Chapter 1, Seizing Meat from the Tiger's Mouth (1)

Cheng Rumo immediately stopped biting her lip and reached out to take the dress. The fabric was very comfortable and surely not inexpensive. She looked up to check the brand at the counter and was already considering retreating. However, the dress in her hands was indeed beautiful, with a simple style yet exquisite details.

Various types of gatherings exist, yet university reunions are notably rare. This time, however, it is a university gathering

"Fine, I know you don't believe me," Lin Ran said, looking down at the lipstick in the cabinet. "This color suits you quite well," she added, reaching out to touch it, her ring finger adorned with a particularly eye-catching diamond ring.

Just say it is me, do not drag Capricorn into this

Lin Ran assessed her: "Good-looking. Like Song Hye-kyo."

Are you at home? If so, I will come over to get the external hard drive from you

Before me lay what seemed to be a heap of ruins after a forced demolition. Digging through with my bare hands, I initially held little hope, yet unexpectedly, beneath the collapsed concrete slab, I discovered that name. Blowing away the dust in one breath, it appeared as vibrant as ever

Aren't you having a class reunion next week? Lin Ran reminded her

Cheng Rumo shoved the hard drive into her hand, "What else can we do? There are twelve of us, four boys and eight girls, too many monks and too little meat. Moreover, this meat is leftover from last night; I don't even know if it will upset our stomachs."

In contrast to her view of classmates as a great threat, Liu Xuezhi is quite enthusiastic about it, always hoping that Cheng Rumo can develop something with her old classmates

Cheng Rumo couldn't be bothered to criticize her: she truly could have developed, why wait until now? In ten years, it has been a case of openly building the platform while secretly crossing the river.

Cheng Rumo was momentarily taken aback

Every time she hears that a former classmate has become an editor-in-chief, another has joined the product team, and yet another has become the marketing manager, she increasingly feels that she has taken a wrong turn in her career path

You see everyone as Song Hye-kyo

After finishing washing up, I saw a bowl of dark soup on the dining table. Liu Xuezhi was frying eggs in the kitchen, half of her body hidden in the dim light. "Drink the gruel."

If one can still tolerate this, then the act of clinging to a boyfriend or husband while constantly acting coy and subtly flaunting superiority is simply infuriating enough to make one want to slap them with a shoe

Please wrap a new one for me

At that moment, a sense of solitary courage and grandeur surged within her, making her wish to spend lavishly and arm herself from head to toe, ready to embrace a man once more. However, after a night of stomach troubles, those thoughts had long been expelled. She still wanted to curl up like this, but outside, Liu Xuezhi had already begun cooking, with pots and pans clattering in a chaotic symphony. Cheng Rumo felt as if a water and land temple had opened in her head, the noise causing her a headache, and although she wanted to sleep, sleep eluded her.

This red is neither overly mature nor too youthful, it is indeed very beautiful. Cheng Rumo was just about to say to take it out and have a look, but suddenly thought, did Lin Ran notice her earlier action of biting her lip? So she changed her words at the last moment, "No need, I still have several unused ones at home, why don't you give it a try?"

"Men are all ungrateful. Just after getting engaged, they are already not as good as when we were dating. Once we are truly married, they will definitely treat me like a maid, serving their entire family." Lin Ranman casually held onto Cheng Rumo while carelessly picking out clothes.

Cheng Rumo was determined on the spot

Cheng Rumo went to look in the mirror. Fashion changes year after year, yet she was still wearing last year's style; her originally long, curly hair had become dry and frizzy due to neglect. Having just pulled an all-nighter the day before, she looked like a half-eaten cookie that had been left open, exuding a damp and uncomfortable feeling after being left overnight

Lin Ran took a dress off the rack and held it in front of herself, then turned around to hold it up in front of Cheng Rumo, saying, "You would definitely look good in this dress."

