Chapter 64

Zhou Hao frowned and walked over:

"Wang Peng, it's a class reunion today, everyone is here to have a good time, don't be a killjoy."

Zhou Hao's expression darkened.

Just then, a cold female voice rang out.

"Zhou Hao, it's one thing that you didn't invite Qin Ze, but now you're here mocking him—is that really necessary?"

Everyone turned their heads to look.

It was Xiao Na who spoke.

Back in college, Xiao Na was the class study committee member; she was top-tier in looks, but she was entirely focused on her studies and never dated, giving off the vibe of a cold, aloof academic star.

Three years later, she was even more beautiful than in college, having shed some of her youthful awkwardness and gained a bit more maturity and sophistication.

When Zhou Hao saw Xiao Na, his eyes flickered.

"Xiao Na, how did I mock him?"

"I was just asking why Qin Ze didn't come and happened to mention some news I heard—is that considered mocking?"

Xiao Na stood up and looked at him with calm eyes.

"Qin Ze was the class monitor in college and did a lot for everyone; even if he isn't doing well now, he shouldn't be ridiculed by you like this."

She paused, her voice turning a bit colder:

"Besides, he didn't really offend you, did he?"

Zhou Hao's face turned a shade of green and white from her words.

"Xiao Na, the way you put it, it's like I'm deliberately targeting Qin Ze." He twitched the corner of his mouth.

"I just think, Qin Ze was so impressive and high-and-mighty when he was class monitor, so now that he's ended up like this, can't people even talk about it?"

Huang Mao immediately chimed in.

"So what if he was class monitor? Being class monitor doesn't make him the county magistrate!"

"If he's not doing well now, can't we even talk about it?"

Song Bin also stood up.

"Zhou Hao, we're all classmates, there's no need for this."

Zhou Hao looked at Wang Peng, then at Song Bin and Xiao Na, and suddenly laughed.

"Fine, fine."

He nodded.

"I'm the one treating today, and I invited everyone here to have a good time. If you guys are looking for trouble..."

He raised his hand and pointed toward the door.

"Be my guest."

These words were already very blunt.

Xiao Na glanced at him, said nothing, and turned to walk toward the door.

Wang Peng and Song Bin exchanged a look and followed her.

The three of them walked out of the banquet hall, and the door behind them closed, cutting off the noise and discussion inside.

The corridor grew quiet.

Wang Peng caught up to Xiao Na:

"Xiao Na, wait!"

Xiao Na stopped and turned around.

"Wang Peng, is something the matter?"

"That... well..." Wang Peng scratched his head, "Qin Ze is upstairs today."

Xiao Na was stunned for a moment:

"Qin Ze? He's upstairs?"

"Yes." Wang Peng nodded.

"He's right here in this hotel; he told me to sit for a while and then go find him."

He paused and asked tentatively:

"How about... we go sit with him together? Instead of staying at Zhou Hao's gathering, let's go sit with Qin Ze for a bit?"

Xiao Na hesitated for a few seconds.

She had come to the class reunion today hoping to see old classmates, never expecting it to turn out like this.

Going back in was impossible now, but leaving directly felt a bit awkward.

"Which room is Qin Ze in?" she asked.

"In the reception room," Wang Peng said. "It seems he specifically booked a reception room."

Xiao Na was a bit surprised.

The reception rooms at the Fusheng Grand Hotel aren't just booked by anyone.

She nodded, "Then let's go sit for a bit."

The three of them took the elevator downstairs to the hotel lobby.

Wang Peng walked to the front desk and said to the waiter:

"Hello, I'm looking for Mr. Qin Ze; he's in the No. 1 Reception Room."

As soon as the waiter heard the name Qin Ze, her attitude immediately became enthusiastic.

"You must be Mr. Wang Peng, right?" she asked with a smile.

"Yes, I am."

"Mr. Qin has already given instructions; please follow me."

The waiter stepped out from behind the front desk and led the three of them toward the elevator.

Along the way, her attitude was so respectful that it even made Wang Peng feel a bit embarrassed.

"Mr. Qin is a VIP of our hotel; the No. 1 Reception Room is the best reception room in the hotel and is usually not open to the public."

The waiter introduced as they walked.

"Today, Mr. Qin specifically requested to host friends, and our manager made the arrangements personally."

Wang Peng and Song Bin looked at each other in surprise.

Xiao Na raised her eyebrows slightly, lost in thought.

Taking the elevator to the fifth floor, the waiter led the three of them to a heavy double door.

A golden sign hung above the door, reading "No. 1 Reception Room."

The waiter knocked gently on the door and then pushed it open.

"Mr. Qin, your friends have arrived."

Inside the reception room.

Qin Ze was sitting on the sofa smoking a cigar.

