"Doesn't your family have an older brother?" Bai Shasha, being their classmate, knew a little about her family's situation.
"Him? Oh, he graduated this year but hasn't found a decent job in another city. My mom's health isn't great either, so I had no choice but to give up college, start working, and help out at home!" Zhou Rou's gentle expression flickered slightly with a mocking undertone.
Li Si worried about her situation, her hand trembled a little as she couldn't help but ask, "So what kind of work are you doing now?"
Bai Shasha also waited nervously for her answer.
"I'm working in a clothing shop, selling merchandise. A thousand bucks a month plus commission—it's not bad! But enough about me. I heard you two got into the same university—how's university life? Pretty good, right?" Zhou Rou sipped her warm tea gently and asked softly.
"University's just so-so. Bai Shasha and I are still troubled about what kind of jobs we'll find after graduation!" Li Si exchanged a glance with Bai Shasha, sharing that universal post-university uncertainty.
"Is that so? Nowadays it really is tough to find jobs after graduation. Like my brother—he just got into a company, but after covering his own expenses, there's barely anything left!" Zhou Rou continued to speak softly, though her tone revealed traces of cheerfulness.
"Exactly! My dad even said if nothing works out, I should just take the civil service exams after graduation, like him—secure iron rice bowl jobs! But I don't enjoy that kind of structured work. Later, I want to find a job based on my interests!" Bai Shasha couldn't stop once she started talking. After she finished, she noticed Zhou Rou's face had slightly changed.
"Zhou Rou, don't mind Shasha babbling nonsense—it's not like civil service exams are easy to pass!" Li Si discreetly signaled Bai Shasha with a look.
"Right, I was just saying, who knows? Maybe I'll just end up as a moocher off my parents!"
At that moment, the rowdy private room suddenly quieted down. Zhang Weicheng stood up, raising a glass of baijiu toward the crowd, and spoke.
"Everyone, quiet down! I think everyone who could make it is here. No point waiting for those who aren't. On the first day of 2005, it's not easy for us all to gather like this. I hope that on this day every year moving forward, we can always make time to meet up. Our Class 2 crowd here today shares some strong friendships. So, on behalf of the whole class, here's a toast—handsome lads and lovely ladies, eat well, drink up, and have fun!"
"Get lost!"
"Drink him under the table!"... A round of laughter erupted nearby.
At the drinking table, the classmates let loose, even Li Si, who could barely hold her alcohol, ended up drinking quite a bit after repeated coaxing. Bai Shasha, on the other hand, was drinking so much her face turned bright red. Only Zhou Rou remained composed, drinking slowly, her complexion growing paler and paler.
A meal and several cups of alcohol bridged the gap between classmates who had grown distant. Reminiscing about embarrassing incidents from high school made the guys and girls burst into fits of laughter.
After the laughter subsided, Li Si felt a bit wistful. She hadn't attended any reunions afterward, so any news of her classmates came piecemeal from Bai Shasha. She vaguely recalled hearing that Zhou Rou had later found herself a wealthy older man in another city.
Surrounded by classmates still youthful and full of vitality, she couldn't help but sigh from the heart—how wonderful it was to be young! How miraculous rebirth was! How precious life was!
When everyone was full and buzzed, some suggested that since it was rare to gather, they shouldn't end the night here, so they decided to move to another venue—singing at a KTV.
Cheering, the group headed out. Li Si noticed that Wang Man looked at their group with a somewhat provocative gaze but didn't pay it much mind.
Leaving the restaurant, a boisterous group of nearly twenty people needed about five vehicles to get to the next place. Among them, only class monitor Zhang Weicheng had an Audi, which could seat four more passengers.
Wang Man quickly slid into the front passenger seat. Zhang Wei glanced outside the car and said, "There's space for three more—Li Si, Bai Shasha, and Zhou Rou, hop on! The rest of you take cabs to follow my car!"
"Got it!"
Some of the red-faced drinkers responded. Several taxis happened to pull up, and the others began boarding one after another.