Cheng Rumo smiled

Lin Ran shook her head, "My skin is not as fair as yours, this color doesn't look good on me"

Liu Xuezhi was naturally unaware of her thoughts, and she was glad that her illness came at just the right time—she wished that Cheng Rumo would be right under her nose, working and getting married, and that in the future, the children they had would be brought to her, born as citizens of Jiangcheng and dying as ghosts of Jiangcheng

What kind of nostalgia is this? If you really want to be nostalgic, then don’t come over in a car that hasn’t even driven two hundred kilometers yet, don’t dress in full Armani and spray a ton of perfume, and don’t mix Chinese and English after two years abroad to the point where you can’t even articulate properly.

She then said calmly, "I will give it a try."

Cheng Rumo was chatting with a female classmate on her right. In the midst of their conversation, there came a moment of silence when neither of them spoke. Suddenly, Bai Su turned her head and asked Cheng Rumo: "Rumo, the color of your lipstick is beautiful, which brand is it?"

Cheng Rumo was taken aback, and upon turning her head, she caught sight of Bai Subo's eyes shimmering like flowing light. She reached into her bag, took out a lipstick, and handed it to Bai Su, showing the brand and color number.

After greeting everyone in a manner as smooth as ink, I focused my gaze and noticed that the vacant seat was just beside Bai Su

Cheng Rumo had a gathering where he ate some unclean barbecue, and in the middle of the night, he began to experience vomiting and diarrhea repeatedly, causing the toilet to flush loudly. During the last episode, Liu Xuezhi in the master bedroom was awakened by the noise and, still in a daze from sleep, shouted angrily: "Why aren't you sleeping at this late hour? Where have you gone to lie down!"

From now on, Cheng Rumo must inquire clearly before attending class reunions, and politely decline any invitations that do not explicitly state "no family members allowed"

Cheng Rumo studied Digital Media, and the reputable companies related to this field are not located in Jiangcheng. She worked as an online editor for a local portal website for two years, felt that the job had no prospects, and then switched careers to work in advertising planning.

He slept at the construction site last night," Liu Xuezhi said as she sat down with a large bowl of noodles, then took out the leftover vegetable stalks from the fridge and added them to the noodles. "Fortunately, your father is not at home; if he were, he would have scolded you to death.

"Come in quickly!"

Cheng Rumo's thoughts drifted away. This gathering was once again proposed by Bai Su. Bai Su is also a local from Jiangcheng. After working in Chongcheng for two years, she returned to inherit her father's furniture store. Now she has a boyfriend, and it is said that their wedding date has already been set. This gathering was entirely arranged by her, with venues for dining, entertainment, and leisure all booked, and she even generously sponsored a few plane tickets.

After exiting the subway, holding an umbrella, she walked towards the hotel and happened to pass by the Ocean Department Store. Cheng Rumo paused, gazing at the large sign, hesitating for a few seconds before turning in.

She felt a stir in her heart, yet her face remained impassive.

The sales assistant also encouraged: "This dress looks very good when paired with a trench coat. It can also be worn alone when the weather is warm, making it perfect for someone with your slender figure"

A few days ago, Lin Ran came to the company to see her, and upon seeing her current appearance, she shook her head repeatedly

Over the years, she has attended numerous reunions with her classmates from elementary school, middle school, and high school. A group of individuals, all around thirty years old, impulsively exclaims during their leisure time that they want to reminisce, which is simply insincere

Those who know are naturally aware that you are dedicated to your work, while those who do not may think you are troubled by love, still unable to move on after more than six months. At this age, a woman no longer has the privilege of being unadorned. Lin Ran urged her, "Men are particularly fond of girls in their early twenties; once you pass the age of twenty-six, it's time for clearance sales, a desperate bargain."

Cheng Rumo glanced at the lipstick again and lightly shifted the topic, "Speaking of fair skin, there was a girl in my university class whose skin was several shades fairer than mine, and coincidentally, her name also contained the character for 'white'; her name was Bai Su."

Where is that? My relationship with her is quite good

She did not want to return home, preferring to stay in her less than 30 square meter rental apartment. However, if she returned, Liu Xuezhi would scold her; if she did not return, the scolding would be even harsher. Helpless, she could only come back once a week to report, to avoid Liu Xuezhi saying that "without having grown wings, she does not know to return to the nest. If she were to marry a worthless man, she wouldn't even know where she came from."