Hearing the sound, he looked up and saw Wang Peng, Song Bin, and Xiao Na following behind.

He was stunned for a moment, then stood up.

As soon as they entered, Wang Peng, Song Bin, and Xiao Na were all dumbfounded.

They looked at the reception room before them, their eyes wide.

This wasn't a reception room; it was clearly a small banquet hall!

It was at least a hundred square meters in size and decorated magnificently.

Thick carpets covered the floor, art hung on the walls, and gorgeous crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.

In the center sat a large round table that could seat over a dozen people, already set with exquisite tableware and wine glasses.

There was also a lounge area nearby, with leather sofas, coffee tables, and a wine cabinet—everything one could need.

Most exaggerated of all, by the window, there was actually a small cooking station, and a chef was standing there preparing ingredients.

"Holy crap..."

Wang Peng muttered to himself.

"Old Qin, you... are you not planning on living a normal life anymore?"

Song Bin was also too shocked to speak.

Although Xiao Na appeared calm on the surface, she couldn't hide the surprise in her eyes.

Qin Ze smiled, walked over to Wang Peng, and patted his shoulder.

"What are you thinking?"

"I just missed you, brother, so I set up a place to have a couple of drinks with you."

Wang Peng came back to his senses, his face bitter:

"Qin Ze, you didn't need to spend so much money to host us, did you? This food, this place... am I even worthy of this?"

"Enough nonsense." Qin Ze pulled him toward the table, "Sit down and let's talk."

He looked at Song Bin again:

"Song Bin, long time no see."

Song Bin pushed up his glasses and nodded somewhat reservedly:

"Long time no see."

Finally, Qin Ze's gaze fell on Xiao Na.

Xiao Na was dressed very simply today in a light blue dress, which accentuated her slender figure and cold, aloof temperament.

Back in college, Xiao Na was the recognized beauty of the class, but back then she spent all day in the library, wearing thick glasses and dressing very plainly.

Now that she had taken off her glasses and put on light makeup, she looked like a completely new person, even more beautiful than in college.

"Xiao Na, why did you come too?" Qin Ze asked.

Wang Peng hurriedly explained:

"Old Qin, you don't know—just now at the class reunion, that bastard Zhou Hao was disparaging you in every way, saying you got dumped and laid off!"

"Xiao Na couldn't stand it, stood up to speak up for you, and ended up getting kicked out by Zhou Hao."

Hearing this, Qin Ze looked at Xiao Na.

"Thank you, Xiao Na."

Xiao Na shook her head:

"I just couldn't stand it, so I said a few words!"

She paused and looked at Qin Ze:

"But... you don't seem angry at all?"

Qin Ze laughed.

"What's there to be angry about?"

"The class reunion Zhou Hao organized is at most just for showing off. Let's not do that fake stuff—come on, let's drink."

He invited the three of them to sit down.

Just then, Master Wang from the cooking station walked over.

"President Qin, the ingredients are all prepared; shall I start cooking now?"

Qin Ze nodded:

"Start, Master Wang; thank you for your hard work today."

"Not hard at all, not hard at all." Master Wang hurriedly waved his hand.

"It is my honor to serve President Qin."

After saying this, he returned to the cooking station and began cooking on the spot.

Wang Peng, Song Bin, and Xiao Na were all stunned.

"C-cooking on the spot?" Wang Peng asked, stuttering.

Qin Ze nodded, "Master Wang is the hotel's head chef; his skills are excellent, and I specifically invited him over today to make us a few of his signature dishes."

Wang Peng swallowed hard:

"Old Qin, you... what kind of fortune did you make, exactly?"

Qin Ze glanced at him, then looked at Song Bin and Xiao Na.

All three were looking at him eagerly, their eyes full of confusion and curiosity.

He smiled, picked up the cigar cutter on the table, and slowly clipped the end of his cigar.

"Since you all have been defending me so much..."

He lit the cigar, took a puff, and slowly blew out a smoke ring.

"Then I won't hide it from you anymore."

He leaned back in his chair, his tone relaxed.

"I'm showing my cards."

"I've been investing and doing business lately, and I've made a comeback."

Wang Peng: "???"

Song Bin: "!!!"

Xiao Na: "...?"

The expressions on the three people's faces were spectacular.

Shock, confusion, disbelief.

"I-investing?" Wang Peng's tongue was tied.

"Old Qin, when did you get into that stuff?"

In Wang Peng's view, investing was no different from gambling, drugs, or prostitution!

"Just recently." Qin Ze made it up on the fly.

"I spent a year in the A-shares market and finally hit a few limit-ups!"

"Then I took the money and bought a small investment company. Now I have some money in my hands, so you could say I've made a comeback."

Qin Ze said it nonchalantly, but the information in his words was massive.