Chapter 10: The Love Letters from Years Ago

When Chen Hanfei saw everyone beginning to eat, he deliberately said, showing off, “Xiaoyan, since you haven’t attended a class reunion before, let’s have everyone share what they’re up to these days.”

“Alright,” Yi Xiaoyan nodded.

So, the classmates began introducing their current situations. More than ninety percent of them had gone to university, and even the ones who hadn’t managed to enroll were running small businesses in the city or working in companies, making decent livings.

To impress the others, they all exaggerated their accomplishments, painting themselves in the most flattering light. With Hanfei’s subtle cues, each one, after introducing themselves, would glance at He Haoxuan, as if to show they’d far surpassed this laborer.

Yi Xiaoyan had once been the top student, admitted to the national university and now studying in Yancheng. Yet, for some reason, she’d returned to her old high school to teach—a puzzling decision.

“Ahem,” Xu Jipeng stood up and announced, “Everyone, my situation this year is much better than last. Through some connections, I’ve gotten involved with the Baili Group, earning at least ten thousand yuan a month now. And since Baili has entered a deep partnership with Quange International Trading Group, I’ll soon be making twenty or thirty thousand a month.”

He Haoxuan paused. “Baili Group?”

“Yes, Haoxuan. Someone like you, a laborer, surely hasn’t heard of Baili. The group is worth over a hundred million,” Xu Jipeng puffed out his chest, proud.

“A hundred million!” The classmates were full of awe. After all, they were only just beginning their careers—such grand occasions were beyond their experience.

Xu Jipeng grew more excited. “I’ve managed to curry favor with Li Liang, the deputy general manager of Baili. From now on, my prospects are limitless.”

He Haoxuan coughed deliberately, as if recalling how he’d given Li Liang a beating just days ago.

Xu Jipeng immediately said, “Now, Haoxuan, don’t get so agitated. People like General Manager Li are out of reach for you. Of course, I may be impressive, but our class president is even more so—he’s now a section chief at the City Personnel Bureau, with many leaders’ futures in his hands. Who wouldn’t flatter him for favors? In three more years, he’ll be a department chief, and then we’ll all bask in his glory.”

Chen Hanfei nodded with satisfaction. “It’s only thanks to my leaders’ appreciation. Last time, my boss even took me to the Starlight Club. That place is truly something else.”

“Starlight Club?” Some classmates looked confused.

Xu Jipeng was shocked. “President, is that the legendary club that only takes members, where the cheapest annual card is a million yuan?”

“That’s the one,” Chen Hanfei nodded slightly.

“My god, a club that expensive? If it were me, I’d never go,” said Cao Dawei, shaking his head. He was now an employee at a city enterprise, not yet a permanent hire, making just over three thousand a month.

Chen Hanfei shot him an annoyed look. “People like you can’t get in. Even I was only invited by a big boss. The prices inside are sky-high, the waitresses stunning—truly a paradise for the wealthy. The boss even warned us: never offend anyone at the club, or even city leaders might not be able to save us.”

Xu Jipeng immediately fawned, “President, when will you take me to enjoy a night there?”

“That’s easy—someday,” Chen Hanfei replied, putting on airs. In truth, he’d only gone as a gofer for his boss; otherwise, he’d never have gotten the chance.

“It’s only the Starlight Club, nothing special,” He Haoxuan said, tossing aside a chicken bone and grabbing another drumstick.

Seeing Haoxuan contradict him, Chen Hanfei grew angry. “Haoxuan, stop bragging. You’re a laborer who can’t even afford two hundred yuan, yet you dream of the Starlight Club? You’d be the laughingstock of the city.”

“That’s right, Haoxuan, don’t be shameless. The president only offered to cover your two hundred yuan because you’re poor. Now that you want to pay yourself, he won’t help you,” Xu Jipeng chimed in, eager to support Hanfei.

Chen Hanfei was happy for the excuse. “In that case, Haoxuan can pay for himself.”

Cao Dawei wanted to help, but before he could speak, Yi Xiaoyan said, “I’ll pay for Haoxuan.”

Chen Hanfei’s face darkened. The school beauty he’d been pursuing was siding with a laborer—how humiliating.

He Haoxuan shook his head. “No need. I’ll pay for this meal myself. After all, you’ve all been boasting about your success. This dinner can’t be more than a few thousand—surely you can manage that?”

Chen Hanfei and Xu Jipeng’s faces flushed. They’d been the loudest, claiming to know big bosses and officials, saying they could get anyone to pay for their meals.

Chen Hanfei glanced at Yi Xiaoyan and, seeing her slight annoyance, clenched his teeth. “Fine, I’ll pay for tonight’s dinner.”

“Our president is amazing!” The others cheered, delighted not to have to pay.

Cao Dawei nodded at Haoxuan. “Nice move, using reverse psychology to save everyone money.”

“I wasn’t trying to provoke anyone. I really could pay,” Haoxuan replied innocently.

The classmates began to propose toasts, glass after glass, drinking merrily.

Suddenly, Yi Xiaoyan turned to Haoxuan and quietly asked, “Back then, why did you insult me?”

“Why?” Haoxuan’s expression changed, a flood of memories surging in his mind.

At the end of their third year of high school, everyone was writing in each other’s yearbooks. Haoxuan and Xiaoyan had been very close—almost confessing their feelings for each other.

Thinking he should take the initiative, Haoxuan slipped a love letter into her yearbook. Unexpectedly, Xiaoyan returned it, writing on it: “Shameless—you’re not worthy of me.”

When he saw her response, he tore the letter in anger. After school, Xiaoyan sought him out, but he snapped, “You’re not worthy of me. Go away.”

After that, they never spoke again. Haoxuan didn’t go to university after graduation but went abroad, joining a mercenary organization.

Yi Xiaoyan, you’re good at playing the victim. Back then, you called me shameless and unworthy, and now you demand to know why?

Haoxuan didn’t want to talk to her. Instead, he grabbed a bottle of baijiu from the table and gulped it down.

Cao Dawei, noticing Haoxuan’s strange behavior, asked in surprise, “Haoxuan, what’s wrong?”

“Dawei, let’s drink. Brothers are brothers, no matter how many years apart,” Haoxuan shook his head and drank with Dawei.

Seeing Haoxuan ignore her, Xiaoyan’s eyes turned red with anger. Prideful as she was, she refused to say more, turning to chat with other classmates.

Chen Hanfei sidled over with a glass of wine and smiled. “Xiaoyan, I know the school administrators. I can ask them to look out for you, maybe get you promoted to a group leader.”

“No need,” Xiaoyan shook her head. “I’ve decided. Next semester, I’m going to Yancheng.”