Chapter 107: Han Ning’s Expectation? Rejecting the Invitation

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Han Ning’s Expectation? Rejecting the Invitation

"Uh..."

Seeing the strange looks on their faces, He Ming seemed to realize something.

The atmosphere turned awkward for a moment.

Seeing this, Gu Yifan spoke up. "Um, we had something to do today, so we couldn’t make it to the reunion."

"Yeah, Brother Fan and I had something on today, so we didn’t come to the class reunion."

Wang Zibo, who was standing to the side, chimed in to agree.

"Oh, okay."

Since Gu Yifan had been direct, the awkwardness dissipated for He Ming. He nodded. "So, you guys are here for dinner?"

"Yeah, we’re having dinner with a friend. We didn’t expect such a coincidence, that the class reunion would be here too."

"Heh..."

Gu Yifan smiled and nodded.

"Oh, I see!"

"Then why don’t you just come over and eat with us?"

"Han School Beauty is there too!"

He Ming blurted out subconsciously.

But as soon as the words were out, he realized he’d said the wrong thing, because the "poor" school beauty, Su Qinghe, was standing quietly right beside Gu Yifan.

Gu Yifan glanced at Su Qinghe first. Seeing no reaction from her, he turned back to He Ming. "Never mind, we won’t go over. We have something to do after dinner, so we can’t stay long."

"Alright then!"

"Well, you guys do your thing. I’ll head back over."

Since Gu Yifan had made his decision, He Ming just nodded.

"Okay!"

Gu Yifan nodded and didn’t say anything more.

Taking the hint, He Ming didn’t linger any longer and turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, he paused, then turned back and added, "Oh, right, the private rooms are 308 and 309. All our classmates are there. If you have time later, feel free to drop by for a drink!"

This time, Gu Yifan didn’t speak, just nodded to show he understood.

Seeing this, He Ming turned and left.

Watching He Ming’s back disappear into the distance, Gu Yifan finally turned to the waitress waiting nearby. "Hello, could we get a private room, please?"

The waitress looked surprised for a moment but quickly recovered. She nodded with a smile. "Of course. Right this way, you three."

...

「Mountain City Restaurant, Third Floor.」

Rooms 308 and 309 had been combined by removing the partition, and three large tables were set up inside.

A group of teenage boys and girls were chatting excitedly, their laughter echoing through the room. The atmosphere was incredibly lively.

"Ahem."

Seeing that nearly everyone had arrived, a boy in a white shirt with his hair slicked back like an adult’s stood up. He gave a theatrical cough, drawing everyone’s attention.

This was Ye Tianlong, the president of their senior class and the organizer of the reunion.

Seeing all eyes on him, Ye Tianlong’s lips curved into a slight smile. "Ahem... since almost everyone is here, allow me to say a few words before we start the meal, shall we?"

"Yeah!"

"Go ahead!"

"What instructions do you have for us, great Class President Ye!"

"Yeah, what are your orders, handsome Ye!"

...

The group chimed in, laughing.

"Haha, I don’t have any orders or instructions. I’ll just say a few things."

"First, congratulations to everyone on finishing the college entrance exams. I hope you all get the scores you’re hoping for!"

"Mmm... it’s been a few days since the exams ended, and I organized this dinner so we could all relax and have some fun together!"

"But since we were short on time, this gathering was a bit rushed. Mmm... next time, after our exam results are released, for the Teacher Appreciation Banquet, we’ll book a five-star hotel and throw a real party!"

As soon as he said this, many of the students frowned. They felt this restaurant was already plenty nice. Holding the Teacher Appreciation Banquet at a five-star hotel would cost a fortune; it seemed needlessly extravagant.

Seeing their mixed reactions, Ye Tianlong likely guessed what they were thinking and spoke again. "I know what you’re worried about, but don’t worry. We still have some money left in our class fund, so that’ll cover the costs. If it’s not enough, I’ll pay for the rest! I just hope you’ll all do me the honor of showing up on time! Hahaha..."

WHOA~

The moment he finished speaking, the students erupted into a commotion.

"Holy shit!"

"The class president is so generous!"

"Brother Long is awesome!"

"A free meal and free drinks? I, Chen Tianyi, will be the first one there!"

"The class president is paying out of his own pocket to treat us to a feast at a five-star hotel? There’s no reason not to go!"

"Yeah, yeah!"

"Right! Don’t worry, Class President, I’ll definitely be there!"

...

A crowd of students stood up to lavish him with praise, while Ye Tianlong feigned modesty, repeatedly saying things like, "It’s nothing, really."

The whole scene looked perfectly harmonious.

Of course, not everyone was buying his act.

Meanwhile, Han Ning, seated at the main table in a white chiffon princess dress, seemed completely distracted. She hadn’t heard a single word Ye Tianlong had said.

She clutched her phone, her head lifting periodically to glance toward the door, as if waiting for someone.

BANG~!

Suddenly, the door to the private room was pushed open from the outside.

Han Ning’s eyes lit up, and she quickly looked toward the entrance.

It wasn’t just her; nearly everyone in the room instinctively turned to look at the door.

"Er..."

The door opened. Seeing everyone staring at him, a dumbfounded He Ming said, "Whoa, I’m only a little late. No need for such a dramatic welcome, right?"

"C’mon, say something, guys. The way you’re all staring... it’s like you want to eat me. I’m getting a little scared!"

When no one responded, he added again in a weak, quiet voice.

"HAHAHA...!!"

"He Ming, you punk! You’re so fatty, who’d want to eat you?!"

"Yeah!"

"He Ming, you’re too fat! I couldn’t even bring myself to take a bite!"

"Hahaha..."

...

Everyone snapped out of it and started joking around again.

As for Han Ning, a flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes when she saw who it was.

’Is that rotten Gu Yifan really not coming?’

she thought, feeling a pang of disappointment.

Her best friend, Wu Xiaoyan, who was sitting beside her, noticed her strange behavior. Seeing her friend’s listlessness, her low spirits, and the way she kept glancing toward the door in anticipation, Wu Xiaoyan had a good idea of what was going on.

Wu Xiaoyan leaned in and whispered, "Xiaoning’er, are you waiting for Gu Yifan? Don’t. That guy probably isn’t coming."

"Hm?"

Hearing her best friend’s question, Han Ning’s expression faltered for a second, but she quickly composed herself.

She glanced at her best friend, her prideful nature kicking in as she stubbornly denied it. "Who said I was waiting for him? I’m just hungry and was wondering why the food hasn’t arrived yet!"

Wu Xiaoyan: "..."