One (Middle)

But this is clearly the voice of everyone present

Lan Ning asked: "Is it necessary to hold an exhibition? The Japanese are consistently meticulous in their promotion; are you not planning to develop further domestically?"

Guan Zhi had a handsome face, resembling the fair-skinned Louis Koo from his earlier years. Being spoiled at home, he had quite a temper. With water dripping from his head, he was so furious that he nearly grabbed Lan Ning and put into practice the truth that "a good man should not quarrel with a woman, as it will lead to loss"

Lan Ning understood her implication. Most of her clients had started cutting budgets at the end of last year, deciding to hibernate this year

Upon exchanging business cards with everyone present, Lan Ning felt that by doing so, she had politely declined tonight's spring banquet, which was also worthwhile

However, Roman works diligently and seriously, and possesses considerable ability. Lan Ning admits that he does feel somewhat jealous and resentful.

Roman nodded: "I hope so"

Zhou Bingxin introduced: "The big boss of our company in Japan has a family history of being passionate about collecting cultural relics. He is very eager to organize a cultural relic exhibition locally, which would serve to promote the company. Given the current economic situation this year, it would be more reliable for magazines to lean towards cultural themes."

Chen Si, upon learning about Lan Ning's recent work situation, scrutinized her with a peculiar yet stern gaze and asked, "Is 'Lida' the promotional project you are working on?"

For some unknown reason, Roman lingered for a while at her place and later even started chatting with her about last night's television program. Lan Ning did not watch the TV drama last night, but engaging in a bit of small talk was still within the scope of her duties

Indeed, Chen Si had more to say. She sharply asked Lan Ning: "Have you verified the raw materials of 'Lida'?"

Lan Ning was just opening FOXMAIL and looking at the notification from Secretary Luo Danian. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Who will be coming?"

Yan Youran was made to laugh, and after hanging up her call, she dialed another number to Guan Zhi

On this evening of the university class reunion, Yan Youran evidently put in considerable effort, choosing a fashionable restaurant located within 1933, a modern avant-garde creative park that was transformed from a slaughterhouse dating back to the 1930s

Stop asking: "What about you? What am I supposed to do?"

Fang Minmin said: "An innocent person must have some guilt."

The class reunion continued until nearly 9 o'clock before dispersing. At the moment when everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, it was also when Lan Ning and Zhou Bingxin reached an agreement and expressed their intention to collaborate. They once again set a time to meet at the entrance of the old building, exchanged phone numbers and MSN accounts, and exchanged a few pleasantries.

Lan Ning snorted and said, "Go if you want to, don't if you don't."

Roman lit a cigarette with a casual gesture, took a couple of deep puffs, and exhaled a beautiful smoke ring before saying: "So having a husband to lean on is wonderful! No matter how fierce the storms outside, they can't reach you"

Lan Ning remained silent, and Yan Youran did not continue the conversation.

As he closed the door and stepped out of the car, he immediately fixed his gaze on Lan Ning, who was standing very close to Zhou Bingxin, and furrowed his brows.

She comforted, saying: "Perhaps everything will improve in the second quarter"

Lan Ning was not without grievances; he once joked with his university classmate and friend Yan Youran: "In a private enterprise, no matter how professional, it cannot escape the influence of royal relatives and nobility"

At that time, their romance was quite impressive

Not long after their breakup, Guan Zhi was seen holding another female classmate's hand as they passed by Lan Ning's dormitory. Lan Ning rushed into the dormitory and came out with a bottle of mineral water, which he then poured over Guan Zhi's head.

Yan Youran still felt it was not enough and asked her: "Is Guan Zhilai coming to your house? He used to be the number one ace of our department."

During my university years, I had difficulty getting along with Lan Ning and Yan Youran. My roommate, Chen Si, who is inherently rigid and meticulous, still does not fit in well with others, although she is now serving as the deputy editor-in-chief of the "Consumer Guide" newspaper

Lan Ning expressed her understanding: "Students should help each other!" She flipped through the more than ten business cards she had exchanged, "I didn't expect Chen Sisheng to be so quick, and Zhou Bingxin, that dull fellow, will become the administrative manager at a Japanese magazine.

