Chapter 11 This class reunion was organized specifically for Zhou Jingyu. After Zhou Jingyu went to France, except for Lu Yi, he had lost contact with all his other domestic friends. A person who had been excellent since childhood, despite his indifferent demeanor, was still like a beam of light in school—the object of everyone’s pursuit. The boys admired his talent and high intelligence, while the girls were captivated by his exceptional looks and his polite and gentle attitude toward everyone. The class reunion was held at a private club. Before Zhou Jingyu arrived, quite a few people were already there. It was a prestigious school; those who could afford to attend were either wealthy or noble. Years later, these former classmates had either started their own companies, entered family businesses, or become carefree rich second-generation hedonists with no ambition. Even in the same city, people from different circles hadn’t seen each other in a long time after graduation. They gathered in small groups, chatting and exchanging pleasantries. Liu Ying, the most popular girl in her class from elementary school through high school, was always surrounded by people wherever she went. Today was no exception. After graduation, she had joined her father’s company to help manage it. She had originally been out of town for a meeting but had rushed back specifically for this reunion. “Who knows if Zhou Jingyu has a girlfriend now? If he doesn’t, Yingying, you’d have a chance!” “Exactly! Back then, you two—one the school beauty, one the school hunk—were often seen together in the library, like a perfect couple. People were so envious watching you two walk together.” “If he hadn’t suddenly gone abroad for ten years, you two would definitely be together by now, probably already married.” “Maybe you’d even have kids!” “Come on, be honest, Yingying. You haven’t dated anyone all these years—are you still waiting for him?” … The classmates teased her one after another, and Liu Ying’s face turned red. She couldn’t hide her shy, girlish demeanor. Their words made her feel both pleased and embarrassed. She quickly and awkwardly tried to stop them: “What are you all talking about? There’s nothing between us. We’re just ordinary classmates like everyone else. He’s about to arrive—don’t say such things!” As she spoke, Zhou Jingyu and Lu Yi pushed open the door and walked in. Zhou Jingyu wore a perfectly tailored black suit. With his broad shoulders, narrow hips, and long legs, his delicate features, and his cold, pale complexion gleaming under the lights as if gilded, he was striking. Lu Yi was no less impressive—taken alone, anyone would praise him as handsome and dashing. But standing beside Zhou Jingyu, he was completely overshadowed. Though they had entered together, after a collective “wow,” everyone’s gaze fixed entirely on Zhou Jingyu, completely ignoring Lu Yi. “Young Master Zhou! We’ve finally been waiting for you!” “We’ve missed you so much!” “You’ve been in France for ten years—do you still remember us, your classmates of ten years?” “How is it that after ten years away, you look even more handsome and elegant than before? Heaven is so unfair, giving you not only a brilliant mind but also such a perfect face!” “That’s not all. I should remind everyone here that Jingyu is now the chairman of Shengling and has achieved a class leap. Everyone, watch your words. If you upset our CEO Zhou, one finger and you’re done for!!” “Ah… how scary!” … Liu Ying had wanted to go greet him, but in the second or two it took her to look away, she saw him surrounded by a crowd of people, moving into the group of men. Liu Ying slowly sat back down. “Hey, Yingying, go on!” “Go ahead!” “Go say hello…” … The people around her quietly urged her on. She glanced over again. Zhou Jingyu was already seated, surrounded by people. She could only see his profile. His profile had beautiful lines, as if carefully sculpted by the Creator—add one more degree and it would be too harsh, one less and it would be too soft. With his indifferent demeanor, his outstanding temperament made him seem out of place even among the crowd, even when smiling, possessing a unique beauty that transcended everything around him. Liu Ying’s hand unconsciously pressed against where her heart was beating. That man—she had liked him since childhood. For the ten years he was abroad, she had waited. She had finally waited for him to come back. She had been managing her father’s company for several years now and was no longer the girl who was afraid of others knowing her feelings and could only harbor a secret crush. She understood that happiness had to be seized by oneself. Unable to contain herself, and with the encouragement of those around her, Liu Ying stood up again. Amid the cheers and urging of the crowd, she walked toward where Zhou Jingyu was.