The spring breeze caressed the face, neither too warm nor too cold, drawing many people out to savor the natural comfort. Within the campus of Changjing University, groups of young people strolled about in twos and threes, basking in the breeze and filling the air with laughter.
"Mi Xue, you're really giving up on the postgraduate entrance exam?"
A girl with double braids hurried to catch up with Mi Xue from behind, asking anxiously.
These students were either busy looking for jobs or preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam. Mi Xue had once planned to continue her studies, but after meeting Zhang Yang and getting together with him, she abandoned the idea.
"I'm not taking it. There are many things happening at home, and I don't have the time!"
Mi Xue smiled sweetly, shaking her head lightly. The 'home' she referred to naturally included Zhang Yang’s side; after their engagement, they were practically a single unit.
However, their engagement had not been publicized at the school. The girl with the double braids showed a look of regret again. "If you had taken the exam, you definitely would have gotten in. Even the counselor said today that your decision to give up is a huge loss!"
"Mi Xue!"
As the two were talking, two more figures rushed over, Nan Nan and Xiao Dai linking arms as they ran up.
"How come you two have time off today?"
Seeing them, the smile on Mi Xue's face brightened even more.
The restaurant wasn't busy today, and moreover, they had become completely proficient in running the business, meaning they didn't need to stay there during slack times.
Xiao Dai and Nan Nan were also returning to campus to prepare; after graduation, both planned to devote their full energy to the business, striving to make the restaurant as successful as possible.
During this period, Mi Xue had been visiting the restaurant less and less frequently. Following Zhang Yang’s plan, she was immersed in reading books on five-star hotel management—the management principles for a five-star hotel were entirely different from their current restaurant.
This restaurant would eventually be handed over to the two of them anyway; it was better to let them take full charge now.
"Mhm, has Zhang Yang come back yet? Gu Cheng and Sha Zi are coming back today too. They seem to be here to handle some paperwork; should we all get together tonight?"
Xiao Dai nodded excitedly. For the past half month, they had seen Mi Xue and Zhang Yang very infrequently. Mi Xue had almost stopped going to the restaurant, which had worried and confused them for several days.
Finally, Mi Xue had personally explained to them that she had bigger things to handle in the future.
"I don't know. He called the day before yesterday and said he would be back in a few days!"
Speaking of Zhang Yang, Mi Xue’s eyes dimmed slightly. Zhang Yang was becoming increasingly busy, and they rarely spent time together in a month now. She began to miss the time during the Spring Festival, when at least they had been together constantly.
"It's alright, if he said he'd be back, he will be. Sha Zi already booked a room at Kai Xuan Lou. Let’s go have our gathering there tonight!"
Xiao Dai stepped forward and took Mi Xue’s hand, comforting her softly. The girl with the double braids took the opportunity to excuse herself and leave.
School had its cliques, and this girl was merely a classmate of Mi Xue’s; their relationship wasn't particularly close. She knew that the three remaining girls were the closest of friends.
Mi Xue nodded faintly. Going to Kai Xuan Lou was a good idea; it was close by. Their own restaurant was a bit further out.
The 'Sha Zi' mentioned by Xiao Dai was Hu Xin. At first, Xiao Dai used to call Hu Xin 'Sha Da Ge' (Big Dummy), but somehow it evolved into 'Sha Zi' (Dummy). Despite the nickname, Xiao Dai felt sweet in her heart; the two had finally reached a fulfilling relationship.
The three girls walked forward together. Many boys on the path glanced towards them.
What they were looking at now wasn't just Mi Xue.
Having managed the restaurant for so long had brought huge changes to both Nan Nan and Xiao Dai. In terms of attire and temperament, they were different from other girls on campus. Mi Xue’s aura was even better; it was difficult for the three of them walking together not to attract attention.
Of course, they mostly just looked; few actually dared to approach them.
Few didn't mean none. Soon, a young man wearing a trendy jacket with slicked-back, shining hair quickly approached the trio.
"Mi Xue, long time no see!"
The young man stopped in front of them, a smile plastered on his face.
"Fan Sizhe, what is it?"
Mi Xue looked slightly surprised. This newcomer wasn't exactly a stranger—Fan Sizhe was a popular figure on campus. He had pursued Mi Xue before, but after she got together with Zhang Yang, and Zhang Yang displayed his extraordinary capabilities, he had dropped the idea.
"Nothing, I just wanted to ask where Zhang Yang has been recently. I haven't seen him in a while, and I'd like to treat him to a meal if I have the chance!"
Fan Sizhe hastily waved his hands and shook his head. Although this guy could be petty, he wasn't entirely wicked. At least he remembered kindness shown to him.
Zhang Yang had saved him last time. After that rescue, Fan Sizhe had given up any thought of opposing Zhang Yang. He had even later tipped Zhang Yang off about Zhou Yichen planning to move against him.
"He's out handling some matters; he should be back soon!"
Mi Xue replied again with a sweet smile, speaking softly. Fan Sizhe stared at her flower-like face for a moment before hastily lowering his gaze.
He truly had no lingering intentions toward Mi Xue now; he had only approached her to say hello since he hadn't seen her in a long time.
"Screeech!"
