Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
At that moment, Wang Lei suddenly approached me, and I reflexively stood up, causing him to look at me in surprise.
“Chen Xiang, it’s been years, and your temper hasn’t changed. Raising pigs must be tough for you!”
I tightened my grip on the wine glass and coldly glanced at Wang Lei and Zhang Quan, slowly saying, “Have you two seen Yangzi since then? I met Yangzi once last year!”
Zhang Quan and Wang Lei exchanged a sarcastic laugh. “You were confused back then!”
I gritted my teeth and spoke slowly, “What happened back then wasn’t my doing. Zhang Quan, you put the blame on me just to see me make a fool of myself, didn’t you?”
Zhang Quan was taken aback, not expecting me to address this matter so calmly. I continued nonchalantly, “The loss of Yangzi’s student loan was just a misunderstanding. He found the money later and returned what I had given him! The teachers at school knew about this, but very few classmates did. By that time, everyone had graduated. Do you still think I should go back to raising pigs?”
Zhang Quan and Wang Lei loosened their grips on their wine glasses, with Zhang Quan saying indifferently, “Back then, it was only because your family was poor! You were also Yangzi’s roommate!”
I smirked slightly but maintained my composure. “Is my family’s poverty your excuse for framing me?! Justice will not be absent; thirty years in the east and thirty years in the west—don’t underestimate the young and poor!” I rolled up my sleeves, revealing a watch worth hundreds of thousands on my wrist. This was hardly the taste of someone who raised pigs.
Zhang Quan and Wang Lei were still in shock when Zhang Quan’s wife, Lu Meng, walked in. Upon seeing her husband, Zhang Quan immediately changed his demeanor. “Oh dear, you’re here to check up on me? I told you today is a class reunion! You really don’t trust me!”
Lu Meng smiled and sat down next to him. “I happened to pass by here. Since I’m familiar with the shareholders here, they let me in. These are all your classmates; nice to meet you! Oh, isn’t this Manager Chen from Chenyuan Group? You’re also a classmate of Zhang Quan? You must take good care of him from now on!”
Lu Meng, Zhang Quan’s wife, was a small client of mine whom I had only met once.
Before I could distinguish her from any other passerby, she began introducing me to her husband. “Honey, you have no idea how impressive your college classmate Chen Xiang is! At such a young age, he’s the general manager of one of the top five publicly listed companies in the city, with business spanning agriculture, technology, entertainment, military industry, and more. He’s also a shareholder in Mingyuan Clubhouse. It’s truly an honor to meet you today.”
Zhang Quan and Wang Lei exchanged a strange expression that seemed to say, "Did I hear that right?" Lu Meng was quite the character; how could I possibly act alongside her?
The two of them glanced at each other, their eyes cautious as they looked at me. Then, Zhang Quan's wife smiled apologetically and said, " Manager Chen recently received a national model worker award. Congratulations! I also heard you’re getting married soon. My best friend saw you with your girlfriend in the Yongjing Huafu community!"
Zhang Quan's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Chen Xiang, do you go to Yongjing Huafu to meet clients?"
I smiled, realizing that on Mid-Autumn Festival, I had been spotted with Qin Lan by Lu Meng's best friend.
Lu Meng elbowed Zhang Quan, who obediently fell silent. "What kind of person is Manager Chen? Does he go to someone else's house for Mid-Autumn Festival?"
Zhang Quan was a henpecked husband, carefully trying to appease her. "Dear, Yongjing Huafu is a high-end community costing three hundred thousand per square meter; ordinary people can't afford it. You said Chen Xiang hasn't been raising pigs these years, but he certainly can't afford Yongjing Huafu! Honey, are you feeling unwell? Should I have someone take you home?"
Lu Meng shot Zhang Quan a glare, looking exasperated. "Alright, enough of that! Manager Chen, let’s exchange contact information. You’re Zhang Quan's college classmate; it will make things easier in the future."
I tightened my grip on my phone and replied with a faint smile, "If there's anything to discuss, we can do it in the office. I don't add members of the opposite sex casually; my partner would get upset!"
