Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
Ten-Year Transformation: From Pig Farming Boy to CEO
墨書 Inktalez
1
The reunion of college classmates, ten years after graduation, was scheduled for Father's Day.
I was also invited to attend.
Having not been in touch with them for a decade, I could anticipate their attitude towards me.
I am a small-town student from a rural background, and during college, I faced considerable disdain.
The only thing I could do was to excel academically and outperform them.
As graduation approached, an incident occurred.
A student from our class, Yangzi, had his student loan hidden in the wardrobe stolen.
Yangzi and I shared a bunk bed; there were only the two of us in the dormitory.
The class monitor quickly focused the blame on me, not even giving me a chance to defend myself.
A meeting was held in class, demanding that I return the money.
I hadn’t taken it at all.
But no one believed me.
Finally, I told my dad about the situation, and he sent me some money to cover the student loan for Yangzi.
At that time, pork was not as expensive as it is now. My dad saved up money bit by bit, and this amount was not insignificant for our family.
I could see the hardships my dad endured behind the scenes.
After Yangzi received the money, he moved out. No one ever mentioned this matter again.
Even so, there were still people in class who wouldn't let it go. The State-Owned Enterprise where I interned found out about this and terminated my internship contract, making it difficult for me to find a job.
All my classmates believed that I had only one path ahead of me: to return home and raise pigs with my dad.
At the ten-year reunion, they were eager to see the joke of me, a graduate from a prestigious university.
2
I pushed open the door to the VIP room, where all my college classmates had gathered; I was the last to take a seat.
My former rival, Wang Lei, is now the head of a key department at Haishi State-Owned Enterprise.
Back in college, I consistently ranked first in our class, which made him, as the second-place student, feel quite uncomfortable.
Now, he confidently accepted toasts from all our classmates. When he saw me sitting across from him, there was a moment of surprise.
"Save this spot for me, it also means I'm the class monitor."
Back in the day, there were two great talents in our class, and that was me and him.
If it weren't for that graduation incident, I would undoubtedly still be Wang Lei's best competitor today. But now, seeing the disdain in his eyes, I noticed the pity lurking beneath.
Wang Lei put down his wine glass and smiled at me, but I could see the indifference in his heart.
Class monitor Zhang Quan saw that all the classmates had arrived and began to introduce, "Thanks to Minister Wang Lei for hosting this gathering here. In this precious area of the second ring road, everyone has heard of Mingyuan Clubhouse, but few have had the chance to enter. If it weren't for Minister Wang Lei stepping in today, we wouldn't have been able to get in at all!"
Wang Lei smiled politely and then gestured for class monitor Zhang Quan to sit down and drink, "I've only been here twice; I thought the environment was nice and the food was good, so I recommended it!"
Zhang Quan's flattery towards Wang Lei hadn't changed even after ten years. He clinked glasses with Wang Lei, smilingly saying, "Our university classmate is doing the best among us! He even married the department beauty Chun Xiao, and recently moved into the Ancient Courtyard New Residence, which is a villa worth eighty million each. By the way, isn't Chun Xiao expecting their third child? Congratulations!"
Wang Lei waved his hand dismissively, looking quite pleased with himself. His gaze subtly lingered on my untouched wine glass. Noticing Wang Lei's attention, Zhang Quan immediately shifted his focus to me, "Hey Chen Xiang, it's been ten years since we last met! Did you go back home to raise pigs with your dad?!"
As soon as Zhang Quan finished speaking, all eyes in the room turned to me.
Seeing that I didn't respond, Zhang Quan pushed the wine toward me again, "Come on Chen Xiang, these are things you usually don't get to eat. Since you're here, you should indulge a bit. Raising pigs back home can be more enjoyable too!"
As soon as Zhang Quan finished speaking, laughter erupted throughout the private room.
I wasn't angry either. After years of navigating society, I've seen all kinds of faces.
I was already tired of the delicacies at the Mingyuan Clubhouse.
They looked so pleased with themselves, like little people reveling in their own success.
I forced a smile and took out a Black Gold Supreme Card from my wallet, saying to the clubhouse's Manager Xu, "I'll treat everyone to this meal!"
Wang Lei raised an eyebrow at Zhang Quan, who covered his mouth and laughed, "Chen Xiang, this meal will cost at least six figures. I advise you not to pretend to be wealthy; how can a pig farmer like you afford it?"
Wang Lei pretended to be curious and said, "That card in your hand looks quite impressive!"
After saying that, both Wang Lei and Zhang Quan couldn't help but shake their heads and laugh again.
I nodded at the clubhouse manager, who looked at me with respect. "Mr. Chen, are you sure you want to use the Black Gold Supreme Card? This comes with a 10% discount privilege, and you can only use it three times a year!"
As soon as Manager Xu finished speaking, both Wang Lei and Zhang Quan's expressions changed. Wang Lei said to Manager Xu, "The Black Gold Supreme Card is never sold to the public. How could Chen Xiang have one?"
Manager Xu glanced coldly at Wang Lei, clearly not regarding his status.
Wang Lei's face darkened after being put in his place by Manager Xu, and Zhang Quan noticed everything.
