CH 32

The surroundings around Bai Xianzhi quieted down. Almost everyone was waiting for Bai Xianzhi’s response. After all, he was a prominent figure in the college—handsome, good at sports, and hardly ever seen on campus. He was elusive, and most importantly, he disappeared after graduation, leaving no one with any information about his whereabouts. Now, when someone asked about him, naturally, nobody wanted to miss the chance to hear the answer.

However, the question was asked after Sun Lanyou’s boyfriend, which made the person asking it either foolish or malicious.

All eyes turned to the person who asked the question, who was notorious for being snobbish. It was evident that they had malicious intentions.

Bai Xianzhi casually glanced around at the people and could roughly guess what was on their minds. He didn’t feel that running a small restaurant was anything to be ashamed of, nor did he think it made him inferior to anyone. He also didn’t believe that being a manager at a top 20 company made him superior to others. So he spoke up, “I took over my uncle’s small restaurant, and I’m running it properly.”

“Heh, that’s good, down-to-earth,” someone chuckled nervously.

“Yes, being your own boss gives you pride; you don’t have to worry about others!” others chimed in, starting to list the advantages of running a small restaurant. Although they didn’t truly mean it, the atmosphere indeed eased up a bit.

However, just at that moment, the snobbish person who had asked the question earlier spoke again, “A restaurant? Where is it? If I had known you were running a restaurant, we could have had our class reunion there and saved all this money coming here.”

Bai Xianzhi’s expression darkened slightly. The person who spoke was Ma Wenqiang, and for some unknown reason, they had been at odds with each other during their time at school. Ma Wenqiang always found fault with him and challenged him at every opportunity. Bai Xianzhi hadn’t expected that even at the class reunion, Ma Wenqiang would still behave the same way.

Ji Dong, who was standing nearby, noticed Bai Xianzhi’s discomfort and quickly intervened, “Ma Wenqiang, stop talking nonsense. Bai Xianzhi only found out about the reunion yesterday, and by then, the time and location were already set. It’s not Bai Xianzhi’s fault.”

Others chimed in, “Yes, that’s right. Bai Xianzhi didn’t know. We won’t do this next time.”

Ma Wenqiang sneered, “Huh, just afraid of losing face, huh? It’s just a small restaurant, nothing more than a fly-infested joint.”

Others: “…Come on, why is Ma Wenqiang like this? The atmosphere we finally managed to ease up is ruined by his words.”

Some observant classmates noted that Ma Wenqiang had mentioned before that he was accepted into a graduate program at a prestigious university in the capital city. They knew he was just venting, but they didn’t say much, knowing how stubborn he could be.

Bai Xianzhi glanced at Ma Wenqiang with a cold expression and said, “Ma Wenqiang, it seems like you’ve been living a comfortable life lately, forgetting the days at school. I don’t mind helping you refresh your memory.”

Ma Wenqiang reflexively trembled as memories of Bai Xianzhi overpowering and humiliating him flashed through his mind. Back in school, every time he challenged Bai Xianzhi, he would end up getting dominated by him, enduring physical pressure and humiliation until he begged for mercy. It was like hell for Ma Wenqiang, but Bai Xianzhi never went too far, even when things were brought to the attention of the teachers.

Ma Wenqiang glared at Bai Xianzhi with hatred but considering that he would leave for the capital city in a few days, he gathered courage and said, “So, I hit a sore spot, huh? A university graduate running a fly-infested joint, isn’t that shameful?”

Bai Xianzhi looked at him expressionlessly and sneered after a moment, “Unemployed people aren’t shameful, and as someone who earns a living with their own hands, why would I feel ashamed? I remember you joined the Party, right? Your political awareness seems lacking. There’s a saying: ‘Laboring people are the most honorable.’ You’re saying that I, a laboring person, am shameful? If I write a letter of complaint to your graduate program, I wonder if your position will remain stable?”

Ma Wenqiang’s face changed, and he instinctively cowered, recalling the times Bai Xianzhi had suppressed and humiliated him. Whenever he challenged Bai Xianzhi, he would end up speechless and humiliated. He suffered from the “won’t speak unless provoked” syndrome whenever Bai Xianzhi was around.

As they were used to this kind of situation, no one tried to mediate. At that moment, Sun Lanyou’s boyfriend spoke up, seemingly nonchalant as he glanced at Bai Xianzhi. He spoke like a successful man, “Everyone, let’s stop arguing. I’ll cover the bill for these two tables as a token of appreciation for taking care of my girlfriend, Lan You, all these years.”

The faces of many people around turned green in an instant. What’s this about? If it were a classmate treating us, it would be fine, but a classmate’s boyfriend treating us? It’s like he’s looking down on us.

Besides, they weren’t even arguing about money; it was all because of Ma Wenqiang’s big mouth! Was Sun Lanyou’s boyfriend mentally challenged?

As the class monitor, Ji Dong stepped forward and said to Sun Lanyou’s boyfriend, “This, uh…”

“Yang Ming.”

“This, Mr. Yang Ming, this gathering is for our class, so you don’t need to bother with the bill.”

Yang Ming smiled at Sun Lanyou and said, “I was impulsive; I apologize. I just thought this amount of money isn’t significant to me, and I didn’t want to see the camaraderie between Bai Xianzhi and Ma Wenqiang get ruined. That’s why I spoke up without much consideration. It’s my mistake.”

