Chapter 112: Small Gathering
“In the great dream, who awakens first? In my life, I know myself. Spring sleep full in the thatched hall, outside the window the sun lingers late.
Hmm~”
Chang Ning comfortably stretched lazily, the quilt sliding down the bedsheet onto the solid wood floor.
Today was the first day of Chang Ning’s vacation. With no military unit wake-up bell and having slept late last night, he didn’t wake up until noon.
Mother Chang had come by in the morning and, seeing her son wasn’t awake, didn’t call him.
“Buzz, buzz”
The mobile phone’s incoming call vibration woke Chang Ning, who was sitting on the bed lost in thought.
“Hey, Chang the great talent. Are you coming to the class reunion at Regal Hotel tonight at eight?”
The one calling Chang Ning was his good brother Cao Ninghua. Worried that Chang Ning hadn’t seen the message, he called early in the morning to confirm.
He was lucky too—if he’d called a day earlier, Chang Ning wouldn’t have been able to answer.
“Of course I’ll come. I might not give face to others, but I have to give face to you, Cao Ninghua.”
“It’s a deal. I’ll save you a seat.
By the way, where have you been for the past year?”
Cao Ninghua was really curious—Chang Ning had vanished without any news for a year, like he’d evaporated from the world.
“It’s hard to explain over the phone. I’ll tell you tonight.”
Chang Ning knew Cao Ninghua well—if he found out he’d enlisted, there’d be countless more questions, and it couldn’t be explained over the phone.
“Alright then, you must come tonight.”
Cao Ninghua urged again, not entirely reassured.
“Got it. How did you get so nagging after a year apart?” Chang Ning said.
“Get lost!”
Cao Ninghua hung up unilaterally.
“Hey, this guy!”
Chang Ning was amused and annoyed too.
After getting up, he found the house empty. Chang Ning remained calm—his parents were both busy, usually leaving early and returning late, not coming home for lunch.
Luckily, his parents always prepared lunch before leaving, or else Chang Ning would have to figure out how to make a barely edible meal himself.
Chang Ning, who had always been the “other people’s child” in adults’ mouths since he was little, excelled at everything except learning to cook.
The only thing he could make now was stir-fried tomatoes and eggs learned in the cookhouse. Chang Ning planned to show it off tomorrow night and amaze his parents.
Full from eating and drinking, with nothing to do at home, Chang Ning wrote a note for his parents explaining his plans, emphasizing he wouldn’t be back for dinner.
After washing the bowls and chopsticks and cleaning up, Chang Ning grabbed the trash bag and headed out.
He’d been living like this for over a decade. The household routine hadn’t changed just because he’d enlisted for a year and was back on vacation—everything as usual.
With his allowance card in pocket, Chang Ning left the neighborhood, then felt lost, unsure where to go.
“Maybe go find Xiao Zhuang?”
Chang Ning instinctively thought of his comrade. After a year in the military unit, he felt he didn’t belong to this flashy outside world. It was okay at home, but outside he felt uncomfortable all over.
At Wolf Fang’s main entrance, everyone had briefly shared their plans, so Chang Ning knew Xiao Zhuang would go see his girlfriend first.
“Not sure if the kid has left yet? Probably not—he seems to have a bad relationship with his family.”
Chang Ning decided to try his luck at the General Hospital.
His home was quite far from the General Hospital—even by bus it took over two hours.
“Hiss~”
Arriving at the Military Region General Hospital entrance, Chang Ning tried to loosen up his body. After two hours on the bus, his back and waist ached terribly.
“Hello, I’m looking for Lin Xiaoying.”
“Xiao Ying isn’t here. She’s taken leave.”
The little nurse at the nurse station, seeing he was there for Xiao Ying, glanced at Chang Ning before checking the schedule records and finding Xiao Ying had taken leave.
“Oh, alright then.”
Seeing Xiao Ying wasn’t there, Chang Ning figured she was with her boyfriend Xiao Zhuang.
The two rarely met, so he didn’t want to intrude.
“What to do next?”
Chang Ning had no idea how to kill time, since the reunion was in the evening.
After thinking it over, Chang Ning figured Donghai City was so big that wandering around would get him to eight o’clock.
No sooner thought than done—Chang Ning started wandering aimlessly.
Donghai City was a coastal city that had developed rapidly in recent years thanks to policy influences.
He actually found several fun places and a few hidden gem food spots.
At eight in the evening, lights came on and streets were filled with heavy traffic.
Chang Ning arrived at Regal Hotel’s entrance, took the elevator to the lobby per the mobile phone message address for the reunion.
The Squad Leader had organized this gathering. With his affluent family, booking an entire lobby floor as the venue was effortless for him.
“Click”
As Chang Ning pushed the door open, all eyes instantly turned to him, each gaze carrying different emotions.
Most were gloating—clearly something had happened before he arrived, and it involved him.
The most obvious was Chen Hao sitting beside Ye Luoli—this guy was the one behind the reunion.
Cao Ninghua’s expression was grim. Seeing Chang Ning arrive, he quickly stood and went to him.
“Brother, sorry. I didn’t know Chen Hao was up to no good. I was wondering earlier why he specifically asked me to invite you.
Brother, let’s go. This banquet is no good!”
“Nah, I’m here already—might as well eat first. I’m hungry anyway.”
From the moment he entered, he knew what was up: simply put, a former defeated rival wanted to settle the score.
Chang Ning had skipped grades into Yanjing University. Young as he was, with his academic god traits and handsome looks, he naturally attracted flirty advances from some bold girls.
This led to a period of trouble for him. Cornered, he resorted to giving a problem, saying he’d consider dating whoever solved it.
In fact, he wanted to deter them—normally, that would end the advances.
But walk too many dark paths and you’ll meet ghosts—Chang Ning ran into someone stubborn.
That was Ye Luoli, now sitting beside Chen Hao, and she actually solved it.
What now? Chang Ning had no choice but to play along reluctantly, repeatedly stressing he wasn’t looking for a girlfriend, to no avail.
That’s how Chang Ning ended up hated by Ye Luoli’s pursuer, Chen Hao.
Later, Chang Ning learned Ye Luoli had used him as a shield—nothing major, but she hadn’t told him beforehand, leaving him feeling deceived.
After that, he gave Ye Luoli the cold shoulder, and soon rumors spread at school: him toying with her then dumping her, told with vivid details.
If it wasn’t Ye Luoli behind it, he’d eat shit upside down—but he couldn’t prove it, as everyone thought she’d “won” him.
Cornered, with a year left to graduate, Chang Ning applied to graduate early.
Seeing Chen Hao and Ye Luoli together at the reunion today, if he still didn’t get it, he’d be an idiot!
From start to finish, Ye Luoli’s target was only Chen Hao—he was just the tool she used to probe him.
“Yo, Chang the great talent is here.”
Chen Hao said, holding Ye Luoli’s hand, his tone full of showing off.
The sight made Chang Ning want to laugh—Ye Luoli’s tactics were masterful, but poor Chen Hao had no clue.
“Talent or not, it’s all just everyone’s kindness.
Squad Leader, when’s dinner? I’m starving.”
Seeing Chang Ning unfazed, Chen Hao felt frustrated.
Getting one up on Yanjing’s talent Chang Ning in some way would be thrilling, but it seemed to have no effect.
He’d prepared a big move for a head-on clash, but the other side wasn’t engaging.
