?"

Tan Songjun had once taken a keen interest in the most handsome boy in their class. She had even listed him as a potential boyfriend at one point, but upon learning he came from an ordinary middle-class background, she had abandoned that plan. Her goal was to marry into a wealthy family, and a boyfriend’s looks were not the deciding factor in her final calculations.

"Our school's diploma is quite average, and I don't have much talent. If I stayed at home doing nothing, I’d just be a nuisance, so I decided to be a small-time boss. I’ve opened a restaurant to pass the time," Xiao Yao replied. Although he was answering Tan Songjun, he didn't look at her; he was speaking primarily to provide an explanation to the rest of the group.

Seeing that Xiao Yao wouldn't even look at her, as if he were ignoring her entirely, Tan Songjun felt deeply displeased. Ever since she became Lu Qiang’s girlfriend, her social status had risen significantly due to his doting attention. In any setting, whatever she said became the focus, and people would always cater to her or flatter her. She hadn't experienced being ignored like this in a very long time.

"Our school heartthrob is great in every way, except for being a bit lacking in ambition. You aren't proactive about anything. It’s been so long since graduation, yet you still have such a laid-back mindset. Generally, men are quite driven, so it’s rare to see someone as relaxed as you."

Tan Songjun shifted her tone. "But then again, you don't really need to struggle, do you? With your middle-class background, while great wealth might be a challenge, at least you’re comfortable. You have the luxury of enjoying life, which is certainly more comfortable than working yourself to the bone every day."

Xiao Yao finally turned his gaze toward Tan Songjun and said indifferently, "You say I’ve changed, but I think you’re the one who’s become a different person. You used to seem quite pure and gentle; now, you’ve become flashy and ostentatious. If I hadn't confirmed it was you, I would have thought you were a graduate from some acting school. You’re truly talented at switching between these two personas at will. Perhaps you should consider a career change; you might even have a shot at a Best Actress award."

No one there was a fool; everyone could hear the sarcasm in Xiao Yao’s voice. Yin Xiaoya let out a giggle, and Chen Yuxi burst into uninhibited laughter.

"No wonder our school heartthrob has been able to remain so detached, without a steady girlfriend to this day," Chen Yuxi laughed. "You have such a sharp eye; you can see through those 'green tea bitches' at a glance. You don't tolerate even a grain of sand in your eyes, so who among those calculating women would dare approach you? If your standards for a partner remain this high, be careful—you might end up a bachelor for life."

Tan Songjun’s face turned ashen; she was absolutely furious. She wanted to retort, but seeing that her boyfriend, Lu Qiang, didn't seem pleased, she forced herself to swallow her anger. If she said the wrong thing in her rage and left a negative impression on him, it would be a disaster. She had put in immense effort and heart to keep a wealthy heir of Lu Qiang’s status firmly in her grasp. She was so close to success that she couldn't afford to fail now; she had to maintain her image in front of him. Besides, knowing her boyfriend as she did, she assumed he wouldn't let her be humiliated.