"Oh my god, am I seeing things? Is that... is that Qin Chu?" an astonished gasp from someone in the crowd pulled everyone back from their shock.
"Qin Chu... it really is Qin Chu," another girl excitedly repeated.
Huo Mian stared blankly at the figure in the doorway. That person was even more dazzling now than he had been back then, radiating an undeniable presence. At one eighty-five meters tall, with neatly cut short hair, a black shirt, and black trousers, such a simple outfit, yet it looked incredibly striking on him. His deep-set eyes, high nose bridge, thin lips, and sharply defined face were features Huo Mian had seen countless times in her dreams.
Now, truly seeing him, she found herself speechless. In that moment, Huo Mian felt her heart was about to pound right out of her chest.
"Xiao Mian, what did I just say? Speak of the devil, and he appears! Tsk, tsk, this scene is truly dramatic, just like an 8 PM TV show," Zhu Lingling recovered from her shock, gently nudging Huo Mian's arm.
But Huo Mian remained unresponsive, her gaze and thoughts still fixed on Qin Chu, unable to tear away.
The man's appearance hadn't changed at all, but seven years had passed, bringing with it an added sense of composure and maturity. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips. The old Qin Chu had always been distant, never showing such an expression. Had he changed, or had time changed him?
Qin Chu glanced around the room, his gaze passing over Huo Mian without lingering, as if she were just another classmate. This left Huo Mian with a strange sense of loss.
"Long time no see," Qin Chu said, seemingly casually, after surveying the room.
"Oh my god, Qin male god, you're really back? I'm not dreaming, am I? Where have you been all these years?" Liu Siying rushed to the front, asking with intense emotion.
Everyone knew that in high school, Liu Siying had been madly infatuated with Qin Chu. Because of him, she hadn't spoken a single word to Huo Mian throughout high school, treating her like an enemy. Seven years later, Liu Siying seemed just as immature. The moment she saw the real Qin Chu, she pounced like a starved dog seeing a bone, completely without reserve.
Several other girls also gathered around him. After all, everyone adored a handsome male god like Qin Chu.
"I've been studying in the United States," Qin Chu replied calmly to their questions.
Seven years, a full seven years, Qin Chu had completely disappeared, his whereabouts unknown to everyone, including his once beloved, Huo Mian.
At this moment, the class monitor, Han Xu, stepped forward and said with a smile, "It's great to have you back. This is truly the most complete our class has ever been. Come, Teacher, please have a seat. Everyone, let's sit down, eat, and chat."
Mr. Yao, supported by Qin Chu, walked to the head seat and sat down. Qin Chu took the seat to Mr. Yao's left. Han Xu was about to sit on Mr. Yao's right when Mr. Yao spoke, "Huo Mian."
"Mr. Yao," Huo Mian immediately stood up.
"Come, sit over here," Mr. Yao gestured.
Han Xu was incredibly awkward, but fortunately, he reacted quickly and immediately followed the teacher's words, "Come quickly, Xiao Mian. It's been so long since the teacher last saw you, come over and catch up."
Huo Mian nodded. Although reluctant, she bit the bullet and walked over.
With every step, her heart trembled, because she was getting closer and closer to Qin Chu.
Perhaps because she was so nervous, as soon as she sat down, she knocked a glass off the table, and it shattered on the floor.
"I'm so sorry..." Huo Mian quickly apologized.
In her confusion, someone handed her a tissue. She took it, wiped the corner of her dress, and then looked up to see that it was Qin Chu.
"Thank you," she said, her tone distant, as if trying to sever all previous ties with him.
Qin Chu said nothing, instead chatting idly with other classmates, seemingly paying no attention to Huo Mian.
That is, until Liu Siying intentionally spoke loudly, asking in front of everyone, "Oh, Huo Mian, I heard you're getting married soon? And your fiancé is a doctor, that's great! Don't forget to send us invitations for the wedding, since we're classmates."
After Liu Siying asked this, the room fell silent. Everyone tacitly looked at Qin Chu's reaction.
"Not yet, both families are still discussing it, but once the date is set, I'll definitely let everyone know," Huo Mian replied, a little embarrassed, smiling shyly.
At that moment, Huo Mian distinctly felt a sharp gaze turn towards her.
"You're getting married?" After a long silence, Qin Chu finally spoke his first words to her.
Huo Mian nodded... she couldn't even manage a simple "mm," unsure if it was from fear or extreme nervousness.
"Heh, congratulations," he said, a smile on his lips, yet his eyes were so cold, chilling her to the bone.
"Thank you," Huo Mian replied awkwardly and politely. She avoided looking directly at Qin Chu, as the smile on his face gave her a strong sense of pressure. She had imagined countless reunions with Qin Chu, but never like this. Thinking of this, her heart suddenly felt chaotic again.
"What a pity, our great beauty Huo, the campus belle from our Second High. I always thought you'd marry into a wealthy family with some rich second-generation heir. I can't believe someone actually managed to win you over so quickly. Ha, it's really a shame. If I'd known, I would have pursued you myself. Ha, or how about you don't get married and consider me instead?" Wei Dong, usually quite a rogue, made another joke after a few drinks.
Wei Dong came from a good family; his father was in the building materials business. With the rise of the real estate industry in recent years, he had done quite well following his father's footsteps, which made him sound quite confident even when joking at gatherings.
Zhu Lingling immediately glared at Wei Dong, scolding him impatiently, "Oh, please. Even if you were to pursue Huo Mian, it wouldn't be your turn. Just settle down. You already lost to male god Qin back in school, so how would you succeed now...?"
Zhu Lingling stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing she had crossed a forbidden line.
The topic of Qin Chu and Huo Mian seemed to have become like a Jay Chou film: an unspeakable secret.
Qin Chu showed no reaction upon hearing this, only continued to stare at Huo Mian, his gaze seemingly wanting to pierce through her.
Huo Mian smiled awkwardly, then stood up and said, "Um, I'm really sorry, I just need to go to the restroom."
Actually, there was a restroom in the private room, but Huo Mian simply wanted an excuse to escape the situation. Or rather, to escape Qin Chu.
After walking out of the private room, Huo Mian took deep breaths, even clearly feeling her heart pounding faster.
Huo Mian had never imagined she would reunite with Qin Chu in this way. Seven years had passed, and he had suddenly appeared like this, catching her completely off guard.
After calming down in the restroom for a while, Huo Mian quickly reapplied her makeup, then walked out with her head down. Before she could even clearly see what was happening, a strong hand unexpectedly pushed her against the wall, and then... those cold lips attacked without warning. The unfamiliar air mixed with a familiar scent instantly caused Huo Mian's brain to short-circuit.