Chapter 19: World One [19]

“The Class Teacher makes sense. Money should be spent on things with more value. A rough guy like me can’t taste the difference between good wine or bad. Xue Fan, instead of wasting it on someone like me, you might as well support a poor student, help them finish their studies.”

“I’m a rough guy too. A mountain boar can’t appreciate fine grains. Next time, just some beer will do.”

“Little Yu, you’re not making a fortune in silence, you’re doing good deeds in silence!”

After the Class Teacher spoke, many students who respected their teachers also chimed in. They weren’t in a position to directly criticize Xue Fan, who was paying, but they could put themselves down a bit and express their feelings.

Xue Fan was blocked speechless by this barrage of comments. He could only show a slightly displeased expression and speak in a joking tone.

“So treating everyone is my fault now? Should we just split it AA then? And then I’ll also donate to No.1 Middle School?” Xue Fan’s gaze casually swept over some classmates with more ordinary attire. He said nonchalantly, “But I just opened red wine worth over a hundred thousand. If we go AA, everyone might have to pay several thousand yuan. Are you sure you want AA?”

Hearing that a single meal could cost thousands, those classmates whose monthly salary was only a few thousand became uneasy. Regardless of whether they drank it or not, the undeniable fact was that Xue Fan had opened three bottles of wine for them.

Thinking of their dwindling bank balances, some who had already drunk the red wine couldn’t help but start speaking up for Xue Fan.

“Xue Fan meant well by treating everyone, no need to blow things out of proportion.”

“People can spend their own money however they want, as long as they don’t overspend beyond their means.”

“Yeah, President Xue also said he’d donate to the university. No need to compare these things.”

Hearing these words, Xue Fan’s expression eased a little. Money wasn’t everything, but it could solve many problems.

Three bottles of wine could make so many people side with him. If he offered a few more benefits, probably most of the people here would stand on his side.

Just as Xue Fan was about to speak again, a knock on the private room door sounded first. A line of waiters filed in carrying dishes.

Boston lobster, Yellow Croaker, Tomahawk steak, caviar, and many other famously expensive ingredients were brought in. The hotel manager, wearing an even brighter smile than before, came in holding a bottle of liquor that looked very aged at a glance.

“We didn’t order these. Did you bring them to the wrong room?” someone, frightened by the prospect of having to split several thousand yuan, spoke up, hoping the cost of these dishes wouldn’t need to be split too.

Just from the wine, they’d have to pay around four thousand each. If these items were added, probably seven or eight thousand wouldn’t cover it!

They might not recognize the red wine, but most people knew the value of vintage white liquor in the manager’s hands. The manager’s careful handling suggested it was something good enough for an auction house.

Xue Fan also frowned subconsciously. He had only ordered the most expensive red wines, he hadn’t arranged this.

“You must be Teacher Liu? This was sent specifically for you by a guest. The expenses in this room have already been fully paid for by that guest.” The hotel manager ignored Xue Fan, cheerfully delivering the white liquor to the Class Teacher.

“This is too valuable, I can’t accept it.” The Class Teacher could also see the value of this white liquor. A ’71 vintage, probably worth at least a hundred thousand as a starting price.

“Teacher Liu, the guest left after giving us the item. If you don’t need it, perhaps you could return it to them later?”

The hotel manager placed the exquisitely packaged white liquor beside the Class Teacher’s hand, a troubled look on his face. “We dare not store such a valuable item on behalf of someone else. I hope Teacher Liu can understand our situation.”

Teacher Liu didn’t want to make things difficult for the hotel manager, so she asked, “Did the guest say who she was?”

“The guest only said her surname was Jing,” the hotel manager replied.

Jing? The Class Teacher subconsciously searched her memory for any past student surnamed Jing.

“Teacher, it should be my friend. She heard I was coming here for a class reunion, so she prepared all this.” Shang Siyu spoke up to claim responsibility, a hint of helplessness on her face.

It seemed Jing Ke understood Xue Fan better than she did, having guessed early on that he would pull something like this and making preparations beforehand to overshadow him.

“My friend is the investor Xue Fan mentioned earlier. She just returned from abroad not long ago. I only mentioned briefly that my teacher likes white liquor, and I didn’t expect her to prepare this.” Shang Siyu explained.

Although both involved throwing money around to show off, Xue Fan’s and Jing Ke’s approaches were completely different.

One was purely about spending money to buy expensive wine, and when the situation turned unfavorable, threatening everyone to go Dutch—saying he’d treat them but actually not paying a cent yet.

The other was about giving the Class Teacher a gift suited to her taste. Although the dishes ordered were a bit extravagant, the person didn’t even show her face and simply paid the bill cleanly.

Comparing the two, who was trying to show off and who genuinely wanted to treat everyone to a meal was now clearer than crystal.

Hearing that someone had already paid the bill, the expressions on the thirty-plus faces varied. There were those secretly relieved, those curious about who Shang Siyu’s friend was, and some who looked away, ashamed and guilty.

Shang Siyu paid little attention to the others’ reactions. She just lowered her voice to persuade the Class Teacher to accept the bottle of wine.

