Chapter Seventy-Eight: An Unexpected Intrusion

Ordinary people had no idea what had truly happened to the Xiao family; they only knew that, at some point, the Xiao family had vanished from Jianghai, leaving no trace behind.

“We should hurry upstairs, everyone’s waiting,” someone urged.

Yang Dong said no more, but his eyes remained fixed on Qin Xue’er.

Xiao Ye and his companion followed the man inside. As Xiao Ye was about to step forward, Du Yu stopped in her tracks, lifting her eyes to Xiao Ye and speaking up.

“Xiao Xue, this is a class reunion—why did you bring someone with you?”

“This is my husband,” Qin Xue’er replied, frowning slightly.

“We’re classmates, just here to catch up. Why did you bring your husband?” Du Yu’s tone was sharp as she continued, “Let your husband wait for you downstairs. You can talk to him when we’re done!”

Her arrogance was palpable, making it clear she didn’t see Xiao Ye as worthy of her notice. The three people beside her voiced no objection to her words.

Xiao Ye frowned, but since they were in front of everyone, he didn’t want to embarrass Qin Xue’er. It was just a gathering—what could possibly happen? After exchanging a glance with her, he silently turned and left.

Qin Xue’er hesitated, but Du Yu stepped forward, taking her arm and speaking as they walked. “Oh, Xiao Xue, honestly, you need to look ahead in life. Xiao Ye is hardly worthy of you now, not like before. Just look at our class monitor, who just returned from abroad—he’s a real catch. What’s Xiao Ye compared to him?”

Qin Xue’er forced a smile, embarrassed by the teasing. Du Yu’s voice wasn’t loud, but in the quiet lobby, every word reached Xiao Ye’s ears.

“What else can I say?” Du Yu continued with feigned concern. “I’m just looking out for you. This is your prime—you shouldn’t waste it.”

As the group walked farther away, Xiao Ye found a seat in the lobby’s waiting area. Despite their hostility, he remained unbothered. As an outsider king, why should he stoop to their level?

...

Inside the private dining room.

Du Yu entered with her companions, beaming as she pushed open the door. “Everyone, look who’s here!”

Back at school, Qin Xue’er had been renowned for her beauty, universally acknowledged as the belle of the campus.

“Qin—the campus beauty! It’s been so long, but your face…”

People couldn’t help but notice the mask she wore, their surprise evident.

She brushed off their curiosity with the same excuse as before.

“Even with a mask, your elegance hasn’t faded a bit!”

“Yeah, look—she and the class monitor make such a perfect pair!”

The room instantly buzzed with excitement at her arrival. Qin Xue’er smiled awkwardly at the teasing.

Yang Dong laughed and scolded, “What nonsense are you all talking?”

Laughter filled the room as everyone looked for seats. As Qin Xue’er searched for a place, her eyes met someone’s gaze; she brightened and hurried over.

“Xiao Ran, it’s been so long!”

Her smile finally blossomed as she greeted Shu Ran.

Shu Ran stood up, returning her smile. “Xiao Xue, it’s been ages.”

They had once been the closest of friends in high school, but had lost touch after going to different universities. Meeting again, their emotions surged, and they embraced warmly.

“How have you been all these years?” Qin Xue’er asked.

“About the same as always,” Shu Ran replied with a wry smile.

Before, the Shu family had also been a prominent family in Jianghai, but in recent years, they’d faded into obscurity.

As they chatted, Du Yu suddenly interjected, saying, “My husband’s been buying me so much jewelry lately—I never know what to wear!”

She smirked inwardly; back in school, these two had been inseparable, both beautiful, always surrounded by admirers. Yet look at them now—each worse off than the other.

Her words left the air heavy with awkwardness, neither Qin Xue’er nor Shu Ran knowing what to say.

Qin Xue’er had never imagined that such a once-innocent group could become so complicated. She had a company now, but had no intention of boasting. In fact, she rather regretted coming at all. Looking at Shu Ran, she even felt a pang of guilt.

“How is your family these days?” she asked gently.

“We’re getting by, just making ends meet,” Shu Ran answered with a bitter smile.

Seeing Du Yu’s repeated attempts to make things difficult for Qin Xue’er, Yang Dong finally stepped forward and said, “We’re all here to have a good time—let’s not say things that ruin the mood. Everyone, let’s just enjoy ourselves!”

But at that moment, the door was violently flung open, slamming against the wall with a resounding crash.

“Who is it?” someone gasped.

The lively room, packed with nearly thirty people, fell silent in an instant as all eyes turned to the door.

Ye Gang swaggered in, a bottle of red wine in hand and a voluptuous woman draped across his arm. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes glazed—clearly, he’d had too much to drink. Four burly bodyguards followed at his heels, underscoring his status.

“I lost a bet and now I have to pick someone from this room to drink with me!” Ye Gang slurred, his words muddled.

Only yesterday, Xiao Ye had humiliated him, leaving him in a foul mood. He’d never expected to run into them here.

No one in the room dared make a sound, not even to breathe, as Ye Gang’s gaze swept over the crowd, clearly pleased with their reaction. Suddenly, his eyes stopped, a sly smile curling his lips as he pointed in Qin Xue’er’s direction.

“You! Come here!”

Qin Xue’er’s face went pale, and everyone stared in shock.

With no other choice, Yang Dong stepped forward, taking a deep breath and summoning his courage.

“Sir, this is a class reunion. If you want to have fun, perhaps you could try another room.”

It was easy to see why Qin Xue’er had been the campus beauty. Her long hair was tied neatly in a ponytail, and even with a mask, her natural aura outshone everyone else.

“Did I ask for your opinion? Get lost!” Ye Gang narrowed his eyes, his anger almost tangible.

Yang Dong froze, unable to utter another word. He started to speak again, but one of the bodyguards shot him a menacing look that made him fall silent.

“Do I need to repeat myself? Come over here and have a drink with me,” Ye Gang drawled, casting Yang Dong a contemptuous glance before fixing his lazy gaze on Qin Xue’er.

Ye Gang’s interest was never misplaced—he knew how to pick out a beauty. Even with a mask, her figure left him restless and itching with desire. A woman as curvaceous and alluring as her—how could he not seize this chance to vent his anger?