Lu Meng looked reluctantly at Zhang Quan, who chuckled and said, "Chen Xiang, you're probably not in the class group yet; I'll add you!"
I swiped my phone and realized I was already in the group.
Wang Lei's wife Chun Xiao was posting about their new car in the group—a G-Class.
The classmates in the group were filled with envy.
Zhang Quan poked Lu Meng and said, "What kind of car do you think General Chen drove here today?"
Lu Meng rolled her eyes at him, clearly annoyed with her clumsy teammate.
She mouthed to her husband, and Zhang Quan opened his mouth in disbelief, "Honey, are you joking?"
Lu Meng wasn't wrong when she said, "I drove a Lamborghini."
But Zhang Quan just couldn't believe it.
Zhang Quan wanted my car keys to see what I was driving, and I calmly took out the keys.
Zhang Quan exchanged glances with Wang Lei, looking a bit unsettled.
"Chen Xiang, is this a joke? So you know my wife and had her speak well of you? Is that car of yours borrowed? Is it fun pretending to be the boss?"
I smiled lightly and replied, "I'm not familiar with your wife!"
After saying that, I took back the car keys. "This car performs well; you guys could buy one for yourselves!"
Seeing their faces turn pale, I smiled even more.
I set down my drink and pushed open the door to the private room, preparing to leave. My assistant followed closely behind, respectfully taking my keys since I couldn't drive after drinking.
Zhang Quan and Wang Lei stood at the door of the room, and I heard my assistant say, "Boss, I'll drive you back. Do you want to go to Yongjing Huafu or Fontainebleau?"
I only felt the two people behind me gasp in surprise. Both of these neighborhoods are top luxury residences in Haishi, home to winners in life.
Under their watchful gaze, I handed the car keys to my assistant.
Originally, I had no connection with them at school; I just wanted to make an appearance at the reunion.
After waking up at home, I went to pick up my girlfriend, Qin Lan, from work at eleven o'clock that night.
My girlfriend previously worked at Xspace in the United States.
Returning to Qin Lan's place, I prepared a bowl of noodles for both of us.
While Qin Lan was taking a shower, her phone vibrated.
In the next moment, I saw Qin Lan being pulled into the class group chat by the class monitor, Zhang Quan.
The once quiet group suddenly became lively.
Zhang Quan was the first to speak, "Welcome our alumni scientist, Qin Lan!"
Before Zhang Quan's expression pack could settle down, his wife, Lu Meng, chimed in with enthusiasm. She shouted at Zhang Quan, "Honey, is this the one you mentioned who builds rockets? She's a female scientist and the ex-girlfriend of General Chen?"
Zhang Quan nodded and tagged me in the group chat.
"General Chen, I've called Qin Lan in. She's a high-tech talent brought in from abroad, more precious than a giant panda! Since you're not raising pigs anymore, you should meet some international talent. I'm giving you both a chance."
I was downstairs when I heard my phone vibrating incessantly. I took a look at the chaotic group chat; Zhang Quan was stirring up trouble tonight.
After glancing at the messages, I turned off my phone and ignored him.
At that moment, Qin Lan came out of the bathroom. She picked up her phone and saw the mess in the group chat. She sent a voice message saying, "Yes, Chen Xiang is still my boyfriend! Are you all trying to pressure me into marriage?"
As soon as Qin Lan finished speaking, the group fell silent.
The next morning, Lu Meng and Zhang Quan appeared in my office.
I have a habit of arriving at work ten minutes early every day.
However, Lu Meng and Zhang Quan arrived before me. Upon seeing me in the office, Zhang Quan's expression looked somewhat gloomy.
I smiled lightly and said, "What brings the class leader to this pig farmer's place?"
Lu Meng and Zhang Quan's faces instantly turned bright red.
Lu Meng tugged at Zhang Quan's sleeve, prompting him to speak up.
Zhang Quan took a deep breath and stood in front of me. "Chen Xiang, I came here with my wife today to ask you for a favor!"
