"What 'going Dutch'? Gu Changming organized this class reunion and he said he's treating everyone," Qin Huan realized her slip of tongue and quickly observed Meng Ning's expression.
Meng Ning furrowed her brows.
Qin Huan had to tell the truth, "Actually, everyone knows that Gu Changming organized this reunion specifically to invite you. He even got Teacher Li involved. I know you're married now and I didn't want to meddle, but when Teacher Li called, I couldn't refuse. If you don't want to go, you can change your mind now."
A mentor's favor was as weighty as a mountain.
Meng Ning pursed her lips, silent for a dozen seconds before saying, "Let's go in."
As long as she was at peace with herself.
Qin Huan smiled, linking arms with Meng Ning. "Let's go. We're here out of respect for Teacher Li, not because of Gu Changming. Meng Ning, don't tell your husband about this. I'm afraid he'll think I'm trying to drive a wedge between you two."
"He's not that petty."
Unconsciously, Meng Ning found herself defending Fu Tingxiu, standing up for him.
The two walked in, led by a waiter to their private room.
When they pushed open the door, all eyes turned towards Meng Ning.
Once a top student and a campus belle, seeing her again after five or six years naturally stirred anticipation among the attendees.
The room was filled with about twenty people, both men and women. It had been lively moments ago, but upon Meng Ning's entrance, it suddenly quieted down.
Nearly six years apart, Meng Ning looked at these classmates and they seemed somewhat unfamiliar. Everyone had changed, losing some of their youthful vigor and gaining maturity.
Some had gained weight, sporting beer bellies. Most had settled into married life and had achieved certain successes in their respective fields.
In essence, it was all about comparison—men compared careers, women compared marriages or their achievements in the workplace.
Meng Ning's gaze settled on a man in a white shirt. Despite the years, he hadn't changed much besides becoming more mature and handsome.
He was Gu Changming, arguably the most successful among their classmates.
Gu Changming came from a well-off family, studied abroad for several years, and had done well for himself upon returning to China. He had partnered up to establish a law firm, showcasing both his good looks and promising future.
Some female classmates even sighed that they had married too early.
Gu Changming stood up, a hint of excitement in his expression. "Meng Ning, you're here."
Meng Ning nodded, avoiding Gu Changming's gaze, and walked respectfully towards an elderly man. "Teacher Li."
Teacher Li has already retired. When he saw Mengning, his face lit up with kindness: "Xiaoning, please have a seat."
Mengning found a seat, and immediately a male classmate snapped out of his reverie and said, "Meng, it's been almost six years since we last met. How are you still so beautiful? Your upkeep is amazing. When you walked in just now, it was like an immortal descending to earth."
Before Mengning arrived, everyone speculated whether she had turned into a sloppy housewife or if time had taken a toll on her appearance. After all, since graduation, Mengning hadn't kept in touch with anyone except getting closer to Qin Huan, so no one knew about her recent life.
Mengning just smiled politely. Then a female classmate asked teasingly, "Mengning, we were just talking earlier. Back in the day, you were a top student. You were the second person from our school to get into Peking University. Where are you working now? Graduates from Peking University must be making at least a million yuan a year."
"Yeah, in our year, only Mengning and Gu Changming got into Peking University. Graduates from there must be doing well for themselves."
"No doubt. Gu Changming is now running his own law firm. I heard he even bought a villa in Nanshan."
"I saw Gu Changming's car earlier, a Mercedes-Maybach worth over a million."
When Mengning got into Peking University back then, she dropped out after just one semester, a fact that few people knew.
Mengning looked uncomfortable. Seeing this, Qin Huan quickly intervened, "You guys talk too much. Everyone's here now. Let's start eating. We're starving."
With Qin Huan's interruption, the topic was temporarily set aside. Gu Changming's gaze occasionally drifted towards Mengning.
During class reunions, everyone inevitably talks about old school days and catches up on recent developments.
Men boast about their achievements, striving to appear successful in public.
Married female classmates, besides competing over who married better, discuss skincare products, whether it's La Mer or Helena Rubinstein.
They talk about the latest shades of Dior lipstick, Cartier jewelry, and so on.
Mengning didn't even know what La Mer was. She usually just used inexpensive skincare products to wash her face. Of course, it was also because she was poor and couldn't afford more.
Some classmates asked, "Mengning, what skincare products do you usually use? Your skin looks so good." Mengning was the campus belle back then, and she's still so beautiful now, making others envy and jealous. People were curious about what brand of skincare products she used, and they were also interested in her private life. Everyone knew about the past between Mengning and Gu Changming, although no one brought it up openly at the dinner table.
Mengning smiled lightly and said, "I use Meifubao."
Upon hearing "Meifubao," the female classmates exchanged glances secretly, and their attitudes towards Mengning changed, showing a hint of superiority.
Qin Huan couldn't bear to see these people looking down on Mengning and said, "Mengning is naturally beautiful. Unlike some people who spend tens of thousands on skincare products but still have dull skin and spots. Look, oh my, complexion is dull and spots are showing up. External care isn't enough; you need internal balance too. How about I get you a membership card? As classmates, I'll give you a discount for sure."
Qin Huan owned a beauty salon, and this was clearly on-the-spot marketing and client development.
Mengning stifled a smile in her heart; Qin Huan's words spared no one.
Everyone's faces turned ugly, and they politely mentioned having their own exclusive beauty consultants.
Mengning didn't say much. Most of the time, she quietly ate her meal, exchanged a few words with Teacher Li, and avoided Gu Changming's gaze.
At this moment, a voluptuous woman approached Mengning and said with a smile, "Mengning, it's been so many years. You're becoming more and more radiant. You must have a boyfriend by now, right? Why didn't you bring him today? It's allowed to bring spouses to today's class reunion."
The woman was named Zeng Jing, who had once competed with Mengning for the campus belle title in school.
Zeng Jing had always admired Gu Changming, and now she was a partner at Gu Changming's law firm.
When Mengning and Gu Changming broke up, Zeng Jing pursued Gu Changming all the way to overseas, but she hadn't won him over yet.
Seeing Mengning now, Zeng Jing naturally wanted to stir up some trouble.
Everyone looked at Mengning curiously when Zeng Jing bluntly asked about her private life.
Gu Changming was also waiting for Mengning's answer.
Mengning smiled and shook her head, "I don't have a boyfriend."
Upon hearing this, Gu Changming's eyes lit up with a smile. Mengning didn't have a boyfriend, which meant he still had a chance.
Zeng Jing felt unhappy inside. Was Mengning saying this to entice Gu Changming?
Just as Zeng Jing was about to ask further questions, Mengning added, "I'm married."
With that statement, the entire room fell silent.