Chapter 13: Today I Have a Boyfriend

Ling Yan's heart tightened suddenly; she instinctively looked toward Xu Yanfeng. Yesterday, in front of her parents, Xu Yanfeng could deny her face and just walk away—let alone these people.

She didn't want to hear him deny their relationship, so before Xu Yanfeng could speak she cleverly changed the subject: "Everyone, stop blocking the doorway; let's go inside to talk."

"Look at me, I got so excited I forgot—let's go in, sit down, and chat."

Ding Wen Qi was the organizer of this class reunion; he immediately parted the crowd, walked up to Xu Yanfeng, and ushered him to a seat.

Xu Yanfeng walked past Xia Xi without glancing at her, heading straight to sit on the sofa inside.

Ling Yan hadn't known Xia Xi was there; she suddenly saw her gorgeous face, her steps faltered, and she was startled.

She couldn't help wondering: could Xu Yanfeng have shown up tonight because of her?

Otherwise, how could one explain Xu Yanfeng's disdain for big business gatherings, yet his presence at this low-class class reunion, especially since these people aren't even his classmates?

They are Xia Xi's classmates.

A huge sense of crisis surrounded Ling Yan; eager to prove something, she quickened her steps to catch up with Xu Yanfeng, hoping to sit beside him, only to find he was sitting on a single sofa.

Ling Yan stood there, at a loss.

A girl called out to her: "Miss Ling, would you like to sit here?"

There was an empty seat beside that girl; Ling Yan looked over, gave her a slight smile, tucked her skirt, and sat down.

Many people gathered around Xu Yanfeng to chat, offering him drinks and cigarettes, being very attentive.

Who doesn't know Xu Yanfeng took over the Xu Clan Group? Although he's now called Young General Manager Xu, most of the group's affairs are decided by him. A single order from him can shake the Nancheng economy.

He is one of the few ways these ordinary people have to access high society, so naturally they don't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Xu Yanfeng's expression was vacant, he spoke little, one hand dangling on the sofa armrest, long fingers holding a cigarette; someone brought a lighter close to light it for him, but he waved them off, his eyes showing little emotion.

His phone rang; he pulled it out, saw it was his father calling, rose, and went to another side of the private room to answer.

As soon as he left, the atmosphere relaxed considerably.

Three girls surrounded Ling Yan, curiously asking: "Just now the senior didn't answer that question—are you married or just dating? Otherwise he wouldn't have brought you along as family."

Ling Yan's eyes flickered; no one knows her relationship with Xu Yanfeng better than she does.

When Xu Yanfeng first took over the Xu Clan Group, countless socialites approached him seeking his favor; he grew weary of dealing with them. At that time she came to his side and helped him get rid of those troubles. He probably thought it was good, though he never said so.

Even her parents thought they were "mutually attracted and compatible."

Only she knew this was a one-woman show from start to finish.

Regarding her position, Xu Yanfeng never expressed an opinion; it was her own faint delusion, believing that someday he would accept her.

And her reason for accompanying him to the class reunion today was merely coincidental.

She had arranged to meet someone here to discuss matters; after it ended, she happened to run into Xu Yanfeng in the lobby downstairs, overjoyed, she went over to ask why he was there.

Learning he would attend the class reunion, she invited herself along, gauging his dislike of nitpicking, and said in a playful tone: "You've been so busy talking business you haven't eaten—mind if I tag along for a meal?"

Xu Yanfeng indeed couldn't be bothered to complain, saying nothing about it.

She then followed him like a little tail, silently behind him, appearing before these people and inadvertently gaining the identity of "family."

Ling Yan glanced at Xu Yanfeng's silhouette from the corner of her eye; he was a bit far away, likely unable to hear their conversation. She affected a shy smile, her voice just loud enough for a few nearby to hear: "We just met our parents yesterday to discuss the engagement; it's not settled yet."

She was sure Xia Xi could hear, and observed her reaction without showing anything.

Xia Xi didn't look at her, tipped her head back and took a sip of wine; finding it insufficient, she downed the whole glass, accidentally choking on the last gulp and coughing.

Zhao Lei sat beside her, saw this, and sympathetically rubbed her back: "Drink slowly, watch out for getting drunk."

Had she known it would be like this, she shouldn't have stopped Xia Xi earlier; letting her leave would have been better than facing her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend flaunting their love.

She had originally hoped Xia Xi and Xu Yanfeng might reconcile using this opportunity, but it seems there's no hope.

