Chapter 116: High School Classmates' Gathering

Not recognizing her would make things even easier.

[It's fine, I'll tell you about it in a couple of days.]

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It wasn't long before Thursday came. Wen Jiu slipped into a delicate, fragrance-inspired ensemble and applied a subtle layer of makeup before stepping out the door.

Gu Zehuai's car was already waiting outside. The moment she climbed in, he studied her for a long moment.

"What's wrong?" Wen Jiu wondered if something had smudged her face and quickly opened the sun visor mirror to check.

Gu Zehuai let out a soft chuckle. "Nothing on your face. I was simply looking at my girlfriend a little longer because she's so beautiful."

"Flattery will get you nowhere." She covered the mirror with a teasing smile.

Gu Zehuai started the engine and drove toward their destination.

When they reached the entrance, Wen Jiu saw Shen Mengxia already waiting outside. She turned to him, intending to ask him to join them, but he spoke first: "You go ahead. If you need to return early, send me a message in advance."

Wen Jiu considered it for a moment. That would work. Then she could wait to summon him upstairs, or simply let Shen Mengxia handle it alone.

Wen Jiu and Shen Mengxia took the elevator to the designated floor.

When they entered the private room, more than half the class was already there.

At the sight of them, the group erupted in teasing. "The big designer Wen Jiu and young miss Shen Mengxia are here!"

The two offered only faint smiles in return.

The class monitor stepped forward to greet Wen Jiu warmly. "Jiu Jiu, it's been so many years since we last met. You've grown even more beautiful."

Wen Jiu smiled sweetly, accepting the praise. "Thank you. You look wonderful too, monitor."

One by one, people filed into the room. Among the faces that were both strange and familiar, many names slipped from Wen Jiu's memory.

When it seemed everyone had arrived, the monitor prepared to offer a few words before starting the meal. But someone interrupted with, "Xu Weiyi still hasn't shown up."

The monitor noticed and nodded. "That's right. Then we'll wait a little longer."

After some time, Xu Weiyi finally arrived, fashionably late.

Dressed in a thin long dress and wearing high heels, her steps clicked rhythmically with each movement: "Dah, dah."

With a gentle smile, Xu Weiyi apologized to the group and explained her tardiness: "I'm sorry, everyone. I was late. My boyfriend is really too clingy. I couldn't leave even though I wanted to come early. So, I'll punish myself with three cups of wine."

Before she could take any action, an understanding classmate chimed in: "It's fine, Weiyi. We understand. It's normal to be in love."

"Yeah, Weiyi. And to think Gu Zong is so clingy too?"

Laughter filled the room. Only Wen Jiu and Shen Mengxia were left speechless, struggling to maintain their composure.

Xu Weiyi blushed shyly and made no retort.

Suddenly, her gaze swept over to Wen Jiu's side, paused briefly, then lit up with surprise: "Jiu Jiu, so you came too! It's wonderful. We haven't seen each other for years."

Everyone was staring at the two. Wen Jiu forced a smile: "Yeah."

Wen Jiu truly admired Xu Weiyi's ability to maintain such a delicate white lotus persona at any time.

The monitor noticed Wen Jiu's subtle shift in mood and quickly spoke up: "Since everyone's here, let's start."

Then, the monitor addressed the group with a few words. After that, everyone began the evening meal.

Xu Weiyi's seat was close to Wen Jiu's. During the meal, Xu Weiyi raised her glass to toast Wen Jiu several times. The first time, Wen Jiu graciously drank the entire glass.

But on the second and third, Wen Jiu was genuinely annoyed. She said directly, "Sorry, I've had one cup already. I feel a bit tipsy."

Wen Jiu truly felt she was getting drunk. Why target her alone? Let her go.

Halfway through the meal, the atmosphere was fully lively. The conversation had shifted from high school memories to delving into each person's current career and relationship status.

The most outgoing boy from their class asked Wen Jiu and Shen Mengxia, "Wen Jiu, Mengxia, do you have boyfriends now?"

Since he had sat next to her for two semesters in high school, and she had a good impression of him, Shen Mengxia jokingly replied, "Not yet. How about it, Gao Ge? Want me to introduce one to you?"

The surrounding people laughed, and the questioner joined in: "Or we should skip that. To tell you the truth, no one is good enough for my Mengxia. Hey, what about you, Wen Jiu?"

Wen Jiu simply nodded: "I have a boyfriend."

The boys' gazes turned toward the man sitting in the corner. One even said directly, "The high school goddess has a boyfriend too. Looks like a lot of guys are going to be heartbroken."

Wen Jiu didn't respond because her gaze had fallen on the man's face in the corner.