Look at you, acting all disdainful towards dogs, do you really think you are successful in love while thriving in your career? You are twenty-seven this year, and next year you will be rushing towards thirty, which cannot be reversed even by ten combine harvesters. When the time comes, don't come crying to me asking for a boyfriend; I have a line of unmarried girls waiting from here to the North Atlantic.

The class reunion can be described as a disaster-level bad news

Lu Qiran

Cheng Rumo's marriage failed before it even began; she had long since lost interest and devoted herself entirely to her work. In six months, she secured two major contracts, and her salary, which had not increased for many years, was finally raised. It seems that the man on the pink banknotes is the most reliable, while everything else is just nonsense

When they arrived at the hotel private room, there were already seven or eight people present. Bai Su was seated in a position facing the door, and the first person Cheng Rumo saw upon entering was her

Cheng Rumo then took out the external hard drive and brought it along

It is interesting; you are one in black and the other in white, and you must have had your fair share of open and covert conflicts in the past

Bai Su smiled and said, "If I go buy an identical one, would you mind?"

Cheng Rumo watched Lin Ran's car drive away, just as she was about to turn and go inside, her peripheral vision caught sight of a taxi stopping ahead. Through the rain and mist, it was hard to see clearly, but the person sitting in the passenger seat seemed to be...

Bai Su was about to say something when Lin Ran's call came in. Cheng Rumo answered briefly, then took out a hard drive from her bag and smiled, saying, "I am going downstairs to deliver something"

In a daze, I slept for a while, and when I woke up, it was already bright outside. It was only then that Cheng Rumo remembered the appointment with Lin Ran to go shopping.

Cheng Rumo returned home after work to change clothes and apply makeup, glancing at the watch from time to time. Although she intended to restrain herself, she could not help but feel nervous in the end

Lin Ran praised, "Beautiful"

Cheng Rumo quickly smiled and said: "Of course I don't mind, your skin is fair, this color looks good on you"

"How dare he command you, it would be more appropriate for you to be treated like a beast of burden." After suffering from diarrhea, Cheng Rumo still spoke weakly. Passing by a fitting mirror, she caught a glimpse of herself; her face was as pale as a ghost about to be consumed by sunlight. She reached for her handbag, but after searching for a long time, she couldn't find her lip balm, so she bit her lips hard, trying to bring a hint of color back to them.

It is indeed beautiful, but it costs half a month's salary.

Could you take it to the hotel? I will stop by the hotel after work, and you can bring it down to me then, is that alright?

Liu Xuezhi lost face in this matter, and now that more than half a year has passed, whenever they meet, she still criticizes Cheng Rumo's perspective on men, or she urges her to get married soon. After the beginning of spring, the emphasis on these two topics has clearly shifted increasingly towards the latter.

This cannot be blamed on me, I only know one Korean person.

Lin Ran ignored her jibes and took her hand to look at cosmetics. "Adjusting the shoulder straps and crossing your legs are high demands; if you're not careful, it can come off as affected and flirtatious. Your skills are too basic; I do not recommend it," Lin Ran said with a smile, glancing at Cheng Rumo. "In the future, when you encounter a man you like, find an opportunity to bend down and pick something up in front of him, and I guarantee even stainless steel will turn into the waters of the spring river."

During the meal, Cheng Rumo did not see Cheng Deyun's figure and took a sip of yogurt, asking: "Where is Dad?"

Cheng Rumo glanced for a moment before following Lin Ran's指指位置 to look over.

This color is newly released and is very suitable for professional women

In comparison, Lin Ran, who is also a native of Jiangcheng, has a much more cheerful disposition. Lin Ran's family is well-off, owning two apartments of over 150 square meters each in the old city area where land is extremely valuable. Her parents live in one apartment, while the other is reserved as her dowry. Lin Ran got engaged during the Spring Festival and plans to get married this September

She has a flaw; upon hearing bad news, she worries for a while, then immediately forgets about it, only to remember again when faced with imminent danger

Cheng Rumo said, "Get lost"

Bai Su has long black hair parted in the middle, and she is wearing a Valentino dress. The sleeves are slightly rolled up, revealing her fair wrists, adorned with a Cartier bracelet. As she converses with others, she gently caresses the coral bead earrings on her earlobes, tilting her head slightly. Her earlobes are as white as jade, while the coral beads are as red as blood. Even Cheng Rumo finds this scene quite enchanting.

