Chapter 18: Class Reunion

Yan Xinfeng had bought that riverside penthouse not far from the villa. Wei Tingxia drove himself and arrived in fifteen minutes.

The building had been handed over last year, and most residents had already moved in. Those like Wei Tingxia who hadn’t renovated yet were now in the minority.

After parking the car, a property staff member led him to the elevator and pressed the floor button before leaving.

It was called “one unit,” but Yan Xinfeng had actually bought the entire floor. He had knocked down walls between several adjacent smaller units to create this several-hundred-square-meter riverside penthouse.

Wei Tingxia tossed the keys onto the sleek console table by the door and strolled to the window, gazing out at the distant river view.

A moment later, he said flatly, “Pull up the renovation blueprints.”

There was no verbal response, but the space in front of him distorted for half a second. Then, virtual furniture and soft furnishings loaded in, appearing exactly as specified in the blueprints. The empty, bland house transformed.

Wei Tingxia started from the living room and toured the dining area, kitchen, master bedroom, guest bedrooms, and study. He returned to his starting point and surveyed the overall layout of the house, his expression neither picky nor satisfied.

A few seconds later, System 0188 appeared: [Are you feeling better now?]

Wei Tingxia didn’t bother arguing with a fool who couldn’t understand human speech. “It’s fine.”

[I will take that as you forgiving me.]

“You’re not very polite when you talk.”

System 0188 replied promptly: [That’s a feature of my settings. I have no intention of changing it.]

The good news was that Wei Tingxia had no plans to make it change either.

There were no issues with the house’s preset scheme. His assistant’s intent was clear: as long as Wei Tingxia gave the nod, the renovation team could start tomorrow, and he could move in half a month later.

After viewing the house, the nameless fire in Wei Tingxia’s heart eased a bit.

He couldn’t quite pin down his own feelings. He was angry at Yan Xinfeng and didn’t want things to go well for him, but he’d already gotten his revenge where it mattered. Any more moves would just seem petty.

Besides, if he wasn’t mistaken, Yan Xinfeng was already digging deep into the flaw Wei Tingxia had unintentionally revealed. If he actually uncovered something, it would turn the world upside down.

Wei Tingxia truly didn’t want to deal with it anymore. A tiny voice in his heart urged him to smash the jar since it was already broken—to hell with any dignity in death, let’s all go down together.

He couldn’t figure out what Yan Xinfeng was really after. Back then, the one who had treated Wei Tingxia like a plaything and thought a bit of money could send him packing was Yan Xinfeng. And now, the one putting on this deep-affection act, as if he couldn’t live half a minute without Wei Tingxia, was also Yan Xinfeng.

Had his five years on the run really driven Yan Xinfeng insane?

After mulling it over for a long time, Wei Tingxia finally couldn’t hold back and asked System 0188, “What the hell do you think he’s pretending to be?”

He had been irritable for days, holding it in as usual, but today he really couldn’t take it anymore.

“What’s the benefit of faking such deep affection for him? Waiting for the whole world to know he’s a love-brained fool?”

Was this some new quick-money-making persona?

The more Wei Tingxia thought about it, the more annoyed he got. He plunged headfirst into a dead end, unconsciously gnawing at his lower lip until it turned bright red.

System 0188 had no answer.

It had witnessed the entire “relationship” between Wei Tingxia and Yan Xinfeng and understood exactly where Wei Tingxia’s irritation came from.

They had never started with free love; it was a sugar baby arrangement from the beginning.

Even without understanding human emotions, System 0188 was certain that “give you 200,000 and eat a meal with me” was hardly the start of a healthy romance.

Not to mention Yan Xinfeng’s later extravagant spending. He showered endless money on Wei Tingxia—after 500,000, he wanted a hug in return; after a million, a kiss; after five million, for Wei Tingxia to love him.

The more he gave, the more he wanted. Wei Tingxia had no intention of taking another step forward in that state, but Yan Xinfeng grew greedier.

When the jackpot accumulated to ten million, Yan Xinfeng brought back a ring.

It was quite crude, bearing the clumsy polish of a beginner. He placed it in a small velvet box and tossed it casually in front of Wei Tingxia.

He didn’t say it outright, but his eyes and actions all told Wei Tingxia—

Can we get married?

Wei Tingxia didn’t answer. He had meant to refuse, but Yan Xinfeng’s gaze was too sincere in the darkness, stirring the heart. The way he looked at Wei Tingxia felt humble, as if he had never stood above him but was squatting in the mud, desperately looking up in longing.

By some strange impulse, Wei Tingxia slipped on the ring.

Then Father Yan showed up at the door and once again smashed the nearly buried truth in Wei Tingxia’s face.

They hadn’t fallen in love. Yan Xinfeng didn’t love him.

Fine, that wasn’t news.

Wei Tingxia was used to it; he could accept it.

But right up to the end, he hadn’t been able to bring himself to throw away that ring. He kept it, like preserving the gaze he’d glimpsed that night by chance, preserving Yan Xinfeng’s love that seemed real yet fake.

…

By the time Wei Tingxia left the riverside penthouse, dusk was falling.

Yan Xinfeng received word from the company that Wei Tingxia had gone out, so as soon as he left the office, he called him and said he would be home in half an hour.

Wei Tingxia said okay, he would be faster—fifteen minutes.

He took the elevator down to the parking garage and was about to get in his car when he heard someone hesitantly call his name from behind: “Wei Tingxia?”