Zhang Weicheng glanced into the rearview mirror before driving forward.
"So where are we heading for the singing session?"
Bai Shasha hiccupped from the alcohol and asked. Li Si, having drunk quite a lot herself, leaned in a daze against the car window. Zhou Rou, however, sat upright, staring straight ahead, lost in thought.
"You'll know when we get there. You've had quite a bit, haven't you? Just rest your eyes for a bit; we'll arrive soon," Wang Man said, still maintaining an air of superiority. Zhang Weicheng remained silent as he drove.
"Alright, I am feeling a bit dizzy. Li, you okay?" Bai Shasha nudged Li Si, seated to her right.
"I'm fine, just feeling a little out of it. I'll feel better after napping for a while!" Li Si reclined into her seat with eyes shut, entirely missing Wang Man's schadenfreude-filled expression.
It seemed as though the car drove for a long time. When Li Si was still in her muddled state, someone nudged her. "Li Si, we're here! Wake up!"
Li Si opened her eyes with effort, and the outside neon lights shining blindingly bright spilled into the car. Bai Shasha shouted for her from outside the car door.
She stumbled out of the car and saw the group already congregated nearby. Looking up toward the source of the dazzling lights, she saw colorful neon, a golden plaque, and several imposing words glaring down—Hou Gong KTV!
Why here? Li Si's face turned pale as she anxiously scanned the crowd for Wang Man, only to find she wasn't among them. Bai Shasha supported her, her own face deathly pale.
They both clearly recalled the previous rumor about Zhou Rou working here. Yet Zhou Rou's current expression was unperturbed, as if this was her first time visiting, allowing both of them to exhale a silent breath of relief.
Nearby, the classmates chatted fervently: "Wow, Zhang Weicheng's family really does have money. Even has a membership card here! Just watch—he's bound to be the most successful in a few years."
"This is fate, isn't it? Some people have everything handed to them."
"Envy won't bring us anything. Let's just soak it all up and expand our horizons!"
"You know they say this place offers... services. Wonder if I'll get a chance to try it out!" A lewd laugh broke from one of the guys, inciting sharp glares from the girls.
"Stop talking—look, Zhang Weicheng and Wang Man are here!" another male classmate hushed everyone.
"Alright, classmates! Let's head inside. I booked one of the biggest private rooms, so play to your hearts' content and don't hold back!" Zhang Weicheng addressed the crowd with a tone full of superiority.
The commotion sobered Li Si slightly. She suggested to Bai Shasha that they should just leave. But several classmates dragged and coaxed them until they were herded in with the group. Since they were already there, it seemed impossible to refuse.
The crowd filed into Hou Gong KTV. The interiors were extravagant and luxurious, with gilded walls adorned with ornate carvings, radiant crystal chandeliers, and a glamour that would be breathtaking if not for the rumors surrounding the place. Li Si almost found herself admiring the décor.
They entered Room 109—a truly massive space, enough for nearly twenty people, with room to spare across multiple rows of sofas.
The classmates marveled at the opulence—half a wall turned into a giant projection screen, paired with the latest karaoke equipment, everything exuding an air of exclusivity.
Li Si, Bai Shasha, and Zhou Rou settled together. The servers began delivering rounds of alcohol and fruit platters. The atmosphere grew livelier as some classmates encouraged Zhang Weicheng and Wang Man to sing "Bosom Lover." Wang Man confidently held the microphone and strutted over to Zhang Weicheng, leaning into his embrace.
"Let my love accompany you till forever," Wang Man sang with a sweet voice, harmonizing seamlessly with Zhang Weicheng's magnetic tone. When they finished singing, the crowd applauded and cheered, chanting, "Kiss! Kiss!"
Wang Man coyly tilted her head upward, closing her eyes. Zhang Weicheng seemingly glanced at Bai Shasha's group inadvertently before brushing his lips lightly against Wang Man's in a perfunctory gesture.