In the distance, a black BMW sedan suddenly sped towards them and screeched to a halt right beside the path. The sound of tires grinding against the pavement was piercingly loud.
Almost everyone turned their gaze toward this car.
Many people nearby were murmuring, some looked at the luxury vehicle with envy, and others speculated about its purpose.
Only Xiao Dai, Nan Nan, and Mi Xue showed slight smiles.
The car door quickly opened, and a tall figure in a black shirt immediately jumped out. Without a word, the big guy walked straight up to Fan Sizhe.
"Fan Sizhe, what are you up to now?"
The person who got out of the car was Hu Xin. This car was new to their company. He and Gu Cheng now managed Changjing's largest logistics company; ordinary cars no longer suited their status. That was a massive company worth hundreds of millions; buying a new car was a small matter.
Gu Cheng also stepped out from the passenger seat and quickly moved to the other side of Fan Sizhe, looking at him with some vigilance.
"Nothing, Hu Xin, you misunderstood. I just ran into Mi Xue and was asking if Zhang Yang was around; I wanted to invite him to dinner!"
Fan Sizhe waved his hands again. Hu Xin and Gu Cheng’s demeanor startled him.
Facing Hu Xin now, he felt considerable pressure. He remembered that when they used to play ball together, he hadn't paid Hu Xin much mind at all.
But now, Hu Xin was wearing an expensive-brand shirt, driving a luxury car, and sporting a high-end watch. From every angle, he looked like a successful person. Especially the aura Hu Xin had cultivated over days of being a boss projected significant pressure onto him.
This also made Fan Sizhe sigh with emotion. People change so fast; it hadn't been long since Hu Xin had changed so much.
Fan Sizhe vaguely knew some things about Hu Xin's situation.
Hu Xin was now the boss of Changjing’s largest logistics company, with Gu Cheng as the Vice President. Wherever they went, they were considered successful figures.
The fact that they were still students, not yet graduated, had even been featured in the newspaper, though only for one issue before it faded. Even that single report had caused a significant stir, making many students envious, including Fan Sizhe himself.
Furthermore, Fan Sizhe had heard that Hu Xin and Gu Cheng owed their current success entirely to Zhang Yang's help. Not many people knew this, but Fan Sizhe was not an ordinary student; he had his own channels for information.
This knowledge only deepened his envy. Coupled with Zhang Yang having saved him, his attitude toward Zhang Yang had completely shifted.
His appearance today was indeed motivated by a genuine desire to inquire about Zhang Yang’s whereabouts and invite him to a meal.
"Hu Xin, it's like this..."
Mi Xue whispered, but as soon as she finished speaking, she looked up, her eyes wide, staring ahead.
Another car was approaching—a black Mercedes sedan. This car was intensely familiar; she drove it often. It was the Mercedes from home; usually, either she or Zhang Yang drove it. When Zhang Yang wasn't around, Long Feng wouldn't touch these cars, not even leaving the house, preferring to remain in seclusion for intense cultivation.
Now this car had come out and driven onto campus; Mi Xue’s heart began to beat rapidly.
The car wasn't driving fast, but the campus roads weren't long. Soon, the car pulled up behind the BMW and stopped there.
Zhang Yang, dressed in a white shirt and wearing a brilliant smile, stepped out of the car and walked forward with a pleasant expression. He naturally took Mi Xue’s hand and smiled, saying, "Did you all arrange to meet here? Why are you all gathered today?"
"Boss, you're back!"
Gu Cheng was the first to react, jumping up immediately. Hu Xin, Xiao Dai, and the others quickly gathered around. They too hadn't seen Zhang Yang for quite some time.
Fan Sizhe was left alone to the side, feeling slightly awkward. He didn't know whether to leave or stay.
"A dinner gathering? That's great. Call Xiao Bin over too; I haven't seen that guy in ages!"
After Hu Xin finished explaining the situation, Zhang Yang smiled slightly. Since Hu Xin and Xiao Dai had all gone out to handle things, it had become difficult for the group who used to gather frequently on campus to reunite.
Xiao Bin was still the Student Union President, but he spent most of his time managing the work associated with the role. After serving as president for a while, he no longer held the same attachment to the position. He clearly understood now that it was merely an illusory title; the most concrete thing was the future, and current authority didn't dictate future power.
Hu Xin immediately pulled out his phone to call Xiao Bin. Xiao Bin also had a pager now.
"Fan Sizhe, have you eaten? If not, why don't you join us?"
Zhang Yang noticed the awkward Fan Sizhe standing nearby and walked over with a smile, extending the invitation. Zhang Yang wasn't clear why Fan Sizhe was there, but the group had been together just moments ago.
"Ah, I won't join. Which day are you free? I'll treat you to a meal separately. I, I still haven't properly thanked you for what happened last time!"
Fan Sizhe hurriedly waved his hands, then suddenly remembered something. He quickly pulled a phone from his pocket and said to Zhang Yang again, "What's your phone number? I'll write it down. I'll definitely treat you to a meal another day!"
Seeing his slightly flustered appearance, Zhang Yang gently shook his head.
However, Zhang Yang still gave him his number. After getting the number, Fan Sizhe murmured his thanks and quickly left.
First chapter! RS