945 Perplexed and Smitten 5 (2/2)
”I haven't heard of any.” The female monitor covered her mouth while chuckling and continued, ”He used to be the one being courted instead. Back then, there were so many female schoolmates of ours who would stare at him fondly from outside of the windows after class. By the way, Qingyan, do you remember Wen Lele, the girl who used to sit beside you? She'll be coming later too.”
Feeling a little muddled up, Jin Qingyan said, ”I do remember vaguely.”
”Hey, buddy…” said Yang Zhou, one of Jin Qingyan's former classmates whom he was much closer to compared to the rest. They used to play ball together.
”Are you married yet?” asked Jin Qingyan, who had a clearer memory of him since he was closer to him in high school.
”Not even close. Your son is already so grown up and I'm still single,” Yang Zhou said casually. Despite having not met each other for years, he did not feel distant toward Jin Qingyan at all.
An Xiaoning felt that Yang Zhou was not a scheming person, given how straightforward and candid he was.
”What industry are you working in now?”
Yang Zhou grinned and said, ”Make a guess.”
”Don't tell me you really became a toilet janitor?” Jin Qingyan blurted unrestrainedly.
Everyone burst into laughter at his amusing comment. Yang Zhou waved and said, ”I did have such plans, but too bad, the toilet didn't accept me.”
The female monitor interjected, ”Yang Zhou is now a prestigious lawyer.”
”Being a lawyer is great,” Jin Qingyan said in approval.
Just as they were in the midst of a conversation, a good-looking couple entered.
Everyone began teasing them the moment they stepped foot inside. ”Oh? Why did you two come together? Don't tell me, you're dating each other?”
”Cut it out. We bumped into each other at the door,” said the slender and beautiful woman.
Pursing her lips, the female monitor said, ”Lele, your table partner is here.”
Wen Lele had already caught sight of Jin Qingyan when she was at the door of the room. He was just like a glowing presence, never failing to catch the attention of those around him.
”I saw. Long time no see, Jin Qingyan.” She extended her hand to shake Jin Qingyan's.
”This must be Ms. An. I've seen several photos of you on the news. You're so much prettier in real life. I'm Jin Qingyan's table mate back in high school. My name is Wen Lele.”
An Xiaoning remarked, ”You're so beautiful, Ms. Wen.”
”Nah, I can't be compared to you, Ms. An.”
”You're too humble.”
Pointing at the man who entered together with Wen Lele, Jin Qingyan said, ”Here, let me introduce you to He Yi, the impressive globetrotter I was telling you about.”
He Yi extended a hand and said, ”Nice to meet you.”
An Xiaoning returned the handshake and greeted with a smile, ”Nice to meet you.”
They sat down one after another. The female monitor then said, ”All the invited guests are present. It's been more than a decade since we graduated and last met each other. Let's toast to reuniting.”
Everyone opened a can of beer each and clinked their cans together.
They then began chatting joyously about the interesting and amusing events that took place during high school, as if they had just happened yesterday. An Xiaoning began snacking on some sunflower seeds while listening to their recounts. She was initially thinking about how she should strike a conversation with He Yi. To her surprise, he initiated a chat with her and Jin Qingyan.
”You didn't attend the previous gathering we held several years ago. Only a few of us had your contact number. I did see you on the news rather frequently, though.”
”Let's exchange numbers, then. What's yours?” Jin Qingyan asked.
Slightly taken aback, He Yi proceeded to give Jin Qingyan his mobile number, after which Jin Qingyan gave him a missed call.