Chapter 2, The Turmoil at the Banquet (Part 2)

Yao Yu! Zhong Qiang gently bumped into her

Yao Yu smiled brightly, having repelled Du Lei and gained immunity: "You have to hold on by yourself! Senior brother, it seems that the beauties of Jialin Group will not let you off today!" After saying this, she went to find Qian Chen

Yao Yu did not respond, smiling as she looked at Du Lei and Xu Yi Zhong, saying: "To show respect, sincerity is the best; General Xu won't mind, right?"

Yao Yu sighed quietly, Du Lei still had not changed, always wanting to stand on top of him, yet had never found the opportunity to be stepped on and kicked down hard.

Yao Yu glanced at him and said, "How can you speak like that? General Manager Zhong, why can't I have such beautiful classmates? Are you interested?"

She suddenly came to her senses and glanced at Zhong Qiang

It has been two years since graduation. If it were any other relationship, even a regular classmate, we would be overjoyed to see each other again, perhaps even embracing and crying to share our innermost feelings. However, Du Re and I are unlikely to ever become friends in this lifetime.

Yao Yu chuckled softly, "I haven't seen her for two years. Let me get familiar with her situation before I say anything." While they were chatting, Yao Yu was suddenly taken aback. What was going on today? Was this gathering turning into a reunion for university classmates? She stared blankly at a tall young woman in a black long dress standing next to the podium. Was Du Lei also here? From her position, she must be from Jialin Group.

As she was lost in thought, the speeches concluded, and dishes were being served one after another. Yao Yu tried her best to control the impulse to indulge excessively, maintaining a poised demeanor. At that moment, someone from the Jialin Group approached to propose a toast. Yao Yu stood up and picked up a glass of juice. She noticed Du Lei looking at her with a smile that was neither here nor there. Yao Yu forced a smile in response. The same smile on Hui An's face appeared gentle, while on Qian Chen's it seemed bright; however, the one on her and Du Lei's faces could only be described as insincere.

Well, they are university classmates. I haven't seen them for two years. By the way, which organization do the people at that table belong to

Zhong Qiang slowly set down his wine glass, feeling a bit angry at Yao Yu for publicly rejecting him, yet also becoming worried. He had never directly interacted with Xu Yi Zhong before and did not know if he was a petty person.

As Xu Yizhong was leaving, he glanced at Yao Yu's cartoonish puff skirt, simultaneously etching her mischievous smile into his memory

Well

Upon seeing her university classmate, Yao Yu felt a surge of excitement, and a smile involuntarily curved at the corners of her mouth. Zhong Qiang quietly asked her: "What has made you so happy all of a sudden? Did you see someone you know?"

Xu Yizhong smiled as he glanced at Du Lei, shook his head lightly, and clinked his glass with Yao Yu before taking a drink. Only then did Yao Yu let out a sigh of relief

Zhong Nan glanced over and happened to see Hui An's alluring profile: "The one in the yellow suit? Your classmate?"

Zhong Qiang chuckled and said: "I am interested, could you provide an introduction?"

Du Re Mei smiled charmingly: "Consider yourself lucky to have escaped this calamity, Mr. Xu. I was just joking. Yao Yu doesn't drink alcohol; when she does, things get out of hand, haha!"

Durelle applied a slightly heavier makeup, which appeared just right in the evening, neither too bold nor too subtle. The off-shoulder black long dress fit her slender figure perfectly, and a delicate platinum chain with a diamond pendant hung gracefully on her exquisite collarbone. Her hair was softly curled and simply styled into a bun, with a few strands framing her face, adding a touch of mature allure. She had always known how to present herself, and after two years, Durelle was even more beautiful than before

At this moment, the host announced the commencement of the banquet, inviting a spokesperson from the Jialin Group to speak, followed by remarks from the guest representatives. Applause erupted, and Yao Yu instinctively joined in the clapping. Her thoughts drifted back to her school days.

Yao Yu, seeing this, became even more enraged. How dare you be so brazen, getting involved, huh? She cast a sidelong glance at Du Lei and suddenly laughed, saying: "Du Lei, you really are something. It's been two years since graduation, and knowing that I can't drink, you still encourage me. Are you trying to make a fool of me?"

Xu Yizhong couldn't help but laugh as he looked at the only girl in the banquet hall wearing a cartoon puff skirt: "Miss Yao, are you twenty years old? The Tang Dynasty is indeed vibrant and full of energy"

Yao Yu could not help but recall what Du Lei had seriously said to her during their middle school years: "I am just this way; the more outstanding the people around me are, the more I feel the need to compare myself to them. So, Yao Yu, you better get used to competing with me." Du Lei was overly competitive, especially in front of friends. Naturally, Yao Yu could not tolerate the idea of friends competing like enemies, and gradually, she drifted further away from Du Lei. However, Du Lei's intentional or unintentional provocations forced Yao Yu to respond, and the rivalry between them seemed to have never ceased.

