Chapter 42: A Reunion Missed
During the Spring Festival, Xiang Yang is busy as usual, visiting elders and seeing friends.
Xiang Yang doesn't go to her junior high school reunion because Fan Xiaoyu has made plans for them to watch a popular movie during the Spring Festival.
After Hou Xingrou arrives, she waits a long time but still doesn't see Xiang Yang. She calls her. “Xiang Yang, you're not really not coming, are you?”
Xiang Yang avoids the crowd and finds a quiet spot to reply. “Didn't I say I wouldn't go last night?”
Hou Xingrou moans, “I thought you were joking.”
Xiang Yang can't help but laugh. “I wasn't joking. My high school deskmate invited me to watch a movie today. She made plans with me before the Spring Festival. I can't stand her up. As for the class reunion, we'll see next time.”
Hou Xingrou is helpless. “Then if you finish early, come over if you have time.”
Xiang Yang says, “I'll see. But it's unlikely.”
After Xiang Yang ends the call, it's just the right time to check in for the movie.
Fan Xiaoyu is holding popcorn and two drinks. Xiang Yang sees this and quickly takes the two drinks from her hand.
Fan Xiaoyu asks her, “Do you have any other plans today?”
Xiang Yang shakes her head. “You made plans with me. How could I stand you up? It's just the junior high school reunion. We'll go next time if we have the chance.” Besides Hou Xingrou, there aren't many girls from her junior high school she's still in contact with.
Fan Xiaoyu says, “I see.”
The movie doesn't have many flaws. Xiang Yang watches the entire thing with enthusiasm. After it's over, she asks Fan Xiaoyu, “What do you want to do next?”
“Of course, we're going to eat!” Fan Xiaoyu laughs. “I've discovered a new restaurant nearby. Want to try it?”
Xiang Yang has no objections. “Let's go then.”
Perhaps because it's the holiday season, the restaurant is very lively. It's also dinner time, so the two of them wait for half an hour before there's a table.
When the waiter leads them upstairs, Fan Xiaoyu seems very surprised. “Wow, they're doing so well!”
Xiang Yang thinks it's normal. “Didn't you say it was good here? It's the holiday season, so it's normal for it to be crowded.”
“That's true.”
The two of them follow the waiter around a corner, but they don't expect to suddenly hear someone say, “Guanxian's childhood sweetheart!”
The voice is quite loud. At the same time as Xiang Yang looks over to see who's talking, she discovers that many people are looking up at her.
Xiang Yang is slightly embarrassed. Just as she's about to leave, she sees the tall boy sitting next to Zheng Jie stand up. “Guanxian's little plum blossom, you don't recognize me?”
“You're?” Xiang Yang takes a look at his features. He looks familiar.
“It's Lian Rui! We went to the same school in junior high, right? Back then, when you and Guanxian were in the little garden, I even helped you out!”
Xiang Yang: “...”
Can't we just forget those ignorant things from when we were young? And why does he have to say it in such a suggestive way!
Xiang Yang looks away. Sure enough, she sees Fan Xiaoyu staring at her with an expression of “you're so lucky.”
Xiang Yang coughs lightly and says, “I remember. Right, are you eating here too?”
“Yeah, a few guys who often play basketball. It's a pity that Fu Guanxian isn't in the country. By the way, do you want to come over and join us? There are several of Guanxian's buddies here. You should have met them. For example, Zheng Jie. He's from the same school as you in high school. You definitely know him…”
Xiang Yang knows him, but… “Thanks, you guys eat. I'm with a friend. Next time, maybe we can all eat together.”
Lian Rui doesn't insist when he hears her say this. He says enthusiastically, “Okay. Let's get together again next time when Guanxian comes back.”
“Okay.” Xiang Yang smiles and says goodbye to him.
When she sits down at her seat, she's relieved. From this angle, she can't see Lian Rui's table. She can relax and eat her meal.
Fan Xiaoyu sees her actions and asks after a while, “Xiang Yang, did you not explain something clearly?”
“Explain what?”
Xiang Yang instinctively feels that she wants to gossip about her and Fu Guanxian.
“What was that about the little garden? You and Fu Guanxian were in the little garden. He even helped you out? So, you and Fu...”
“Nothing.” Xiang Yang hurriedly throws out a sentence.
Fan Xiaoyu's gaze becomes unfathomable as she sizes her up. “You're so quick to deny it. There's definitely something fishy.”
Xiang Yang raises her eyes and looks at her. She replies, “Sister, please have mercy, okay?”
Fan Xiaoyu waves her hand generously. “That's easy.” But as she studies the menu, she's still thinking: If Class Monitor still doesn't get Xiang Yang later, which side should she take? Fu Guanxian or Class Monitor?
But then she remembers that since high school, every time she's had trouble and asked for help, Class Monitor has never hesitated to help. It would be wrong for her to betray him, right?
Fan Xiaoyu decides that when the right time comes, she has to say good things about Class Monitor in front of Xiang Yang.