The last time someone had called him like that was on the cruise ship.

Wei Tingxia turned around, keeping a puzzled expression.

But the woman behind him smiled.

“It’s really you!”

Wearing 8 cm high heels, she hurried over to him. She was dressed exquisitely, her face pretty, her eyes full of surprise.

[Li Yan, your university classmate.]

Heaven knew who remembered their university classmates besides those seen only in class.

Wei Tingxia feigned surprise. “Li Yan!”

“Oh wow, you remember me!” Li Yan smiled even brighter. “Do you live here too?”

Wei Tingxia nodded. “Yeah, just bought it not long ago. Came to check it out first.”

Li Yan’s gaze deliberately shifted to the keys in his hand, then drifted back, scanning the car he had driven in.

When her eyes returned, her expression changed.

Unfortunately, the car Wei Tingxia drove was a black BYD, which should have been Yao Ling’s and their ride-around vehicle. Yan Xinfeng’s luxury cars worth over a million each were all gathering dust in the underground garage!

This was awkward—claiming to have bought a riverside penthouse but driving a car worth less than 300,000.

Wei Tingxia kept a straight face as Li Yan eyed his clothes again.

Perfect—the clothes were something he’d grabbed off the rack at a discount store.

“I live here too,” Li Yan said. “We’re neighbors now. Let’s hang out more.”

“Sure,” Wei Tingxia replied. He had also glanced at her outfit and said understandingly, “Do you have something to do? Go ahead!”

“Yeah, okay!”

Li Yan didn’t refuse, but after two steps forward, she suddenly remembered something and turned back to Wei Tingxia.

She smoothed her hair and said, “We have a class reunion. Do you know about it?”

Wei Tingxia shook his head. He had changed all his contact info.

“Then I’ll send you the invite.” Li Yan took out her phone. “Your contact…?”

“Changed them all,” Wei Tingxia said casually. “Add my new one.”

With that, he pulled out his phone, brought up the QR code page. Li Yan scanned it, and a friend request popped up on Wei Tingxia’s screen.

“All set!”

Li Yan put away her phone. At that moment, headlights flashed ahead—her ride had arrived.

“I’ll head out then. I’ll send the details later.”

She waved and left.

Wei Tingxia looked down at his phone screen for a bit, tapped into Li Yan’s Moments, and found it full of luxury cars and designer bags.

[She paid close attention to your clothes and accessories. According to my search, your entire outfit costs less than one of her extended nail tips.]

“Shut up,” Wei Tingxia shoved his phone back in his pocket. “Do you think you’re rich? How much of that 300,000 have you made for me?”

Anything else might have been fine, but mentioning that 300,000 made System 0188 fall silent.

Not a single cent earned.

It had made a few thousand last night, all lost today.

[There must be something wrong with this!] It gnashed its teeth. [The market doesn’t work like this!]

Wei Tingxia ignored its excuses. “Then go investigate. If you find out, I’ll believe you.”

[Wait for it.]

System 0188 put up a standby notice and hurriedly went to investigate.

It had checked leisurely before because it wasn’t related to any tasks. Now it panicked because if it didn’t figure it out, the blame for being useless would stick.

Wei Tingxia returned to the villa and, just as he entered, received the party details from Li Yan.

The reunion was set at a nearby five-star hotel with plenty of activities. The organizer had even booked rooms for every attendee.

Li Yan asked if he was coming. Wei Tingxia said he’d think about it.

He set down his phone. The sound of the door opening rang out again—President Yan, who had battled at the mall all day, was back.

But the first thing he did upon returning wasn’t changing shoes or clothes. Instead, he walked up to Wei Tingxia and turned a full circle in front of him.

Wei Tingxia: ?

He set down the half-eaten mini cake and asked strangely, “Is this some kind of homecoming ritual?”

“No,” Yan Xinfeng denied. “Just wanted to make sure you see I’m still alive.”

Not worked to death.

Where else could you find such a petty, grudge-holding ex-boyfriend?

Wei Tingxia nodded silently and stuffed the half-eaten mini cake into his mouth.

“This is your reward.” After shoving it in, he said, “Congratulations on still being alive.”

Yan Xinfeng didn’t mind it being from his mouth and finished it in two bites. After changing shoes and jacket, the chef brought out the finished dinner.

After eating, Wei Tingxia lay on the sofa, watching from afar as Yan Xinfeng finished a call and returned from the outer corridor.

He temporarily didn’t want to go back to the bedroom, afraid of stirring up anger at the sight.

Yan Xinfeng stopped beside him. Without thinking, Wei Tingxia lifted his leg. Once Yan Xinfeng sat down, he rested it on his lap.

“Satisfied with the house?” Yan Xinfeng asked.

Wei Tingxia recalled it and nodded.

“If you like any decorations, mention them. If the house isn’t big enough, we can adjust.”

Wei Tingxia kept nodding, growing drowsy.

Then he remembered Li Yan’s invitation that afternoon.

“There’s a class reunion asking if I want to go.”

The leg-rubbing paused briefly, but Yan Xinfeng’s voice stayed even. “Whose reunion?”

“I ran into a classmate when I was leaving the parking garage. She recognized me.”

There was no need to hide it. Wei Tingxia felt around for his phone on the table by sense, opened the chat log, and tossed it to Yan Xinfeng.

The phone was a new cheap brand, with a somewhat dim screen. Yan Xinfeng frowned as he looked at it for a while before setting it back on the table.