Today, many people came, and there were about ten tables in the banquet hall. Yao Yudong looked around and felt a surge of joy when she spotted Qian Chen sitting at one of the tables designated for the media. Qian Chen looked quite beautiful today, wearing a white spaghetti strap long dress. She was sitting with her back to Yao Yu, so she probably did not see her. As Yao Yu was contemplating how to surprise Qian Chen, her gaze shifted and she was momentarily taken aback. At a table in front of her, there was a girl whose profile closely resembled that of Chen Huian. As Yao Yu was contemplating how to surprise Qian Chen, her gaze shifted and she was momentarily taken aback. At a table in front of her, there was a girl whose profile closely resembled that of Chen Huian.

Zhong Qiang saw Xu Yizhong standing there with a smile, holding a wine glass and not saying a word, and his expression faltered. He casually poured a glass of white liquor for Yao Yu: "Look at what Miss Du said, Xiao Yao will no longer drink, but this glass must be drunk by General Xu no matter what."

She raised her glass and said some congratulatory words with everyone, taking a sip of her drink under Du Lei's slightly mocking gaze. Was she laughing at her own outfit? Yao Yu couldn't help but smile knowingly. Du Lei stared at her, the mockery in her eyes becoming more pronounced. The two exchanged glances for a few seconds before turning away.

Yao Yu then noticed Xu Yizhong holding a cup and looking at her. "I am Yao Yu from the marketing department of Datang. I would like to propose a toast to General Xu, and I hope to receive your guidance in the future!" She quickly smiled and raised her juice to toast Xu Yizhong.

Gradually, the atmosphere began to liven up, and more people were moving around the tables, toasting with their wine glasses. Jialin Group had arranged for many handsome men and beautiful women to circulate and toast, enhancing the ambiance. Zhong Qiang knew that Yao Yu did not drink, so he said to her: "Go find your classmates; it is also a way to connect with them."

Let me introduce you to General Xu!" Zhong Qiang said with a smile, half introducing and half commanding.

Indeed, I have known Dure since middle school through to university; she knows me too well. After not seeing each other for two years since graduation, she immediately wants to assert her dominance upon our reunion. Dure, you are too mischievous!

Yao Yu carefully looked again and finally confirmed that it was her. It had been two years since graduation, and this was the first time she had seen Chen Huian. The person sitting in front should be someone important to Jialin Group. She wondered how Huian was doing. Later, she would call Qian Chen, and the three of them could chat.

Yao Yu's smile instantly faded. Is she no longer even a classmate? There is a saying: "A gentleman parts ways without speaking ill of each other." Du Lei knows very well that Yao Yu tends to cause trouble when she drinks, yet she still stirs the pot! The fire of anger surged within Yao Yu, and she could not understand why Du Lei always seemed to be at odds with her

Ah! Yao Yu forced a smile, feeling increasingly uncomfortable with such superficial pleasantries. She thought that if she wore those ripped jeans, perhaps Mr. Xu would say that the Tang Dynasty had a sense of fashion. The thought made her want to laugh. She picked up the juice, intending to drink it and complete her task.

"Ah, I say, General Manager Zhong, aren't the girls in your company all good drinkers? The last time, that one named Wang Lin scared our marketing department's young men with her drinking. If they all drink like today, our General Manager Xu won't be able to keep up either" Du Lei interjected with a grin.

She, Tao Qianchen, Chen Huian, and Du Lei are all students of the Chinese Department at University C. Du Lei, in theory, should be closest to www.hetushu.com.com, as they come from the same city and have known each other since middle school. Yet, for some reason, the two of them just cannot get along. Huian and Qianchen live across from them. Du Lei, Huian, and Qianchen are all recognized beauties in the department. At some point, Yao Yu and Qianchen became good friends. Yao Yu often visits her room, which also led to her becoming familiar with Huian. Du Lei, Huian, and Qianchen are all recognized beauties in the department. At some point, Yao Yu and Qianchen became good friends. Yao Yu often visits her room, which also led to her becoming familiar with Huian.

"Tsk tsk, I really didn't expect you to have such a beautiful classmate," Zhong Qiang exclaimed, "She must be from a relevant government department."

Accompanying her was a man in his thirties, exuding an impressive demeanor. As soon as he approached, Yao Yu heard the enthusiastic calls from the surrounding people: "General Manager Xu!" She understood that this person was Xu Yizhong, the Executive Vice President of Jialin Group, and was surprised by his youth. Was Du Lei his secretary or someone from the group's marketing department? Yao Yu pondered in her mind.

Xu Yizhong found it amusing as he observed, the young girl had quite a personality, and with a slight smile he said: "Miss Yao certainly knows how to speak, I was just thinking of having a drink with you."

Upon graduation, everyone went their separate ways. The girls from the Chinese department are quite perceptive; those who have not found good jobs prefer not to mention work, while those who have found positions may boast about them, and some choose to keep their successes to themselves. Aside from her concern for Qianchen's job, Yao Yu is indifferent to others. Two years have passed, and she suddenly learns that Hui'an might be working in a certain government department, and Du Lei is employed at the Jia Lin Group, an old client of the Tang Dynasty. She can't help but feel a bit sentimental.

Zhong Qiang raised his eyebrows, "Yao Yu and Du Lei are classmates?" Xu Yizhong also showed a hint of surprise and turned to look at Du Lei, "You are classmates?"