TL: Etude

At the same time that Jiang Qin was out enjoying food and fun with Feng Nanshu, in the city center, at Hall One of the Longwei Hotel.

Members of Class 2, Grade 3, were arriving one after another, taking their seats.

This reunion was initiated by Qin Zi’ang, who had insisted on the best private room and ordered the finest banquet.

In those days, teenagers whose values were not yet fully formed tended to emulate their parents in learning how to behave and conduct themselves. Qin Zi’ang’s father was a real estate developer, which meant that from a young age, Qin Zi’ang had already adopted the air of a high-value man. He had slicked-back hair, wore a suit, and sported a gold watch on his wrist.

“Ladies and gentlemen, three years of high school may seem short or long, but I feel honored to have had the opportunity to be in the same class as all of you,” he began.

“Starting today, we are adults. So, I propose that we all raise a toast. No one is allowed to drink soft drinks, only alcohol, because what we are toasting today is not just alcohol, but maturity.”

“I once wrote in my QQ space, ‘Drink to my life of upheaval and wandering, drink to my lifetime of solitude and loneliness.’ With this drink, I’ll lead the toast.”

Qin Zi’ang raised his glass and downed the beer in one gulp.

Imitating his father’s business-like demeanor at the dining table, he turned his glass upside down to show that not a drop was left.

The hall erupted in applause at this display.

“Qin, you really don’t act like a student at all. Every move you make is so mature.”

“Yeah, compared to you, we seem so childish.”

“Zi’ang is definitely going to be an elite once he enters society. He’s so cool.”

“‘Drink to my life of upheaval and wandering, drink to my lifetime of solitude and loneliness.’ This is the most domineering personal signature I’ve ever seen.”

Qin Zi’ang modestly waved his hand, saying he was just expressing his feelings, and quietly glanced at Chu Siqi sitting across from him.

Peacocks spread their feathers to attract the opposite sex, and high school students pretend to be mature for the same reason.

2008 was the peak era for non-mainstream culture, and non-mainstream quotes were also very popular. Qin Zi’ang felt that he indeed had a regal air, so he always kept a slight smile on his lips.

However, Chu Siqi seemed uninterested, her expression indifferent.

She was looking at her phone, worried because Jiang Qin hadn’t arrived. His QQ avatar was also grayed out, which made her wonder if he even knew about the reunion.

Just then, the door of the private room was pushed open by a plump hand. Guo Zihang hurried in, apologizing as he explained that he had gone to the wrong place and had taken a while to find the right one.

“Hey, Guo Zihang, why did you come alone? Didn’t Jiang Qin come with you?”

“Oh, he’s doing business. He’s been really busy recently, so he’s not coming.”

Guo Zihang had initially wanted to spill the beans about Jiang Qin going out with a girl, but for some reason, he changed his story at the last moment.

Hearing this, Chu Siqi bit her lip and clenched her fists under the table.

Since their last encounter on Central Street, she had been waiting for Jiang Qin to regret it and come to her, begging for another chance.

But in a blink of an eye, a week had passed, and not only had he shown no signs of regret, but he hadn’t even sent her a single QQ message.

She felt that Jiang Qin had really changed, becoming nonchalant. Before, he couldn’t stand not talking to her for even half a day, but now he could endure a whole week.

Thinking about this made her frustrated.

The Jiang Qin who used to be so accommodating had changed so much.

She had only wanted what was best for him, always thinking of him and even encouraging him…

She hadn’t wanted to come to this reunion at first, as Chu Siqi didn’t like this kind of atmosphere. But she wanted to see if Jiang Qin was as indifferent as he claimed to be.

In her mind, Jiang Qin must be suffering greatly, and upon seeing her, he would surely apologize.

But to her surprise, Jiang Qin, fully aware of the reunion, didn’t even show up.

“Jiang Qin is doing business?” Qin Zi’ang looked at Guo Zihang, a hint of surprise on his face.

“Yeah.”

“He’s running a business? Like opening a store?”

Chu Siqi regained her composure and then chuckled, “He doesn’t have that kind of capability. He’s just selling boxed lunches on Central Street. Huiru and I saw him there when we were shopping last time.”

“Ha? Selling boxed lunches is now considered doing business?” Qin Zi’ang laughed, his expression showing a hint of disdain, although he didn’t say much more.

The other classmates couldn’t help but snicker, feeling relieved that Jiang Qin hadn’t attended the reunion, as it would have been embarrassing.

Although it’s said that no profession is inferior, even Kong Yiji couldn’t shed his long gown. These high school students naturally looked down upon low-end jobs. In their eyes, as prospective college students, they were the talents of society, the pillars of the nation. Selling boxed lunches was seen as something shameful.

Guo Zihang wanted to curse upon hearing this.

‘My bro Jiang made 650,000 yuan just like that today, do you even know?

‘My bro Jiang is a regular at the foot massage place, can you do that?’

But he didn’t utter these words, remembering something Jiang Qin had said to him just two days ago: some people laugh at you not because of what you’ve done, but because they just want to laugh at you.

Damn, was Brother Jiang hinting at something?

Was he really so prescient?

Damn, he really is like a father to me!

But as Guo Zihang thought about it, he suddenly glanced at Chu Siqi sitting across from him. He had always thought of her as a goddess, untouchable and perfect. But today, that illusion seemed to be shattered. A goddess who speaks ill of others behind their backs, is she still a goddess?

It seemed there was a reason why Jiang Qin had turned away that day.

However, while Guo Zihang wanted to keep the peace, the others weren’t so keen on dropping the topic of Jiang Qin.

Besides Wang Huiru, Chu Siqi had another close friend, Yu Shasha, who was always a bit sarcastic. Upon hearing Jiang Qin’s name, she immediately jumped into the conversation.

“Right, Siqi, didn’t Jiang Qin confess his feelings for you on the last day of the college entrance exams?”

Chu Siqi became angry just remembering that day: “Don’t mention that day, it just makes me angry. He failed in his confession and then took back his love letter, even claiming he didn’t really like me. It made it seem like I was deluding myself. What kind of person does that?”

Yu Shasha pursed her lips: “He must have realized he couldn’t win you over and was afraid of losing face and being ridiculed, so he stubbornly denied everything.”

“Yes, Huiru said the same thing.”

“Maybe it’s the same today.”

“What do you mean?” Chu Siqi’s eyes flashed with confusion.

“He knew he would be ridiculed, so he didn’t dare to come today,” Yu Shasha said while pouring herself some water.

Hearing this, Chu Siqi’s furrowed brows suddenly relaxed.

Right, how could she not have thought of that possibility? Jiang Qin wasn’t really indifferent; he just didn’t want to be ridiculed. He wasn’t actually uninterested in seeing her; he was just afraid.

Hmph, serves him right.

He deserved it for treating her that way. Let him suffer a bit and see who will end up regretting and crying in the future.

Chu Siqi’s pride surged, and she clenched her small teeth together tightly.

Just then, the door of the private room was pushed open again, and Wang Huiru hurried in, apologizing just like Guo Zihang had.

“Sorry, I got held up on the way. What were you all talking about?”

“We were talking about Jiang Qin. He was afraid of being embarrassed, so he didn’t come. Isn’t that funny?”

Upon hearing this, Wang Huiru’s expression froze, and even her movement to sit down paused.

The reason she was late was actually that she had run into Jiang Qin outside.

And she didn’t just run into Jiang Qin…

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