Chapter 1968: Chapter 1965: Old Flame
"Just what?" Lin Tian and Xiao Manxuan were curious, and couldn’t help but ask. Lin Tian remembered someone saying that Ning Wenbin wasn’t always so high-profile; he seemed influenced by something. Could it have been this former campus belle?
He Xiaofei glanced at Ning Wenbin and, seeing he didn’t object, said, "As far as I know, Yin Menglan and Ning Wenbin were in the same class, but how they got to know each other is beyond me."
"Yin Menglan, with her beauty, became a campus-level celebrity as a freshman. When a beauty like her joined, you can imagine how excited the seniors were. Those guys who considered themselves a bit charming all pursued Yin Menglan."
"Of course, compared to Xuanxuan, Yin Menglan fell quite short. However, Xuanxuan had you, Lin Tian, by her side. You’re pretty domineering, so Xuanxuan was spared a lot of trouble. But Yin Menglan was different; she didn’t have anyone yet, and there were enough suitors for her to form a reinforced company."
At this, Xiao Manxuan blushed while Lin Tian just smiled; He Xiaofei was right— with Lin Tian around, few dared to bother Xiao Manxuan. Without Lin Tian, there would be an army pursuing her daily, far beyond just one company.
"Among those pursuing Yin Menglan, there were excellent students from various colleges. Being handsome was just one aspect; there were club presidents, college student council presidents, and even graduate students."
"Then suddenly, one day, Yin Menglan and Ning Wenbin started appearing together, and no one knew exactly when it started. There were all kinds of speculations, but I believe there’s a reliable guess that Yin Menglan was harassed by some social youth, Ning Wenbin played the hero saving the beauty, and they fell for each other."
Lin Tian and the others looked at Ning Wenbin, seeking the truth. Ning Wenbin withdrew his gaze from Yin Menglan and said coolly, "Just some ruffians, not worth mentioning."
This was tantamount to confirming the speculation, and He Xiaofei said, "Ha, seems I was right."
"And then? If Yin Menglan was as famous as you say, why haven’t we heard of her?" Xiao Manxuan asked curiously, reflecting a broader mystery shared by all.
He Xiaofei sighed softly and said lightly, "First loves may be blissful. I can’t speculate on the memories they both left behind."
"Ning Wenbin at that time was relatively... low-key." He Xiaofei seemed to search his mind for a while before finding the most fitting term.
"Low-key?" The crowd was stunned; with this guy’s actions, could one say ’low-key’?
Yet, in Lin Tian’s mind, two words emerged: Ning Family!
The Ning Family liked to keep a low profile, which was the evaluation other families had of them. The Ning Family was strict in its upbringing, so Ning Wenbin likely abided by the family’s ethos, acting low-key at school.
To this day, it seems no one knows he’s a child of the Ning Family. Moreover, even mentioning the Ning Family now, probably few would understand its significance.
Some families are just like this. Until you reach a certain level, you simply don’t understand. Yet this family is no less than the Yun or Li families, maybe even stronger!
However, their strength lies in different areas. The Yun and Li families excel in business, but the Ning Family excels elsewhere.
He Xiaofei shook his head with amusement, "He was definitely low-key. Many people only began to recognize Ning Wenbin because of Yin Menglan. I mean back then, not now."
"Imagine, such a beautiful campus belle was with a guy who had no reputation. What would the other suitors think?"
"They must be indignant, unwilling to accept it," Lin Tian said with a light smile.
"Exactly. Those who considered themselves outstanding and charming wouldn’t accept it. Why pick Ning Wenbin? Therefore, Ning Wenbin faced a lot of provocations."
"I don’t know how Ning Wenbin resolved those provocations; anyway, they weren’t affected and stayed together, and gradually, no one questioned them anymore."
"Until..." He Xiaofei paused, finding it hard to say, yet finally continued, "Until one day, Yin Menglan suddenly withdrew from school..."
"Withdraw from school?" The group was stunned again, then realized why they hadn’t heard of Yin Menglan—she had left mid-way. But why did she withdraw? Was there a family change? Questions arose endlessly.
"I don’t know her exact reason for leaving school now, but one rumor from her dormitory said that Yin Menglan was a vice president and external affairs officer of a club and met a wealthy second-generation during a sponsorship task."
"The wealthy second-generation aggressively pursued Yin Menglan, maybe using diamonds, jewelry, designer bags, fashion wear, high-end restaurants, luxury cars—these lavish temptations that love couldn’t stand against, crumbled easily."
"Loyalty, as they say, is because the price of betrayal isn’t high enough," He Xiaofei said with emotion.
"Hmph, if there’s betrayal, it’s not love," Xiao Manxuan retorted seriously.
"Alas, all souls suffer. Why can’t people see through their confusion?" Qiao Xiaoyi suddenly remarked.
Everyone looked at him, making him blush awkwardly, Qiao Xiaoyi embarrassedly said, "I... I was suddenly inspired. Don’t mind me."
"Pfft, thought you’d suddenly taken vows or something." Everyone gave him a blank look; only Lin Tian chuckled.
He Xiaofei shook her head and continued, "Anyway, that statement seems pretty close to the truth. They say the wealthy second-generation promised her overseas study, so she quit school and disappeared from the public eye."
"School is naturally a gathering place for young people, with endless topics. Although Yin Menglan was quite famous back then, after disappearing, gradually no one mentioned her until she reappeared now, unexpectedly," He Xiaofei concluded.
"Probably back from study abroad, flaunting her success," Mu Binglan said coldly.
Lin Tian frowned. Logically, with Ning Wenbin’s background, he could have anything. Even a wealthy second-generation like Li Wenfeng would have little advantage in front of him, hardly unable to hold onto a woman.
Did Yin Menglan never know about Ning Wenbin’s family background from start to finish? It seems only this explanation works. Lin Tian patted Ning Wenbin with concern, "What’s the story here?"
Ning Wenbin chuckled, indifferent, "What story? What Class Leader He said is pretty much all of it. I didn’t know initially, but then one day, I saw her at a fancy restaurant with a guy."
"I rushed over, demanding answers. She said nothing, but the guy admitted it, saying Yin Menglan was already with him. I turned and left instantly. Later, Yin Menglan found me and officially suggested breaking up, claimed we were unsuitable. Heh..." Ning Wenbin chuckled a few times indifferently.
