Society teaches us how to live, and it’s obvious everyone has changed a lot.
A pair of slender, fair arms suddenly reached out from behind, intimately linking with Du Chuyun’s arm. The pleasant scent of perfume instantly filled Du Chuyun’s nostrils as Zhang Jingjing leaned over, blinking her eyes and asked, "Yunyun, didn’t you say Jiang Ning would attend this reunion? Why isn’t she here yet?"
Upon hearing this sweet, soft voice, Du Chuyun glanced at the heavily made-up Zhang Jingjing. Her lips twitched slightly, and she restrained herself from shaking off Zhang Jingjing’s hand.
If we have to talk about who changed the most among the more than twenty classmates attending today’s gathering, it has to be Zhang Jingjing!
Back in school, Zhang Jingjing was true to her name—quiet and introverted, rarely speaking up in class or participating in extracurricular activities, essentially an invisible person in the class.
Who would have thought that in just one year after graduation, Zhang Jingjing seemed to have undergone a complete transformation? Not only did her appearance change drastically, but her personality was also completely different.
When Zhang Jingjing just walked over and greeted her proactively, she couldn’t believe that the finely made-up, sensually dressed woman in front of her was actually the former fringe classmate Zhang Jingjing!
But she quickly learned from other informed classmates that Zhang Jingjing not only underwent liposuction but also had cosmetic surgery.
No wonder she was like a completely different person!
"It’s still early. I told her to meet at seven for dinner, and it’s not even six-thirty yet," Du Chuyun glanced down at the time and said, "She should already be on her way."
"Why don’t you send a message to check?" Zhang Jingjing couldn’t help but suggest, not hiding at all her motive for attending the reunion this time.
This time, she came just for Jiang Ning.
"Yeah, yeah, Yunyun, sending a message is no big deal. Jiang Ning is a celebrity now. What if she’s too busy and forgets about the reunion? Sending a message could remind her." Other classmates chimed in.
However, their agreement seemed to flip a switch among the others, who had been chatting about various topics on the sofa and chairs. Hearing Jiang Ning’s name sparked a new common topic:
"Haha, have you guys seen those videos on Douyin of Jiang Ning saving people?"
"More than just that! I’ve followed Jiang Ning, watched her catch criminals during live streams a few times. It was absolutely insane."
"Me too, I’ve seen it three times, sneaking a peek during work. Watching Jiang Ning secretly start a live stream at the hospital, exposing those healthcare workers trafficking children—it was exhilarating. I can’t believe that was Jiang Ning, our former classmate, hahaha, it’s just too incredible."
"I was different. I started following Jiang Ning when she participated in that variety show. I watched the entire thing, seeing her go from being trashed online to being praised everywhere... She’s truly amazing."
"Sigh, we were classmates for four years and never knew Jiang Ning’s background and struggles. No wonder she was always by herself, bustling with various part-time jobs, surely because the Jiang Family didn’t give her enough money for living expenses!"
"Looking back now, I wish I’d taken a bit more time to understand her situation back then."
"Yeah, with so many of us, if we had each chipped in a little, Jiang Ning’s life wouldn’t have been so hard at the time."
A single sentence left most people’s expressions hard to define, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat gloomy.
Until a scoff from the corner broke the silence in the room: "What are you all doing now? Is this a class reunion or a bootlicking meeting for Jiang Ning? Feeling sorry for her now, where were you before?"
Her words were a bit harsh, causing someone to frown and look toward the girl sitting in the corner of the sofa: "Fan Xin, what are you saying!"
"What’s wrong? Am I wrong?" Fan Xin mocked coldly, her gaze sweeping over the faces in the room, capturing everyone’s awkward expressions. She didn’t care: "Put away your false façades. If I remember correctly, when Jiang Ning was being trashed all over the web, no one invited her to class reunions, and quite a few talked behind her back. So why the change now that she’s famous?"
Fan Xin was a local in Capital City and started working in her family business after graduating.
Her family’s condition was above average in the class, and during our internships, she even arranged jobs for several classmates at her company.
People enjoyed inviting Fan Xin to small gatherings and events.
Because of this, Fan Xin was well aware of the things said behind people’s backs.
Once she spoke, most of the people there showed varied expressions.
Especially those who had publicly made remarks about Jiang Ning—they couldn’t hide their embarrassment.
Despite being only a year out in society, we weren’t kids anymore; we understood some rules and orders of this world.
If Fan Xin’s family hadn’t been in such good condition, even if she had reason, they might have retorted.
But as it turned out, not only did Fan Xin have the right, but her family’s condition was better than theirs.
They could only hold their bitter expressions and awkwardly swallow their irritation.
The atmosphere in the room became even more awkward and silent.
The class president who organized the reunion, Fu Fangzhou, stood up, clapped his hands, and broke the stalemate: "Alright, alright, stop talking about the past. Jiang Ning is incredibly strong now and far from the pitiful, fragile person you imagine."
He shook the Maserati car keys in his hand, delivering another blow: "Spend this time worrying about yourselves instead of feeling sorry for others!"