Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Class Reunion (Part Two)

“All right, Gao Jie, Fan Ziming, since Lin Qihua can’t drink, let’s not force him.” Shen Mengxue stood up.

“Keep pretending!” Gao Jie remained silent, but Fan Ziming snickered, “A fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken. You used to be a lofty star, and now? Reduced to a bar singer? In a place like that, and you still say you don’t drink? How can you survive in a bar without drinking?”

“What did you say?” Everyone stood up, glaring at Fan Ziming. Shen Mengxue’s imposing demeanor made Fan Ziming instantly lose his nerve.

“Hehe, Ziming is just being honest,” Gao Jie blocked their gaze, speaking earnestly. “Perhaps a bit blunt, but it’s the truth. Since Qihua works in such a place, there’s no reason to insist on not drinking, right? Or do you think your classmates are less worthy than the bar patrons?”

“So, these words came from your mouths,” Qin Shao fixed his gaze on Gao Jie, his tone cool. “Is this really how you treat your classmates?”

“Qin Shao, you’re exaggerating. We’re just repeating what everyone says. I think it’s the truth, nothing to hide, right?” Gao Jie smiled slightly. “Since Qihua won’t give me this courtesy, I’ll take my leave.”

“Don’t go,” Fatty shouted angrily as he saw Gao Jie and Fan Ziming prepare to leave. “Explain yourselves.”

“Forget it, Fatty.” Lin Qihua held him back, his face calm, without any trace of anger. “No need to make a fuss. I haven’t lost anything, have I? If we make trouble, it’ll be hard for the class leader.”

Fatty glanced at Shen Mengxue, angrily sitting down. “Hmph, two petty men.”

“It’s my fault for not stopping them,” Shen Mengxue bit her lip, frustration burning inside. Yet Gao Jie had considerable influence among the classmates, and Shen Mengxue couldn’t do much about him.

“It’s fine. He seemed to target me, but I think I was just a scapegoat,” Lin Qihua smiled. “Right, Miss Xiaoqian?”

Ma Xiaoqian blushed, nodding. “I dragged everyone down.”

“How is that dragging anyone down?” Fatty exclaimed. “Our third brother is popular, and that guy is jealous and neurotic. What does it have to do with you?”

“Fan Ziming will be in trouble now,” Lin Qihua said with a half-smile. “Our class leader won’t give him any favors.”

“Ha, that’s true.” Everyone looked at Shen Mengxue’s dark expression and laughed.

After this episode, the group lost interest in continuing. The four brothers discussed and decided to leave early and find another place to chat. Unexpectedly, Ma Xiaoqian said she wanted to join, and Zeng Min followed suit. Shen Mengxue, regrettably, had to stay behind as the organizer; otherwise, the classmates would complain.

Watching Lin Qihua and the others leave, Gao Jie’s face grew even gloomier. He had always regarded Ma Xiaoqian as his own and never allowed others near her. Though Ma Xiaoqian had never shown him any interest, he believed that, in time, she would yield to reality and obediently be with him. Now, seeing Ma Xiaoqian stand firmly by Lin Qihua’s side, how could he not be furious?

“One day, you’ll realize I’m the man best suited for you.”

Lin Qihua and his friends paid no mind to the looks and gossip behind them. They left the hotel, took a taxi straight to a karaoke bar, booked a private room, and sat down to continue their conversation.

Qin Shao chose a duet love song and invited Zeng Min to sing with him. Though shy, she bravely accepted, singing with him, which excited Qin Shao. His voice was pleasant, and he was especially enthusiastic, their singing entwined and intimate—anyone watching could sense something between them.

“What’s this about?” Lin Qihua wondered. He remembered Qin Shao’s first-year boast about wanting to ‘conquer a hundred girls,’ hardly someone to be tied down.

“Ha, you’ve been fooled,” Fatty laughed. “He chased many girls, but is surprisingly innocent—in fact, he hasn’t even conquered one, as far as we know. In their senior year, he somehow hit it off with Zeng Min; not public, but they’re already together. Looks like things are progressing now.”

“Yes,” Ma Xiaoqian didn’t hesitate to expose her friend, “Minmin has agreed to go to Qin Shao’s place. She’s like a lamb to the tiger, probably won’t escape now.”

“Who would’ve thought,” Lin Qihua sighed.

“Third brother, tell us about your situation. Is what Gao Jie said true?”

“Yes and no,” Lin Qihua smiled, explaining. “I do sing regularly at a bar, but it’s not some self-indulgent decline. For me, it’s a stage—a place to keep singing and performing. At this point, I need experience to improve, so a friend recommended this place. All I have to do is sing well.”

