Chapter 704: Chapter 88: Enthusiastic Female Classmate
Chapter 88: Enthusiastic Female Classmate
(Thanks to reader "Demon’s Ring" for becoming a Squad Leader, here’s an additional update as a thank you!)
Li Yan called the President’s Office to reach Zhang Yurong, that was on Monday. Since Zhang Yurong refused to take his call, he certainly couldn’t tell the girl who answered about his reasons for calling her. He just mentioned that there was something he needed to report to the president, so that clerk informed Ke Yunyun.
Because the president didn’t listen, and Heavenly Film is currently just of strategic significance, without much actual work, Ke Yunyun didn’t pay much attention after Li Yan didn’t call again. She was also very busy, and naturally didn’t call Li Yan back. But now that they just ran into each other, although Li Yan’s initial demeanor wasn’t satisfactory to her, he later politely greeted each of them. Since it wouldn’t be wasting time, she took the opportunity to ask him a question.
Unexpectedly, this question was very awkward for both Li Yan and Zhang Yurong!
"Touching on the awkward subject!"
Both Li Yan and Zhang Yurong thought of this phrase and then chuckled wryly. Li Yan was very embarrassed because he was making a call to the wife he had issues with emotionally, and of course, he couldn’t let this outsider know. Zhang Yurong, on the other hand, was worried that Li Yan intended to formally resign from the company. She had been avoiding him these past few days, trying not to give Li Yan any chance to resign, but didn’t expect that now, just as she ran into him, her capable assistant just gave him an opportunity!
"Uh, yes, I did on Monday. I was trying to..." Li Yan was filled with resentment towards Ke Yunyun. Although he was behind the two of them, so they had their backs to him, preventing further embarrassment, he still had to figure out how to cover it up. As he spoke, he had to think, and could only steer the conversation towards the film, saying he wanted to apply for increased investment, even though he already had the authority; he needed an excuse now.
However, his hesitant words, saying "trying..." could easily imply resignation to Zhang Yurong! She immediately interrupted coldly, not allowing him to talk about resignation!
"The matter from Monday, you haven’t mentioned it until now, so I believe it can’t be too important. It’s already after work, and I’m quite tired. I don’t want to discuss business in the elevator; talk about it tomorrow!"
Upon hearing the president’s words, Ke Yunyun felt a bit apologetic and just realized. Right, Heavenly Film is just a newly established small company, how big could the matters be? Even if there were issues, what is the manager there for? He should handle it himself, why bother the president for every trivial thing? It appeared that it was reasonable for General Zhang to disregard his call last time; he should have solved it himself these past few days.
This left her feeling ashamed yet secretly reminded her that she learned a lesson.
Descending from the eighth floor, it didn’t take long, and they each said one more sentence, which almost took up the time. When they saw the elevator had reached the second floor, first floor, both Li Yan and Zhang Yurong felt a slight relief from their tense mood.
When they reached the first floor, the elevator doors opened. Zhang Yurong and Ke Yunyun walked out, while Li Yan stayed inside and pressed the button for the basement floor.
Zhang Yurong goes in and out through the main entrance because she believes it represents the company’s image, and she should set an example, so she doesn’t mind taking a few extra steps to the parking lot. Of course, she can also take the opportunity to inspect various situations like the reception lobby on the first floor.
Li Yan usually also prefers entering through the main entrance, because the Paradise Group Headquarters is full of beautiful women. When they come to work, they are always dressed up beautifully, and beauty is naturally meant to be seen. So, whether they took a ride or drove themselves, they would all come through the front, only a few who were very efficiency-minded or in a hurry would directly go from the parking lot to the basement floor to use the elevator. This means whether going to or from work, he could always see many beauties, so he naturally wouldn’t just go down to the basement floor to save a few steps.
But today was different. With Zhang Yurong and Ke Yunyun walking ahead, although appreciating the view from behind was nice, did he really have the mood for that at the moment?
Just now, Zhang Yurong interrupted him, which left him feeling stifled. Although he wasn’t going to voice it in front of Ke Yunyun, expressing it or not is one thing, being allowed to speak or not is another. Her interruption felt like an early rejection to him! Though it wasn’t directly in his face, it was tantamount to being face-to-face, and this felt much harsher than the indirect refusal over the phone the other day through others. How could he have the mood to follow Zhang Yurong out?
Reaching the basement floor, the elevator doors opened, and Li Yan originally wanted to stop for a smoke before leaving, but who knew if he’d run into them again in the parking lot?
So he simply quickened his pace, went to the parking area, and drove away. As he started his car and left, he saw Ke Yunyun and Zhang Yurong approaching; he didn’t greet them and sped out of the parking lot.
...
Driving out, Li Yan had a desire to speed, but even if the little QQ sped, there was a limit to it, not allowing much satisfaction, so he drove with the window down to get some air, wandering randomly through the streets. Just after passing a junction not far away, he noticed a bus stop he used to hang around at.