Cheng Rumo let out a soft "hm" and glanced at Liu Xuezhi, whose dark green sweater resembled the wilted green vegetable stalks. She pushed around the noodles in her bowl, which were floating in a layer of oil, feeling rather listless

The day of the gathering was Friday, with a light drizzle falling and the air feeling slightly cool, carrying a hint of dampness. Standing in the office building and gazing into the distance, the Yangtze River was shrouded in thin mist, evoking a sense of ethereal beauty. As a result, the persistent PM2.5 levels over the past week seemed less bothersome.

Lin Ran burst into laughter, "The important thing is not that there are many monks and little meat, but that one must seize the meat from the tiger's mouth—alright, I will take my leave now, this is not a place to park. You should head back, and report to me immediately if there is any news!"

Last autumn, Cheng Rumo's wedding banquet had already been arranged, but her fiancé Qiu Yu suddenly cheated on her. After a chaotic and tumultuous battle, in the end, Qiu Yu accused her, saying that she was too indifferent, heartless, and yet expected others to be open-hearted towards her.

Her close friend Lin Ran laughed at her, saying, layer upon layer of autumn rain, layer upon layer of coldness

Lin Ran smiled, "Our editorial team discussed creating a special feature on how to seduce men. I have learned a few tricks; would you like me to share them with you?"

Cheng Rumo thought to himself, truly eloquent. Yet he still had not been muddled by the soup, carefully calculating.

This so-called "muddy water" is a local remedy from Cheng Rumo's hometown, made by frying rice noodles until they are burnt, then boiling them in water. It looks dark and dirty, but it is surprisingly effective for treating diarrhea. Cheng Rumo dislikes the taste, yet has to admit that this concoction is more effective than Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, so he can only hold his breath and drink it all at once

Lin Ran could not find a parking space, so she parked her car at the entrance of the hotel. She rolled down the car window and saw Cheng Rumo approaching with an umbrella, wearing a mischievous smile: "How is it?"

It is indeed a miracle that there are still people who are so attached to their homeland and reluctant to relocate

After taking another look, still feeling somewhat dissatisfied, Lin Ran shook her head and said: "With your demeanor, appearing delicate and fragile, you most effectively evoke a man's protective instincts. However, your overly serious expression makes it difficult for others to approach you casually—are all Capricorns like this?"

Bai Su was also the first to see Cheng Rumo enter. As she greeted him, the others followed suit, enthusiastically exchanging pleasantries while making room for Cheng Rumo to take a seat

You are already an emotional mentor and an expert in extramarital affairs, do you still need to learn from others

Just as I was about to go out, I received a call from Lin Ran

I have a class gathering today, and later I will go to the Lindton Hotel

In the year of her graduation, Liu Xuezhi developed a tumor in her abdomen that required surgical removal; her father, Cheng Deyun, was working in another city and could not take care of Liu Xuezhi. Cheng Rumo had originally received an offer from Chongcheng City, but due to this matter, he declined it and stayed in Jiangcheng.

Cheng Rumo felt almost exhausted, and with a snap, pressed the flush button. Amidst three minutes of continuous curses, he rinsed his mouth, returned to the bedroom, and sprawled his deflated body on the bed, burying his face in the pillow

At this age, the topics at the dining table inevitably revolve around promotions and salary increases, as well as marriage and childbirth. Initially, everyone would engage in conversation together, but soon it would break into smaller groups of two or three, creating a lively atmosphere.

The effect on her upper body is better than she imagined; she is already slender, and wearing this dress accentuates her waist, which is barely graspable.

Lin Ran expressed disbelief

After buying the dress, Cheng Rumo had her hair cut to a medium length and dyed a deep chestnut color. Upon leaving the hair salon, she felt a sudden lightness in her step, as if her back had straightened by three points.

Cheng Rumo smiled and sat down