There was an air of arrogance and pressure, but I raised an eyebrow, unfazed. I lowered my head to organize the documents on the table and exchanged a knowing glance with my assistant, who had just arrived late. She understood and came over to help.
" Manager Chen, you have seven meetings scheduled for this morning, and the next one starts in ten minutes. I've prepared the documents you need, and here’s your coffee!"
The assistant's voice was heard by both Zhang Quan and Lu Meng, but Lu Meng was still not giving up. She tugged at Zhang Quan's sleeve again, and he frowned as he said, "Chen Xiang, I've never asked you for a favor before, but you can help with this matter concerning my wife."
I chuckled self-deprecatingly, then picked up the documents and said, "I'm just a pig farmer; what help can I provide? Didn't you say that just yesterday? I really can't be of any assistance!"
Seeing my stubbornness, Zhang Quan's hand involuntarily clenched into a fist.
At 4:50 PM, after the last meeting of the day concluded, I stayed behind.
This afternoon, the board received a complaint alleging that during my university years, I had poor character, stealing my roommate's student loan and using school connections to avoid expulsion.
It was an anonymous letter that detailed the events more clearly than anyone else could.
I knew that it wasn't simple for someone to frame me for stealing Yangzi's student loan back then.
Ten years ago, it left me with no way out; now history was repeating itself, aiming to ruin my reputation.
But I am no longer the impoverished college student I once was.
My first reaction was to immediately narrow down the suspects to a small group of people who knew about the events from back then.
I found a handwriting expert, and ultimately, through handwriting analysis, I identified the person behind the anonymous complaint.
It was this person who had turned me into a target back then.
This person is none other than Zhang Quan.
My assistant quickly took Zhang Quan's wife, Lu Meng, away under my instructions.
Three hours later, Zhang Quan appeared before me again.
I looked down at Zhang Quan from my elevated position, and his indifferent gaze narrowed slightly.
"So, what is your reason for not letting me go? I remember I never provoked you!"
Zhang Quan lowered his head and did not respond. I calmly smiled and said, "Zhang Quan, you were the class monitor; we all regarded you as our brother. I never imagined that on this day ten years ago, you would leave me with no way out, and now you want to repeat the same trick! Why? I want to know the reason!"
Zhang Quan raised his proud head and looked straight at me without flinching. "No reason! You took your roommate's student loan; our entire class knows about it!"
There was a chilling coldness in Zhang Quan's eyes, but then his dark gaze flickered and returned to a sunny demeanor. "Chen Xiang, you, a descendant of pig farmers, have already received the greatest privilege by getting into a prestigious school. Why do you insist on stepping on others?"
I was taken aback, looking at Zhang Quan in disbelief. My father is a pig farmer, and every hard-earned penny he made was spent on my education. He only hoped that my path would be a little smoother.
In my home, we neither steal nor rob. We work hard raising pigs to make a living and have never taken rice from your family. Why should my growth be viewed with colored lenses?
At school, the only thing I can do is outperform others in grades.
The happiness I seek requires more effort than anyone else.
"So, how long do you plan to rely on the student loan from Yangzi?"
Fifteen minutes later, Yangzi, my college roommate, arrived at the scene.
When Yangzi saw Zhang Quan, he paused for a moment. My assistant handed Yangzi a cup of tea, and he looked at Zhang Quan with a sense of empathy while holding the cup.
"The class leader of Class Three, you shouldn't keep bringing up that incident from back then!" Yangzi said, gripping the teacup as he fell into memories.
"Back then, my student loan was sewn into my cotton quilt. By the time I discovered it, everyone had already graduated. At that time, Xiangzi was struggling alone in a basement, eating just a steamed bun every day and unable to find a job."
As Yangzi spoke, his voice choked with emotion. He wiped away a tear and looked at me before resolutely saying, "I reported this to the school teachers and returned the money to Xiangzi through them. Without their help, Xiangzi wouldn't have been able to settle down in Haishi so quickly.