“Teacher, my friend truly isn’t short on money. The investment she gave me is nine figures.” Shang Siyu could only reveal a little information.

After receiving a shocked look from the Class Teacher, Shang Siyu finally managed to persuade her to accept the expensive white liquor Jing Ke had procured.

Having lost face once again, the fake smile on Xue Fan’s face began to falter. The look he directed at Shang Siyu held very obvious displeasure.

But then he remembered that he would be acquiring the land parcel Shang Siyu had her eyes on by a narrow margin. Only then did Xue Fan barely manage to collect his emotions, not letting himself appear too discomposed.

Let Shang Siyu enjoy her brief moment of triumph. After this holiday ends, it will be her turn to cry.

Once Xue Fan settled down, a few others organizing the event cracked some jokes, and soon the private room was lively again.

However, it was visibly obvious that far more people gathered around Shang Siyu to chat with her than gathered around Xue Fan.

Overall, the atmosphere of the class reunion was decent. Classmates who had been struggling in society for two or three years were all starting, to varying degrees, to reminisce about the beautiful student days of the past.

Compared to being miserable corporate slaves, students who only needed to study seemed much happier.

Shang Siyu didn’t actually wish to go back to high school. Student life had its good points, and becoming an adult also had its advantages.

Ultimately, those dwelling on the past and wanting to return were mostly dissatisfied with reality and wanted a do-over to mend their regrets.

Time trickled by bit by bit. After the red wine was finished and the waiters brought out the fruit platters, this class reunion was drawing to a close.

The organizers announced they had booked a KTV room and invited everyone to party to their heart’s content.

“Classmate Shang treated everyone to dinner, so I’ll treat everyone to singing.” Xue Fan wore a fake smile, trying to salvage some face for himself. “I wonder if Classmate Shang will grace us with her presence?”

“No, I have other plans tonight, so I won’t join you all. Have fun.” Shang Siyu’s reaction was calm as she politely refused Xue Fan.

With someone taking the lead to refuse, the female classmates chimed in one after another. A private room at most had three or four microphones. How could so many people get a turn to sing? They had no interest in playing dice or Truth or Dare.

As a result, in the end, only seven or eight male classmates gathered around Xue Fan, making the smile on a certain someone’s face look strained yet again.

–

“Shang Siyu, over here.” Seeing people gradually emerging from the hotel entrance, Jing Ke accurately spotted Shang Siyu walking near the Class Teacher.

Hearing her name, Shang Siyu looked over subconsciously and waved at Jing Ke. Then she turned her head to speak with the Class Teacher. “Teacher, this is my friend. Why don’t you come with us? We can give you a ride home?”

The Class Teacher shook her head. “You know where I live. It’s just a ten-minute walk. I’ll walk back.”

“And this wine is too valuable. Return it to your friend. Even if your friend has money, it shouldn’t be spent like this.” The Class Teacher firmly pushed the item in her hands back to Shang Siyu.

“Teacher, it’s just a small token of her regard…” Shang Siyu said.

“If you still recognize me as your teacher, then obey.” The Class Teacher cut Shang Siyu off, using her status to pressure her.

Seeing Shang Siyu being held up, Jing Ke proactively walked over.

“Hello, Teacher. I’m Jing Ke, Shang Siyu’s good friend.” Jing Ke said, bending slightly at the waist, placing herself in the role of a junior.

“Ah, Little Yu’s friend, is it? I appreciate the gesture, but you’d better take this gift back.” The Class Teacher’s tone was very firm.

“Teacher, is the gift I prepared not to your liking?” Jing Ke asked with a furrowed brow.

The Class Teacher shook her head. “The wine you prepared is too valuable. This kind of wine is suitable for collecting, not for drinking.”

“Wine is made for drinking, regardless of its value.” Jing Ke paused. “Teacher, if you’re not satisfied, next time I’ll bring you a different brand of wine.”

“It’s not a problem with the wine. I cannot accept a reward for no merit. I won’t take this gift,” the Class Teacher insisted.

A hint of confusion appeared on Jing Ke’s face. “Teacher, why do you think you have no merit? Didn’t you cultivate many outstanding students?”

“Isn’t it normal for students, after achieving some success, to repay their teachers within their means?”

Jing Ke continued, “Although I am not your student, Shang Siyu is your student.”

“By cooperating with Shang Siyu, I can earn a lot of money. Isn’t it only right for me to show gratitude to the teacher who cultivated her? Is that unreasonable?”

The Class Teacher blinked, momentarily unable to find a logical counterargument.

Shang Siyu held back a laugh. She knew no one could break through Jing Ke’s logic, especially when her overly direct words could sometimes produce unexpectedly effective results.

In the end, the Class Teacher still accepted the gift, but she declined the offer for the two of them to take her home, insisting on walking back alone.

Jing Ke didn’t persist with polite pretense. Instead, she looked in another direction.

“Shang Siyu, it seems someone is still waiting for you.” Jing Ke spoke, her gaze landing on He Minmin, who was standing by a streetlamp but hadn’t yet left.