At that time, the dormitory matron intervened, advising this person and that, and earnestly asked, "What is the purpose of being in a relationship if it leads to such turmoil?"

Lan Ning remained silent, and Fang Minmin only said this one sentence before immediately turning her head to attend to her own tasks

Lan Ning cast a sidelong glance at her, his expression darkening.

Thinking of Yan Youran, in the afternoon Yan Youran called, bustling with energy, asking: "Hi, just to confirm with you again, are you coming to the class reunion tonight?"

The vehicle that came to a stop is a silver Chery QQ AMT Elite model produced two years ago, resembling a pocket-sized beast as it slowly drove in here during the night. In front of it was a dazzling silver Maybach, which made the "little beast" appear particularly eye-catching as it basked in the borrowed splendor.

During those three months, Guan Zhi drove his fiery red Ferrari, taking Lan Ning for a spin around Gubei, making a loop at the school gate. The car they were in became the talk of the town, earning the top spot on the local gossip list. Car enthusiasts who had studied Guan Zhi's vehicle estimated that this car was unique in the country, and it had likely never even left the boundaries of Gubei.

Zhou Bingxin roughly answered, and Lan Ning sighed: "They are truly wealthy; they can obtain all these things."

It seems that there is something going on over there, and I am in a hurry to hang up the phone: "Send the address to my mobile, and I will assess the situation."

The current alumni gatherings have long become the best social venues for old classmates to mingle in society, each seeking their own needs

Nearly seven years after graduation, the changes in personnel are no longer measurable by the initial perspective. Many classmates have also changed, while some have remained the same.

Lan Ning asked Zhou Bingxin: "How many exhibits are there in total? Are all of them Chinese exhibits?"

The background noise on his end was a clanging sound, seemingly coming from a factory, indicating that he had not been home to sleep that day. However, Lan Ning was not inclined to ask him what he was doing; instead, she straightforwardly asked, "Are you going to the class reunion tonight?"

Soon, a classmate laughed and said: "Here comes capitalism again, clutching its wallet."

In comparison, individuals have their own attitudes

Lan Ning's temples began to throb again, and discussing serious matters in a lively atmosphere clearly did not fit in. She quickly diverted the topic, only briefly contemplating Chen Si's unusual words and actions, before being drawn away by another classmate.

The person has not yet emerged, but the classmates here who are bidding farewell have already cast their admiring glances at his car. When they see the door of the "little beast" open, and a familiar figure descends, tall and handsome, the old classmates here are almost ready to exclaim in surprise

Chen Si, however, said: "This is a serious matter"

Lan Ning noticed her strange reaction and chose to wait for further developments

The classmates, who were originally surprised to see him emerge from such a vehicle, were even more astonished.

But Roman spoke first: "When the tsunami arrives, it affects countless innocents"

She also scolded him: "You bastard, all you know how to do is report others, right? Are you even a man?"

Moreover, everyone in the company knows that Roman is the niece of Luo Dazheng, which is why she initially took over the two cash cow businesses of finance and insurance

Everyone knows that Guan Zhi changes his girlfriend every three months after entering school, so it was entirely expected that Guan Zhi would break up with Lan Ning after three months

A student named Zhou Bingxin is currently inquiring everywhere for advice, as he has a project in hand

Roman has always been an extremely proud person, as the clients she interacts with are among the most meticulous in their respective fields. She has cultivated a meticulous and conscientious business attitude, which extends from her professional skills to her own makeup and expressions. Her colleagues privately refer to her as "Lady Jade Bottle"

Lan Ning self-deprecatingly remarked: "It is indeed regrettable that my skills are inferior to others"

After finishing his cigarette, he left leisurely

Everyone present knows that Lan Ning, a freshman in this department, and Guan Zhi, a junior, were in a three-month relationship.

Yan Youran smiled and said: "Guan Zhi, hello there, it seems you really can't let go of your wife."

Everyone knows that Guan Zhi is able to maintain good communication and a calm relationship with each of his ex-girlfriends, except for Lan Ning

With a single word, Lan Ning was infuriated. She raised her hand, and the bottle of mineral water flew over, striking Guan Zhi squarely on the forehead. Guan Zhi finally broke free from his restraints and rushed over to grab Lan Ning by the collar.

