Chapter 42: Judging a Book by Its Cover

Parked the car in the parking lot.

Xu Shaochen led Song Xinran into the hotel.

Moments later, they arrived at a large private room.

Long Yi and Long Er were waiting outside the room.

Xu Shaochen and Song Xinran pushed the door open and went inside.

The room was already full of people, both men and women. The atmosphere was quite lively.

“Xinran is here.”

“Xinran is getting more beautiful by the day. She’s truly become a great beauty.”

“Indeed, she’s still the flower of our class.”

When Xu Shaochen and Song Xinran entered, everyone’s eyes turned towards the door.

As soon as they saw Song Xinran, they all eagerly greeted her.

“Hello, everyone. Long time no see.”

Song Xinran smiled and responded to them.

“Xinran, who’s the gentleman beside you? Aren’t you going to introduce him?”

Someone asked, drawing everyone’s attention to Xu Shaochen.

“My boyfriend, Xu Shaochen.” Song Xinran introduced him while holding Xu Shaochen’s arm.

Xu Shaochen gave a slight smile to everyone: “Hello everyone, I came uninvited. Sorry to intrude.”

After hearing that, the crowd’s expressions varied as they looked toward a young man in the main seat. The room fell into brief silence.

The young man was dressed in a black suit and wore gold-rimmed glasses. He looked a bit gloomy as he forced a smile at Song Xinran. “Xinran, this is a class reunion. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to bring an outsider?”

“Didn’t everyone else bring someone too?” Song Xinran replied without changing her expression.

Li Yunhai was momentarily speechless, his face turning even darker. Under the table, his hands clenched into fists as he stared intently at Xu Shaochen.

Today’s gathering was organized by him. Besides showing off his achievements, his main goal was to pursue Song Xinran.

However, he hadn’t expected Song Xinran to already have a boyfriend. This revelation made him feel worse than if he had eaten something foul.

“Xinran, why are you just standing there? Come sit down. This gathering was organized by Yunhai. He’s doing quite well now, you know—he’s the Assistant Manager of Taihe Real Estate!”

“Yes, Xinran, Yunhai is the most successful among us now. He must have spent tens of thousands on this reunion today without even batting an eye.”

The others all chimed in, but everyone seemed focused on praising Li Yunhai, clearly trying to impress Song Xinran.

Li Yunhai was their classmate, so naturally, they were on his side.

Besides, with Li Yunhai now being the Assistant Manager at Taihe Real Estate, if he could help them out, they could avoid many years of struggle.

As for Xu Shaochen, to them, he was merely an outsider and not worth paying much attention to.

Hearing the mention of Taihe Real Estate, Xu Shaochen raised an eyebrow. This was his family’s company!

As they went on flattering him, a faint smile finally appeared on Li Yunhai’s face. He waved his hand and said, “Why say such things? Today’s a reunion, let’s be happy. Everyone should eat and drink freely, I’ll cover the bill.”

“President Li, you’re so generous. I knew from back then that Yunhai was extraordinary. See, wasn’t my judgment spot-on? Now Yunhai has become President Li.”

“Exactly. Yunhai, you must help us old classmates out!”

Xu Shaochen and Song Xinran also sat down, but unlike the others who were busy flattering Li Yunhai, they quietly ate and occasionally whispered to each other.

Seeing Xu Shaochen and Song Xinran’s intimate whispers, Li Yunhai’s anger surged. He suppressed his fury, raised a glass of wine, and looked at Xu Shaochen. “Brother, I’ll drink to you. After all, you managed to win the heart of our class flower. That’s some skill.”

“You’re too kind, President Li.” Xu Shaochen smiled and raised his glass to clink with Li Yunhai’s, then finished it in one gulp.

Seeing this, everyone else fell silent, their eyes shifting between Xu Shaochen and Li Yunhai.

Although both men had smiles on their faces, everyone could sense a brewing tension in the air.

“So, what line of work are you in, brother? If there’s a chance, maybe we could collaborate and make some money together.” Li Yunhai set down his glass, smiling as he looked at Xu Shaochen.

Xu Shaochen shook his head. “I don’t have as much talent as President Li. I’m just a poor student who hasn’t even graduated from college yet.”

Hearing this, the expressions on everyone’s faces turned strange.

A hint of disdain flashed in Li Yunhai’s eyes as he sneered, “A college student, huh? These days, college students aren’t worth much. I never went to college, but I manage a team full of them.”

“That just shows how capable President Li is.” Xu Shaochen smiled calmly, unfazed by Li Yunhai’s provocation. He remained composed like a breeze passing over a mountain ridge.

Li Yunhai felt as if he had punched cotton, his expression shifting unpredictably. He coldly snorted and sat down.

Seeing this, the others exchanged glances, thinking this was their chance to curry favor with Li Yunhai.

“Xinran, why did you go for a college student? A woman should find a man who’s rich and capable.”

A woman glanced disdainfully at Xu Shaochen, then turned to Song Xinran with an expression of concern.

“Yes, Xinran, I think Yunhai is a good match. Everyone knows how deeply he cares for you, and now, he’s the Assistant Manager at Taihe Real Estate. You two would be perfect together.”

“Exactly. Just look at that poor student. What could he possibly give you? Xinran, we’re past the age of dreaming. It’s time to be realistic.”

Everyone chimed in, belittling Xu Shaochen and praising Li Yunhai.

Song Xinran’s face darkened, and she coldly said, “Thank you all for your concern, but this is my personal matter, so there’s no need to worry yourselves over it.”

The crowd hadn’t expected Song Xinran to be so firm. They fell silent, but their eyes were full of mockery and disdain as they looked at Xu Shaochen.

Xu Shaochen had remained silent the entire time, quietly eating on his own. He hadn’t eaten dinner yet and was starving.

“Hmph! Look at him, eating like he hasn’t eaten in eight lifetimes. It’s so exaggerated. I’d be embarrassed to eat with him.”

A woman glanced at Xu Shaochen, who was gnawing on a chicken wing, then sneered disdainfully.

“Haha, Xiaoli, maybe it’s his first time in such a high-end place. Try to understand.”

“Exactly. After all, there’s a huge gap between people. Some might never have the chance to eat at a place like this in their entire lives.”

“Oh, he’s completely unaware of his place…”

Their words were filled with sarcasm, brimming with a sense of superiority as if they were naturally above Xu Shaochen.

Song Xinran was fuming with anger and wanted to lash out several times, but Xu Shaochen held her back.

Why bother arguing with these idiots? Besides, even if he told them that Taihe Real Estate was one of his family’s businesses, they might not believe it.

After all, their imaginations were limited by their own lack of wealth.