Chapter 74: Accompanying Zhao Sijie to the Gathering

“Haha, our top scholar Wang is finally back from studying abroad! Quite a few old classmates are throwing a welcome party for him and said we’re invited too. We can even bring friends—the more the merrier.”

“Sijie, you should come along and bring your boyfriend too.”

Zhao Sijie forced a smile and replied, “We’re both busy with work, there’s really no time. Besides, I’m not that close to Wang Dong, so maybe we’ll skip the excitement and let you enjoy yourselves.”

“Sijie, that’s not cool. It took us so long to reconnect after high school, how can you miss a reunion?”

“Yeah, Sijie, are you looking down on us or something?”

“Alright, when is it? I’ll ask for leave in advance.”

With the conversation at this point, Zhao Sijie couldn’t refuse any longer.

In truth, her temperament was quite like Lin Yuqing’s—friendly and sincere, without much scheming. Perhaps that’s why they became best friends.

Moreover, because of her family background, Zhao Sijie had always felt a bit inferior since school days, so she cherished every friendship even more.

Soon, Xiaoqin got the details: Wang Dong would be back on Friday, and the gathering would be at Fence Hill Resort on Saturday.

“Wow, seriously? At Fence Hill Resort? That place isn’t cheap. Don’t tell me we’ll have to split the bill?” Xiaorong said.

“No way. Wang Dong made it clear—he’s covering everything.”

“Oh my god, talk about loaded! Looks like Wang Dong’s doing really well.”

“Xiaoqin, hurry and dig up more about him.”

The girls continued gossiping in the chat group.

Zhao Sijie smiled, put down her phone, and got back to work, but she still let Xia Yu know about it.

At that moment, Xia Yu was out at a wilderness survival camp with Xiao Jun. Both were shirtless, rifles in hand, going through a series of training drills.

With the last moving target at three hundred meters shattered, Xia Yu tossed his rifle aside and lit a cigarette.

Moments later, with a minute’s delay, Xiao Jun finished his last blank round, walked over in frustration, and said, “Damn, that shouldn’t have happened.”

“How long’s it been since you last trained? I practice at least three times a week, two hours each time. How am I still a minute behind you?”

Xia Yu patted his well-built muscles, his body crisscrossed with scars and marks telling silent tales of his past.

Stepping out from under the shade, he sat down and exhaled a plume of smoke. “It’s not just muscle memory. The mind remembers, too.”

“You’ve been out of it so long and I still can’t beat you. Means there’s something wrong with your head, you know?”

“It’s your head that’s messed up!” Xiao Jun stepped forward, itching to punch him. He’d always thought he worked hard enough, but no matter what, he could never surpass this man before him. It was both infuriating and humbling.

“Alright, Young Master Xiao, who knows if we’ll ever see combat again. Why fret over it?” Xia Yu teased.

“Don’t be so sure.” Xiao Jun smirked. “Number Zero, you can’t really think you can keep hiding like this forever, can you?”

“Who knows. I don’t care,” Xia Yu said, flicking away his cigarette, looking utterly unconcerned.

“You really have changed.”

Xiao Jun was exasperated, but he couldn’t help admiring Xia Yu’s carefree attitude.

If it were him, could he give up everything and become an ordinary man? Especially after receiving so many honors and standing at the very peak?

To lay it all down and live as a regular person.

If he were honest with himself, Xiao Jun knew he couldn’t be nearly as free. Maybe that was why he could never surpass Xia Yu.

Saturday.

Xia Yu knew Zhao Sijie was going to the reunion, so as not to embarrass her, he specially put on the suit she’d bought for him.

Standing tall and confident before Zhao Sijie, he asked a bit awkwardly, “How do I look?”

“Absolutely dashing, Yu. I never thought you’d look so good in a suit.” Zhao Sijie wasn’t just flattering him; he really did look striking.

Dressed up, Xia Yu seemed like a different man—his demeanor and aura both elevated, exuding a bit of that formidable CEO vibe.

“Alright, let’s go,” Xia Yu said with a smile. “By the way, I’ve already found us a place. Tomorrow, after you and your mom finish packing, I’ll take you right over. I promise you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

“Come on, keeping secrets again,” Zhao Sijie rolled her eyes, but inside she felt a sweetness she couldn’t hide.

She’d dressed up a bit herself today, with light makeup and a chic white suit, looking both intelligent and elegant, yet with an unmistakable feminine allure.

They drove the sports car straight to the venue—Fence Hill Leisure Resort.

They were among the last to arrive, and at the entrance, Lily and the others were already gathered, chatting away.

As Xia Yu’s supercar pulled up, all eyes turned their way, some filled with envy.

When Xia Yu and Zhao Sijie stepped out of the car, someone immediately recognized her and exclaimed in surprise, “Hey, isn’t that Sijie?”

“Yeah, it really is Sijie! I remember she used to be pretty poor. Who would’ve thought she’s doing so well now, driving a Benz sports car!”