“As for the bar,” Lin Qihua continued, “you can check out the ‘Tang Dynasty’ bar’s website and news. It’s a high-end, music-themed business bar—none of the chaos people imagine. The customers go there as if buying tickets for a concert; it just happens to serve drinks.”

“Well, that reassures me,” Fatty patted Lin Qihua’s shoulder. “Recently, some people slandered you, and everyone was really angry.”

Lin Qihua was touched. “Thanks for your concern. Don’t worry, time and truth will prove everything. I haven’t fallen yet—by the end of the year, I’ll be back on the big stage.”

“That’s good, I believe in you.”

“So do I,” Ma Xiaoqian said softly.

“Thank you.” Lin Qihua clinked glasses with them in thanks.

Qin Shao and Zeng Min finished their song and returned hand in hand, smiling. “Third brother, aren’t you going to show off? Or invite the beautiful lady next to you to sing?”

“I’ll pass,” Lin Qihua waved with a smile. “I sing every day.”

“That’s different,” Fatty said, laughing. “Come on, don’t let the lady take the initiative.”

Lin Qihua looked at Ma Xiaoqian, seeking her opinion. “Shall we sing one together?”

“Sure, you choose.” Ma Xiaoqian was poised, without a hint of shyness.

“I can hardly believe it—how the quiet girl who rarely spoke has changed so much,” Fatty marveled.

“It depends on the occasion and the person,” Zeng Min opened up a bit, perhaps due to her relationship with Qin Shao. “To outsiders, Xiaoqian is low-key and gentle, but for Lin Qihua, if she misses this chance she never knows when the next will come. Now’s the time to be brave.”

“Well, love makes people blind, and love makes them brave.” Fatty shook his head. “Xiaoqian has liked third brother for four years without wavering; now she’s finally a little closer. She needs more courage. Hope it goes well for them.”

“That’s hard to say.” Haizi and Qin Shao glanced at the two picking their song. “Third brother’s feelings are hard to read.”

By now the two had chosen their song, and as the melody began, they sang together. Lin Qihua’s voice was naturally superb, and Ma Xiaoqian’s was unexpectedly pure and gentle, full of feeling. Their duet had all the flavor of a love song, prompting rounds of applause and cheers.

“A surprisingly perfect match, you two,” Qin Shao and the others praised.

“Really? Thank you.” Lin Qihua smiled at Ma Xiaoqian and gave her a high five.

“Why don’t you try entering show business too, Xiaoqian?” Zeng Min said, covering her mouth with a laugh.

“No, this song is the limit of my ability. Anything else and I’d embarrass myself,” Ma Xiaoqian quickly shook her head.

“Haha, so this song is your secret weapon,” Fatty laughed loudly. “No wonder you chose it—been practicing a long time? Finally got to sing with third brother.”

“Yes, I fulfilled a wish,” Ma Xiaoqian blushed, but admitted it bravely.

Lin Qihua smiled; he’d already noticed during the song and intentionally supported her. Otherwise, even if Ma Xiaoqian was familiar with the song, she wouldn’t have reached this level. Lin Qihua had guided her—otherwise, she might have faltered in several places.

After their song, everyone chose their own songs to sing. Lin Qihua didn’t steal the spotlight, sitting quietly drinking tea, and Ma Xiaoqian, once bold, now became gentle again, sitting beside him, silent.

After midnight, everyone went home satisfied. Fatty, Qin Shao, and Zeng Min returned to the hotel, while Ma Xiaoqian headed back to her campus dorm. Though it was still vacation, the graduate dorm was open and allowed students to return early.

The task of escorting her back fell to Lin Qihua, while the others departed with laughter.

“Let’s go.” The school was nearby, and Lin Qihua and Ma Xiaoqian walked about ten minutes before arriving.

“Are you heading back to Yanjing tomorrow?” Standing beneath the dormitory, Ma Xiaoqian looked at Lin Qihua with reluctance.

“Yes, when you take a salary, you have to do the job.”

“Will you be able to make your comeback in the second half of the year?”

“Yes, around September, depending on whether any company wants me.”

“There surely will be,” Ma Xiaoqian waved her hand to encourage him. “They’ll recognize your talent.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” Lin Qihua smiled.

“Keep it up. I’m waiting for graduation so I can help manage your assets. It depends on whether you’ll give me a job.” Ma Xiaoqian blushed and spoke softly.

“Then I’ll have to work harder,” Lin Qihua put on a stressed look. “No matter what, I can’t let a beauty suffer. If my assets are too small, how could I invite you to manage them? I must make big money.”

Ma Xiaoqian couldn’t help but laugh. “We’ll see.”

“All right, good night.”

“Good night.”