Just as Wang Qiqi thought news from the Gong family wouldn't come so soon—or at least, not before she left for the capital—she relaxed at home packing her things. "A class reunion organized by the old homeroom teacher tomorrow?" When she got the call from Shi Man about the reunion, a headache immediately started. "Is this really necessary?"

Wang Qiqi mused that while everyone in the class had gotten into university, not all of them had made it into undergraduate programs. The high achievers would naturally want to gather, but why would those who hadn't done well show up? Especially those who were academically strong but had bombed the gaokao—would they really want to attend a gathering that felt like a huge irony to them?

"It seems necessary," Shi Man had been insufferably smug ever since receiving her acceptance letter to C University. Just a few days ago, her family threw her a celebration party, and word was she received forty or fifty thousand in red envelopes alone. She’d been showing off constantly, saying she now had the funds to decorate her new room. Thus, she was thrilled about the class reunion. "Don't you want to see Huang Li? I heard she only got into a local vocational college."

"A local vocational college?" Wang Qiqi didn't pay much mind to Huang Li; she considered her a stranger. She hadn't expected her to end up in a junior college, and a local one at that. Although the school was decent, it was a massive downgrade compared to the undergraduate program Huang Li attended in her previous life. Not only had her ranking dropped three tiers, but her placement had sunk from a bachelor's degree to a vocational diploma. This butterfly effect was quite something, but frankly, she liked this one. "Fine, if she even shows up." Seeing the look of dejection on Shi Man’s face made her inwardly chuckle.

"She probably will. I checked with the class monitor, and she said everyone would be there," Shi Man boasted. "Besides, even if not everyone shows up, this is the last class reunion we'll ever have. After this meal, we can officially say goodbye to our high school days." The current batch of classmates was still pure, but once they started university, everyone’s mindset would shift; it wouldn't remain so untainted. They would start developing their own agendas, initially categorized by the university they attended, then by career path, and finally by wealth. Perhaps only those in the same bracket would truly connect.

The thought that perhaps she, Qiqi, and even Zhu Lina might drift far apart due to these external factors made Wang Qiqi’s heart flutter. Through elementary, middle, and high school, she had made quite a few people she considered friends. "Qiqi, we’ll still keep in touch later, right?"

Hearing Shi Man's slightly melancholic tone made Wang Qiqi feel a bit down too. "Of course we will keep in touch. No matter what, we must meet up a few times a year. If you dare not show up then, I’ll beat you up."

After chatting with Shi Man on the phone for a while, Wang Qiqi slowly ended the call and sat silently. Honestly, she didn't know what she would become. Zhu Lina would certainly become a powerhouse unless she renounced her family's enterprises, but judging by Zhu Lina’s fierce ambition, she would undoubtedly take over. As for Shi Man, if she stayed in her hometown, her life would be quite leisurely, meaning she should have time for reunions. But why worry about all this now? Even if they couldn't meet in person, they could still maintain their bond through the internet.

Wang Qiqi strolled leisurely towards the reunion spot on the day of the gathering. The venue chosen was a tea house, which struck Wang Qiqi as quite odd, considering a tea house was considered an activity for old men in the eyes of many. "Qiqi, you’re finally here." Shi Man stood at the entrance of the tea house and immediately pulled Wang Qiqi aside upon seeing her approach. "I just found out that Gao Kai’s family has shares in this very tea house."

Gao family shares in the tea house? Wang Qiqi froze. Good heavens, what in the world was up with this butterfly effect? The Gao family's situation was drastically different from her previous life. Wang Qiqi thought that in her past life, the Gao family was just living off old money; aside from that one restaurant, they had no other assets. How could they own a tea house now? Wang Qiqi wondered if the Gao family had hidden it from her, but that didn’t seem right. Gao Kai was always so reserved with money; considering how much his parents doted on him, if they truly owned such an asset, why wouldn't they tell him? Perhaps it was only after that big boss settled accounts with the Gao family later that the tea house was seized as part of the debt.

Shi Man noticed Wang Qiqi standing motionless after hearing her words and dared not speak. If she hadn't overheard a conversation in the restroom, she genuinely wouldn't have known that someone had suggested this reunion, and that the venue was also someone's recommendation. Naturally, the cost was also covered by the same person. No wonder the class monitor was certain everyone would attend—if it were her, with free food and drinks and a good show to watch, why wouldn't she come? "Qiqi, Qiqi."

Wang Qiqi gave a slight "oh," thinking this was a perfect opportunity to zone out. "I have to go now. Just pretend you didn't see me."

"Okay." Shi Man guarded the door precisely because she wanted to intercept Qiqi, worried about what kind of scene might erupt if Qiqi walked inside.

Wang Qiqi hurried to the intersection, hailed a taxi, and left. Shi Man nonchalantly returned to the tea house, where everyone was having such a good time that they didn't even notice her prolonged absence.

"Shi Man, why isn't Wang Qiqi here yet?" After catching up with many classmates, especially those who got into prestigious universities, the class monitor suddenly realized Wang Qiqi was missing and grew quite anxious. After all, this reunion was being sponsored by a certain person, and that person’s reason for sponsoring it was specifically to ensure Wang Qiqi attended.

