Chapter 14: Class Reunion, Part 3

Chapter 14: Class Reunion Part 3

The atmosphere began to shift subtly.

Fan Mengxue’s tears had not stopped flowing.

Xue An sighed, “Still so quick to cry?”

Only Fan Mengxue knew the truth: she only cried in front of Xue An. At all other times, no matter how painful, she maintained a smile.

Because she understood that when Xue An wasn’t around, even if she cried, no one would feel sorry for her.

“Daddy, who is this auntie? Why is she crying?” Xue Xiang asked brightly.

Only then did Fan Mengxue notice the two little girls.

“This is…”

Xue An smiled, “These are my two daughters!”

Fan Mengxue’s face paled briefly, but she quickly regained her composure. Then she crouched down and said to Xue Xiang and Xue Nian:

“Auntie is your daddy’s friend. We haven’t seen each other in a long time, so I got emotional.”

Xue Nian tilted her head and suddenly exclaimed with delight, “You’re… Auntie Mengxue?”

Fan Mengxue’s influence was nationwide; even a little girl like Xue Nian recognized her.

Fan Mengxue smiled, “Yes, that’s me!”

“Daddy, Auntie Mengxue is your friend!” Xue Xiang said.

Xue An nodded.

“But I remember Auntie Mengxue died on TV!” Xue Xiang looked utterly puzzled.

Fan Mengxue couldn’t help but laugh at the two little rascals.

Meanwhile, the harmonious scene between them left Song Jing dumbfounded.

What was going on?

Why did Fan Mengxue seem completely indifferent to the fact that Xue An already had children?

As for Hong Ming, his gaze was sharp enough to kill.

Yet he forced a smile and approached, looking down on Xue An as he sneered, “Xue An, I heard you disappeared for four years. What happened? Did you go scavenging? Why are you living so miserably?”

Hong Ming’s words caused Fan Mengxue’s brow to furrow; she was about to lose her temper.

But Xue An merely smiled calmly, “Hong Ming? It’s quite a surprise to see you again.”

When Xue An was striving for enlightenment, one of his inner demons was Hong Ming.

Back in school, Hong Ming, relying on his family’s power, had constantly tormented Xue An.

Especially when Fan Mengxue was madly infatuated with Xue An, Hong Ming’s harassment escalated, finding all sorts of excuses to cause trouble.

Now that he saw Hong Ming again, Xue An was naturally pleased.

He was glad to have conquered this inner demon.

However, Hong Ming didn’t think so; he believed Xue An was submitting, so he wore a smug expression.

Others quickly picked up on the tension.

Hong Ming was looking for trouble!

Yet one was the eldest son of the prestigious Hong family; the other was penniless Xue An.

Many people immediately took sides.

Song Jing covered her mouth, laughing, “Hong Shao, when I first saw our dear Xue Da Gongzi, I thought I had mistaken him for someone else! So dirty and shabby, but turns out it really was Xue An! Sorry, Xue An, I’m just being straightforward!”

“But now our handsome Xue Da has become a father. It’s understandable he’s financially strained raising kids. Hong Shao, why don’t you let Xue An work for you?”

Hong Ming nodded and said coldly, “Old classmates in trouble deserve help. Coincidentally, my office needs someone to run errands. Xue An, join us, and I’ll pay you ten thousand a month.”

Xue An said nothing, merely watching Hong Ming and Song Jing with interest.

His silence made Hong Ming think he was showing weakness, surrendering.

The thrill of crushing a rival in front of women excited him greatly.

Just then, the food arrived.

To entertain Fan Mengxue, Hong Ming had spared no expense; the banquet was extremely luxurious.

“Everyone, please sit down!” Hong Ming called to the others.

Fan Mengxue looked at Xue An with concern; he nodded at her and then sat back at the table.

The two little girls began to feast eagerly.

Xue An, however, did not touch his chopsticks.

At that moment, Song Jing deliberately said, “Xue An, eat quickly. You probably never get to enjoy such meals—try it!”

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Tang Xuan’er, burning with anger, rose to retort, but Xue An waved her off and raised an eyebrow slightly.

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re Song Jing?”

“Heh, yes!” she replied.

Xue An nodded, “Still the same as always. Looks like a dog never stops eating shit.”

Many couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Song Jing’s face turned even greener.

“You…”

At that moment, Hong Ming came over holding a wine glass.

“Come, Xue An, it’s been years. Let’s have a drink!”

Xue An leaned back in his chair and said coldly, “Why should I drink with you? What are you to me? Not worthy of a toast.”

The room fell silent.

Hong Ming’s face purpled.

He had thought Xue An was conceding and planned to humiliate him further with a toast.

But instead, he was slapped in the face.

Hong Ming sneered, “Fine! You’ve got guts! You ask what I am? Let me tell you! Our Hong family is about to partner with Longtai Group. Next, we’ll expand into the provincial capital. By then, we’ll be a provincial-level star enterprise, maybe even go public!”

Song Jing blushed with excitement at this.

A board member in a listed company!

If she could climb into that circle, wouldn’t she become a madam?

She chimed in, “Hong Shao is indeed talented and promising. Xue An, did you hear that?”

Others began to murmur.

“The Hong family is partnering with Longtai Group? Wow, Longtai is a giant!”

“Yeah! Hong Shao is even more powerful in Beijiang now!”

Hong Ming beamed proudly and glanced at Fan Mengxue, only to find she hadn’t spoken or glanced at him once; her eyes remained fixed on Xue An.

Jealousy burned within Hong Ming.

Some sycophantic classmates urged Xue An to make peace.

“Xue An, apologize to Hong Shao! You’re old classmates. Hong Shao is magnanimous and won’t hold grudges!”

“Yes, yes! Apologize quickly, Hong Shao, please take care of your junior from now on!”

Xue An watched the obsequious so-called classmates coldly, noting their true faces.

Then he slowly stretched and let out a long yawn.

“I take back what I just said!”

Hong Ming’s lips curled into a triumphant smile.

Many breathed a sigh of relief, thinking Xue An had backed down.

Only Fan Mengxue and Tang Xuan’er looked at him with concern.

Xue An said calmly, “How could I describe you as something? Actually, you’re not even a thing!”

(End of Chapter)