After I settled the bill, I planned to leave early. Zhang Quan signaled with his eyes, and all my classmates came over to toast me.
But I didn't answer.
Zhang Quan gestured for me to take a seat and sharply remarked, "Oh, Chen Xiang, it's not easy for you to earn this little money from pig farming. You should eat more before you leave!"
Wang Lei noticed that I was unfazed and gave Zhang Quan a knowing look. Zhang Quan then said, "Why are you going back so early? By the way, are you married? Where do you live now? You've changed the most among us since graduation ten years ago!"
I didn't want to say much, but given the situation, I knew Zhang Quan wouldn't let me go without a response.
"I'm not married yet!" As soon as Zhang Quan heard this, he perked up. "Chen Xiang, how can that be! The kids of our classmates are already running around; you need to hurry up. Do you have a girlfriend? Nowadays, girls have high standards; don't make it too hard on yourself!"
After saying this, Zhang Quan opened another bottle of good wine. I just smiled and remained silent. Wang Lei clinked glasses with Zhang Quan, who seemed to remember something and said solemnly to me, "Look at Minister Wang; he's a complete winner in life, balancing both career and love!
Chen Xiang, I'm telling you, even though you have a bit of money now, do you really think the class beauty would be interested in someone like you who raises pigs? Some things are ingrained in your bones and can never change!"
I raised an eyebrow at Zhang Quan. "I don't like beautiful women! Beautiful women are not a rare species!"
"Then you must have a girlfriend! So confident! Just remember, if your girlfriend isn't pretty, don't feel too inferior!" Zhang Quan winked mischievously and continued his lecture. "Do you have a place for marriage? The housing prices in Haishi aren't cheap these days!"
I smiled without replying.
Seeing that I was tight-lipped, Zhang Quan lost interest and took another drink before starting to chat with me again. "Chen Xiang, do you know why we chose Father's Day for the class reunion?"
My emotions fluctuated for a moment as the other person excitedly said, "Everyone in our class has become a father!" Seeing my unperturbed expression, he continued to mock me, "If it weren't for that incident back then, Qin Lan wouldn't have broken up with you. Look at your age of becoming a dad, and your girlfriend isn't even in a hurry! By the way, where did you buy your wedding house?"
Qin Lan was my first love from college and is now my fiancée; none of our classmates know about this.
I bought a house two years ago, but I gave it to my parents. The wedding house hasn't been settled yet, not because I lack money, but due to Qin Lan's special profession.
"I haven't bought the wedding house yet!" I replied briefly.
I didn't expect to be met with laughter from Zhang Quan and Wang Lei. "You still haven't bought a house? Hurry up! You can't expect your girlfriend to raise pigs with you after getting married!"
As soon as Wang Lei finished speaking, the room erupted in laughter.
Raising pigs? I do have a father who raises pigs, but he is my pride. I noticed Manager Xu across from me trying hard to contain his frustration; I nodded slightly at him, and he exited the room.
The Mingyuan Clubhouse is an asset under my name, but I don't need to stoop to their level.
"Not having a wedding house doesn't mean we can't get married!" I said. Qin Lan really likes my current place, and after we get married, we can bring her parents over too.
My statement was met with unanimous criticism from Wang Lei and Zhang Quan. "Chen Xiang, it's been ten years since we last met; where's your ambition?"
Wang Lei sipped his expensive drink and said with lingering satisfaction, "With my current ability, I'm still not satisfied with buying at Ancient Courtyard New Residence. My wife wants to live at Yongjing Huafu; that's where the top resources are!"
I raised an eyebrow at Wang Lei's words, which made Zhang Quan unable to contain himself. "Minister Wang, you are already the chosen one; Yongjing Huafu shouldn't be your first choice!"
Wang Lei insisted, "Three hundred thousand per square meter is really too expensive now. When it first opened, it was only fifty thousand per square meter. I didn't have the money back then!"
Zhang Quan smiled obsequiously, "That's enough, that's enough. I'm currently living in a place that costs twenty-one thousand per square meter, and I'm satisfied."
I looked down at my wine glass, listening to their banter. The apartment I bought a few years ago is in Yongjing Huafu, but I don't stay there often.
Noticing that I was distracted, Zhang Quan didn't forget to urge me to hurry up and buy a wedding house. I just smiled.
As the class monitor, Zhang Quan's mind was particularly active. He seemed to think of something and leaned closer to me, asking, "Are you still in touch with Qin Lan? After you broke up, she went abroad. I heard she's a researcher now."
I raised an eyebrow and quietly watched Zhang Quan. He seemed to feel uncomfortable under my gaze and insisted that I drink another cup, but once again, I did not comply.
Zhang Quan jumped up directly, "Chen Xiang, this isn't fair! Didn't you used to like Qin Lan a lot? She still isn't married! This must be your fault!"
I smiled faintly at Zhang Quan as he continued, "Back in college, you two had the best relationship. If it weren't for that incident where you made a mistake, Qin Lan wouldn't have left you!"
My deep gaze became slightly fragmented. Back then, it was a thorn in my heart—the feeling of being wronged and having my teeth broken while swallowing blood. As I looked at Zhang Quan with sharp eyes, I couldn't help but narrow them slightly.
Comment 0 Comment Count