The bus stop wasn’t unusual and many company colleagues took the bus from there. But it was the place where Jiang Lele took him by bus before, so he glanced again and actually saw Jiang Lele.
This time, though, Jiang Lele was beating up a man by the roadside!
This surprised him a little, slowing down, stopping on the opposite side to watch for a bit. He wasn’t sure if the man was trying to snatch a purse again; he was rather thin and frail, and Jiang Lele had gone berserk, using her bag, fists, and feet together, while the man kept dodging and trying to escape.
This amused Li Yan a little, seeing seemingly no pressure on her, and a few female colleagues from the company were nearby. Some were on their phones, either calling a colleague or security to help or maybe calling the police, but no matter what, in this bustling area, they weren’t in any immediate danger. He checked around, and seeing no one else seeming to be an accomplice, didn’t continue watching. Let them fight! Purse snatchers often target girls, but rarely get beaten by them; not only should Jiang Lele give him a good thrashing, but the other female colleagues should join in for a group beating!
From the rearview mirror, Li Yan saw one of them seemed to run away, and a few of her female colleagues seemed to be trying to hold back Jiang Lele, who wanted to continue chasing. With a hint of satisfaction, Li Yan left the scene.
Since he hadn’t been to the place He Zhexia mentioned, after strolling around for a while, Li Yan didn’t waste time and drove over to find a place to eat first.
Because He Zhexia only mentioned the place, Li Yan didn’t know how many people would be coming. He checked his wallet, parked the car, and went to an ATM to withdraw some cash. Whether it was his turn to pay or they were splitting the bill, he couldn’t be without cash. After all, he hadn’t met with these classmates for over a decade, and last time there were too many people, he didn’t know everyone’s situation. If it were Sun Hui, Xu Ping, and those guys he often drank with, all from the same company, he wouldn’t have to worry so much.
After withdrawing money and buying a pack of cigarettes, Li Yan walked to the outside of the restaurant He Zhexia mentioned. He smoked while waiting for them to come over.
"I didn’t expect you’ve become such a chain smoker now!"
While Li Yan was on his second cigarette, he heard laughter behind him, and turning around, he saw another charming lady walking over, laughing among the passersby.
"Haha, what’s this? Without Huanxuan by your side, you can finally look at me seriously?"
Li Yan blew out a smoke ring and laughed, "Classmate Bai Jie, are you choosing style over warmth?"
Bai Jie spun around, "Haha, can’t you see I’ve added a jacket? It’s not cold inside the car or indoors, and this isn’t the North. How much more do I need to wear when going out?"
Li Yan nodded: "Makes sense. By the way, how many classmates will be coming? He Zhexia only said he’d contact us, but didn’t mention how many."
Bai Jie stood next to him and said, "Then why didn’t you contact us? Do you only have Qiao Huanxuan and He Zhexia’s numbers?"
Li Yan laughed: "Didn’t you all call my number in person last time? How could I dare to delete your numbers? I saved all of them afterward. But you mentioned you have a husband, and since I hadn’t contacted you guys before, I wasn’t sure about your situation. If I called directly and your husband answered, wouldn’t that cause a misunderstanding? He Zhexia seemed to be in touch with you, and he said he’d handle the arrangements, so I saved on call charges."
"Saving call charges..." Bai Jie snickered, then laughed: "Really? Do you want me to reimburse you first so you can call freely in the future?"
"That’s not necessary."
"Haha..." Bai Jie looked at his reaction and burst into laughter. "I say, class president, what are you thinking?"
Li Yan took a drag and smiled wryly: "Classmate Bai Jie, you’re still so... lively."
"Hehe, really? But are you still as honest as ever, Mr. Class President? But I feel like calling me ’Classmate Bai Jie’ seems too distant, don’t you think? You can call He Zhexia directly by name; can’t you call me Bai Jie too?" Bai Jie asked with a smile.
"Bai Jie, I’m just trying to be a bit more polite."
"Do we still need to be polite with each other?"
"..." Li Yan started feeling resentful towards He Zhexia. Why hasn’t he arrived yet? Where is everyone? Why aren’t they here yet? "By the way, where is He Zhexia’s company? How long does it take him to get here? You came all the way from the suburbs."
"He’s a big boss, not like us idlers. I have plenty of free time and often feel bored..." Bai Jie said, looking at Li Yan again.
Li Yan was a bit speechless. Was Bai Jie deliberately teasing him, or was she hinting at something?
He didn’t have any thoughts about old classmates. Even for a one-night stand, it was too troublesome, given the classmate circle. Qiao Huanxuan was an exception; even with Qiao Huanxuan, he didn’t want things to be that way at first, but... sigh.
Just as the two were about to fall into an awkward silence due to Li Yan, He Zhexia finally arrived. "Why are you guys waiting outside? Go inside and wait! Haven’t been waiting long, have you?"
Following He Zhexia was a young lady dressed similarly to Bai Jie, not wearing much, just with a jacket over it.
(Another Chapter is being revised, and will be updated later) (To be continued. For more, visit www.qidian.com, support the author, support legitimate reading!)
