Liang and the others left, but Zhao Minghui’s cries of agony still echoed in the private room.
"What should we do now?"
"Call an ambulance, quickly."
After a brief moment of panic, a few people came to their senses and dialed the emergency services.
Two people carried Zhao Minghui away, leaving the rest of them worried about who would foot the bill for the meal.
The cost of this meal wasn’t cheap, at least eighty to ninety thousand. Especially those expensive liquors, most people present couldn’t afford this sum on their own. It was agreed that Zhao Minghui would foot the bill, but now look at the state he’s in, how can he pay?
"I’ve done a rough calculation. The total cost is over eighty thousand. If we split it evenly, each person has to pay around nine thousand."
"Damn, it’s really not worth it. A meal turned out ; it’s just shit."
"Blame that bastard Zhao Minghui, he’s screwed us over."
"My monthly salary is just over five thousand, now two months’ salary is gone. I’ll be eating wind from the Northwest."
"Exactly, it’s all Zhao Minghui’s fault; he’s truly awful."
"We’re to blame too, trying to take advantage. Knowing Zhao Minghui’s no good, we still came."
The group started discussing, filled with indignation; their dissatisfaction with Zhao Minghui had reached its peak.
Their situations weren’t good; this expense was enough to force them to tighten their belts for quite some time.
He Yulian cried out, "I still have a bit of savings in my account. I’ll cover this meal."
She was utterly humiliated; Zhao Minghui, the bastard, had said those things to protect himself, basically offering her up. She was utterly disillusioned with him. After this ordeal, Zhao Minghui was done for. She didn’t want to see him again. Her image among classmates had plummeted. To save face, she could only generously foot the bill, letting everyone remember this moment as the only thing she could do.
"There’s really no need, and besides, you’re seriously injured, go see a doctor. That costs money too, and you need it." A woman said politely, genuinely approving of He Yulian’s offer to pay.
He Yulian had been kicked by Ye Fan, breaking a rib, yet she was still holding on.
Since He Yulian insisted on paying, the others gladly accepted. After all, producing such an amount was difficult for them, and they were genuinely happy for her to pay.
Supported by two women, He Yulian and the others reached the checkout counter.
"Box 666, checking out." He Yulian painstakingly pulled out a card and handed it to the cashier.
"A gentleman has already settled the bill." The cashier smiled professionally.
"Which gentleman?" He Yulian and the others were stunned, asking in unison.
When they learned that it was Ye Fan and Ye Juanjuan who paid after leaving, each of them felt embarrassed.
"Such generosity! We’ve gone all out to target him, but he treated us politely and even settled the bill."
"We’re not even human, trying to harm him. Thinking back, it’s shameful."
"They went to that extent for us; how can we claim to be Ye Juanjuan’s classmates?"
"Damn that Zhao Minghui, the bastard, got us dragged into this."
"That Mr. Ye is quite something, so approachable. He must have done this for Ye Juanjuan’s sake; otherwise, what would we have been to him? Thinking of dealing with Mr. Ye—it’s clear we were clueless."
The group’s faces turned red with embarrassment; they all felt they’d let down Ye Juanjuan and Ye Fan.
"I was wrong." At this moment, He Yulian remembered how good Ye Juanjuan had been to her. Thinking of those university days, when she’d been sick and Ye Juanjuan took care of her, she realized she’d become treacherous and self-centered. With such a mindset, she spoke too many hurtful words to Ye Juanjuan. Only when she lost her did she realize how wrong she had been. In this vast sea of people, she had no true friends. Ye Juanjuan broke off with her, and suddenly she discovered that besides Ye Juanjuan, she had no one else to confide in—utterly alone in the crowd.
"I was an idiot, not worthy of being her friend." He Yulian felt a pain in her heart; she closed her eyes, tears falling.
It’s all settled now.
Can it still be saved?
No, it can’t be salvaged.
Even if Ye Juanjuan could forgive her, she couldn’t face her.
Ye Fan and Ye Juanjuan simply drove away, paying no attention to other matters.
"I never thought He Yulian would become such a person. Four years as a university roommate and sister, and she even harbored such intentions against me?" Ye Juanjuan muttered to herself, feeling upset.
"Don’t overthink it. People change and will do anything for themselves. With someone like He Yulian, you shouldn’t be overly nice. Otherwise, in her eyes, your kindness is just pitying her, condescending gestures. Influenced by vanity and jealousy, she’d secretly resent you. Especially seeing you now, admirable and dignified—how could she endure that? In her view, you being below her is better; otherwise, her resentment towards you would fester until an opportunity arose to harm you, albeit hiding behind a facade of sisterhood." Ye Fan comforted.
"Let’s not talk about her. It’s not worth wasting feelings." Ye Juanjuan adjusted her mood, then gratefully said, "Thanks, brother. You did so much for me, even though they were jerks, you didn’t hold it against them."
"Don’t say such silly things. If you’re ever in situations , feel free to call me. Be careful not to be taken advantage of," Ye Fan said with a laugh, tousling his sister’s hair. "Keep an eye out, alright?"
"Mm." Ye Juanjuan seriously nodded, silently vowing never to attend such crappy class reunions again, and even in other gatherings, she’d be extra cautious.
When Ye Fan dropped off Ye Juanjuan at her doorstep, it was already past ten at night. The city lights were just beginning, and nightlife was kicking off.
During that time, the two of them found a roadside stall and ate something.
"Brother, want to come in for a bit?" Ye Juanjuan asked tentatively.
"No, Uncle and Auntie are probably resting. I won’t disturb them; you should rest early too," Ye Fan replied.
"Goodbye, brother. Drive slowly and stay safe." Ye Juanjuan waved goodbye.
"Off I go." Ye Fan drove off into the distance.
Ye Juanjuan watched her brother leave until she couldn’t clearly see the hand waving out of the window, then happily entered her home.