Chapter 459: Youth Always Has Its Regrets

Reminiscing is a touching affair, even just hearing others’ stories lets one vicariously feel the protagonist’s heart flutter.

One summer day, in the library, a kick, sharing snacks, helping find books…

The boys from class one were almost in tears as they listened. Listening hurts but not listening is even more frustrating. Damn, it’s too much.

And Jiang Qin, that bastard, came to brag, right? Why won’t he stop blabbing? We didn’t even ask him to continue, okay!

“When I first started university, it was all so new. I really wanted to protect her…”

“Feng Nanshu is quite shy, scared of many things, just a tiny peanut…”

“When I first enrolled, I visited her class to see if she was adjusting. Her roommate saw me and insisted I take them out to eat…”

“She wouldn’t even go out without holding hands.”

“You guys are lucky you didn’t go to Linchuan University. That place is full of moral potholes…”

“Later in the winter, we went to set off fireworks together. Knowing she ate alone every year, I brought her home with me…”

“My mom really likes her. I sometimes wonder if I’m not her biological child and Feng Nanshu is…”

“Planned pursuits are out of lust, unstoppable affection is what love really is…”

Jiang Qin kept on talking without needing anyone to ask, as if he had long kept it pent up and finally found a vent to let it all out, smiling with deep eyes, never stopping all night.

When he spoke, though, he didn’t look at anyone, his gaze slowly unfocusing, as if he was speaking to himself rather than to the group.

After a while, Jiang Qin finally came to his senses and realized he might have said too much.

Damn, lying is really interesting. No wonder some people get addicted to it. Once friendship is disguised as love, it can never be halted.

Jiang Qin looked around and saw the boys nearby clutching their heads while Song, the local top scholar, took bitter sips of his drink as though reversing a Nike logo.

Then he glanced at Feng Nanshu and saw that the little rich girl seemed softened, lost in thought with a somewhat longing expression.

“Did you get fooled too? How naive. Do you believe anything a handsome guy says?!”

“Don’t be scared, brother. I didn’t believe a word…”

Feng Nanshu said earnestly, her eyes softly gazing at their intertwined hands, her legs swinging under the coffee table.

Some experiences, though lived through personally, feel different when reminisced by someone else. She felt pampered, her heart fluttering as if a gentle wild breeze was blowing through it.

Class reunions are wonderful things. More should happen.

The little rich girl leaned against Jiang Qin, her face coldly tender for a moment before noticing the bottle of alcohol in front of her and reaching for it.

Jiang Qin caught her subtle movement and quickly glanced her way.

“No alcohol.”

“Oh, then I won’t drink.”

Feng Nanshu obediently drew back her hand, completely docile.

Seeing this, the boys from class one felt even more sour, as if what they were drinking wasn’t beer but highly concentrated lemon vinegar.

It’s one thing to hear they are dating, but watching them display their affection is another.

In everyone’s eyes, Feng Nanshu is a cold and noble creature, a fairy who distances others with just a look, impossible to please.

In their imaginations, Jiang Qin must be furiously courting Feng Nanshu and getting nothing but cold shoulders in return.

But now, it seems Feng Nanshu is the clingy one, entirely nonchalant in front of Jiang Qin, fully satisfying the masculine desire to lead in a relationship.

Even goddesses in love can show such adorable sides…

Ahhh, it’s killing me!

Liu Hui only booked two hours at the Diamond Karaoke. After all, singing was just a warm-up for the real event, which was dining, and the large room combined with everyone’s drinks was quite pricey.

After the waiter reminded them about time, everyone stood up and headed out.

Winter in Jizhou is cold, especially by evening. Jiang Qin habitually squeezed his best friend’s hand in his palm and tucked it into his pocket.

This gesture caught many eyes.

“Feng Nanshu, your bracelet looks really nice.” Liu Hui couldn’t help but compliment.

Feng Nanshu withdrew her hand and swung it slightly: “This is a family heirloom from Jiang Qin.”

“…”

Half an hour later, the group arrived at Longwei Hotel behind the small goods city and gradually entered the private room.

By now, the boys, stomachs full of sourness, had adjusted their mood, seemingly leaving their youthful regrets in the KTV, quickly starting to make merry and chat.

Discussions ranged from fashion to gossip, to postgrad placements, to gaming, to international situations; plenty of topics were on the table.

Of course, these were all wrapped around boasting.

While boasting, everyone tended to raise their voices a few notches, intentionally making sure everyone could hear.

Song Ruiyang was doing similarly, though his expression was more somber, talking about academic matters.

He talked about studying abroad on a public scholarship and mentioned how the institute he applied to ranked globally. He mentioned he might not come back after going abroad hence he attended the reunion, fearing he might not get another chance.