Class leader of Class Three, I know you and Wang Lei have never liked Xiangzi. He ranks first every year despite coming from a poor background, but you shouldn't treat him unfairly."
Zhang Quan paused and lowered his head, saying, "I didn't know; I wasn't aware of the truth!"
Yangzi gave a sarcastic smile. "You are the class leader and close to the teachers; how could there be anything you don't know? Xiangzi is doing great; why do you keep targeting him?"
"Although our family is poor, our hearts are sincere."
Yangzi heard the conversation between Zhang Quan and Lu Meng as she quietly stood behind Zhang Quan.
She never expected her husband would file a complaint against Manager Chen.
This was hardly a way to ask someone for help.
Just as she was about to step forward to persuade him, she heard Zhang Quan sneer, "Chen Xiang's school does indeed perform well, but do you know? He kidnapped my wife to force me to confess. What is he even worth? Just a descendant of pig farmers!"
Yangzi was taken aback, her face filled with sorrow. "Class Leader Zhang Quan, is this how you view Chen Xiang? Is this how you see me, the descendant of a poor family? In your eyes, there is no semblance of fairness or justice. Your complaint against Chen Xiang is merely an attempt to achieve what you cannot accomplish through legitimate means!"
Zhang Quan seemed to be struck at his core as he grabbed Yangzi by the collar. The other person's face turned red as they looked at him. "Zhang Quan, what do you want to do?"
Seeing this scene, Chen Xiang immediately restrained Zhang Quan, while his wife Lu Meng rushed forward in panic.
"Zhang Quan, are you crazy? What are you doing? I'm not going to do this anymore; please stop!"
Hearing his wife's voice brought Zhang Quan back to reality. He released Yangzi and muttered an apology.
I and Qin Lan exited the class group.
I blocked Zhang Quan.
A month later, Qin Lan and I held our wedding in my hometown.
From school uniforms to wedding dresses, we have been together for nine years, except for the three years of misunderstanding when she was in the United States and I was in Haishi.
Over the years, my hometown can no longer raise pigs. My father retired early, and the original pigpen has been planted with corn and potatoes. Qin Lan really likes my parents.
She thinks my hometown is a place with simple folk customs.
My parents are honest farmers.
Our wedding was low-key and simple.
I didn't invite any of my college classmates.
Wang Lei and Zhang Quan learned about it from Zhang Quan's wife, Lu Meng.
Lu Meng asked my assistant to give me a red envelope.
I had my assistant return it.
One night during our wedding leave, Qin Lan and I were eating crayfish at a street stall when Wang Lei happened to pass by on a business trip in his G-Class.
When he saw me with Qin Lan, he was quite surprised. He parked the car and sat down across from me.
This was the first time he looked at me properly since graduating from college.
"Happy wedding! I'm already a father of three kids, you need to hurry up!" Wang Lei chuckled, but still looked at me with pride.
I calmly glanced at him and clinked glasses with my wife, Qin Lan. "Qin Lan is a wonderful wife. After leaving me for that reason back then, she chose to believe in me and support me. It turns out I didn't let her down. Having children is also about fate; our kids have a certain resilience."
Wang Lei lowered his head to look at the wine glass in his hand and drank the bitter liquor. I observed him thoughtfully and said, "Wang Lei, I haven't let myself down."
Wang Lei clinked glasses with me and downed his drink in one go. It seemed he had a lot to say to me. Since college, he had always compared himself to me—academic performance, who had the prettier girlfriend, internship achievements, and now it was about housing, cars, and children.
My progress was his endless motivation. Wang Lei said, "Chen Xiang, I'm about to get promoted. This year I'm buying a house in the provincial capital, and all three of my kids will go to school there. My kids will be running around soon, while yours haven't even arrived yet; you really are slow. I will never lose to you—never!"
Wang Lei set down his glass and walked towards his G-Class. I watched his retreating figure with a slight smile; all I want for my child is to be safe and healthy and to live as an ordinary person.
Comment 0 Comment Count