Xia Xi set down her cup, pulled out a tissue to wipe her lips: "The alcohol content isn't high, it's fine."

"No matter what, it's still alcohol." Zhao Lei handed her a glass of orange juice: "Take a couple sips to settle it."

Xia Xi waved her hand. Besides the two of them, the other three girls looked at Ling Yan with envy.

"Noble families still care about matching backgrounds; yours truly do match. Of course, you're also well-suited as people—handsome guy, beautiful girl, standing together especially pleasing to the eye."

"Although Xia Xi's family is wealthy, they still fall far short of true tycoons, so it's no surprise she and the senior would break up."

"She just said her family had some changes, right? It probably isn't as affluent as before."

"That bag she's carrying costs tens of thousands."

"What does that prove? Don't say you can't afford it even if you grit your teeth."

"Tsk, can't you have a bit more tact? Don't mention that person in front of Ling Yan."

Ling Yan laughed magnanimously: "I don't mind."

Zhao Lei rolled her eyes, thinking they believed their gossip was too quiet for others to hear; if she weren't afraid of making a scene, she'd really rush over and rip those people's mouths off.

She pinched Xia Xi's arm, leaned to her ear, and asked: "Are you still okay?"

"Me?" Xia Xi gave a light smile: "I'm fine."

She leaned in, picked up a new glass of wine, and drank it sip by sip.

Zhao Lei's gaze was complex; looking at her like this, she certainly didn't seem fine.

Ling Yan didn't miss Xia Xi pouring her a drink; she thought she must be feeling bad. Thinking so, Ling Yan lifted her chest, her eyes gaining a touch of pride.

Seeing Xu Yanfeng finish his call and walk over, Ling Yan feared he might hear something, so she hurriedly interrupted the girls' discussion: "Oh come on, don't just talk about me—let's chat about something else."

Xu Yanfeng returned to his seat, seeing Xia Xi drink alcohol as if it were water, his mind drifted; he remembered she used to have a low tolerance, and when drunk she liked to take advantage of people…

Realizing what he had recalled, Xu Yanfeng's face suddenly turned cold; he picked up his glass and gulped a mouthful of vodka with ice.

"Drinking alone is boring; why not play a game?" Ding Wen Qi suddenly proposed.

Someone chimed in: "What game? Don't tell me it's that Truth or Dare thing."

Ding Wen Qi hehehed, pointed at that person from afar: "Exactly, we're on the same wavelength—let's play this. We haven't seen each other in ages; if we don't spill some secrets, how can we deepen our feelings?"

"Fine, fine."

After all, the leader is present here, so Ding Wen Qi still feels somewhat restrained; he cautiously approached Xu Yanfeng and asked: "General Manager Xu, do you want to play?"

Xu Yanfeng: "Whatever."

Everyone adjusted their seats, trying to form a circle; Ding Wen Qi found an empty bottle, placed it on the table, and spun it enthusiastically. When the bottle stopped, the person it pointed to had to choose truth or dare.

The glass bottle rubbed against the marble coffee table, making a faint crisp sound; dozens of eyes stared at it, watching its spinning speed slow down, slower and slower.

Finally the bottle stopped, pointing at——

Everyone looked in that direction and saw Xia Xi.

Xia Xi's eyes went dark instantly; she surely didn't check the almanac before leaving today, losing the first round—what will happen next?

She swallowed a sip of wine, deemed herself unlucky, raised a hand and resignedly said, "I choose truth." Anyway, she would never pick dare; who knows what tricky challenges this group might come up with.

Everyone clamored for a while, then gathered to discuss what question to ask her. Before they could decide, a clear, sweet voice rose above the chatter.

"Let me ask." The speaker was Ling Yan, who looked at Xia Xi and smiled openly, "I want to ask, Miss Xia, do you have a boyfriend now?"

The atmosphere froze; everyone stared at each other.

Xia Xi's expression stiffened for a moment, then quickly returned to normal; she calmly replied, "Yes."

She lied, because she refused to show weakness.

No one noticed Xu Yanfeng's gaze darken after hearing her answer, his lips tightening.

Just as Xia Xi thought she had escaped disaster and was about to sigh in relief, that familiar voice, known to her very bones, echoed from afar, exposing her lie: "Heh, Miss Xia was still on a blind date the day before yesterday, and today you already have a boyfriend? Lying without even a draft?"

Hahahahaha, who's feeling sour I won't say, everyone knows……_(: з」∠)_(End of chapter)