Studying abroad has always been incredibly popular in China, with more people going each year.

Some are just wealthy enough to buy the prestige while others are genuinely talented, often leading to a brain drain.

Regardless of the reason, everyone generally admired and envied those who could study abroad, so praises were long-lasting.

Song Ruiyang humbly waved his hands, glancing at Feng Nanshu.

It’s hard to say, but he always felt he and Feng Nanshu were of a kind; both disliked talking and socializing, focusing only on their studies. This understanding made him feel he was the only one who truly knew Feng Nanshu’s profound inner self.

Especially during classes when the teacher called on them to answer difficult questions, often only he and Feng Nanshu knew the answers, feeling to him like a resonance on a soul-level.

So, he intentionally steered the conversation to this topic, hoping Feng Nanshu would recall their years of competitive studying, always vying to outdo each other for the top spots.

Then, with no reaction from Feng Nanshu, Jiang Qin fed her a spicy pepper, and she choked.

Seeing this, Song Ruiyang’s eyes dimmed as if a light had been turned off.

Was our academic resonance just an illusion?

He felt slightly bitter and downed the drink in his glass, then stayed quiet for a long time.

Soon, the reunion was drawing to a close, and people began leaving the private room, noticing the sky outside had thoroughly darkened.

Jiang Qin yawned as he left the room, stretching lazily.

“Brother, I need to pee.”

Feng Nanshu handed her bag to him, whispered, then headed to the restroom with the other girls from the class.

At this moment, Song Ruiyang approached Jiang Qin silently, then stood beside him and suddenly spoke.

“Feng Nanshu is many people’s goddess, including me. Jiang Qin, I hope you treat her well.”

“?”

“Your family background is average, and your academic performance is just okay. In my view, you’re not worthy of Feng Nanshu.”

“But since she chose you, there’s not much I can say. Just know, she’s a rich girl not used to hardship. So you must work hard to provide the best life for her.”

Song Ruiyang spoke earnestly, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders as if he had let go of a youthful obsession, then waited for Jiang Qin to assure him.

Jiang Qin, utterly bewildered, turned and found Song Ruiyang with a serious expression. Think, do you not know I’m nearly a billionaire? Who gave you the courage?

Oh right, he’s aloof, avoids class reunions, probably doesn’t engage much with rumors.

Just then, Liu Hui, who was paying at the front, suddenly turned to Jiang Qin with a startled expression, as her female friends showed similar reactions.

“What happened?”

“They… got a waiver on the bill.”

“Who?”

As soon as he spoke, a vaguely familiar middle-aged man approached, shaking Jiang Qin’s hand: “President Jiang, finally meeting you.”

Jiang Qin was startled: “You are…?”

“Let me introduce myself. I am Qin Xiongwei. Longwei is my business.”

“Oh, I know. You are Qin Zi’ang’s father, right?”

Qin Xiongwei’s face lit up: “Yes, President Jiang. I heard about the New District tender from Zi’ang. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. I’ve been wanting to thank you.”

Last New Year’s Eve, Jiang Qin had borrowed a firework from Qin Zi’ang for Feng Nanshu to play with. Given his good attitude, he had greenlit him as the contractor for the Wanzhong Group’s mall construction project in Jizhou.

Because of this project, Qin Xiongwei became a premium partner in Jizhou, securing many government-backed contracts.

“President Qin, there’s no need for formalities among friends. Since someone has to make the money, might as well let someone we know make it. Oh, has the project started?”

“It started in March, with a total investment of 23 billion. It should be complete by this time next year.”

The two chatted for a while, and Qin Xiongwei immediately called for another table to drink with Jiang Qin, but he declined.

Having eaten quite a bit, Jiang Qin was full, though he promised to come over for a drink during the New Year.

Seeing this, Song Ruiyang was dumbfounded, feeling like a fishbone was stuck in his throat, then looking at Jiang Qin’s unconcerned demeanor, his expression was very stunned.

Tender, thanks, construction, 23 billion, each word made him feel detached from reality.

Just then, Feng Nanshu came out of the restroom, looked around with a somewhat bewildered look: “Brother, they look so silly.”

“You’re silly and you have the nerve to say others are.”

“I want to go home.”

Jiang Qin pinched her lips into an ‘o’ shape: “Wait till everyone has left then I’ll take you home.”

At this moment, Song Ruiyang opened his mouth, turned to Liu Hui: “What does Jiang Qin do?”

Liu Hui was also puzzled: “I didn’t hear he was in real estate. I just know he owns Zhihu and group-buy.”

“Zhihu and group-buy?!”

“Didn’t you know?”

Song Ruiyang’s mind was in a mess. Zhihu, a site that every college student surely knows, and group-buy… he had even shopped there.