Shi Man, while looking at her cards, casually replied, "Maybe something held her up. I think her cousin is getting married soon, and she’s been dragged out shopping frequently. It might delay her a bit, but she said she would be here." Hmph. You all want to eat for free and watch a good show, do you really take me for an idiot?

A delay wasn't an issue for the monitor, but she worried Wang Qiqi might stand them up altogether. "Xiao Man, why don't you give Qiqi a call and ask her when she’s setting off?" The monitor looked around and saw only Shi Man present. Zhu Lina had explicitly stated she was out of town.

Shi Man rolled her eyes. "I don't have time; I’m busy playing 80-point poker right now. Class monitor, you organized this event, you make the call." Hmph. Qiqi is definitely not at home right now. As for where she went, Shi Man really doesn’t know.

Seeing Shi Man so engrossed in her card game, the monitor felt awkward about asking her to stop, so she walked off to a quiet corner. She didn't notice that Shi Man, who was supposed to be concentrating on her cards, shot her a glance. Noticing the monitor didn't head toward the staircase but instead veered toward a secluded spot, Shi Man smiled faintly and resumed her game. The current situation was crystal clear; the information she overheard in the restroom was accurate. However, Shi Man also reflected: how could such a significant matter have yielded zero intel to her or Zhu Lina? Qiqi used to treat them quite poorly, didn't she? When they encountered things they didn't understand, she would still help them figure it out. Yet, after all that, the reward was betrayal. The thought sent a chill down her spine.

Shi Man looked around. While the others were chatting enthusiastically, their eyes frequently flickered toward her side or darted toward the staircase area. Shi Man desperately wanted to believe she was overthinking things and that they wouldn't actually go through with it, but the more often they looked in her direction, the more Shi Man had to accept that they had truly changed. These people hadn't even started university yet, and they were willing to betray her for the sake of a hundred-yuan-plus buffet fee for one person. Shi Man's first instinct was to throw down her poker hand and leave, but then she reconsidered. If she left now, what would they think? Besides, since she had come, why should she be polite? "You guys keep playing cards; I’m going to grab some food. Didn't the TV say the pastries here are good?"

Hmph. Thinking that Gao Kai was the boss here made Shi Man feel she shouldn't be polite at all; she should eat her fill. If she didn't eat, she’d just be helping Gao Kai save money—she wouldn't do such a foolish thing. "Hey comrades, don't just sit there chatting! We should eat more. But seriously, who is footing the bill? They’re being too stingy. Where are we eating dinner? And after dinner, is there karaoke?"

The class monitor had just called Wang Qiqi’s home from the office and got no answer. She certainly didn't believe Wang Qiqi had received the news earlier; if she had, would she have even agreed to come? When she walked back to where the classmates were gathered to ask Shi Man if there was any other way to reach Wang Qiqi, she heard Shi Man aggressively pushing for dinner and singing. She knew that if Wang Qiqi had shown up and seemed happy chatting with Gao Kai, these extras wouldn't be a problem. But the problem now was that Wang Qiqi hadn't arrived; why would Gao Kai be willing to pay for more?

"Shi Man, eating here isn't fine?" The monitor’s expression darkened slightly. "Don't push for dinner and singing."

If it had been someone else, they might have considered the bonds of classmate affection, and the monitor was also a great beauty. But who was Shi Man? Upon hearing there was no more? "Forget it, Class Monitor, I’m leaving by four. Didn't you say there was dinner? If the so-called dinner is just these small pastries here, I’d rather go find my dad. My dad actually invited me to a buffet. I was hoping for good food tonight, but it turns out it's just these snacks, and no singing afterward either?" If she couldn't make that one person bleed financially, why should she stick around? She might as well leave.

The monitor was horrified when she heard Shi Man was leaving. How could she agree? What if Shi Man left, immediately contacted Wang Qiqi, and told her everyone had already gone? Would Wang Qiqi still come? But she couldn't make the final decision either. "Wait, I’ll get back to you in a moment."

The monitor looked around, seemingly trying to figure out a solution. Just as Shi Man was about to provoke her further—suggesting she ask her financial backer in the back if that was okay—she paused. If she said that, they would certainly become suspicious. She then stood up, picked up some food, and started discussing the snacks.

After finally receiving an answer, the monitor cleared her throat. "We won't be eating dinner here. The location for the meal will be chosen separately. There will also be singing."

Shi Man wasn't about to let the monitor give such a vague reply. She pressed until the monitor revealed the location for dinner and confirmed there would be singing, then shouted, "Thank you, Class Monitor, for securing this sponsorship for us to go to such a great place!" Let Gao Kai bleed now! Wang Qiqi isn't coming. You can wait until you’re dead to see her.

【The Space in the Necklace】Take the necklace to get rich 【Happiness is Actually Very Simple】

Rebirth can also lead to simple happiness.

【Rebirth of 1976】Carrying the little bun to find a husband. Today, the main site gets a small feature, requiring three updates. The extra chapter will be updated at ten PM.