Just as the two of them finish ordering, Xiang Yang receives a call from Hou Xingrou.
“Xiang Yang, are you done watching the movie? Should I go find you now?”
Xiang Yang is surprised. “Aren't you at the reunion?”
“Is it convenient for you? I'll tell you the details when we meet.”
“Okay, I'll send you the address on WeChat. Come over. We'll eat together when you get here.”
Hou Xingrou readily agrees, “Okay! We'll wait for you!”
After hanging up the phone, she sends the address to Hou Xingrou. Xiang Yang picks up the menu and orders a few dishes that Hou Xingrou likes.
There are a lot of customers, so the food comes out slowly. Hou Xingrou takes a taxi and arrives before the food comes. But as soon as she sits down, she says, “Lian Rui's here too!”
Xiang Yang remembers that they went to the same high school. It's a coincidence that they go to the same university as well.
Xiang Yang smiles. “Yeah, I almost forgot. You know him too.”
Hou Xingrou laughs and says, “Yeah, we're very close.”
Then, Xiang Yang introduces Fan Xiaoyu and Hou Xingrou to each other. Since they're the same age, they quickly get along.
While they're eating, Hou Xingrou complains to Xiang Yang. “It's the New Year. If I knew the junior high school reunion would be like this, I should have stayed home like you.”
Xiang Yang isn't sure why. She asks, “What's wrong?”
“That Ding Wanjun. I think she's becoming increasingly peculiar. She brought her boyfriend along in the middle of the reunion. It's one thing to introduce him, but she didn't excuse herself! They were getting cozy, constantly feeding each other delicacies. It was rather excessive! I even witnessed him discreetly sliding his hand under Ding Wanjun's miniskirt. The most appalling part was when he took a phone call and then summoned seven or eight men. He claimed they were friends who happened to be in the vicinity and decided to drop by for a brief visit. They even had the audacity to inquire if they were unwelcome! Well, I certainly felt unwelcome. I promptly retrieved my handbag and overcoat and departed!” Hou Xingrou exclaimed indignantly. She concluded with a remark, “It's utterly repulsive!”.
Xiang Yang smiles. “Okay, don't be angry anymore.”
Fan Xiaoyu is curious. “Ding Wanjun, that name sounds familiar.”
Hou Xingrou says, “She was Xiang Yang's classmate in junior high. Oh, right, she also went to Qinglin High School, but you weren't in the same class.”
Fan Xiaoyu thinks for a moment. She doesn't really know her. Maybe she saw her name on the honor roll when she was bored and glanced at it.
Xiang Yang says, “If that's the case, then I won't go to the junior high reunion anymore. I don't know why, but I just don't like her.”
Fan Xiaoyu has a mouthful of soup. Hearing her say this so frankly, she's stunned for a moment. She quickly swallows the soup and says directly, “Xiang Yang, I've been waiting for you to say that. I thought she was intentionally targeting you since junior high! That's the best. It's best not to see people who are annoying. It'll only cause trouble.”
The two of them reach a consensus. The topics they chat about while eating become a lot more pleasant.
When they finish eating and go downstairs to pay, they find that Lian Rui and Zheng Jie have also finished eating and are paying.
Xiang Yang wants to pay, but the cashier tells them that Lian Rui has already paid.
Xiang Yang is puzzled. “You guys…”
Lian Rui quickly explains, “Guanxian's little plum blossom, don't be so polite. Guanxian used to treat us to a lot of meals. I'll definitely do whatever he says without any hesitation.”
“Guanxian?”
“Fu Guanxian?”
The two of them, Hou Xingrou and Xiang Yang, speak simultaneously. They're both stunned.
Hou Xingrou's eyes seem to flicker. She pushes in front of Lian Rui and questions him, “Hey, when I asked you about him this winter vacation if he had come back to the country, you assured me with your chest that he wouldn't be back!”
Lian Rui sees her hands on her hips, and he unconsciously steps back. It's like he's afraid she'll suddenly pounce on him to settle the score. He quickly explains. “He really didn't come back! If you don't believe me, ask his little plum blossom!” Lian Rui points at Xiang Yang after he finishes speaking.
Xiang Yang's brows furrow slightly. She finally says, “Thanks. How much was the meal? I'll pay you back.”
“Guanxian's childhood sweetheart, I don't dare to take money from you. What would I do if Guanxian gets mad at me later?”
Hou Xingrou turns her head and stares at Xiang Yang.
Xiang Yang has a slight headache, but still says, “Then next time, I'll treat you to dinner.”
Although Xiang Yang says this verbally, she also has another idea: Transfer the money to Fu Guanxian and ask him to give it to Lian Rui. As for whether Fu Guanxian returns it, that's their brothers' business.
Lian Rui smiles. “Guanxian's childhood sweetheart, don't be so polite!”
Zheng Jie chimes in at this point. “Yeah, don't be polite to him.”
Xiang Yang wants to laugh, but she can't. She corrects him. “My name is Xiang Yang. I'm not Guanxian's childhood sweetheart.”
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