That's also why Hao Jian doesn't like class reunions. It's not that he's not doing well, but because the current purpose of class reunions has lost its essence. It's no longer about reconnecting and sharing feelings, but about bragging to each other.
"Hao Jian, you're here?"
Upon seeing Hao Jian arrive, Chen Zhiyan immediately left a group of male classmates who were flattering her and, without any embarrassment, invoked their envy and jealousy.
Upon a glance at Hao Jian, dressed in the most ordinary sportswear, they lost interest in going up to greet him.
Clearly in their eyes, if Hao Jian was wearing such clothes, he must be down on his luck. If they went up to talk to him, he might even ask to borrow money from them.
Seeing Chen Zhiyan preferring to chat with such a 'loser' instead of them made them even more irritated.
Of course, there was a reason why Chen Zhiyan would just ditch them—it wasn't because she had a secret crush on Hao Jian but because he was the only one who didn't look down on her when she was as fat as a pig. Instead, he often encouraged her.
These male classmates were interested in her only because she'd become pretty. If she was still as fat as before, they probably wouldn't even spare her a glance.
Today, Chen Zhiyan had also dressed up carefully, wearing a floral dress that made her look fresh and elegant.
Feeling the male classmates' gazes as though they wanted to devour her, Hao Jian touched his nose with a wry smile: "Is it really okay to just leave them hanging ?"
"We weren't that close. There's no question of leaving anyone hanging," Chen Zhiyan said with a smile.
"But, if you hang out with me, a poor bloke, they might give you the cold shoulder as well."
Hao Jian advised her kindly. He could see that his classmates looked down on his simple clothes and only gave him a cursory glance when they saw him, without any interest in looking longer.
"Let them give me the cold shoulder then." Chen Zhiyan said indifferently, shrugging her mouth—none of them mattered to her as much as Hao Jian did.
Hearing this, a warm current surged in Hao Jian's heart.
He and Chen Zhiyan took seats in a corner, and true to Hao Jian's words, not a single person came up to greet them.
The rich ones didn't bother to say hello, and the poor ones were all cozying up to the wealthy ones. Naturally, they were even less inclined to pay attention to them.
"Well, isn't this our class president Hao Jian?" Just then, a mocking voice came from behind Hao Jian and Chen Zhiyan.
Turning around, they saw a man dressed in an Armani suit coming over, holding a glass of red wine pretentiously and acting like a high-society individual.
"Wow, class president? Why are you dressed so shabbily? Wearing sportswear?" The man sneered, "Tsk tsk tsk. You used to be the big shot in our school, how did you end up so down and out?"
Upon hearing this, the male and female classmates all looked at Hao Jian with ridicule. How could they have imagined that the once glorious Hao Jian could have fallen so far.
Among these female classmates, many had once had a crush on Hao Jian, but now, one by one, they turned pragmatic and were annoyed that they had set their sights on such a man, seeing his current sorry state.
"Li Jianwei, he's still our classmate. Is there any need for such foul language?" Chen Zhiyan snapped, angered by Li Jianwei's words.
She knew about the animosity between Li Jianwei and Hao Jian from their high school days. Back then, Li Jianwei was a gangster, always harassing female classmates and bullying teachers.
Back then, Hao Jian was the school authority. Because of him, the local gangsters didn't dare mess with the students, and even the principal had to show him some respect.
Once, when Li Jianwei was harassing a female classmate, he was caught by Hao Jian and got a beating, and he seemed to hold the grudge even now.
After high school graduation, Li Jianwei went overseas to do business with his father. In recent years, it was said he made quite a lot of money, covering up his past misdeeds with his current wealth.
At today's class reunion, everyone chose to forget about his past ugliness, and instead started to fawn over him.
"I'm just telling the truth. As a fellow classmate, it hurts me to see him struggle so much. Here's what we'll do for old times' sake, since I happen to need someone for odd jobs. President, why don't you come work for me? Five thousand a month, how about it?"
Li Jianwei continued to mock, implying that Hao Jian should work for him.
The big shot of the school? Li Jianwei only wanted to laugh—daring to beat me up in school back in the day? Today I'm going to trample you under my feet!
"Li Jianwei, don't go too far!" Chen Zhiyan rebuked. Hao Jian was too proud to work as Li Jianwei's errand boy.
But Li Jianwei just snickered, "I'm only thinking of the class president's best interest, and besides, you're not him; how would you know he wouldn't be happy? Maybe he's even thrilled."
Five thousand a month wasn't a lot, but it was a decent income for the average person, and he believed Hao Jian wouldn't refuse.
The thought of being able to order around this once unapproachable guy delighted Li Jianwei.
"You..." Chen Zhiyan was so angry she was trembling.
"Hey, if a dog bites you, are you gonna bite back?" Hao Jian finally spoke, but he was far from polite, not giving Li Jianwei any face.
Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Hao Jian to fight back. What right did he have to retaliate? If it were them, they probably would have just endured it rather than continue to be insulted.
Li Jianwei's expression soured as he sneered:
"President, don't you think you're being a bit too harsh?"
"That's right, what kind of way is that to talk? Don't forget who's hosting today—it's Li Jianwei. Without him, you probably wouldn't have the chance to step foot in this six-star hotel in your lifetime."
"Hao Jian, haven't you heard that biting the hand that feeds you is bad form? Li Jianwei is entertaining you with good food and drink, and you still speak out of turn? Do you not understand basic social etiquette?"...