“Oh, that’s the reason. Then, Mr. Yang Ming, you’ve worried too much,” Bai Xianzhi said with a faint smile, looking at Ma Wenqiang, “As for the camaraderie between me and Wenqiang, it was built through arguing, right, Wenqiang?”

Ma Wenqiang trembled again. The mention of his name by Bai Xianzhi made him anxious. He didn’t dare not respond and hurriedly nodded, “Yes, yes.”

Bai Xianzhi turned to Yang Ming and emphasized, “You see, the camaraderie between Wenqiang and me is formed through arguing. It’s deep-rooted.”

He specifically stressed the words “camaraderie through arguing,” and Yang Ming’s face darkened momentarily. However, being a person who could become a manager, he quickly changed his expression and put on a fake smile, “I misunderstood, my bad.”

Bai Xianzhi glanced at him but didn’t say anything.

The faces of the surrounding classmates improved significantly compared to before. Yang Ming’s earlier words were like a slap in their faces, and Bai Xianzhi’s response had made them feel much better.

Ji Dong, sitting beside Bai Xianzhi, had a grim expression and remained silent. He had organized this class reunion, and now it seemed to be ruined by Ma Wenqiang and Yang Ming. They both seemed overly proud and enjoyed showing off. It was more than just showing off; they were excessively narcissistic and nauseating.

By this time, everyone had finished eating, and the mood to go to KTV was no longer there. They decided to settle the bill and disperse. Ji Dong and Bai Xianzhi went to the front desk to pay. To their astonishment, the total bill for the two tables was a whopping 30,000 yuan. Ji Dong couldn’t believe it; he had booked the banquet for 5,000 yuan per table. How could it be this expensive?

The front desk attendant brought out the bill and explained, “Sir, you see, the banquet’s price is indeed 10,000 yuan, but you also ordered two bottles of wine, which together cost 20,000 yuan, so…”

Ji Dong slammed the table, “We didn’t order the wine you mentioned! Your hotel is trying to scam us!”

The front desk attendant wouldn’t take the blame and said straightforwardly, “Sir, our hotel has an excellent reputation in S City, and we would never do something like that. Here’s the signature of the gentleman who ordered the wine.”

Ji Dong looked down and cursed, “Damn it, it’s Yang Ming!”

“What’s wrong? Class monitor, do you need something from me?”

Sun Lanyou and Yang Ming walked out from inside the venue. They walked straight up to Ji Dong and Bai Xianzhi. Yang Ming smiled, “I heard the class monitor calling my name from afar. Is there something you need from me?”

Ji Dong couldn’t take it anymore and slammed the bill in front of Yang Ming, “Did you order these two bottles of wine?!”

Yang Ming glanced at the bill and his smile widened, “Yes, I thought since it’s a gathering, we should have some drinks. So, I took the liberty of ordering these two bottles of wine. The class monitor seemed to be enjoying them at the table. I hope you’re not mad at me, class monitor?”

Damn it! If I had known these two bottles of wine would cost 20,000 yuan, I wouldn’t have touched them!

Ji Dong’s face turned unpleasant, and Yang Ming chuckled, “I understand. Class monitor, rest assured; I’ll take responsibility for these two bottles of wine.” He then turned to the front desk and said, “Put these two bottles of wine on the Yang family’s bill.”

Ji Dong’s face turned purple, and the other classmates who hadn’t left also had unpleasant expressions. Yang Ming was just so annoying, always flaunting his superiority and showing off his wealth. What’s more, they had all just graduated, and coming up with 20,000 yuan was not an easy task for them. They had no choice but to endure it.

While the front desk attendant was searching for the bill on the computer, a card was placed in front of her by a hand with distinct knuckles. “Miss, please settle the bill immediately. Although these two bottles of wine were ordered by this uninvited Mr. Yang, they were still consumed by our classmates. If we put it on Mr. Yang’s tab, it would seem like our class is ganging up on him. This would tarnish the reputation of our Accounting Class, which wouldn’t be good. Please settle the bill quickly.”

The classmates around and Ji Dong’s faces immediately brightened as they exclaimed, “Yes, settle the bill quickly! Otherwise, others might say our Accounting Class bullies people, and we can’t afford that!”

“That’s right! Settle it! Bai, give me your WeChat; I’ll send you my share of the money later. Money is a small matter, but our Accounting Class’s reputation must not be harmed!”

Several classmates chimed in, all expressing support for Bai Xianzhi. This time, it was Yang Ming’s turn to look displeased. He forced a smile and said, “I think it’s better not to bother. Bai, opening a small restaurant might not be easy for you, and 20,000 yuan should be a significant amount for you. Less than half of your classmates are still here, and if we divide it equally, it’s just a little over 2,000 yuan each. Add tonight’s banquet expenses, and I guess your monthly profit would be gone.”

Bai Xianzhi ignored him and gave a slight smile to the front desk attendant. She was charmed, quickly processed the payment with his card, and handed it back. Bai Xianzhi then took back his card and said calmly, “I’m sorry, Mr. Yang, but you are currently in Huaguo (China). We value being truthful and practical here, and spreading baseless rumors or speaking nonsense is not a good thing. However, considering you’ve been abroad for a long time, I understand. By the way, 20,000 yuan is just a small amount for me, considering my monthly profit far exceeds your annual salary.”

—–

Author’s Note: Tomorrow is the last chapter. I hope you lovely readers will continue to support~ muah!

1TL: YSIAD “You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you ”