Yan Youran introduces: "I bet everyone is still unaware, right? Guan Zhi and Lan Ning are now a married couple. Quickly prepare red envelopes to shower this pair of newlyweds."

Roman is engaged in sales, acting decisively and unyieldingly in resource allocation. Several times, he has had disputes with Fang Minmin due to pressuring the planning department to fully cooperate with his frontline sales in expediting proposals. In contrast, Lan Ning's style involves personally handling the proposals in the early stages of sales, and in the later stages, he collaborates seamlessly with Fang Minmin, significantly alleviating her burdens

Roman said: "Yesterday, I saw an advertisement for Jingyangchun Restaurant on the financial channel. It is indeed remarkable that there are industries that can thrive so well at this juncture"

Lan Ning asked: "How do you get into character? Do you perform 'The Peony Pavilion' or 'The West Chamber'?"

Yan Youran laughed at her at the time: "Then why are you still here? The international 4A is so great! If you are so passionate about the advertising industry, where can't you go?"

Roman awkwardly remarked: "Lanning, the Jingyangchun project really should be secured; this year we cannot rely on the cash cow, and perhaps for the next year or two we won't be able to turn things around. It's still the traditional industry that offers insurance."

She reported the names one by one. Upon hearing this, Lan Ning realized that Yan Youran indeed had the style of a cultural minister from her university's student council. This gathering of classmates was simply a complete assembly of all the students from the department who are currently thriving.

Everyone was engaged in lively discussions, while Yan Youran sighed nearby: "Why do I increasingly feel that class reunions carry a sense of commercialism?"

Thus, the classmates transformed from astonishment to excitement, and Chen Si was the first to exclaim: "Lan Ning, how did you marry Guan Zhi?"

Today, the "Jade Bottle Goddess" appeared calm, her exquisite jade-like features meticulously crafted with layers of cosmetics. However, perhaps she had been a bit heavy-handed with the powder, resulting in a slightly pale complexion. In Lan Ning's eyes, there was not a trace of sympathy that had not been stirred.

The two exchanged a great deal of conversation, and Lan Ning felt that she had finally found the most valuable point of the evening

Yan Youran laughed at her: "How can you still be like this after getting married? Not in character at all"

Especially last year, the influence of the overall environment was immense. Roman's sales were only two-thirds of Lan Ning's, and Lan Ning had not yet recovered from the recent incident. Therefore, it is advisable not to choose to discuss business matters with her for the time being

At that moment, her eyebrows were almost raised, and she coldly snorted the words: "shrew."

Until Yan Youran called out to Lan Ning: "Sister Lan, your husband has arrived"

Lan Ning smiled: "This indicates that the lives of ordinary people continue as usual"

This made Lan Ning frown: "I will ask him, but I cannot guarantee that he will come."

This tone was somewhat brusque, leaving Lan Ning perplexed. However, her professional habit of maintaining a thick skin allowed her to keep a smiling face as she said to this old classmate: "We are neither from the health bureau nor from the food and drug administration"

The female manager of the planning department, Fang Minmin, sits in the adjacent cubicle, making it quite convenient for her to chat with Lan Ning. She smiled at Lan Ning after seeing Roman walk away, and Lan Ning smiled back.

Zhou Bingxin stated: "It is already quite good that the business is not shrinking; the big boss is unlikely to increase investment. This exhibition is planned to be entrusted to a domestic company, but their requirements are quite high; they need to have cultural depth as well as a modern style. Money is not an issue; their family has been in banking for two generations, so they have plenty of money"

She and Lan Ning, one being a project manager in the finance sector and the other in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, have always maintained a respectful distance from each other. In the first couple of years, the finance business was thriving, with Roman significantly outperforming Lan Ning in sales performance. However, the projects that Lan Ning was involved in focused on production, and with the favorable momentum of corporate development, he gradually caught up over the past two years

Yan Youran spoke frankly: "Apart from Chen Si, the rest are friendly classmates"