CHAPTER 146: CHAPTER 146 SHOWING OFF?

"Brother Yang, I heard you recently became the company’s general manager and even got yourself a new Mercedes-Benz?"

His name was Lin Ye, and he had been one of Luoyang’s lackeys back in their school days. Now, at a class reunion, he had to take the initiative to bring up such matters to ensure Luoyang could show off smoothly and capture everyone’s attention.

Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, the classmates who had been chatting nearby immediately turned their focus to Luoyang, their ears perked.

"Yeah, that’s right. It was only a few million Yuan," Luoyang said casually, but he couldn’t hide the smug satisfaction on his face.

Hearing this and seeing the Mercedes-Benz keys in his hand, the group of girls’ eyes lit up as they crowded around. Although Luoyang often bragged in the group chat, it couldn’t compare to the tangible status of a Benz.

"Brother Yang, I heard your annual salary is two million Yuan. Is that true?"

"Of course, it’s true. How else could I have gotten this Benz?"

"Brother Yang, can I go for a ride in your Benz?"

"Brother Yang, I heard you’re the general manager of Thunder Home Service. Can you get me a job?"

Faced with this flock of chirping women, Luoyang patiently answered each one.

"Of course."

"No problem. I’ll give you a ride home later."

"Add my contact info later. Arranging a spot for someone is no problem at all."

As he answered, however, his eyes frequently darted toward the door, as if he were waiting for someone.

Just then, the door was suddenly pushed open. An unusual figure walked in, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

The person had short, shoulder-length hair with stylishly slanted bangs, delicate features, large, double-lidded eyes, and a high-bridged nose. She wore a white, one-shoulder T-shirt with denim shorts and canvas shoes.

This outfit, paired with her stunning looks, made all the men in the room, including Luoyang, light up.

The group of girls couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy as they watched the newcomer effortlessly steal the spotlight.

Noticing so many eyes on her, the short-haired woman frowned slightly. "What are you all staring at? Never seen a beautiful woman before?"

Her words snapped the male classmates out of their daze. Feeling a bit embarrassed, they began muttering among themselves to change the subject.

"Who is she?"

"I don’t think she was in our class."

"She must be in the wrong room, right?"

AHEM, AHEM.

Luoyang, who had also been captivated for a moment, coughed to hide his awkwardness before pushing through the crowd to stand before the short-haired beauty.

"My lady," he said, adopting a gentlemanly air, "my name is Luoyang. We’re having a class reunion here, but beautiful women always get special privileges. It would be our honor if you’d join us."

Luoyang felt his speech was impeccable and perfectly measured.

Unfortunately, the reply he received was a single question.

"Yang Dog?"

The smile on Luoyang’s face froze solid.

The crowd behind him erupted in laughter. That was Luoyang’s nickname back in high school, and only two people in their class ever called him that. One was Xia Liang, and the other...

Luoyang had just seen Xia Liang that morning, which ruled out the possibility that he had gone to Thailand for a change.

Could it really be her?

But this beautiful woman in front of him... he thought back to the tomboy from their school days. Luoyang was dumbstruck. He instinctively took two steps back, his eyes wide with horror.

"You... you’re Tong Dongnuan!" he stammered, swallowing hard.

"Oh? I’m surprised you still remember me after all these years," Tong Dongnuan said, stepping forward to pat Luoyang on the shoulder. "Not bad. You actually look presentable in this outfit."

Pfft—

The guys who already disliked Luoyang couldn’t help but snort with laughter.

Seeing that Luoyang was rendered speechless by her jab, Tong Dongnuan ignored him. She tilted her head, her gaze sweeping across the hall as if searching for someone.

「On the other side...」

After parking his car, Xia Liang got out, feeling a bit of anticipation for the reunion. I wonder if she’ll be here.

As he was lost in thought, a voice suddenly called out from behind him.

"Hey, is that you, Xia Liang?"

Hearing his name, Xia Liang instinctively turned around. He saw a girl with long hair, wearing a khaki T-shirt and a JK skirt, walking toward him. She was very pretty, with delicate features, and stood at about 169 centimeters tall.

The next second, her profile appeared before him.

[Name: Jin Xinqiao]

[Age: 22 years old]

[Occupation: HR Manager of Taotao Company]

[Income: 3 points]

[Appearance: 91 (Makeup +5)]

[Harmonious Value: 10 (Has a long-term boyfriend.)]

Xia Liang immediately recognized her.

"Well, if it isn’t the great class beauty, Jin Xinqiao herself. I can’t believe our school’s belle still remembers a nobody like me."

Hearing his teasing, Jin Xinqiao rolled her eyes at him with an alluring charm. "A nobody? Please. You were one of the most famous figures in our school back then."

"You flatter me, you flatter me," Xia Liang chuckled dismissively, his mind focused on getting upstairs quickly.

However, it was clear that Jin Xinqiao had no intention of letting him go so easily. Her eyes fell on the car beside him, and a playful smile touched her lips.

"Well, well, it looks like our handsome Xia Liang is doing quite well for himself, driving a sports car and all. No wonder you dropped off the map after graduation. Were you afraid we’d all try to fawn over you?"

It was meant as a joke, but Xia Liang simply nodded.

"Mm."

The smile on Jin Xinqiao’s face froze.

No way...

Fortunately, Xia Liang’s explanation was much easier for her to swallow.

"Not entirely. I mainly lost touch because my phone was stolen. I lost my QQ, my contacts, everything. I could never recover them."

Jin Xinqiao breathed a sigh of relief. Honestly, she had regretted asking the moment the words left her mouth. She had been genuinely afraid that he would just say yes—that he was afraid they’d try to suck up to him. Based on their three years in the same class, she knew perfectly well that this guy always spoke his mind. He’d say whatever he thought, regardless of who he was talking to, never backing down from authority.

He seems much more composed now. Is it because he’s made money?

As she mulled this over, Jin Xinqiao ran a hand over the hood of Xia Liang’s Aston Martin and began to probe.

"So, Mr. Tycoon, this car doesn’t look cheap. How much did it set you back?"

Seeing her determined to get to the bottom of things, Xia Liang replied calmly, "Oh, it’s nothing special. It belongs to a friend, so I don’t know the price."

Jin Xinqiao, of course, didn’t believe a word of it. She had already looked up the car online the moment it pulled in. It was an Aston Martin, worth 4.5 million Yuan.

Who would just lend out a car like this? What a joke.

Okay, taking a step back, even if it *was* lent to Xia Liang, that would mean their relationship must be rock-solid. And if he was friends with someone like that, Xia Liang’s own success couldn’t be too shabby.

However, Jin Xinqiao didn’t call him out on it. Instead, she felt a flicker of excitement.

Could this be a heaven-sent opportunity? I had just broken up with my boyfriend and was in a terrible mood coming to this reunion, only to run into Xia Liang.